Growth is the only evidence of life -

John Henry Newman

Outside of these quarters, engineers and repair crews were everywhere. Frequently he saw ship's personnel whose official jobs had nothing to do with mechanical repairs – such a medical staff – pitching in on the work. The repair teams at Utopia were the finest in the galaxy, but apparently the crew of the Providence was quite attached to their ship and had, during their long service, acquired a range of cross-training he had to admire.

The quarters/office of Captain M'Sera however was a stark contrast to the rest of the ship. In here, the only sound was the low level rhythmic harmony of a traditional Deltan water clock mixing with the general ambiance of an engine and electrical system adapted for deep space. The furnishings were comfortable and obviously acquired through many years of travels more than replicated stock.

While he did not understand the maxim about a captain's office being a reflection of the captain, Data had to admit this was much different than the technical readouts that lined the walls of his counterpart on the Trieste's or the Tripoli's office which was filled with family portraits that intrigued him to no end. What he could garner is, like many others of his species, M'Sera had a heightened sense of aesthetics and offered his space like one would open a gallery to art.

"I welcome you, Mr. Data," he nodded lightly to a white, cushioned chair while he stood at his desk. When Data continued to stand, he added, "Please have a seat."

"Ah." After he came to understand the captain's meaning, he crossed the room and obliged him by lowering himself into a sitting position. "While your concern for my fatigue is admirable," he noted, "I could have stood indefinitely."

The older man tilted his head. "That would make me a less than ideal host. The furnishings -" He waved a hand once to encompass the room, "are here not just for my pleasure, but for the pleasure of my visitors, including those on official business."

"Intriguing perspective, Captain, and one I hope to learn more about."

M'Sera smiled a half-lidded smile as he left his desk and came over to his junior officer. "You will have the time. May I ask you why you chose this assignment, Commander?"

Data frowned slightly. "Starfleet's needs come before any of my own considerations, sir."

"Before, or balanced with?"

The frown increased. "While I am intrigued by the idea of joining a close-knit crew, I do not, as such, have many considerations of my own other than to grow personally and professionally."

M'Sera cocked his head. "Yet you chose to leave the Trieste. Why is that?"

"I felt that my growth in multiple areas was -" He searched for the right word before settling on, "stalled."

"In what way?" the Captain probed.

"The crew was polite and the work was engaging, but that was the limit of of my interactions aboard the ship. Captain Sen's command style was one that fostered order and logic."

M'Sera chuckled. "And you don't value order and logic?"

Data frowned slightly. "It is more that I understand order and logic and appreciate its consequential value. What interests me – what I continue to seek out - is what I do not understand."

M'Sera chuckle now rumbled its way into a full chortle. "This would be the famed quest for humanity?"

"Yes. Though professionally, interacting with a host of species and cultures as the Providence's mission requires appeals to me as well. Aboard the Trieste, my work mostly focused on astrophysics. As you no doubt know, I have dual doctorates and believe my work in exobiology would prove more useful."

"Likely," the Deltan agreed as his fingers idly rubbed the fabric of the chair's arm under his hand. "Mari - Commander Taylor – was a master linguist, but, like you, she was a scientist at heart. I'm afraid in a way we bored her to death."

"Sir?"

"We were in the middle of an experiment in temporal mechanics when we were attacked by the Orion Raiders, Commander. It is in the report."

"Yes, but - 'bored to death?' Commander Taylor died during the evacuation of the sensor arrays."

M'Sera's face darkened. "And she would not have been there, had we declined the assignment. Marianna insisted we take the risk – and then stayed too long in a vain attempt to save the data." He shook his head. "I'm afraid she finally had a grand experiment and the dream of it was something she couldn't let go of, even as death closed in." He sighed and his eyes wandered to the water clock. "Forgive me, Commander Data. I will recover from the loss with time."

While Data cycled through various potential replies to M'Sera's obvious grief, a pale green bearded man opened the door behind the Captain's chair, pausing his thoughts.

"Commander Data, this is Engineer Nikkav Taylor." The Deltan introduced the being without looking back at him. Data's exobiology degree filled in the missing information. While humans and Vulcans tended to be sight-oriented, Deltans employed a myrid of senses, including pheromones, to identify other beings. The captain hadn't needed the turn around to introduce the newcomer. Orion pheromones tended to be legendary in strength.

"You're the machine man come to replace Mari?" he asked gruffly.

Data could see the Deltan wince at the rudeness. "Nik, it's not like that on multiple counts, and you are aware of this."

When the engineer shrugged, Data registered another letdown. Things had been going so well with the captain, and now the prejudice that organic beings held for his mechanical nature was, as the saying went, back in force. "Well, this afternoon, you get to show off a little," he said to Data. "Starfleet sent us some hotshot to inspect and update our security protocols and oversee some equipment upgrades. There's also a survival drill for select staff at 1500 on the holodeck."

M'Sera clucked his tongue in what was obviously an ongoing annoyance with Taylor's tendencies towards insubordination. "I'm sure whatever wizened elder Admiral Aaron sent us they sent will offer their wisdom and will ultimately make our ship safer and more efficient."

Taylor's smile dripped dark humor off his slightly pointed teeth. "Nope. This one isn't some admiral. It's worse." He glanced back to Data. "Protocol isn't our thing around here," he belatedly explained. "Too much to do and in too damn little time with very little in the way of explanations. We're given a job around here and we do it however is most efficient."

Data wanted to argue the point, but he was much more interested on gleaning clues how this new ship's personnel functioned. There was also a concern that the Chief Engineer already seemed to be acting in the manner a First Officer would which left him confused on how to proceed without further analysis – and an analysis required data.

"I will endeavor to adapt to the ship's norms, but, if I may ask, why is outside help unwelcome, and can you define 'worse?'"

"Admiral Aaron just sent us the handpicked Chief of Security from that wonderful ship out there." Outside the window, the new Federation flag ship appeared complete, but Data knew that the interior was still undergoing "last minute touches" to assure a more adaptable and secure ship. "She's some kind of wunderkind."

The Deltan raised an eyebrow. "I assume Anderson was informed."

"And taking it better than expected, though he doesn't want to spare the manpower. The pair of us are busy fixing things. This gives the rest of security something to do which keeps them from being underfoot. Still, if we're going to be off on time, I need his help in Engineering."

"I am extensively trained in ships engines," Data replied. "I would be happy to relieve Lieutenant Anderson of his need to work in that area while he sees to the efficiency of his team."

M'Sera shook his head. "Mari, Nik, and Bjorn did extensive modifications to the engines over the years as one crisis or another happened," he explained. "Some of the modifications list was lost with Mari's other data. I believe you would be of more use to the ship if you were to help oversee the operations and security upgrades, Commander."

Puzzled, Data tilted his head. "I'm afraid I'm not as familiar with Security protocols as a trained officer would be."

The Deltan smiled and patted his hand. "Think of it as an area of growth."

Taylor folded his arms. "'Sides, if this Yar person is half as good as Aaron chats her up to be, you'll be an expert by lunchtime tomorrow!"