OOC: While the last bits of 352 are finishing up we'll start on 353.



Dr. Hathorn arrives at the ship exactly at 0800.  She is tall, perhaps 180cm (5'11), though her fashionable high heels at at least aonther 7cm to her height.  She is also slender, attractive, and very self-assured.  Her hair is waist length, pulled back neatly, and is indeed platinum blonde.  Her dark blue blouse is high-quality and elegant, as is her knee length skirt.

She gingerly steps over the airlock entrance and steps into the passenger lounge.  She introduces herself smoothly, "Doctor Syren Hathorn, it is a pleasure to meet you."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
A credentials review on her reveals:

Education: Doctorate, Master's, 2 Bachelor's
Admin-? (presumed)
Astrogation-2+ (at least)
Comms-0
Computer-1
Engineer(jump)-1
Life Science-0
Navigation-0
Physical Science-0
Pilot(spacecraft)-1
Sensors-1
Space Science-0
Vacc Suit-0

"Welcome Doctor Hathorn, I'm Captain Hayden Marks, please, have a seat."

Hayden goes around the room, making sure to introduce Hathorn to everyone present.

”We are looking to hire two engineers to round out our crew.  You were recommended to us and we wanted to meet to see if you were looking for work, and if a position aboard the Gypsy Moth would be a good fit for your interests, and ours."

”Can I get you something to drink?” Hayden asks.

In reply to Hayden Marks (msg #2):

Her nose wrinkles at the desription of the positions being offered, "I understand you being interested in my engineering qualifications Captain, but please realize that I only studied the machinery aspects of jump in order to make myself a better Astrogator.  I do not wish to sound arrogant, but I am the best astrogator in the sector.  I would consider going to space as an astrogator if the compensation package met my unique skillset, but otherwise I should prefer to remain here as a research professor."

"I'm sorry that there was a misunderstanding, but it would simply be a waste for me to be in a drive room.  No offense to any engineers present."

Jack smiles across his espresso. "Doctor Hathorn, I had hoped to see you speak this week but duty called me away. I was looking forward to the higher theoretical aspects of your astrogational experience such as Graham's Wave-Motion Theory and your thoughts on the effects of dark matter on mis-jumping... and, of course, which vessels you've served on as astrogator."

Dr. Jones appeared less involved in his coffee this time around.  Though that could just be a predilection for platinum blondes.  At least he didn't seem hungover.

He was keenly interested in what ships she might have served on and where they might have been.

"Unlike most commercial vessels, Gypsy Moth isn't restricted to the normal trade routes, doctor Hathorn. I've been led to believe we intend to break new grounds - perhaps explore systems ignored in recent history, when the opportunities present themselves, for trade and science."

He finishes, of course, with the implication that he is doing the ship a favor by his presence, while serving his own ambitions, "Frankly I've come on board as ship's doctor because of those opportunities.  Something a university campus can't provide."

In reply to Jacques Keveloh (msg #4):

OOC: Rather than try to IC technical details of jump space...

When Jack turns the topic to jumpspace mechanics and astrogation, Hathorn becomes more animated.  She and Jack chat for about ten minutes about terms, phenomena, and mathematical nuances that leave most of the others behind.  Even Jack has to ask Hathorn to stop a couple times and explain one or two details.

Jack, it is clear that Dr. Hathorn's study of Astrogation exceeds your own, as does her vocabulary.  However, her knowledge is strongest in theory and abstract.  Her practical resume is somewhat shorter.  She is dismssive of the "shortcuts" and "rules of thumb" that most Pathfinder crew keep in their backpockets.  She considers them "inaccurate" and considers the inclusion of all variables, however minute, into jump planning as "proper."

To the Doctor, she says, "That Sounds interesting.  It may be worth weaving into a research project."

"If there are no more questions for Doctor Hathorn?" Hayden asks.  If not, he thanks Syren for her time and sends her on her way.

In response to Hayden's query and Dr. Hathorn's reply, Jim purses his lips, and shakes his head negative.

Then he turns his attention to his coffee, getting up to refill the mostly full mug.

In reply to Dr. Jim D. Jones (msg #8):

Dr. Hathorn politely shakes hands all around and graciously takes her leave.  The next candidate is Senior Lieutenant Prisa Gadron.



Prisa is short and trim, about 162cm (5'4") and maybe 50kg.  She does not appear to be much of a physical specimen, but her eyes are alert and intelligent.

She arrives ten minutes before her scheduled interview.  She introduces herself, "Prisa Gadron", but does not extend her hand.

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A credentials review indicates:

EDU: Bachelor's
Astrogation-1
Comms-1
Computer-1
Discipline-0+ (presumed)
Engineer(Jump)-1
Gun Combat-0
Mechanic-0
Medic-1
Melee(blade)-1 (presumed)
Navigation-1
Pilot-0
Remote Ops-1
Space Science-0 (her major)
Tactics(naval)-? (presumed)
Vacc Suit-0
Zero G-0

It also appears Ms. Gadron is still in the Navy, but is approved for a one year leave of absence from the service.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:14, Fri 04 Mar 2011.

”Welcome Ms. Gadron, I’m Hayden Marks, the ship’s Captain, and these are the other members of the crew,” he says, introducing everyone present in turn.

”I see from your resume that you are on a leave of absence from the Navy.  Tell me a bit about that – I didn’t realize that our military had those kinds of options available to service members.” Hayden says, starting off the interview.

He followed up by letting her know that the ship was looking for engineers and gunners, and then asked specifically about her experience as an engineering watch officer.

Danica arrives in the passenger lounge slightly winded and apologizes to the assembled having just finished overseeing the delivery of RSS freight box to Tupolev being loaded onto the Gypsy Moth.  Although the appointed time had been an hour earlier, downport transportation logistics issues had keep the delivery from being perfectly timely.  Danica had pinged Hayden, keeping him appraised of the situation, but all of the action had ensured that Danica was unable to make the Hathorn interview.

When Dani appears she prompts the others for their impressions of Syren, but the early arrival of Prisa Gadron cuts any discussion short.  Danica nods to Prisa by way of introduction keeping her hands down following their guest's lead and then moves to grab some refreshment for herself while asking Prisa, "Lt. Gadron, would you care for anything to drink?"  She then gestures to include the others in the offer, "Anyone else need anything?"

Dani moves to the galley section and busies herself grabbing another large tankard full of some sort of blended fruit and vegetable melange - bright orange this time, but with the same chunky consistency of the green mixture that she was previously seen with the day before.  She returns to the table.  Danica sips quietly while listening to Prisa story - she is particularly interested in her service record. prompting her for her personal assessments of her performance more than a listing of the factual information in her resume.  That and Dani pushes to know not only how but more importantly why Senior Lieutenant Gadron is on extended leave from the Free Republic Navy - following up Hayden's initial inquiry with a certain level of ignorance, possibly feigned, possibly real, of the Naval and military procedures and motivations that might be involved with the process to try and get a better feel for the young woman's own thoughts and reasoning.

In reply to Danica Moreau (msg #11):

As Danica knows, the Army only rarely grants leaves of absence, but service scuttlebutt has it that the Navy is a little more permissive, though not by much.  Reasons for a leave of absence might include humanitarian considerations (severe illness to spouse or child, for example) or the opportunity to pursue a fellowship in government, academia, or industry.  A leave of absence to work on a tramp trader is a little unusual.

Lieutenant Gadron's record is better than average and she appears to be a "fast-tracker".  As a newly minted Ensign she served as a bridge officer on FRS Flamberge at the Battle of Vauclain and received a minor meritorious commendation for her actions.  As a Junior Lieutenant she was the Engineer Officer on a 200ton Courier, FRS Crocus.  Her most recent assignment was to Admiral Pascal's staff.

Gadron asnwers Hayden's question with a trace of unhappiness in her voice, "It was very kind of the Admiral to intercede on my behalf with the Personnel Bureau.  Otherwise I doubt my request for leave of absence would have been approved.  She really wants me to stay in the Navy and continue working my way up the chain and thinks it is better for the Navy to give me a year off than lose me entirely."  She forces a small, self-depreciating laugh and adds, "Not that I think they'd be losing all that much, but it's nice that the Navy wants me."

Turning serious again, she confesses, "The thing is, I don't know if I want to go back to the Navy.  My fiancee is also a Naval Officer and we don't see much of each other.  We can put up with the seperation now, but what happens if we want a family?  He just deployed with Pike so I've got a few months to focus on myself and try to figure out what I want to do.  Optimally I want to spend about six months working as a merchant spacer to save some money, in case I do decide to get out, and see if its space I love or space in the Navy.  then with the rest of the sabbatical I want to spend as much time as I can with him and chart out our future."

"So I'm looking for a six month employment contract.  I know I can work as part of a small crew and I know I have the knowledge and experience to keep a ship's drives running well."

Jack can't help but like the young Lieutenant - Alsacian, smart, friendly and open... probably a perfect foil for prickly Orcut, who Jack feels is the leading candidate for Chief Engineer.

"Lt. Gadron, it is likely that Gypsy Moth and Pike will be very far apart when six months have passed. Would you entertain staying on a bit longer should that be the case, or do you feel that the time limit is firm?"

In reply to Jacques Keveloh (msg #13):

Prisa nods reluctantly, "I understand ships schedules can change and plans may not work out so I'd be back here exactly six months from now.  I could stay a few weeks longer, but not several months."


OOC: If the interviews are still interesting, great!  If they are becoming tedious just let me know and we can condense Dagala and Tamara's interviews.

Get him on the subject and one might observe Dr. Jones is no great fan of the Navy (or many other things), however, when it comes right down to it, the doctor's excessive biases generally seem to disappear - as is the case with the petite lieutenant.  He didn't even notice her lack of an offered handshake - often disdaining such common courtesies himself.

He nods at the reasonableness of her answers and smiles at her reasons in approval, while reviewing her details on his p-comm.

"You are quite modest Ms. Gadron. Looking at your resume, I can see why the Admiral wouldn't want to loose you. Impressive."

He manages to resist referring to her as a young woman, not wanting to insult her or potentially offend the Captain's interviewing sensibilities.

"I'm expecting this ship can accommodate my own love of space - and suspect it might be able to for you as well, if that turns out to be your true passion."

"If you don't mind me asking - does your fiancee intend to remain in the Navy?"

Cradling his coffee he settles back in his chair.

OOC: Happy to move on, but, for my part, I'm enjoying your character development of the interviewee's.  RP-wise, Doc is more a follow-on question guy in these circumstances, hence my own posting (in)frequency.

In reply to Dr. Jim D. Jones (msg #15):

She nods and looks down briefly, "Yes he does.  He's third generation Navy and set on a career."