Odds & Ends

Posted on Sun Jan 5th, 2025 @ 5:10pm by Captain Daegan Baas & Ensign Konnibet S'ladaar [Baas] & Lieutenant Liam O'Riley
Edited on on Wed Jan 22nd, 2025 @ 10:31pm

1,082 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: A New Beginning
Location: Deck 10
Timeline: Current

Walking into Main Engineering shortly before zero seven hundred, Liam saw the project commander standing on the raised platform by the assorted stations. Walking up a few stairs Liam greeted the project Chief "Good Morning Commander Devon, how goes it" he inquired with a smile.

Looking away from one of the screens "And you as well Lieutenant. Everything is in order so I'm ready to turn engineering over into your capable hands" he replied with a smile "I assume you're ready for the transfer."

"Yes I am; actually alpha shift will start at zero eight hundred so I thought I'd show up early to see what the state of things were" then he paused "Obviously that's not an issue" Liam stated.

"Before I turn things over to you let me show you something new to the Vesta class ship" as the Commander led the way to the stairs end of the platform then turned facing Liam "This is what I like to call the Chiefs console. From here you can access any screen for engineering instead of walking all over the place" Devon explained rather proud of this new feature.

O'Riley looked at the console then smiled "Now this is slick! It should save me wear and tear on the boots for sure" he replied.

"I thought you might like this new feature" the Commander commented "Ok, we may as well make this official. Computer, Commander, Devon, Alex, security clearance beta-omega-7-zulu. transfer all engineering command codes to Lieutenant, O'Riley, Liam this time and day forward and make a note in ship's logs"

"Engineering command codes transferred to Lieutenant, O'Riley, Liam this time and day forward as noted in ship's logs' the computer replied.

Turning to the new chief "She's all yours Lieutenant O'Riley. Best of luck to you and your crew; I'm sure you'll do a great job keeping her operating at peak performance" as Devon extended his hand.

Shaking hands "We'll certainly do our best in that regard and thank you to you and your staff for getting the Valkyrie this far along" Liam replied with sincerity.

"Excellent and I'll let you get to it" the Commander commented then walked down the stairs and left engineering.

Liam looked around at his new domain as he let out a long breathe; now it was up to him and his team.

Later that day Liam knew there was one last piece to his puzzle he wanted to complete as he entered a nearby lift "Deck 10" came the request.

Exiting the lift Liam walked into Cetacean Ops at the surface collaboration area to meet the last member of his team. Walking to the surface Liam hit the universal translator "Ensign Konnibet S'ladaar, hello, I'm Lieutenant Liam O'Riley the engineering chief. I thought we might have a few words if you have a moment" he stated with a smile as he could hear the transition taking place.

The water reverberated with the sounds as the the translation. Swimming away from her console Konnibet glided over to the area were she could, indirectly, interact with the ships air breathers.

She responded to the human and waited for the translations. "What can I do for you Lieutenant?"

Liam smiled "I wanted to meet you since, as I understand it, you are our QSD engineer and part of the engineering team. Also there is something that I would like your approval on before any action is taken" he explained.

Her head twist in a questioning gesture as the sounds of her response were translated. "You are my superior officer, what would you need that requires my approval, sir."

"Captain Baas requested that we come up with a way to make you feel part of the engineering team; other than just comms. Obviously your habitat requires you to remain here. Having said that how would you like us to go about accomplishing that goal so that you're not be so isolated and feel like part of the engineering team" Liam inquired hoping this solution would be acceptable "I would want your consent to this before proceeding."

Her head lowered slightly, "I do not require any special treatment Lieutenant but it am thankful you took the time to come. Obviously, the ships environment was built to accommodate the majority of those aboard and service in Starfleet comes with an understanding that direct interaction would be limited. What did you have in mind?"

"Well I was thinking of utilizing a one way screen so you could see what was going on in engineering while at the same time we'd have two way communication through the device; that way I hope you'd feel more part of engineering and not so confined to your habitat" Liam explained "But only if you're comfortable with the arrangement."

"I thank you but that is unnecessary. Like I said I don't want any special treatment, besides... I would feel uncomfortable simply watching others going about their task. It would be like I was eaves dropping on them. If communications are need for my input that can be handled normally.

"Any working group I might be assigned to can interact over communications or those involved can meet here at the mid-level interaction level or even in the interaction area for my off-duty area."

Chief O'Riley thought for a moment knowing he was working in new territory as he smiled "I see your point Ensign" then he paused a moment "If that's what your wishes are I will certainly honor them and I look forward to working with you. Also I see you are our quantum slipstream engineer....so I assume you can control that from here as if you were physically present on decks 1-3 ?"

Her entire body rippled in acknowledgement as her reply echoed before being translated. "That is correct sir. My terminals have full access to the quantum drive systems or any other associated engineering systems. Including the repair lab where I can collaborate with other staff on routine maintenance or other repairs."

"Great. I'll let you get back to it then" Liam replied pleased their conversation went so well "If anyone's looking for me, I'm heading back to main engineering."

"Understood." Doubting the translator would convey sarcasm but perhaps if phrased properly, "And if any one needs me..."

Hearing that Liam chuckled to himself; it was nice the Ensign has a sense of humor as Liam left there area.


Lieutenant Liam O'Riley
Chief Engineering Officer

Ensign Konnibert S'ladaar
QSD Engineer
NPC Played by Baas

 

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