Reality Check
Posted on Tue Dec 24th, 2024 @ 2:41pm by Lieutenant Liam O'Riley
Edited on on Tue Dec 24th, 2024 @ 2:46pm
1,099 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
A New Beginning
Location: Valkyrie
Timeline: Current
Lieutenant Liam O’Riley walked out of the Captain’s ready room with a big smile on his face having gone through the interview and being selected as the new Chief Engineering Officer; but now things just got real very quickly. Before anything else he just had to go check out Main Engineering, then he'd find his new quarters. Stepping onto the lift “Deck 11, Main Engineering” came the request.
As soon as O’Riley stepped off the lift he could feel that familiar ‘thrumming’ on the deck plates under his feet; any Chief worth his salt would immediately sense the same thing.
Walking into the area, the Lieutenant dropped his duffel by a console then stood for a few moments looking around in awe. This was even grander than he could have imagined…watching the warp core pulsating with a light blue color; it was almost mesmerizing. Upon further investigation Liam realized this wasn't your typical warp core....this was the newer type Mark XII with a power output of 138 petawatts enabling a maximum velocity of warp 9; she was a beast.
A Commander was standing nearby when he noticed an officer just standing admiring the warp core as he walked over “Hello, I’m Commander Devon, Chief Engineer for this project. Whom might you be.”
Liam smiled “I’m Lieutenant Liam O’Riley the new Chief Engineer for the Valkyrie; it’s very nice to meet you Commander” he replied holding out his hand.
Shaking hands “Ah…..so you’re the new Chief; I was wondering when you’d show up. Welcome aboard. It’ll be a few more days before she’ll be turned over to you. In the meantime get yourself settled in and if you have any questions at all please don’t be afraid to ask; better now than after I leave” as he gave a light chuckle.
With a grin “Thank you Sir" then he paused " First I had to go through the Captain's interview which was rather intense but considering this is a new type of ship, I'm sure all eyes will be on us and the Captain doesn't strike me as someone who wants to fail. I'll be sure to remember what you just said” he stated “Tomorrow I’ll be spending the morning going over personal files, getting my crew organized, forming work details, and filling the key positions. After that's completed, if there's time, Id like to ‘pick your brain’ about the QSD just to make sure I’m up to speed since you're here” Liam explained.
“I've heard that about Captain Baas, being rather intense at times but I guess that's what makes for a good Captain so he gets things just the way he wants them. No problem Lieutenant; I’d be more than happy to answer any of your questions in that regard and we can delve into the QSD just as far as you want to go” the Commander replied rather impressed with this guys enthusiasm.
“Thank you Sir, that would be great. Liam commented “But for now I guess I’d better go and find my quarters then get my things unpacked and put away while I still have the chance” bending down he grabbed his duffel and left his new workplace.
Entering a nearby lift “Deck 3” he requested. Moments later Liam exited, with padd in hand, and navigated his way to his new home.
After keying in his security code, the doors swooshed open and Liam entered dropping his duffel on the floor. Looking around he discovered good sized quarters….not terribly large….but large enough to be comfortable.
Walking over to the replicator Liam grabbed a bottle of water then sat on the couch for a few minutes to catch his breathe; it had been one hell of a day. After resting he grabbed his duffel and walked to the bedroom then emptied it’s contents.
Next he tapped his comm “Cargo Chief, this is Lieutenant Liam O’Riley, is my crate aboard and if so could you have it beamed to my quarters please” he inquired wanting to get his new home settled while he had the chance.
“Let me check” the Chief replied. Moments later “Yes we have one crate with your name on it; I’ll bean to you momentarily.”
“Excellent, thank you Chief. O’Riley out.” A few minutes later one medium sized crate appeared in the living area. Liam traveled light and wasn’t in the habit of collecting stuff; you never knew when Star Fleet would decide to transfer you.
The balance of his clothing went into the closet and dresser. His personal care items were deposited into the bathroom. There were a few keepsake items that went either on a side table by a chair or on the bookshelf at the end of the living area. Having quite a few technical manuals, these went on the bookshelf as well.
Now that the crate was empty Liam tapped his comm once again “Cargo Chief, O’Riley here. The crate is been emptied so you can retrieve it at your convenience” he commented.
“OK. I’ll have it beamed back in a few moments and welcome aboard Lieutenant.
“Thank you Chief, I’m looking forward to what lies ahead on the Valkyrie” he replied starting to feel the weight of the day catching up to him. He had been up early finishing his packing on his previous ship then said his goodbyes to a few special people; one of which was a beautiful women who had been his best friend during his time on the USS Vigilant and also an occasional lover. She would remain near and dear to his heart no matter where Star Fleet sent him.
After the conversation with the Chief , Liam went and sat back on the couch finishing his water. It had been an exhausting day and the thought of food didn’t appeal to him much.
As Liam sat he started going over in his mind the immense responsibility he had signed up for a few hours earlier. This new assignment was one he would throw himself into one hundred ten percent knowing he was capable of a task such as this one. Tomorrow he would get his team organized then meet with them and impart a moral boosting speech just to set the tone for the coming days; and what he hoped would be coming years. Letting out a breathe he leaned his head against the back of the couch and fell fast asleep.
Lieutenant Liam O’Riley
CEO
USS Valkyrie
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