In At The Deep End

Posted on Tue May 25th, 2021 @ 12:46pm by Lieutenant JG G'Rani & Senior Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Stoun

2,590 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 3 - Fear Is Fear Itself
Location: Deck 7 - Main Engineering
Timeline: Mission Day 1 @ 1130 Hours

ON

G'Rani's day had started with a jolt. Her medical breathing assist tec within her lungs had failed so before anything else she had stumbled her way to the Akira Classes sickbay to have them reset once more, which was very much a common issue with her species. It was then followed with new orders from the ships Commanding Officer that she was being reassigned to the Copernicus as they needed Engineer's as a matter of priority and given only an hour to pack up her belongings ready for transport to then be met by no one in the transporter room that knew she was coming.

The transporter chief was very generous and called the bridge but even Ensign Adams had not been made aware of the transfer. Instead she had stowed her gear in the storage locker in the transporter room and made her way down to engineering to see what she had been sent over at such short notice... What she found in the compartment was organised chaos, not something she was accustomed too, but then again the little science ship had been through hell and back from what she could see.

"Lieutenant Commander Stoun?" she asked the first person she came across in the room, having been given a PADD before she left with a run down of the senior officers... she assumed something was wrong with it though as it said the Chief Engineer had been promoted recently from Chief to Lieutenant Commander and that the Chief Medical Officer had been connected to a machine on the planet and the Captain had lost both his hands... She decided to pay the PADD little heed and source the correct information as she went.

"Actually I am not Stoun, but I am Petty Officer First Class Amalia Darcy, and I could probably fill in some blanks for you?" Darcy stated.

"Says she who could have blown us up to smithereens planet side," Minka said icily walking past.

"Ensign Sato. The Chief is likely doing his sub checks round the Jefferies and if he sticks to his usual schedule he will be going for a carb heavy lunch at the cafe afterwards. Can we help you with anything or would you like me to go fetch him?" Minka asked.

Darcy's eyebrow raised at Sato's response, then shrugged it off for the time being. Sato had a point, Amalia could have blown them sky high but then may not have done so either. "And you, kept it from happening." Darcy drily remarked, deciding to give credit where credit was due.

A hatch on the side of engineering kicked out, the Chief crawled himself out onto the deck of engineering. "Where we at with things?" He pulled himself up on one of the panels and looked around at the other engineers as he stretched his back out. "

"Ladies" the Reth'Killan started, looking down at the two women from her imposing eight feet in height with a disapproving look. "I do not appreciate the attitude, as the Humans would say while on duty. You are professionals so please conduct yourselves as such... do I make myself clear?"
She paused long enough to see the two nod affirmation before extending a long slender arm and clawed hand out to shake their's. "Lieutenant Junior Grade G'Rani, your new Assistant Chief Engineer. A pleasure to meet both of you. Now, please do fill me in. How has the ship ended up in such a mess?"

Jon had finished ironing out the kinks in his back when he noticed the giant standing in engineering. He moved over to where Darcy and Sato were standing and looked the figure up and down. "Lieutenant, do you have authorization to be down here? We are still trying to patch this place back together." Jon's face was still dirty from the tubes. He could feel the grime on his nose.

"Chief" she exclaimed noticing the insignia pip on his collar. The Armitage Operations Officer had dropped the ball on this one. What else had they got wrong?

"Lieutenant G'Rani. I have been transferred in as your Assistant Chief", she extended a slender clawed hand to shake her superior officers hand. A superior officer that she technically out ranked... Interesting! "Someone tells me that you have had a slight bit of trouble!"

"Day in the life of Starfleet engineering." Stoun shook the woman's hand. "Take it you've been Darcy and Sato here, some of the best engineers in the fleet. Also, they keep me honest." He smiled at the the other two. "What is your specialty Lieutenant?"

Darcy just pointed at Sato, "She's is awesome I wouldn't say I'm one of the greatest engineers. I just work." giving a nod towards Stoun.

Minko gave her a fleeting look, bit back making a comment about also keeping the chief from too many complex carbs and settled back into doing what she was doing. The 8 ft alien didn't intimidate her. At 5"6" everyone on this boat looked huge to her anyway.

Darcy went back to realigning some of the connections, there was still a huge amount of work to do, especially with what happened on that T'Kon planet.

"I'm a Warp system specialist by career but over time I can say I'm a bit of a generalist when it comes to the other systems. Probably why they assigned me here in truth, and yes I was just become acquainted with Darcy and Sato!"

She smiled, keeping her lips tight together so as not to unnerve anyone with the fangs that lined her mouth which when she smiled made her look, according to her last superior officer, a Nosferatu.

"Chief while you were in the Jefferies there was a communice. The Andromeda is apparently coming to help us out," Minka told him feeling like a secretary. "A Lieutenant Hawkins will be getting in touch directly with you. Also Doctor D'BrooNi requested you. She wants your help to "soften" some of the EMHs quirks, were her words. However she is aware its not a priority with everything else going on."

Just then there was signal coming from Stoun's office, Darcy went to look, "Chief you've got a message coming in from the USS Andromeda. Its from that Lieutenant Hawkins, Sato had just spoken of. "

"Ohh goodie.. any of you know Hawkins?" The Chief moved towards the office.

G'Rani shook her head, the long braids of horse like hair erupting from the horn like things on her head swinging heavily with the motion.
"I'm afraid I don't Chief!"

"Alright, well, no worries. I guess I need to make an appointment with Doc." He rubbed his face "Team, try and make G'Rani here at home while I talk to this other CEO..do we need anything major other than what I have on my list?"

Darcy looked at the others then back towards Stoun, "I think you've got it covered Chief but one never knows something may crop up during the repairs that may have been missed."

"Ok, well if you think of anything, let me know, or if you want something." He smiled before ducking into the small office. Stoun got comfortable in his chair before he hit the button on the computer to accept the incoming message.

"Hello, This is Chief Stoun. Lietuenant Hawkins I presume." He turned to look at the other engineers out in the main bay before turning back to the computer.

The dark haired Chief Engineer of the USS Andromeda smiled, " Yes I am Hawkins, I've been told we'll be working together on your ship. What can I do for you, what sort of supplies do you need, Chief?"

"I have a laundry list, I'm sure if you let me loose on your ship I could scavenge up a few things extra though!" Jon grinned widely at the other engineer across from him. "Gel packs, A Plasma Manifold or two, Control Rods for the fusion reactors, few tools." He paused for a moment. "You probably wouldn't have the Gel packs unless you all have been upgraded. Few tools, could use a few extra hands I think too just to make the work lighter and give my people a break." he stopped again for a moment. "I need a Cochrane Coil alignment tool if you have a spare. I hear a buzzing noise at night and I can't seem to find mine."

Hawkins flashed a smile, "I'm sure I can come up with a few odds and ends for you, Chief. And I've got a good crew who will be willing to help out, plus if you don't watch it, they may invite your crew to have some relaxation. From what I have heard your lovely ship has been through the wringer and back again. We'll be there to help out, and as for the Cochrane Coil alignment, I'll hand deliver it personally."

"Great, can't wait to have you over here. I'll roll out what I have left of the red carpet."

“Lieutenant Hawkins is I’m told by an academy friend who’s stationed on the Andromeda cute, but not superficial,” Minka stated completely in small talk to Darcy.

"Cute but not superficial? That is an interesting combination there. Did your friend send an image of him? Is there an image of him?" though her thoughts went more towards a certain Ensign L'johk Adams

"Ladies... focus please!" G'Rani quietly rumbled at the younger officers. Perhaps this was something she would need to adapt to with the Copernicus being so much smaller than her previous assignment... perhaps she was simply to strict.

Darcy looked over towards G'Rani, "Don't worry ma'am, we'll be getting back to work, just need to take a brief respite." giving a respectful nod. "We have been working long hours, and will probably continue to do so."

Minka merely sent Darcy a file of Hawkins starfleet bio. They would break in the new stick in the mud.

Darcy looked at the information, her eyebrows rose, and she quietly said to Minka, "Oh, he is cute." giving a smile.

Jon had overheard the the conversation. "What about some visitation, do you all still have ten forward? A few other Galaxy classes I was on had them. I think my engineers could use some time away from the bay here."

Hawkins gave a nod, "We've got a ten forward its called the Medusa's Head and we're not too far from Starbase 308. Don't worry Chief, we'll be able to spell your team off and let them get some recreational time in, plus some rack time. You look like you could use some time from the bay as well."

"Rack time? What's that?" A grin moved across his face. "Thank you, I probably need it and I promise I won't let my engineers loot the place." He paused for a moment "Anything we can do for you?

Hawkins thought for a moment. "Actually yes, let us help out and you and I get a drink and shoot the breeze. There's been rumors flying about your ship. She's taken a beating and keeps on ticking. I can assure you that few of my people are chomping at the bit to help out."

"Sure thing, just don't snitch me out. I'm sure there are some things over here that wouldn't pass regulation muster."

"Ohhhh bubble gum and baling wire, I can say I am familiar with that technique from time to time." innocently whistling and giving a wink. "So... we won't snitch on either of us. Agreed? It won't be too long when we meet up, so, will be seeing you very soon."

"Sounds good, Stoun out." The chief nodded before turning off the screen. He took a look at the mounting pile of paperwork on his desk and decided it could wait, or perhaps hand it over to the new assistant chief.

"He sounds sexy too," Minka commented as they could hear the tail end of the conversation. Engineering wasn't that big and the chiefs office was close. He also boomed when he spoke. "I could be talked into a double shift when he gets here I'm sure.

"To learn of course Lieutenant," she turned to her with the most innocent look on her face. "Its not often we get the chance to learn from another great chief engineer like the Chief Stoun. Just sucking up knowledge where I can. There will of course be no fraternization. That would not be proper now would it?" she deadpanned. Minka was of course testing the newbie out to see just how much of a stick in the mud she was.

Darcy raised an eyebrow slightly at Minka when she looked towards the newest lieutenant, but a small smile became evident, then it quickly disappeared as she hid it "I can see that. He probably looks even better in person. Like you said though it could be deemed fraternization but.. .he's not serving on the same ship as we are, so would it be considered fraternization?"

"Ladies... I know this may take some effort but could we please focus on our jobs and less about men... If at all possible!" G'Rani was glaring down at both women.

"I don't know, he looked kind of dreamy to me too.." The chief was leaning against the frame to the office and cracked a grin. "Alright, they are sending help and I've secured some leave on their ship for us too, hell their gamma shift engineering team has more personnel than our entire group, they may take over here for a bit just to give us some breathing room/ Make sure we take inventory of any neat stuff over there, programs, algorithms, anything that could serve us in the long run."

"Aye sir!" G'Rani said caught something by surprise... was the Chief gay? It didn't matter in truth and she shook her head slightly, dispelling the thought and what could turn into the same gossip mentality she was seeing from Minka and Darcy.

Amalia had a surprised expression as she gave Chief Stoun a sharp look. Then she chuckled, "It will be great to have some time off. And I do wonder what they have on that ship that we could.. take notes on." a grin still evident.

"Might be able to steal ... i mean request, borrow, beg ...." Minka said looking directly at G'Rani, "some decent stuff. We might have a shot at getting to upgrade something. Chief, is flirting allowed if it means we get some good kit to play around with?" she asked the older man sweetly enjoying annoying the stick in the mud.

"I mean, we are one big happy fleet right? I mean, don't put yourself into any compromising positions." Chief smiled. "You know as well as I do every ship has some off the book things that they don't like to share with everyone else. Let's greet their engineers, and then we'll figure out who is going where and when. G'Rani, lets set up a meeting you and I to talk out some duty lists and such sound good? The rest of you? Try not to get into too much trouble ok?"

"Sounds good to me!" Darcy replied, giving a quick glance towards Minka then towards G'Rani. Though Amalia was certain she was going to go explore that ship and see what it had. Maybe even take L'Johk on a date too. She wondered what he would like to do...

Minka smiled. Trouble was usually her middle name. She chose not to share that though.

END

 

RSS Feed