Coming aboard

Posted on Tue Dec 30th, 2014 @ 7:05pm by Lieutenant Christopher Hartley & Commodore Samantha York

1,072 words; about a 5 minute read

ON

As Chris stepped out of his quarters, having deposited his carry on bag, he took another look at the corridor's on the ship. He had never served on board a Galaxy Class, but he knew the layout perfectly. He would, however, test his knowledge and learn every fine detail of the ship. After all, every engineer and ship builder always made their own touches on ships, so each ship was always different, even if only in a minute detail.

However, Chris's first stop was the bridge. He knew the Captain was in her ready room, thanks to the computer locating her. He knew her rank, and had to wonder if she preferred Commodore or Captain. Everyone was, after all, different.

Chris, for example, preferred the title 'Chief' rather than Lieutenant. Yes, that was his rank, but in the engine room, they were all engineers, and that was what mattered to him. He considered this as the turbolift took him to the bridge, and as it arrived, he shook off the thoughts, and made his way to the ready room, where he rang the chime and waited to be granted entry to the room.

Sam was sitting on her couch, reading over the recent reports on the peace talks and the murder investigation. When the door chimed she set down her PADD and turned to the door. "Come in," she said.

Chris walked into the room, and stood to attention, PADD in hand which carried his orders. "Chris Hartley reporting aboard, sir." He said formally. ~Always best to be very formal first.~ He thought.

Sam held out her hand for the PADD. "Ma'am, please," she said. "What brings you to the Calypso?"

"I've been assigned to you as your new Chief Engineer. I've been working on construction of the Galaxy Class at Utopia Planetia for the last two years, so it was felt that I would be the best choice for Chief Engineer, since I already know the exact engine specs of the Galaxy Class, ma'am." Chris replied.

Sam nodded. Light years better than her last Chief. At least this one would know what a gel pack was. "What made you want to leave?" she asked.

"Honestly? I didn't. I had just finished overseeing construction, and was expecting to move onto the next ship. But I serve at the pleasure of Starfleet, and if they feel I'd be of better use here, who am I to argue. Besides, I've always had an affinity for the Galaxy Class. I know some people prefer Sovereign Class ships, or Prometheus, but the Galaxy class has a sense of elegance to her." Chris replied.

The side of Sam's mouth quirked up in a smile. "I'm a little partial to the Galaxy Class myself. Do you have any special needs or concerns?" She was still a little cautious after the recent transfers, but this one seemed to be more legitimate than the last ones.

"Just permission to get to work right away. My team at Utopia had come up with some tweaks for the primary engine core, along with a way to increase phaser and shield efficiency by 3.5%. I know some people won't see much of a difference, but any increase is a good one. Besides, from what I gather, the Calypso isn't exactly your average run of the mill Galaxy, so I've been reading everything I could on the upgrades. I've been looking forward to getting my hands dirty. As I understand it, you have a Cloaking device on the Caly?" He asked, remembering the specs he had read on his journey to the ship.

"No, we're not your average run-of-the-mill Galaxy-class. I've had some good engineers who've kept her running at peak efficiency. Although the last one didn't even know what a gel pack was," she added with a slight chuckle. "So some tweaks might be in order."

Chris couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the last comment. "A Chief Engineer of a Galaxy Class who didn't know about Gel Packs? No wonder I was assigned so quickly." Chris said. "Don't worry, I know all about Gel Packs. I've been an engineer since I was a kid...sort of, anyway. I'll run a full diagnostic on the packs, and get the new updates in place. Is there anything I need to know about the ship that wasn't in my mission brief?" He asked.

Sam grinned at that. "Yes. We have a steam engine. It was used once to keep emergency power up while we did a complete shutdown and reboot."

Chris couldn't help but smile. "Now there's something you don't see every day." He replied, with a smile. "I remember seeing a steam engine on a train when I was a kid, built a smaller version. It's amazing how people used to get around." Chris said. "I can promise you two things ma'am: The engineering staff will hate me at first, but I'll make sure the Calypso holds together. She's in good hands."

"Don't make them hate you too much. They're a good group and they've been through a lot lately," Sam cautioned. "Calypso seems to get into some rather -- unique predicaments."

"We're engineers. We hate new chief's, but then when we get to know them, we love them. And whatever predicament you get into, I'll keep your ship in one piece." Chris promised. "I'm looking forward to ship duty again, if I'm honest. I've been at Utopia Planetia for almost three years." He admitted. "I love building them, but keeping them together...that's the trick."

"That is definitely the trick," Sam agreed. "And after Lieutenant Schmidt, your department may be relieved to get someone who hasn't been stuck on a Regula-class starbase for the past 50 years." She pulled out a PADD and handed it to him. "Here is the information you'll need to get settled in."

Chris accepted the PADD. "Well, I'll make sure we get everything up to speed. I'll send you a report as soon as I've gotten the new upgrades sorted, as well as gotten the department up to speed. Permission to head straight to work, ma'am?" He asked.

"Permission granted, Lieutenant. Welcome aboard and good luck."

"Thank you ma'am." Chris said, before turning and leaving the room. He now had one destination in mind: Engineering. And he had one thought in mind:

'Time to get to work'

OFF

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

&

Lieutenant Chris Hartley
Chief Engineer

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