Getting Operations Grounded

Posted on Sat Nov 2nd, 2024 @ 3:52pm by Lieutenant Kev Walker & Lieutenant JG Alicia Santos & Ensign Eric Banner

982 words; about a 5 minute read

Kev had tried to keep his word to his engineering lead and get everything in order, but it seemed that every time he finished one task in engineering something else on the other end of the ship would pop up and draw his attention away. His only advantage was that the Eclipse was a small ship. He was getting frustrated, and he knew it. He was starting to drag a little, but so far he was still in the game and going strong as he made his way back to engineering again. Outside, he spotted an ensign he didn't recognize and stopped, just in case the poor guy was lost. "Can I help you ensign?" Kev asked.

Having come on board the USS Eclipse right after graduating from Starfleet Academy, Eric Banner felt just a little awestruck. He had passed the academy courses and earned his officer commission, but the torments he had faced in his four years of training hadn't really prepared him for his first assignment. The USS Eclipse was a small ship, which he was fine with. He had found his quarters easily and now he was trying to find his supervisor. Finding engineering had been different, but he had been glad to finally find the door marked Engineering. He had just found it when someone spoke to him. Jumping, Eric turned and saw an officer with two solid gold pips, which made the other guy a lieutenant and definitely higher on the pecking order. Bracing to attention, he replied. "Sir, I was searching for engineering in hopes that the chief operations officer would still be there so I can report in Sir!" he said.

Kev chuckled as he recognized the spit and polish of a brand new cadet. The poor guy was so new that he radiated Academy graduate. "Well, that's me, Ensign," he said. "At ease and chill out a little. I'm Lieutenant Kev Walker," he added as he held out his hand.

Not sure if he was being tested or not, Eric eased into a parade rest stance before reaching out and shaking his supervisor's hand. "Ensign Eric Banner, sir. I've been assigned to the USS Eclipse as an operations officer," he said.

"You just graduate?" Kev asked as he motioned for the ensign to fall in and follow him before he continued on into engineering.

"Yes Sir, I graduated from Academy just this morning," Eric answered the question as he fell into step beside the lieutenant. "I've been on the ship long enough to find my quarters and find engineering."

Alicia had heard through the grapevine that Lieutenant Walker had been getting overwhelmed with getting the final checklist of things that needed to be put in order done, so she had quietly sneaked back to engineering to help. A nap and a shower along with a quick bite to eat had done wonders, and she had been surprised to see just how much Walker had managed to get done despite his distractions. She looked up as the doors to engineering opened and Walker and an ensign entered. Walking over, she presented Walker with a padd. "All we have left to do it run a full systems check along with a level five diagnostic, and we should be good to go," she said.

Kev noticed Santos and sighed. He had known that she wouldn't have taken the full break he had ordered, but it was fine since she was helping him out. He accepted the padd and started reading it. "Thank you, Alicia," he said. "This is Ensign Banner, he's joining us as an operations officer."

"Operations only, or will he cross train in engineering?" Alicia asked as she studied the ensign quickly. She could tell that he hadn't been out of the Academy very long. The kid practically had that new officer smell along with the fresh off the parade ground look.

"He'll mostly be in operations for now, but I might have him learn the basics of engineering duties just because it'll help us out in the long run," Kev said as he finished reading the report. "This looks good. So I want you to have someone start the systems check and the diagnostic. And then you take some time off. That's an order."

"I took some time off," Alicia said with a humorous based innocent expression. "Even got a shower and a nap."

"Good, so you know the basics of downtime," Kev countered with an equal humor. "So take the rest of the day off. You've logged more hours on duty than half the entire department has in the past week. We're departing Earth in the morning, and I need my people rested and ready."

"And just what am I supposed to do with that much time off?" Alicia asked, smirking.

"Take Ensign Banner and show him around the ship," Kev suggested. "I bet he could use the tour."

Eric didn't want to be a bother, but he had to admit that his lack of knowledge of the ship he had been assigned to was something he needed to correct. The best way to learn more about the ship would be for someone to show him around a bit. "Ma'am, I would be very grateful for your guidance in helping me learn more about the USS Eclipse," he spoke up.

Alicia turned her gaze towards the squeaky new ensign and tried very hard not to start laughing. She settled for a very low chuckle. "Alright, I'll show him around for a bit," she said. "And I need to rough up the edges on that shiny new officer polish as well."

"Don't teach him bad habits, Lieutenant," Kev said with a laugh. "Alright, scram, the both of you." Tucking the padd under his arm, he watched Santos lead Banner out of engineering and hoped that he hadn't done anything to doom the poor ensign.

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