Chief Finds His Office
Posted on Tue Nov 8, 2016 @ 7:14am by Lieutenant Vincent Kramer
Mission:
An Orion to Die For
Location: Main Engineering
Timeline: MD 2 || 1700 hours
ON:
Vince entered Main Engineering, as before, from the upper deck of the massive chamber where the thrumming 'tri-core' stood before him. He walked causally about the warp cores, used the side lift, and made his way down to Deck 40, where the dilithium crystal chambers were most accessible. This level was the brain of the operation, as well as the offices.
Lt. Kramer continued his stroll past the monitoring stations and through the emergency pressure door. He stopped in the open area where he saw many Engineers and crewmen going about their work. He then turned and walked toward the Chief Engineer's Office.
Stopping in the doorway, Vince noticed an Ensign sitting behind the desk. Vince found that very odd. He had reviewed the personnel files in the last couple hours in his quarters. He knew that each shift had at least 2 Lieutenant JG on duty. He thought slightly frustrated, So, why is this Ensign sitting behind 'MY' desk. Kramer stood there a few more seconds before he cleared his throats to get the Ensign's attention.
The Ensign continued working away, not looking up but replied, "Yes, yes. What is it?" He continued to keep his eyes on his work on the computer console facing away from the door.
Kramer took a few more steps to stand across the big desk and said strongly and with a deep authoritative voice, "For starters, you can come to attention and address me as SIR !!"
The young Ensign turned and jumped out of the chair quickly, causing it to be pushed violently toward and crash into the transparent wall, where they could see the warp-cores. He came to attention and for a couple seconds didn't say anything. He then reported nervously, "Ensign Carmen Victor . . Sir! "
Kramer then repeated back, "Ensign Carmen Victor, why are you working in the Chief Engineer's office?"
Ens. Victor continued to shake in his boots. He saw the 2 pips on the collar of the officer addressing him. He knew he couldn't run, but quickly swallowed and tried to remember his Academy training on being respectful to senior officers. "I . . ah . . Sir, I was instructed by the Lieutenant. Lieutenant Ramirez, that is, to complete a cataloging of all engineering parts in our cargo holds, and cross reference that with the expected failures, and then to process the appropriate requests for replacement or to be put on the refabricating list. I . . “
Vince had heard enough and raised his hand up, palm facing the young ensign. He hoped the universal sign for stop was enough information for the nervous Ensign to stop babbling, which he did as requested. The Chief took a deep breath and considered the appropriate first question, "Who is currently the senior engineering Officer on duty?"
Carmen swallowed a dry throat and answered, "That would be Lieutenant Ramirez, Oscar Ramirez. . . Sir. "
Kramer tried to physically relax, to get the message across to the young engineer. In a calm and explicit voice said, "This is what I want you to do, and in this order."
The nervous Ensign just nodded his head to the affirmative.
Kramer continued, "Save the work you have done, leave this office, and then locate Mr. Ramirez. Inform him to report to his new Chief Engineering Officer." After a couple seconds of watching the Ensign look about nervously, added, "Do you understand?"
"Yes Sir," Victor replied. After still not moving for a couple seconds, he spun around, closed out the computer console, and then began to side step his way around the big desk and out the door.
Kramer never turned around, but the stern look on his face slowly changed to a slight smile. Vince then walked around the big desk wondering, Why is this desk so big? It doesn't make much sense. Standing behind the desk, he sat down in the desk chair and looked at the built-in control.
Vince moved the chair back in place, behind the desk, and sat down, placing his hand on the appropriate panel, "Computer. Recognize Lieutenant Vincent Kramer, as of this day assuming position of Chief of Engineering, USS Triumphant, Security access code, Alpha Gamma Pi Zeta Two Five Five." He lifted his hand and waited a second.
After only a second the computer responded, =!= Authorization complete. Welcome aboard Lieutenant Vincent Kramer, Chief Engineering Officer. =!=
Kramer then commanded, "Computer, close the door and go to isolation mode." Vince heard and saw the door close. He then glanced at the 2 transparent walls as they changed to an opaque frosted white. Vince was very pleased with himself. He leaned back and relaxed for a second as a few memories drifted about; of his father, his former CO, him playing the piano, then of the desk before him.
Kramer then asked slightly frustrated, "Computer, why is this desk so big? Who authorized this massive thing?"
=!= The desk was put in place at initial construction with upgraded standards for the office of Chief of Engineering. It is a Holo-logic Systems Desk, Model STM3449 with a built in 3 dimensional holographic projector. You may access any schematics on file or view any current part of the ship including passageways, labs, training areas, and interior views of working parts. =!=
Vince was just a touch confused. He had read of this type of detailed projection system, but didn't know that any were available for use on starships. A question then came to mind, "Computer, do you mean that it can show schematics of interior view of working parts on record?"
The computer replied, =!= Yes, but it also can project a current image based on sensor data and telemetry. =!=
Vince was astounded, "That's awesome." He placed both palms on the flat surface of the desk and moved them about, "This is going to be so helpful."
The door chime activated.
Kramer looked at the door and stated, "Open."
The door opened and in walked a rather short man with dark curly hair and a light brown complexion. The door closed automatically and the man stopped across the deck from the senior officer, came to attention, and reported, "Lieutenant Oscar Ramirez reporting as ordered, Sir."
Vince noticed a slight drawl to his voice. Vince had grown up in New York City, but had visited San Antonio a couple times. This man seemed to have a similar accent. "Thank you Lieutenant. Stand at ease."
Ramirez placed his hands behind his back then looked down at the Full Lieutenant sitting in the chair. After getting the word from Victor, he was not going to say anything to this officer until instructed. Oscar did begin to get worried and began to review the status of all engineering systems in his mind from what he had seen that day.
"Lieutenant Ramirez, I am Lieutenant Kramer, the new Chief of Engineering."
Oscar was about to reply, 'yes sir, we know that', but realized that comment might be out of order, so simply replied, "Aye Sir. Welcome aboard."
Kramer continued to look up at Ramirez for a few seconds then asked, "Mr. Ramirez, where are you from?"
Oscar was thrown off by the question. He was prepared to answer all kinds of engineering questions and where he was exactly when called, but 'this guy' wanted to know where I grew up? After frowning slightly he replied, "El Paso, North America of Earth."
"Ah, then I was close," Kramer commented. He extended a hand and said, "Please have a seat Mr. Ramirez. We have a lot to talk about."
Oscar slowly sat down in one of the two chairs across the desk. He was still a bit unsure of the situation, but pleased that he was not going to be dressed down.
Kramer and Ramirez spoke with each other in private for the next 40 minutes. Their conversation covered a full spectrum of topics from the state of the Tri-Core warp engines to training facilities to the cutest lieutenants on the ship.
Kramer finally said, "Computer, non-isolation mode."
With that command the windows turned from the frosted white to clear and they both noticed several groups of engineers had huddled and talking to themselves, which quickly disbanded when the windows changed. The two officers looked at each other. Ramirez said, "They are just curious Sir."
"I know," Kramer replied, "They want to know about the new chief." After a deep breath Vincent said, "I'm really looking forward to seeing what this desk can really do."
"Oh, it's marvelous Sir. I know it's going to come in very handy." He turned slightly thumbing toward the engineering work console outside the office, "The engineers have been learning them to their full potential the last couple days."
"Sounds fine," Kramer replied. He quickly went on to, "Now as we discussed, we will have an officers meeting in Training Room Alpha at 0800 tomorrow morning. I need all officers and our Senior Chiefs there, even if it is not their shift. Those on Beta shift can come in for a few minutes." He looked down at the PADD in his hand then back to Ramirez, "Is there anything we haven't covered?"
Oscar put his PADD down and replied, "I think that covers it, Sir."
The Chief then stated, "I think I will be here for a few more hours. So, if you need anything, let me know."
Oscar felt that those words meant for him to go, so he stood and replied, "Yes Sir. I will confirm with all the officers to be here in the morning."
Vince felt good about meeting this officer. He was pretty sure. Ramirez would be one of his Shift Officers. "Thank you Lieutenant, dismissed."
Ramirez came from standing to attention with the PADD at his side, "Aye Sir," then walked out the door.
Vince watched as the junior officer left his office and walked out among the other engineers. It was like bees to a flower, probably curious about the new Chief. Vince thought, They will find out soon enough. Yep soon enough.
OFF:
