Post Number 26: More of a Morning Person

Posted on Sun Jan 16th, 2022 @ 8:04pm by Lieutenant JG Clancy Applegate
Edited on on Sun Jan 16th, 2022 @ 8:04pm

Mission: Kidnapped
Location: Deck 36 | Main Engineering

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The young environmental engineer put on a wide smile, chipper as he could be, and checked his reflection on the shiny metallic turbolift doors. He made sure that he looked presentable. His uniform looked pristine as though it had not seen a day's work yet. He was on his way to Main Engineering though his scheduled shift was not for another several hours.

Clancy, however, was going there because the Chief Engineer was on duty, and he wanted to speak with the man directly. It wasn't as though the young lieutenant wasn't grateful for being aboard the Amandora, but being assigned to night watch was not exactly what Clancy had been hoping for when he took the Amandora as an assignment.

He walked into Main Engineering on the starship's 36th deck, spotting the Chief Engineer looming over a console, studying something pertaining to the starship's design. "Excuse me, Sir," the young engineer said to draw some attention to himself. "I'm one the more recent engineers assigned to the Amandora."

" You are? Welcome to engineering. Have you found everything so far. She's a big ship " Yova replied.

"Actually, Sir, I have found everything just fine. It took a little bit of time getting used to such a large starship, but my real concern is my shift." Clancy smiled a bit at the Chief Engineer. "I'm more of a morning person, Sir. They have me on the last shift, night watch. I was wondering if you would be willing to bring me over to an earlier shift?"

" Are you versed on the bridge? I could use a day shift bridge officer. I hate being on the bridge especially during emergencies. Would you want the alpha shift bridge position? It's mostly diagnostic but you could always pull the odd systems monitor shift down here?" Yova replied.

Clancy lit up a bit. His voice increased what seemed like a octave. "Yes," he replied swiftly. He seized the opportunity. "I am actually more acquainted with a bridge than an engineering room. I worked closely with the science department on my last assignment."

" Well Clancy this is your day. Alpha shift engineering station starting tomorrow. That will avail me to stay where I am most needed...down here ." Yova replied.

The Lieutenant chuckled. "That will help with getting me more bridge experience, and keeps me out of the jefferies tubes." It was a bit of a relief that this had gone smoothly. "Thank you, Sir. I appreciate that."

" No problem. I have a midshipman who can perform diagnostic checks on the Jefferies tubes. Things are serious so keep your eyes and ears open. You'll be the voice to the center seat. Never reveal to them the exact power rating always leave us a margin of error. That preserves our reputation as miracle workers." Yova added.

He wanted to reply 'scouts honor,' but it probably would not mean much to the man. So, instead, Clancy smiled and agreed. "I will make sure to always cushion repair times and keep the expectations at a certain level so you and the others can keep the ship's command officers impressed."

Clancy could only imagine what that was like. Having to meet deadlines on repairs and such. People always wanted things done at miraculous speeds. It was up to engineers to pull off the miracles, and the best way of doing so was to pad the estimations.

" You do that. You'll probably have my job Lieutenant. The Amandora is a sweet nostalgic ride." Yova added.

The younger officer chuckled and dismissed the suggestion with playfulness. "Being Chief Engineer is a big job, and I am still a bit green. I have some learning to do and time to put in before you are at any risk of being replaced by me, Sir."

Yova also chuckled.

" Any other questions?" Yova asked.

Clancy shook his head. "No Sir, thank you. I'll let you get back to work and brush up on my Gakaxy class bridge station controls." The young engineer smiled before walking away, gleeful and appreciating that he wouldn't be relegated to the night shift in a Jefferies tube.


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