A Difference of Opinion

Posted on Thu May 31, 2018 @ 12:45am by Lieutenant Venus Quinnell

Mission: Falling Star
Location: Main Engineering
Timeline: MD 34 || 1130 hours

Lieutenant T'Sala entered Engineering with a purposeful stride. She made no effort to engage anyone, instead walking up to the small office used by the Engineering Officer of the Watch and depressing the door chime.

Venus was at her desk accompanied by a stack of PADDs. The monitor screens were displaying progress reports to the numerous repairs as well as Tricore current status. With only a few days on the job, the pressure cooker was on high.

She raised her eyes from a PADD in her hand as the chime buzzed. "Enter." Half expecting one of her subordinates to report some new disaster.

T'Sala entered the duty office and stepped up to the desk Venus sat at. She looked, in T'Sala's opinion, to be stressed out. Stress was irrevelent though. "I am Lieutenant T'Sala, the new commander of Triumphant's air group." She paused for a moment to allow the Chief Engineer to process her statement.

Venus glanced down at her PADD as the very real realization that Marisa was actually gone and her replacement was standing in her office. With a sigh, she lifted her eyes to the Vulcan.

"Lieutenant T'Sala." The Chief Engineer decided that offering any congratulatory comments about the other's promotion would be irrelevant to one committed solely to logic. "I am not certain how much you have been informed of my arrangement with your predecessor but I hope you and I can continue." She motioned to the seat directly across from the desk.

T'Sala wasn't aware of any previous arrangement between her predecessor and the officer before her. She also declined to sit, instead placing her hands behind her back, which was about as casual as she allowed her posture to become while on duty. "I was not informed of any arrangement before Lieutenant Cheshire's departure. Would you clarify the particulars of this... arrangement?"

Venus leaned back in her chair, her gaze raised to the still standing Vulcan. One thing she instantly liked was the expected stereotype of discipline, stoicism and professionalism often attributed to the pilot's species. Such attributes she herself highly regarded without the petty personality clashes often found among staff.

"Recently, Lieutenant Cheshire suggested, and I concurred, that we could cross train her flight deck maintenance personnel with some of my technicians. Each department would have the resources of the other if ever required." She placed her arms on the arm rests, her fingers gripping the leather. For she was burdened by one particular emotion, anxiety, in particular.

As for T'Sala, there was no way to read the Vulcan, no emotional tick which the Chief Engineer, clutching her chair, came to realized, left her at a disadvantage. "We are currently putting your people to work on Lieutenant Devereaux's Damage Control teams to deal with the litany of repairs required."

T'Sala's stoic expression did not change. Her only reaction was a slight cocking of her head to one side as she processed Venus's statement and a noticable intake of breath. "I see. I have several fighters in need of scheduled maintenance prior to the end of this duty watch. When may I expect my crew to return to their normal duties?"

Venus nodded understanding. "The mercenary attack didn't just damage the Triumphant.." Being so preoccupied with repairs, she failed to realize the scope of the attack's fall out. "Within twelve hours. I can lend my own technicians afterwards to help speed up maintenance on your fighters if I can honor your patience till then."

T'Sala considered the request for a moment. She understood the need for the ship's repairs to be taken care of in an expeditious manner, but she had a responsibility to ensure the Air Group was in top order should a scramble order was issued. "The current watch ends in four hours thirty minutes. I expect the technicians attached to my air group will be in the hanger bay conducting their assigned duties at the change of watch."

It was becoming obvious to Venus that the previous arrangement with Marisa was going to get some serious revisions with her successor. Arguing with a Vulcan would ultimately be...illogical.

The engineer gripped the arm rest a little tighter, allowing any strong emotion to slip away without resorting to an unprofessional outburst. "They are your staff, Lieutenant, and I am fully aware you are within your rights to request their return." She paused, and moved forward in her chair with her elbows resting on her desk, fingers interlaced. "Twelve hours is only an estimate. I expect repairs will be completed earlier." Another pause. "Your people are not critical to my efforts only that they speed up said repairs. Let's see where we are in...What did you say, four hours and thirty minutes and then decide what course to take."

T'Sala merely stood looking at Venus seated at her desk. She had worked with humans now for many years and was quite familiar with some of the colloquialisms they were fond of using. This situation reminded her of one such phrase. Give an centimeter and they will take a kilometer. "Exactly how long do you estimate repairs on critical systems to take?"

"Exactly.." Venus repeated, "Well we only have an estimate. My Damage Control coordinator gave a cautious number of twelve hours. I believe we can come below that, with the help of your maintenance personnel. Believe me, Lieutenant, I want us fully operational before the mercenaries decide to make another run at us as much as you." Another pause as she slipped back into her chair. "As I said, I will have my technicians assist in any work needing down on your craft so their downtime is kept to a minimum."

T'Sala started to speak, but abruptly stopped before uttering a single word. She turned from Venus and started for the exited, tapping her combadge as she went.

Venus watched as T'Sala headed for the door. "Feel free to stop by again, Lieutenant." She lifted a PADD off her desk and began to puruse it, acknowledging that this meeting had run its course.


Final tag