Engineers - One and All

Posted on Mon Nov 28, 2016 @ 2:23am by Lieutenant Vincent Kramer

Mission: An Orion to Die For
Location: Engineering Training Room Alpha
Timeline: MD 3 || 0800 hours

ON:

[Holo-Deck 8 - Deck 23]

Vince had arose for the day as usual about 0500 hours. Three hours was about the right time to give Vincent a relaxed time to get up, go through a usual workout, and then clean up for the day. He really didn't want to get out of is habit that had sustained him for the last several years.

This day he chose to work on cardio and dressed in cold running gear. He had previously set aside time for him on a small holo-deck on deck 23. Last year he had come across a great program that simulated a Swiss Alps valley. It had a solid running path through field and woods alike, as well as many moderate hills throughout.

Another benifit for his program was the temperature. It was set for a mid morning on a clear spring morning with he average temperature about 45 degrees. Only when he went down and crossed the creek would the temp plunge down to nearly 35 degrees. He knew the water flowing in those creeks was probably just above freezing. Because of the cooler temperature, Vince was able to really work up a sweat, yet be comfortable as he went.

From time to time he would end the program at a high-mountain lodge where he would strip down to his trunks and jump into a stream of freezing cold water, then crawl out and step into a small heated pool. There he could relax his body, mind, and spirit. Only on rare occasions would he have a female guest with him, but that was very rare. And today, he definitely did not have time to doddle. He didn't want anything to delay him on his first full day of work on the Triumphant.


[Chief Engineer's Office]

It was a few minutes before shift change when Lt. Kramer walked across the lower level of Engineering. He glanced about at the crew at their tasks. He knew that working in engineering was rather boring and routine, unless something was broken. So, he did see he usual flinch by crewman to act like they were doing something or turn and walk away towards a control panel to look upon.

The Chief Engineer entered his office, walked around his massive desk, and looked about to see if anything had been left for him. He did identify the shift reports on the display desktop. He would glance over them in a minute, but wanted to get a cup of coffee first and maybe a bite for breakfast.

Stepping over to the small replicator, "Hot coffee, medium roast, 2 sugars,
and a bagel with cream cheese and a piece of bacon." After the plate and cup materialized, Vince picked them up and laid them on his desk, before setting down himself in his chair.

Kramer quickly reviewed the shift reports as he sipped on the coffee and nibbbled on his food.

At 0800 sharp Lt. Drake stepped into the doorway, "Not much to read there. Things are going well."

Kramer looked over his cup and glanced at Lt. Drake with a slight smile before encouraging, "Get you a cup if you like." He referred to coffee or something from the replicator.

Drake returned, "No, but thank you. At the end of my shift is when I do my workouts. Not good to eat and run."

Vince could definitely relate to her dilemma, "I completely understand, then you should hydrate?" Vince tried to make it more of a recommendation than a question, but it didn't come out quite right.

Stephen appreciated the gesture, so replied, "Maybe so, but I'll get it at the meeting in the training room."

"I understand," Kramer replied and then added, "Go on down then. And I'll be there in a minute."

"Very good," Drake replied and turned leaving the office.

Vince glanced at him and followed him as Drake walked out into the Warp Core room and down the walkway. He liked Drake. He liked his confidence and calm nature. Vince also liked his Mars accent. With that accent, he didn't even have to look in his file to know that Drake was from Mars.

Kramer took the last bite of bagel, picked up his mug, and headed out of the office with a single PADD in hand.


[Training Room Alpha]

Lt. Kramer walked into the training room from the rear, along the left side of the chairs to the podium, where he laid his PADD down and faced the group of Engineers. He smiled slightly as his eyes moved across the room seeing every face without changing his expression. Before him were the 25 officers and the top 3 non-comms in the engineering department.

Vince took in a good breath and began, "Good morning. Those from Beta shift, I especially appreciate you taking the extra effort and making this meeting. I'm sure it was a little inconvient in your personal time." He took another breath and continued, "My name is Lieutenant Kramer. I will be the Triumphant's Chief Engineer until further notice." There was some mumbles and a few looks about the room.

Kramer continued, "We are the engineering leadership for this vessel and I will be relying on each of you to give your very best to the Captain and this ship. As you can surmise the Triumphant is more like a city in space than most vessels. We need to make sure that we do not step on anyone's toes in other departments, but bend over backward to help them out. I'm speaking specifically about fighter and shuttlecraft support, and Operations personnel. We all know our duties overlap and I expect good communication between Engineering and these other departments."

Vince stepped out from the podium, walking around toward the sitting officers. "It is up to us to set the example." He took a moment again to look at the faces in the room. He began to walk in front of the officers as he spoke, "We have approximately 200 engineering personnel, and I'm sure that at times we will feel like we need twice that many, but if you use our service and maintenance schedules I think we will do fine."

By this point he had made his way back to the podium. He glanced down at the PADD to remind him of his agenda. Looking back at his officers, "I have reviewed the personnel files and made some decisions on leadership roles. We will continue with a 3 shift rotation. Officers in charge are, Lieutenant Gefel Alpha shift, Lieutenant Ramirez Beta shift, Lieutenant Drake Gamma shift."

Vince watched as some minor congratulating took place. He spoke over the moderate noise of the group, "I will also have specific officers be placed in charge over certain systems." He made a few commands on his PADD and added, "I just sent you this list. I want you to understand, these officers will still perform their regular duties, but for the next quarter my desire is for these officers be fully informed about their specific areas."

Kramer looked about the room, saw some understanding, but a few concerned faces too. He looked down at the list himself as they mulled over it for a minute.

Communications spec. Ens. Welch
Computer Systems spec. Lt. Sharzin
Damage Control spec. Ens. Griffin
Matter/Energy System spec. Ens. Tregarth
Propulsion spec. Lt. Zepht
Structural/Environmental spec Lt. Karril
Warp Core spec. Lt. Eunidack
Nacelle Operations spec. Lt. Kawalski
Impulse Engine spec Lt. Storme

Kramer finally cleared his throat and after a moment the room became quiet. "Like I said these officers will be in charge of these sections. If anything takes place or a repair order is sent in to the shift Officer, then a copy of that report will also go to the this Officer as well."

The officers mumbled quietly again, but this time it seemed to Vincent to be a more positive attitude. "Another thing, as far as our Senior Chiefs, we will have one on each shift. I will leave the task of organizing their time to the three of them."

Kramer looked out across the room filed with Engineers. All of their personnel files were filed with positive comments by previous leadership. He then added, "Of course training will continue in all areas. Training reports will come to all shift leaders and myself."

Kramer cleared his throat again, "There's just one more item of business that I want to clarify. And I want every officer here to take this with the most seriousness. On board the USS Triumphant, our Chief of Operations is a non-commissioned officer."

The room remained quiet, but there was a lot of looking around. Kramer continued, "I want every Officer to understand, that when it come to operational situations and engineering situation Senior Chief Barnes is to be shown the same respect and recognition that you would show me. He is a Department Head. I do not want any confusion in this matter. Do I make myself clear?"

There were many heads nodding, and many others saying, 'yes sir'.

"Alright." Kramer said to get back their attention. "Last, but not least, my door is always open. If you have a problem and are not getting the response from your Engineer in charge, come see me. If you have a suggestion on some type of improvement, then I want to hear about it." He looked once more across the faces in the room and added, "Dismissed."

The officers stood and began to mill around, talking to each other as they made their way out of he room. A few of the officers came up to shake Kramer's hand and welcome him to the ship.

Lt. Gefel walked up to Kramer and they walked together out of the training room stopping to gaze at the Tri-Core as the officers went about their business. Kramer wanted to ask, 'Well, how did I do?', but Gefel interjected in a positive way, "I heard said, 'My ability to conquer my challenges is limitless; my potential to succeed is infinite.'"

Kramer turned his head toward the Lieutenant, smiled with a nod, and replied, "Thanks. I think we are off to a good start too."