Running on Automatic

Posted on Sun Dec 4th, 2011 @ 6:06pm by Captain Benjamin Byrne & Lieutenant Andrew Scott

Mission: Old Relics
Location: USS Endeavour - Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD01 1655hrs

Byrne had gone through a fair number of these reporting in sessions already today, and was grateful that the quartermaster was dealing with the enlisted members coming aboard. Thankful that the incoming pile was now so small, he picked up the PADD for the next officer due to visit him, and had a skim of its contents. Lieutenant. Engineer. Served six years on Betazed, four years total on starships, and the last four years teaching at the Academy. Warp Theory and Construction, so the file said. Assigned as an all-round engineer, specifically having requested a transfer to a ship assignment, even over a more senior position. Well, I won't learn anymore about this guy from his file, the captain thought. May as well get this over with.

He tapped a key on the console that he'd since configured to send a command out to the ensign outside his door, informing them to send the Lieutenant in.

The ensign nodded and looked up at Lieutenant Scott, who was looking out the window at the stars.

"Lieutenant, the Captain will see you now."

The Lieutenant got up, walked to the door and pressed the door chime. A second later, the Captain barked "Come in." The Lieutenant strolled in and shook the Captain's outstretched hand before being gestured into a seat. "Lieutenant, welcome aboard the Endeavour. I trust you had a pleasant journey?"

"Yes Sir. It's always good to be in space and great to be back in the Fleet."

The captain nodded. "Well, it is what we all signed up for, I suppose," he said, with a slight grin. He picked up the PADD with the man's service record on again and quickly skimmed a specific section. "According to your service record, you specifically requested an assignment in the fleet, even though the first position available here is well below what I'd expect someone of your rank and experience to be assigned to." He paused and looked up at the man, before asking a simple question. "Why?"

"Sir, I enjoyed my time in the Fleet far more then being tied down to a desk at the Starfleet Academy. I'm fond of my time on the Bastonge and the Heracles. Starfleet was created to seek out new lifeforms and civilizations and I want to be a part of that again. This was the only available slot on an exploration mission."

The CO nodded again. "Well, I can certainly understand that. Why the rush, though? Surely taking some time to stay on Earth until a posting more befitting your experience came up wouldn't have been an overly arduous experience?"

Scott smiled, "It was a spur of the moment decision. I was getting tired of spending my time on Earth, hearing of the exploits the Fleet had accomplished, wanting to be a part of that. I have friends at the Bureau of Personnel. The average wait list for a department head slot in Engineering is longer then a year. I could have waited, but being on a ship, regardless of what job is what Starfleet really is."

Benjamin nodded, impressed with the answer the lieutenant had given. "And you have no problems potentially taking orders from an officer who may be lower ranked than you, but in a more senior position?"

"None Sir. I'm pretty easy to get along with." Scott responded with cheeriness.

Nodding again, the Captain continued with his final question. "Your direct superior will be Lieutenant Commander th'Ralik. I trust that you will have no issue with following orders from an Andorian?" Even though the question was rhetorical, Benjamin knew that over the centuries, Federation civilisation had become extremely accommodating towards 'aliens'; not that that term was used for Federation members any longer. Still, it was always worth asking the question, as no matter how far views evolved, there would always be some individuals with particular reservations against working with particular species, and Benjamin could usually pick those out by their reactions to being asked the rhetorical query.

"I expect he'll want you to report to duty first thing in the morning. Dismissed, Lieutenant."

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Captain Benjamin J. Byrne
Commanding Officer

&

Lieutenant Andrew Scott
Engineer
USS Endeavour NCC-86105