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Check in- Cadet Stadi Reporting for Duty in Main Engineering

Posted Sept. 27, 2020, 10:29 p.m. by Lieutenant Sapeth (Chief Engineer) (Steve Johnson)

Posted by Cadet Dael Stadi (Engineer) in Check in- Cadet Stadi Reporting for Duty in Main Engineering

Posted by Lieutenant Sapeth (Chief Engineer) in Check in- Cadet Stadi Reporting for Duty in Main Engineering

Posted by Cadet Dael Stadi (Engineer) in Check in- Cadet Stadi Reporting for Duty in Main Engineering
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The bulkheads thrummed with emotions. The sensory overload was almost too much to be able to concentrate, but Dael had a life time of experience dealing with this sort of thing. The only problem was that this time, his own thoughts and emotions were of a similar bent, amplifying that of those around him. It had been like this since he had left dry dock, and only increased as he and his fellow cadets had boarded the Challenger. There was a human expression, “anticipation in the air”. For a Betazoid, this was more than just an expression, he could feel the nervous energy and the stressful thoughts of those around him without even trying. His thoughts and experiences ran at a breakneck pace inside his own mind as he had boarded the ship. He had experienced this kind of overload at Academy orientation and usually around exams, but this one had a different thrill to it. This is it he thought, this is the big time.

After placing his belongings in his quarters, he took a look at himself in the cadet’s uniform. He knew had been through most of the Academy’s training by now, over four years of intense study in the fields of Engineering and beyond. But he couldn’t help but think how not too long ago he was that boy on the frontier of Federation space, without any direction or path he could find that seemed to suit him. Straightening his uniform, he breathed in deeply and walked into the hallway towards the nearest turbolift.

As soon as the doors swished open, the hum of the warp core helped to settle his nerves. He breathed a little easier as he looked around the deck. The thoughts and emotions here were much more focused than at the Academy’s mustering for ship departure. Most people around seemed to already have a task at hand, Dael heard several strong ones in the midst of recalling schematics while at control panels. Much easier to deal with than the nervous bundle of energy the hundred or so cluster of eager cadets had been as final assignments were handed out.

Dael took the opportunity to expand his mind out, comforted by the focused and familiar environment of an Engineering deck. He never probed other’s minds, not without consent, that was a terrible crime for any Betazoid. Instead he used his feelings of those around him, the strong surface thoughts bubbling up of the crewmen around him to try and identify which was the Chief Engineer. Odd he thought, no one seems to be giving off the typical surface patterns of being in charge. He walked a little further into the deck, using his visual senses as well as his open mind, looking for any clues or hints. Maybe in the office over there? But he registered no thought patterns in that direction. Then it dawned on him.

Of course, the briefing file said the Chief was a Vulcan. Vulcans were also telepaths of a sort, and while most would think that would mean easier reading for Dael, he knew better. Between the self discipline and meditation, a Vulcan’s mind had many barriers and mental blocks, leaving a cursory mental glance ineffectual unless the subject was well known. Dael confirmed the gap in his ever constant field of bubbling emotions, and thought, With the mental blocks, and that being what looks like a main office, I’m going to go with that. Seems the most… logical place to look.

Smirking a bit at his little joke, he approached the office to the side of the Main Engineering deck and tapped the door chime.

-Cadet Stadi, Engineer

“Come in,” a voice called out as the door slid open.

Upon hearing the summons, Dael took a step forward into the opening and took a look around, before settling his gaze on the Vulcan sitting at the desk.

Looking up from his desk, Sapeth noticed an unfamiliar cadet standing at his office door. Looking to the side he brought up the updated manifest to confirm his records.

“Cadet Stadi I presume, please have a seat,” he said indicating the chair across from his desk. “Did you have an agreeable trip to the Challenger?”

Lt Sapeth - CE

“Correct sir, Cadet Stadi reporting for duty.” Dael said with a quick “at attention” posture, before walking over to the chair across from the Lieutenant’s desk. He sat down, settling into the chair and tried to be comfortable. He rested his hands on his thighs and worked not to fidget, but he always hated these one on one interview like scenarios. They reminded him too much of his early school years when the career counselors wanted to know what his interests were, and he never had good answers. At least, not answers they wanted. Just breathe Dael, you’ve gotten better at this. The Vulcan’s mental barriers blocking some of his surface telepathy was also not helping his nerves, but he’d managed before and breathed deeply before responding.

“It was fine, a lot of nerves and such, there was a good bit of emotion and thought traffic flying around during the onboarding. I’ll admit some of it was mine. This is my first time on ship duty.” he said, settling into the rhythm of the conversation. “But I’m looking forward to the challenges that come with that.” he quickly added.

-Cadet Stadi, Engineering

Sapeth merely surveyed the Cadet sitting in front of him. “I’m sure there will be plenty of challenges here Cadet. Is there a particular challenge that you are looking to meet while on the Challenger?”

As he studied the Betazoid sitting in front of him, Sapeth took a moment to further calm his thoughts. While he normally kept his thoughts and emotions under control , it was a worthwhile precaution to take around unknown telepaths.

Lt Sapeth - CE

Dael took a moment to think on the lieutenant’s question. There were a variety of challenges that came with being on a starship, and they all came rushing through his mind in a scattering of thoughts. The whirlwind of thoughts of the past few hours, his own and his fellow jittery cadets, flooded through for a moment. But he’d had experience with this before, it wasn’t uncommon in a stressful situation for Betazoids to have a sudden influx of the emotions and thoughts that had been clogging up their heads, from inside or outside. He inhaled audibly as if preparing a response to cover for the momentary rush and pressed on.

“I think the greatest challenge as well as the greatest perk of being on a starship is the variety. Of people you encounter, at least at first, but more importantly of the engineering issues and questions that can come up when traveling through space on a variety of missions. Starships aren’t static. And places that are, colonies or starbases have their own host of problems that can crop up. But on a ship out in the black, well you have normal operating challenges as well as whatever the new area your in has to offer.”

-Cadet Stadi, Engineering

Sapeth nodded. “Let me rephrase Cadet. Is there any particular aspect of the engineering field that you wish to explore further while on the Challenger? As an example, warp theory or modulating shield design.”

Lt Sapeth - CE

Dale leaned back in the chair for a moment, crossing his arms and bringing one hand up to his chin, a finger rubbing at his mouth as he thought. It was an instinctive tick of his whenever he started to delve deep into a problem, and he’d worked to not do it so often or at least not in public but old habits die hard. He’d not noticed he was doing it again, this time in front of a superior officer, until he had his response ready but he managed to continue to start speaking without his body language giving away his desire to seem more professional than his habits seemed to show. Focus your thoughts, Dael.

“I find the concept of using bio/neural gel packs intriguing in starship design, I saw on the schematics for the Challenger that she is equipped with that kind of computer network. I’m more familiar with isolinear circuitry so working with this new field for me will be interesting and how its performance works with our electro-plasma system. EP Systems has been one of my focuses while at the Academy, as well as my tinkering in sensor and transporter technology.” Dael knew this had been in his file and was sure his superior had already seen that, and Vulcan’s weren’t one for superfluous information, so he continued on in an attempt to make it more personal than just information on a data screen.
“I’ve had some history with sensor systems, but seeing and configuring systems in current operation on a starship will also be a new challenge. It takes a lot of these often overlooked systems running continuously to keep the ship running, especially if anything like warp speeds are in the bargain. The relationship between the sensors and the deflectors alone is essential but not seen much outside of a starship enviroment, so I’m looking forward to experiencing that first hand.”

-Cadet Stadi, Engineering

“Thank you Cadet. Many new cadets and crewmen don’t think of the base systems that keep this ship running. While these are often overlooked, they are still critical systems and need careful calibration. You will definitely get your share of time working with these systems as part of the ships normal maintenance schedule.

“I look forward to it sir, I’m a big fan of working on things that are often ‘behind the scenes’ if you will. The warp core and phasers are impressive for sure, but the warp nacelles in the galaxy won’t do you any good without a good EPS regulation or sychronized deflectors.”

“As for the bio-neural circuitry, I’m sure time could be arranged. The Challenger does not use the latest version of these gelpacks, but becoming familiar with the technology will still be useful as part of your training.”

“I appreciate any time you can give me sir. Learning through theoretical knowledge is all well and good but I’ve always felt, especially when it comes to Engineering, that it’s not till you have the thing in front of you and can get your hands on it does it all solidify for someone.” After a pause, he added quickly: “Or at least for me”

Leaning back slightly in his chair, Sapeth steepled his fingers in front of him. “Before we continue, do you have any questions for me Cadet?”

Lt Sapeth - CE

Dael thought for a moment, he hadn’t really thought to prepare questions for his superior. Probably a good idea to do to feel more comfortable, but he’d been too focused on what the Chief might ask of him to even think of his own concerns. But he gave it a go. “I was curious sir, what type of missions and assignments does the Challenger typically engage in? I’m aware this class of vessel is good for a variety of experiences, but with a crew manned by both officers and cadets, I wondered how much difference that gave to say a standard Starfleet vessel?”

-Cadet Stadi, Engineering

“The missions of the Challenger are very wide and varied, because of our unique crew. With the cadets onboard, Starfleet Command wants to give the cadets a wide variety of different experiences. From first contact, to scientific exploration, to diplomatic transfers. But no matter what the mission is, it is our responsibility to keep this ship running at Starfleet specifications.

“However, we do typically want to give all cadets an opportunity for some away team experience before they leave the ship. Any other questions?”

Lt Sapeth - CE

Away team… that will be interesting. Dael tensed slightly at the thought. He had lived on his colony most of his life, experiencing different cultures and ways of thought, both literally and figuratively in the Betazoid’s case. But he was a bit inexperienced when it came to new environments. Aside from Starfleet Academy and his colony, Dael could count on one hand the amount of other places he’d been. Beaming to an unknown area with different challenges seemed intimidating, but also slightly thrilling. Collecting himself though, he turned back towards his department head.

“No sir, I can’t think of any at the moment, except maybe where and when you would like me to start?”

-Cadet Stadi, Engineering

Shifting aside a few PADD’s, Sapeth pulled out one and held it out for Cadet Stadi.

“Report at 0600 back here in Main Engineering. You’ll be working with Ensign Restin and her team to work on an upgrade to the EPS grid. In the meantime, check in with sickbay and the counselor, and get cleared for duty. Otherwise we will see you in the morning Cadet. Dismissed.”

Lt Sapeth - CE


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