STF

Ops Office: Mid afternoon/missing shipment.

Posted March 31, 2021, 2:05 a.m. by Civilian Marishka (Lounge Host) (Catt Bennett)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Daggum Hammor (Chief Operations Officer) in Ops Office: Mid afternoon/missing shipment.

Posted by Civilian Marishka (Lounge Host) in Ops Office: Mid afternoon/missing shipment.

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Daggum Hammor (Chief Operations Officer) in Ops Office: Mid afternoon/missing shipment.
Posted by… suppressed (15) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Ted and Sunny tried not to notice that this was the fourth time Marishka had walked from her seat at the bar, to her office, and back again. Each time she looked even more frustrated in that way only she could. She was cursing under her breath in a colorful mix of Klingon and Orion. Each time it was getting a bit louder. Something about missing blue water but they couldn’t quite make it out. It could have been something else.

Finally she slammed a fist down on the dirty bar top and glared at her volunteer staff.

“Get back to the storage rooms and check again. We’re missing a shipment and that can’t be. While you’re at it, bring me another cup of coffee.”

People scattered at her words and Rachael approached from Marishka’s left.

“Hey boss, I got your coffee and a shot of that whiskey you always keep behind the bar, just in case.”

  • Marishka

An Ensign came into the lounge and looked around. When their eyes fell on Marishka, they took a deep breath and walked over. “Excuse me, Ma’am. The Operations Chief, Lieutenant Commander Hammor, would like a word please. And he is asking that you bring your past requisitions and delivery manifests to his office, Ma’am.”

NE Todd, Operations officer and Sacrificial Lamb

Marishka’s eyes narrowed. She picked up the shot of whiskey and set the empty glass down quickly.

“Yes. Of course he would. Sit my dear, I will be with you, and accompany you, in ten minutes. If he wants everything you’ve just requested, that’s how long it will take me to prepare myself.”

She gave Todd her seat and motioned to get the woman whatever she wanted.

As Marishka walked towards her office, Rachael and Ted gave each other the ‘shit’s about to go down’ glance.


In about ten minutes Marishka returned with everything Hammor had requested and redressed fort he occasion.

If he wanted an emerald serpent, he would get one.

“Lead on my dear.”

  • Marishka

The young woman led Mariska to the Operations Office situated near the main cargo bays. At the door, which was open, she rapped on the bulkhead and said “Chief? She’s here.” A familiar voice said “Thank you, Ensign. Could you go check and make sure that the engineers are on schedule for the shuttle repair? And Ms. Marishka, do come in please.”

Hammor sat behind his desk. Behind him, windows looked out onto the adjacent cargo bays of deck six, and both were the usual flurry of activity. Cargo came and went, and personnel arrived and disembarked.

As Marishka entered, Hammor stood and nodded once. “Thank you for coming on short notice. Please, be seated.” and indicated a chair in front of the desk. “I hope I am not interrupting anything too important, but a matter has come up that I thought would be better handled in person.” and he took his seat. “Care for something to drink?” he asked politely.

Hammor, Ops Chief

Marishka bore no ill will to the woman who escorted her to Hammor. She could have mentally torn the poor lamb to pieces but why?

She nodded politely as the woman left and entered the room at her own dignified pace. She had changed from the Grecian garb the Parthenon patrons were used to seeing her in, to a tight fitting sheer emerald gown that went from throat to ankle, intricately embroidered in a scale pattern with delicate bronze outlines. A matching cloak lay across her shoulders held by a bronze brooch on her left shoulder. Her dark hair was coiled into a herring bone braid favored by a certain time period in Human history. All of this amplified the bronze hue of her skin given by her Klingon father’s genetics, not the emerald favored by her mother’s Orion genetics.

“I’ll stand for now an I am not thirsty but, what can I do for you Commander?” she asked calmly.

  • Marishka

“Suit yourself, then.” he said, and then gave her a grin that was both professional and simultaneously indicated he was taking a small amount of personal joy in the situation.

“The reason I asked you here is that I need to review your requisitions history and shipment manifests. Seems we… well, I suppose I should say you… have a problem with the customs records on one of your shipments, and I have had to have it held over for inspection and possible quarantine. Before that, however, I’d like you to show me a record of your orders so I can see if this is a one time issue; or perhaps a more systemic issue that needs to be addressed. Either way, it is an issue I would like to help you resolve… or at least help instruct you on how to avoid going forward.”

Hammor, Ops Chief

Marishka didn’t think she needed this man’s assistance in anything but, he was doing his job so, perhaps, she should let him feel needed.

Her bronze and emerald heels and the small train of her gown glided silently across the floor as she walked up beside him. If he stood he was obviously taller than her but, since she had refused to take a seat, she held the higher ground even in his own office.

“I made certain to bring everything you requested of me. I’m not certain there is actually an issue here. None of my orders are out of the ordinary. Perhaps there was a change of personnel on the supply side or something. But yes, let’s go over everything.” she said setting down the requested doccuments.

  • Marishka

Daggum ignored her proximity and instead began reviewing the files she provided. It was less than two minutes before he shook his head. “So I hope you realize that none of this is actually acceptable. Your requisitions were sent directly to vendors in multiple circumstances, which you actually are not allowed to do. There are several instances of you requesting… well let’s just say I have some questions regarding the necessity of some of the items in question. And there are multiple orders that were submitted multiple times with the same requisition number. So, Ma’am, I’m afraid that I am going to have to ask you to sit so we can go over a few things. Or you can stand there and gawk over my shoulder, but it won’t change the fact that your ordering process is about to change significantly.” and he looked up at her with an expressionless face… but with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Hammor, Ops Chief

Marishka certainly was not gawking over this new comer’s shoulder. She found his crass language grating. Hadn’t anybody taught him manners?

To show a little kindness, she took a half step to the side keeping her eyes firmly on his, like a serpent eyeing prey, or a teacher about to scold a student.

“Those aren’t order numbers, those are product numbers. Learn the difference if you’d like to speak to me, at a later date, about the same subject. Of course I have to send orders to vendors directly, how will they know what to send me if we didn’t communicate? As a civilian working on a Star Fleet ship, I don’t have access to your infrastructure unless, of course, you’d like to change that for me.”

  • Marishka

Hammor leaned back and looked at her and smiled. “No Ma’am, I don’t. Now, you may have intended them to be product numbers, but whoever filled out the request put them in the purchase order number field. So as far as I and Fleet Quartermaster are concerned, they are purchase order numbers. You may want to double check your requests before sending them from now on.” and he paused and simply kept the smile focused on her.

“And while I understand that vendors need to know what to send you, I do apologize but you simply don’t have the authority to order from them directly. As you said… you are a civilian on a Star Fleet vessel. That means you are here at Star Fleet’s discretion. And that also means you have to follow the same rules and regulations that the rest of the departments do; for instance here - you can’t order direct. All requisitions go through this office. Part of our job is to prioritize need, order from approved vendors and merchants, and inspect all materials coming in for contraband and the like. So from now on, Ma’am… you deal with me for your orders. As such, you will have to do what the rest of the departments have already done: provide me with a standard supplies list consisting of an individually itemized list of all non-replicated items, quantity on hand for each, frequency of ordering on average, any particular vendors you prefer to deal with for the specified item and their Fleet Logistics ID number. If they don’t have one, I can assist you in getting them one; or you can simply not do business with them. Simple and nonnegotiable. After that, I will come to the Lounge and we will conduct a full inventory of all supplies on hand, compare that to your itemized list, and then we will schedule your regular orders. Any special requests you receive that you want to fill will have to be sent via Special Requisition form SR-71… which I recommend you hand deliver to me to ensure that it is seen immediately. And as those are Supervisory documents only, it will have to be you that fills them out and delivers them… at least until such time as I trust you not to abuse the system.”

Hammor stood up and directly in front of Marishka, a hand’s breadth separating them. Looking down at her with their eyes locked, he said “Now, then… I am willing to chalk up the previous discrepancies to the fact that this ship was without an Operations Officer for some time. So I will not automatically assume you intended to circumnavigate proper channels in order to get your needs met. That, however, ceases right now. You now have the knowledge you need to ensure your Lounge is properly supplied and stocked. Any discrepancy going forward I will have to assume is either intentional on your part… or the result of ineptitude. The latter I don’t see as being an issue, but I have been wrong before. Now, before we adjourn to have a look at your problematic crate, do you have any questions… Ms. Marishka?”

Hammor, COO

Marishka stood perfectly still as he attempted to assert his authority. The problem was Hammor most likely didn’t realize what he’d actually done. So when he smiled down at her, she turned her gaze up slightly and met his, returning his smile with her own satisfied look.

“Perhaps it should be as you wish. You have just taken such a load of work from my hands. Yes, you will have as detailed an order as we can possibly give you. How many we need, what we need, and whom we prefer to deal with. For some of my stranger requests, I may even give you a reason why. I wouldn’t want you leaving your lovely office just to track me down with unnecessary questions. This will leave my staff so much more time to devote to the keeping of The Parthenon. I’m certain the crew will enjoy it even more.”, she paused for a few seconds, “I have never meant to deceive this crew with any of my orders and I sure as hell am not inept Commander. So if I’m going to follow your rules, you’re going to follow a few of mine. You’ll get what I need because I need it. I’ve worked among these wonderful people long enough to know their desires and I’ve become very good at anticipating them, so keep your unnecessary questions to a minimum. Before you breeze your way into my establishment, you will respect every one of my volunteer staff while you’re there as they are your crewmates as well. Oh, and one other small thing… I am not ma’am, madam, or Miss. I am Eroméni Marishka, a title lovingly given to me by my staff. I serve at the behest of Captain Koriah.”

  • Marishka

The smile didn’t leave Hammor’s face. He had expected push back, indeed he even expected the haughty arrogance.

“Your title may have been given to you by your staff, Ma’am, but I dont work for you. And I will get you what you need if you can justify it. You don’t get carte blanch for requests anymore than any other department. You ‘needing’ it isn’t justification. And if you are so good at anticipating needs; then getting orders in in advance with enough time for the proper reviews and approvals shouldn’t be an issue, should it?” and the smile slowly faded as he took a small step back and crossed his arms on his chest.

“I am not here to make your job harder. I am here to make sure that this ship and everyone on it has everything they need to accomplish this vessel’s missions first, and any extras as time allows. You fall into the ‘extras’ category. Is that the case with lounge facilities on other ships? No, not necessarily. But most often? Absolutely. So until such a time as you show me it is within the best interests of the ship and her crew that the extra effort to help you… efforts and time that could be put to use ensuring the safety and operational well-being of the ship… is not an ‘extra’? Well, you can simply expect to wait. Your. Turn. And my department will get to your needs in due time. The Parthenon is not an Operational priority. Its an extra. A perk for serving on this particular vessel. And while I am very well aware of the need for morale boosting facilities such as yours, they are again extra. And extras, from an Operational perspective, come after everything else. I am willing to work with you, to ensure that any wait you may have is kept to a minimum. But do not ever forget that I am not under any obligation or duty to you. I do not and will not simply ‘get you what you need because you need it’. Oh no. It falls to you to do what I need done to make sure you have what you need. Now, you can keep looking at me like you have the power here, but I can assure you… this isn’t about power, yours or mine. This is about rules and regulations, proper channels and time. Thats it. So I will tell you right here and now… for the next thirty days or so at least, you will have delays. Those delays won’t come from me. They will come from you, and they will be wholly and completely part of the learning curve of dealing with this system. Its natural, its normal, and it happens All. The. Time. Every ship I have been on, every station. Anytime someone first starts using the logistics and requisitions system things go sideways. Its not user friendly by any means. So when, not if, that happens… your best course of action is to find me and ask for my help. Again, I’m not here to make your job harder, I’m here to make sure that this part of your job is done right. That’s it. Once you and your staff have it down, I imagine you and I will then only have to nod at one another as I enjoy the hospitality of your establishment. So you see it is in both of our best intrests that you learn the right way quickly. Because then these little talks won’t be necessary. Now, we have a crate to inspect and some documentation to clarify.” And a massive arm swung slowly away from him and indicated the door.

“After you.”

Hammor, Ops Chief

Marishka wasn’t ready to turn her back on this man and walk out just yet although a part of her was desperate to leave the office. She couldn’t abide a liar or someone who was intentionally making her life difficult just because they could. She had gotten enough of that from both sides of her family and her former employers.

“I don’t believe you but I want this done and over as badly as you do, so I’m certain we’ll get back t this. You say that over the next 30 days things are going to be difficult for my staff and I. Well that works both ways Lieutenant Commander. I hope you get used to serpents in your life as you seem to be overhauling standard Star Fleet requisition protocols, for civilians on Star Fleet ships, because that is what I was using… Correctly.”

With that, she turned to leave as he had wanted.

  • Marishka

Hammor simply shook his head and followed her out of the office. Once out the door, he took the lead and led her wordlessly to one of the cargo bays. Walking her through large stacks of well-organized, labeled, and tagged crates; they arrived a section of the bay abutting one of the bulkheads. A large red and yellow square had been painted on the deck, and an assortment of over a dozen crates of varying sizes sat stacked within the square. One Security officer and one Operations officer stood next to the isolated containers. As they approached, Hammor spoke to the crew in the Operations uniform.

“Ensign, this is the manager of the Parthenon. We are here to take a look at her quarantined crate, please.” “Sure thing, Chief.” the young Bajoran said and he smiled at Marishka in a friendly manner. “One sec, Ma’am.” He went to a terminal and tapped in a few commands and then said “Ok, its right over here. Be right back.” and he walked behind a stack of crates and disappeared. He came back a moment later carrying a crate that looked to be about the size of a standard footlocker. He brought to Hammo and set it on the deck, then went and retrieved a PaDD and handed it to Hammor.

Hammor looked at the PaDD and said “Ok, then. We have one crate, contents twelve bottles of ‘Blue Water’. Ordered three weeks and two days ago from Herrof’s Fine Spirits, Bajor. Purchase order… well, we’ve already discussed that. So… the issue we have here is that the vendor in question has no Fleet Logistics ID Number… therefore they do not have the clearance to ship directly to a vessel without prior approval. Which, of course, neither they had or you can give. Now, as I assumed you did not want us opening your order, taking samples from each bottle and then sending said samples to to Science for analysis before releasing your order; I have brought you here to personally verify contents and sign an attestation that this is, indeed, blue water and that you did indeed order it. Once you have signed for it, we will pull it from quarantine and send it directly to the lounge where we will work with your staff in collecting a sample for inventory purposes. That will help us know exactly what it is you are looking for and we can see about alternative sourcing if your chosen vendor does not or cannot get their Logistics ID number. Is that acceptable to you, or do you wish to forego the shipment and it will simply be destroyed? Entirely up to you, and we will help either way.” Hammor asked. He was tired of dealing with Marishka. She obviously had it in her head that she knew how to do things… even if what she knew was, in fact, simply in error. Why do people always assume that just because ‘that’s how I’ve always done it’ means that that is the right way? he thought to himself, but simply looked at Marishka and waited for her to tell him one way or the other what to do with the crate… which he half-expected would involve some part of his posterior anatomy.

Hammor, Ops Chief

Now it was time for Marishka to behave properly. They both knew where each other stood and she had a sense Hammor might be getting tired of her. That wasn’t her problem but she needed this shipment. The shipment itself was the problem.

Carefully kneeling down, she inspected it closely before standing and calmly meeting Hammor’s eyes all business this time.

“I would like open the crate and inspect these contents in your presence if you please. You see Lieutenant Commander, I ordered only four bottles of Blue Water from a completely different supplier, who actually does have the required paperwork, and is on a different continent of Bajor entirely. So, I’d like to know what the hell this is all about as much as you do. I have the remains of my last bottle in the lounge for comparison. I would be glad to donate it to the investigation.” she said calmly.

  • Marishka

“By all means.” Hammor said flatly and indicated she could open it.

Opening it would reveal a crate segmented into twelve sections, each packed carefully around a glass bottle with a crystal stopper sealed in wax around it. On the very top, in plain sight was a an actual piece of paper. It read:

“Dearest Marishka,

I am so sorry to have to change your standing order, but my supplier had an unexpected accident and their distillery went off-line for several months. Even now, they are running behind. That, in turn, has caused me much headache… as I am sure you can imagine. However, due to your value to me as a client and a friend, I have taken the liberty of obtaining some Blue Water from a non-local source. It is a slightly spicier vintage and berry; but the broader palate I think you will find pleasing, if not as pleasant, as your regular supply from Con’tx. For your trouble, I have included a case rather than the standard four bottles.

Marishka, I do so apologize for the trouble. As soon as Con’tx is up and running at full pace, I will send you your four bottles, as well as a selection of wines and spirits from my private stock for your own enjoyment and that of your staff whom I have inconvenienced so. I remain, as always, your dutiful servant and friend.

Tolos”

Hammor had looked away as the message was read. Correspondence was, after all, none of his concern… just contents.

Hammor, Operations

Marishka retrieved one of the notes and stood. There was nothing too personal about it so she had no problem is Hammor wanted to see the others.

“I am satisfied for the moment however, I will be contacting Tolos, you can be assured of that. I respect your need to conduct this investigation. Please understand that although you and I may do things differently, I am not inept Lieutenant Commander. I suggest we set up a weekly meeting to go over orders and any business we feel we need to conduct with each other until we establish the rhythm we need. Other than that, I do hope you become a regular at The Parthenon.” she said calmly, still in business woman mode.

  • Marishka

Hammor simply nodded once. “I hold misconceptions as to your competence. And if a regular meeting will assist you and your staff in establishing a smooth working relationship, I am not averse to doing so. I will make note of it and we can go over any needs or issues then. I will, of course, still need your standard order as soon as possible. That will help move things along as well.” and he gestured to the doorway out of the cargo bay. “Please… after you.” and then he looked at the Ensign. “Clear the crate and get it to the lounge within the next thirty minutes, Ensign. And take it yourself. I want to make sure it arrives quickly.” “On it, Chief.” and the Bajoran spun and went to the terminal and began processing the clearances.

Hammor looked down at Marishka and said “We will still need the sample, but you should have your items soon. My apologies for the delay, but I hope you can see a bit more of what is entailed in stocking the ship.” as they walked out of the hold.

Hammor, Ops

Marishka preceded him out of the cargo bay. She had no illusions where Hammor was concerned. Dealing with him on a professional level was one thing but dealing with an Orion male on any other level was quite another matter.

“Yes of course. You’ll have your sample and you’ll have my latest order within the next day or two because I’m really not out of anything at the moment. Do we have any other business?” she asked glancing over her shoulder.

  • Marishka

Posts on USS Athena

In topic

Posted since


© 1991-2024 STF. Terms of Service

Version 1.15.9