STF

Side sim - Brigette's XO check in... or dismissal?

Posted April 14, 2020, 8:11 p.m. by Lieutenant Commander David Malkin (XO / Navigation Officer) (Sage Pennington)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Brigette Marshall (Chief Engineer (CE)) in Side sim - Brigette’s XO check in… or dismissal?

Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
She had finished with the CO and her heart was racing. What had transpired had taken them both by surprise. While she liked the idea of it continuing, she was braced for it to be a weak moment and forgotten come morning.

The fact the XO had witnessed it happening, had humiliated her to the point where she feared she wasn’t going to sleep without seeing him before bed. Again, though, Brigette wasn’t bold enough to seek his quarters.

She went to his office and stood outside his door trying desperately to keep from hyperventilating. She was there for several minutes before she finally inhaled a deep breath and palmed the chime.

Lt JG Brigette Marshall
Chief Engineer

“Enter!” David called. Upon entering, she would find stacks of books and PaDD’s on every part of starship operation and command.

“Lieutenant Marshall. I trust the remainder of your meeting with the Captain was equally eventful.”

-Lt Cmdr David Malkin, XO

She was impressed at the tomes that covered various surfaces. She had only seen actual books under glass on display. The fact he left them willy nilly and they looked ‘read’ absolutely astounded her. She actually stared at them all a moment before remembering she was there for a reason. Clearing her throat, a slight crimson touched her cheeks as she stepped in far enough to let the door close.

“Yes, Sir… thank you. I came to apologize. I never asked what your expectations would be of me. As my immediate supervisor, that was an oversight on my part.” She had doubts he would throw one of the books at her. She just hoped it wasn’t a padd that came her direction. Two attacks in one night her heart wouldn’t handle.

Lt JG Brigette Marshall
CE

David looked up from his work for the first time since she entered. “Lieutenant. Let’s begin by making something clear. What you and anyone else on this ship do behind closed doors is your business. As long as the engineering department is run smoothly and you keep this ship in good running order, I don’t care.” He stood up and rounded his desk. “My expectation for you is that when we need a ship system, it functions on command. The engines run at maximum speed and efficiency. And you keep your department in line. If you can do those three things, we will never have an issue.”

-Lt Cmdr David Malkin, XO

As he rounded the desk, she realized the height she had sensed when he left the Captain’s office was not exagerated. She tried to stand up straighter, but the near 5 inches of difference wasn’t something she could make up. “I give you my word, Sir, that I will never let my personal life interfere with my abilities. I have always taken my job seriously and this position will be no different.”

It was a little ominous staring up at a man she was sure would smack her down first chance he got. She found herself looking away and her glance landed on the books. “Forgive me, Sir… are all of those books ones you have read? Or do you merely collect them for preserving?” She had a slightly different look on her face this time. It was actual curiosity. Not the wide mouthed awe of the puzzle boxes, but a genuine desire to know. Books were knowledge and, next to improving whatever ship she was on, knowledge was a hand in hand pleasure. The fact this man had so many books actually blew her mind more than if he had sprouted fur and lunged for her.

Bridie
CE

David looked behind him and then back at the new CE. “Most, I’ve read. Some were a parting gift from Dr Reid. Our former chief. The ones on advanced warp field theory. And this.” He picked up a slim black volume “The Tao Te Ching. I don’t know how he knew I’d appreciate it, but…”

-Lt Cmdr David Malkin, XO

“Advanced Warp Field Theory?” She was astounded. She looked at the small black volume in his hand and shook her head. “I’m not familiar with that. I would… I mean… if you ever…” She wasn’t believing that for the second time tonight, she was about to leap headlong off a cliff of stupidity. “What I meant was, I’d like to read the Warp Theory book if you would allow me.” She swiftly added as she looked back up at his face. “I mean, in here so you can keep an eye on it. I wouldn’t harm it, I promise.”

She was begging for the use of an almost indescribably valuable item, and he had just watched her melt under his CO… what in all the four quadrants was she thinking?

Bridie
CE

David lifted a dense volume off the stack. “Return it to me in A1 condition. Read it on your own time. There’s some good stuff in there. You’ll find chapters 7, 11, and 23 particularly interesting.”

-Lt Cmdr David Malkin, XO

She took the volume and nearly laughed. “Are you sure? I mean, of course I will take care of it, Sir. I am....” She realized she was rambling again. Taking a breath, she calmed herself and smiled at him. “Thank you, Sir. I will return it as soon as I’m finished. And if I may, I’d love the chance to discuss it with you afterwards. You have an interest in Warp Fields?” She was astonished that someone like him would even care, beyond, of course, wanting the ship to go faster when it was needed.

Lt LG Brigette Marshall, CE

David couldn’t help but crack a smile. “I served as an engineer for nine years before entering command. My interest is mostly academic now, but I did a lot of work in the area.”

-Lt Cmdr David Malkin, XO

A kindred spirit… who would have thought it. “You should smile more often. It suits you better than scowling and eye rolling… just saying.” She smiled and crossed her arms over the book, holding it to her chest. “I’d love to pick your brain sometime, if you have the desire. One of my hobbies is the improvement of warp drives and the ships that use them. And as I told the Captain, I am incredibly interested in the AI. Any information you can help with them I can take you from work, would be more than greatly appreciated.”

She was biting back her desire to continue, figuring he had had enough of her ramblings for one night. But the admiration and respect for him was as evident as her excitement about her passion and the thought of someone else understanding it.

Lt JG Brigette Marshall, CE

“An XO never sleeps anyway. Have a seat.” He motioned towards a chair. He sat on the edge of his desk to be less formal. “What’s on your mind?”

-Lt Cmdr David Malkin, XO


Posts on USS Chernov

In topic

Posted since


© 1991-2024 STF. Terms of Service

Version 1.15.9