Posted by Captain Sidney Parker (Commanding Officer) in Alt Timeline: The CE checks-in with the CO

Posted by Lieutenant Steve Johnson (Chief Engineer) in Alt Timeline: The CE checks-in with the CO

Posted by Captain Sidney Parker (Commanding Officer) in Alt Timeline: The CE checks-in with the CO
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Steve was done with the XO and went to finally met the big man himself so to speak. The CO gave Steve a chance at his first Department Head post and wondered why he decided to pick him. Pressing the chime he waited.

Lt. Steve Johnson, CE

“Enter.” Came the bark as the door opened.

The CO was at his chair behind his desk. He motioned for the new CE to approach and then extended his hand for a handshake.

“Welcome Lt.” He said.

Parker CO

Steven walked right in and saw the offered hand and grasped it with a firm business like shake. “Thank you Captain. It is a real honor to be part of your ship. I have read many stories of your adventures and was thrilled to be picked as your new Chief Engineer. This is a fine vessel and I look forward to keeping it that way.” Then he suddenly realized he forgot to do something. “Oh!” Going to the position of attention he snapped to it. “Lieutenant Steve Johnson reporting for duty sir!”

Lt. Steve Johnson, CE

“At Ease Lt.” The Captain ordered. “Have a seat.

The Captain sat down.

Steve went to the at-ease position and then sat down after the Captain did so.

“Lt. It is good to have you. It seems our carrier has not had a steady CE in some time. It seems many don’t do well with the mission sets. Which tend to be hard on a ship and harder on its engineering crew. I hope you are not one of those?”

It was a statement but a question so he let it hang out there and be interpreted in which ever way Johnson chose.

Parker CO

Scratching the back of his head. “You know sir, I saw that via the ships records. Once I got access to them anyway. I am up for any task and that is not just bravado or the silly implications of a newly minted Lieutenant or Department Head. I have a work ethic that goes back to even when I was a boy on the farm. It doesn’t matter what the weather is like, or if you’re feeling well. Things have to get done. That has always stayed with me. Having said that, I have learned to ask for help when needed. Being a macho man or too prideful would lead to more things going wrong. I promise you that I will end the curse of your Defense Against the Darts Post. Meaning, that I will still be here after a year, providing that I still do a great job and that you’ll have me of course.” He hoped that that would help alleviate the captains concern.

Lt. Steve Johnson, CE

“Certainly your attitude is right.” The Captain commented. “Give me your hardest challenge so far as an Engineer? I am interested to see how you managed it.”

The Captain was analytical and a behavioral expert. He tended to ask questions either for their direct answer or analyze something deeper. Sometimes both.

Parker CO

Steve looked away a bit then directly at the Captain. “Well sir. To be honest, it was just a bit ago when those torpedo’s blew up near us knocking power out everywhere and I was severely injured with a laceration above my right eye. I steadied myself, then got a couple teams together and we triaged the systems and away they went to do multiple tasks at once. I stayed with the warp core and helped with power transfers. The rest you know since you were. Before that it was a haul breach from a torpedo when I was on the USS Albealine. Sorry I am not more interesting than that sir.”

Lt. Steve Johnson, CE

“A good CE should have few stories to tell. His job is to make sure the ship does not suffer damage.” The Captain reassured his new CE.

“So give me the run down on my ship Lt.” He ordered. “All in well order.”

Parker CO

“I agree with most of your first statement Captain. With respect. In any career field you gain the accumulated knowledge of the people and beings before them, coupled with their own tribulations and failures. I pay attention Captain. I learn from my mistakes and consult my peers and colleagues on matters that I do not.”

“As for your ship, after the battle, all is well right now and she is running about 1.4% better then when she was at the start of the battle. We could always do better and all of us engineers will be working on that to ensure it. I have set up times with each department head with a team of my team leaders to go through areas of the ship ran by those DH’s so we know where things are faster and who to contact for anything else. Plus it helps to get to know one another. I am a very competent engineer and electrician. I know warp tech very well and for the areas that I and my team do not know much about, we have a weekly training simulation in order to learn more and make all of us more well rounded engineers. My goals as a Chief Engineer is to make this ship run as smooth as a 1960 Cadillac and to improve the skills and knowledge of my team so that one day they can have my place or a higher one. I hope that answered your question captain?” He sat starring at the intense man in front of him.

Lt. Steve Johnson, CE

“Yes it did Lt. In fact a 1960 Cadillac was an internal combustion engine. My hopes our warp technology can run a tad better even if it does not enjoy the distinctive sound a 1960 Cadillac emitted.” The Captain answered.

Steve laughed. “Well of course it will sir. I was referring to the fact how the Caddy drove on the pavement. My dad has one still and I am giddy to ride in it all of the time.

“Lt. I am sure we have the right man for the job. Do you have any questions of me?” The Captain asked in the way of giving the new CE the opportunity to say anything he wanted before the meeting ended.

Parker CO

“Well sir. I know exactly what is required of me by you, Starfleet and the rest of the personnel on this ship and I will strive to make sure that I do exactly that and beyond while I am here and while I serve. So I do not have any other quest…” Then he got a question in mid sentence…”Actually, I do have one. Why the high turnover rate for the CE post?”

Lt. Steve Johnson, CE