Posted April 24, 2021, 9:56 a.m. by Senior Chief Petty Officer Karl Johansson (Engineer) (Hjortur Ingi)
Posted by Lieutenant Commander T’Pria (Engineering Chief) in Pre-Sim - Main Engineering - Karl Reporting In
<snip>Posted by Senior Chief Petty Officer Karl Johansson (Engineer) in Pre-Sim - Main Engineering - Karl Reporting In
Posted by Lieutenant Commander T’Pria (Engineering Chief) in Pre-Sim - Main Engineering - Karl Reporting In
At Karl’s approach, the Vulcan engineering chief had been entering co-ordinates into a probe configuration file, delicate fingers gliding almost silently over the keypad before her. She did not immediately respond to the man’s introduction but instead took time to complete her current task, before logging out of her terminal then casting her eyes across the room, eventually locating, and gesturing to, Ensign Cleolet.
“Ensign, the watch is yours,” she informed the Caitian. Then finally her attention was paid to the newcomer as, with a smile, she announced, “I am Lt Cmdr T’Pria. Welcome to engineering. Let us walk.”Karl gave his superior a nod and followed her towards the ladder.
As with Cleolet before him, the Vulcan led Johansson back down the ladder to the main engineering deck and then over to her empty office.
“Initially I conducted boarding interviews at my desk,” she explained as they walked. “But found most of the crew suddenly mute when required to share personal details in range of their peers. Not that we haven’t all studied each other’s files in detail,” she added with a tone that hinted at sarcasm.
“However, it is equally to my benefit that my crew speak openly and honestly with me. So if the privacy afforded by my office can assist with that, so be it.”“Understood, sir. Some folks are shyer than others” He said with a slight smile
In stark contrast to the clinical whites of the engineering deck, inside the small office was a kaleidoscope of colour. On every wall, from floor to ceiling, hung a large, bright, woven tapestry depicting various locations on the Vulcan homeworld. And in the centre of the room, a single, low table surrounded by a mountain of rainbow-hued cushions.
Moving to one of the tapestries, the Vulcan rummaged behind it and produced a large pot of tea with two bowl-like cups. Then, placing the tea on the table, she settled herself cross-legged onto a cushion and nodded for the newcomer to join her.“So, Mr Johansson,” she began, “let us start at the beginning. Why engineering? What draws you to this discipline above all others?”
- Lt Cmdr T’Pria (CE)
Karl looked around the office, looking around the decorations. It was a lot more colourful than he’d expected from a Vulcan. He raised an eyebrow at the cushion and the lowered desk but didn’t comment. He sat down, carefully crossing his legs to sit comfortably “My parents” He started “My father’s a mechanic who spent half his life building ships over Mars, my mother is a Warp Engine Specialist, I grew up reading engineering manuals, schematics, and similar engineering-related paraphernalia. I had a knack for engines and for as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to work on a starship. As soon as I was old enough I applied for the technical services academy on Mars, I wanted to get out as soon there as I could.” He spoke in slightly accented English “I also liked the idea of getting to work directly with engines, wasn’t very interested in Enlisting as an Officer.”
SCPO Karl - Eng
“No ambitions to become a captain of your own starship one day, then?” she inquired.
Karl shook his head “No, Ma’am, didn’t even aim for being a Chief Petty.” He said with a slight smile “Maybe I’ll aim for Master Chief someday but I’m pleased with my lot.”
Vulcan philosophy was no enemy of ambition. Indeed, it could be a powerful motivator and a sharp lens through which to focus one’s attention. But it could also so easily become a distraction. So the Chief felt a certain degree of respect for the SCPO’s choices.
“Would it be your wish to specialise in warp core maintenance within this team?” T’Pria continued, between delicate sips of tea. “If so then I would agree it as a logical placement. But perhaps you have other ideas? Or other questions for me?”
- Lt Cmdr T’Pria (CE)
“Warp cores are my speciality but I am handy wherever I’m needed” He said simply “But maintenance sounds like a good spot for me” He said with a nod “My only questions are regarding the Engines, are there any specifics or quirks I need to know about it?” He asked, “Have you named it?” He asked quite seriously.
SCPO Karl - Eng
If the Vulcan was in any way phased by the question then it would not be evident from her face. Placing her teacup gently onto the table and fixing her eyes on the engineer, she replied flatly, “Yes. She is named Class Five dual conduit core. Or were you expecting something more colloquial?” she added, her tone suggesting an element of sarcasm, although as was often the way with Vulcans, one could never be entirely sure.
“As for ‘quirks’, is that not merely a human name for ‘defects’?” the Chief continued. “I do not look to my warp cores for individualism. I look to them for reliability and predictable performance. So you will find her capable of warp 5 at cruising speed, with the ability to reach 8.5 in an emergency.”
Curious, perhaps, that T’Pria chose to refer to the warp core as a ‘she’. Or perhaps she was merely following convention.“Still, you are indeed well suited to take charge of her maintenance,” the Vulcan concluded, adding with an almost playful expression, “I will even permit you to bestow upon her a more human name, if you wish?”
- Lt Cmdr T’Pria (CE)
“Quirks and defects are often confused that much is true, but sometimes Engines need to be treated a certain way to function properly. Each ship has it’s own personality, for a lack of a better term. It all goes to how it was assembled, fixed into the ship. The repairs and modification an Engineering crew does.” He said with a brief smile as he took a sip from his cup of tea. He usually didn’t go for soothing tea when working but he had no interest in being impolite “I thank you for the offer but naming an Engine is something I feel best left to those in charge of it.” He narrowed his eyes slightly, it must have been a trick on the eyes, he’d never known a Vulcan to have a playful side “She’ll tell us her name soon enough” He said with a smile “They always end up revealing it one way or the other.”
SCPO Karl - Eng
“I am sure that she will,” T’Pria nodded, sipping her own tea. “Be sure to let me know her name when she reveals it to you.”
Placing her cup back down with a melodic clink, the Vulcan continued, “Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”
- Lt Cmdr T’Pria (CE)
Karl considered her question for a moment “No I don’t think there is any question I have burning right now, perhaps only where I am needed right now. Never seen a ship that doesn’t need constant repair and modification.”
SCPO Karl - Eng
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