The Deep End Method

Posted on Mon Aug 9, 2021 @ 6:33pm by Lieutenant Sakkar

Mission: Mission 1R - Vigilance Be Our Shield
Location: Bridge, USS Hornet
Timeline: M1D1

[ON]

The pattern buffer spooled up to full cycle, filling the transporter room with its familiar hum. On the pad a single column of blue light materialized into a man. He stepped down off the platform and acknowledged the transporter chief with a nod. "Permission to come aboard," Lt. Sakkar requested. It was an illogical request, given that his orders effectively granted him permission, but shipboard traditions remained ingrained in the fleet's culture. To those he had no objection.

"Permission granted, sir," the Chief replied, noting the new arrival's pointed ears. He also noted that the new Lieutenant had no travel bag on his shoulder, no personal belongings. "Will your personal effects be beamed directly to your quarters, sir?"

"Correct."

The Chief began tapping on the LCARS display on his console. "Give me a minute. I'll tell you what deck that's on." He assumed Sakkar would want to spend a short time settling in.

"Not necessary," the Vulcan replied. "I will be on the bridge." The transporter room's doors parted and he left.

----------------------

At the moment the bridge had minimal crew on duty. With the ship docked and the finishing touches being put on the module swap, it wasn't necessary to have a full shift. The command chairs were unoccupied. A pair of engineers were running diagnostics on one of the environmental terminals; on the other side of the bridge a lone science officer was using his terminal for research; and an ensign was manning the ops station.

The turbolift doors parted and Sakkar stepped onto the bridge. No one noticed except for one of the engineers, who glanced at him briefly and acknowledged with a polite nod. Sakkar nodded back. He allowed himself a moment to take it all in, the thrum of the engines idling below, the various electronic chirps and chimes that made the ship come alive. It had been a long time for him. Then, reminding himself that such indulgences were time wasters, and therefore illogical, he made a direct line for the ops station.

The gold-collared ensign, a young lady, noticed his approach and offered a half smile. "Mister Sakkar, welcome aboard. You're the one who beamed aboard from the transport?"

"A correct assumption," Sakkar said. "And you are?"

"Erin Alessandro, sir. Any particular reason why you opted not to come across the ship's gangway like everyone else?"

The Vulcan raised his eyebrow. "Beaming aboard is an acceptable embarkation procedure. The transport ship's captain granted his permission, so I saw no reason to delay. What prompts you to make such a query, Ensign?"

The young woman smiled while she typed more commands into her console. "You just seem eager to get started, Lieutenant."

Sakkar crossed his arms behind his back. "If I understand correctly the captain issued a recall order to all crew not long ago. Since I am new here, logic dictates that I get aboard and get myself 'up to speed' as soon as possible. Wouldn't you say, Ensign?"

Alessandro stopped momentarily to check the chronometer. There was still plenty of time, but she suspected that it would just be a headache to debate this Vulcan about it." Yes, sir," she answered simply, resuming her work.

Sakkar stepped in a bit closer to study the readouts on the ops console. "We are installing new ventral mission modules?"

"Yes. Just about done. We're going through the systems integration procedure right now."

"Excellent," Sakkar said with a nod. "I have not arrived too late to observe. You may walk me through this procedure, Ensign."

Alessandro's typing stopped, and she stiffened almost imperceptibly. Sakkar waited without a word. Resuming her typing she offered a weak smile and said, "Aye, sir."