New Appointments

Posted on Dec 25, 2016 @ 1:31pm by Captain Michael Turlogh Kane

Mission: Aftermath

"NEW APPOINTMENTS"

(Continued from " Buckle Up, Buttercup")
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Location: USS Phoenix, in Spacedock
Stardate: [2.17]1225.1730
Scene: Captain's Ready Room


Michael Turlogh Kane was up against it today, and the day had looked like being a quiet one. Now, the mutant Thomas Varn was standing in his ready room, flanking some non-Human Ensign that Kane didn't recognise at first, until it clicked - the new Assistant Chief Science Officer. He'd seen the service record a couple of days ago when going over upcoming appointments.

He beckoned the young Aamazzarite to come forward. "Ensign Schad, welcome aboard." He looked at Thomas. "You two have already met?"

"Our paths crossed on the surface, Captain. I've had a chance to look into Ensign Schad's service record, and I think he would make an excellent department head."

Kane held up his hands. "No offence to the Ensign, but he doesn't have that kind of experience."

"I agree with you, Captain," put in Arak with a self-deprecating smile.

"So do I," said Thomas, "but everyone has to start somewhere, right? You have two options, Captain Kane. Inform Starfleet that your Chief Science Officer has resigned his commission and that one, you need a new one as soon as possible, or two, that you have promoted his assistant in his place."

Kane reached down and turned Arak's service record to face them both. It was almost bare. "Look at this, Mister Varn. Not one single posting under his belt, and you think I should hand a department of one hundred and fifty people over to a recent Academy graduate!"

"I understand that, Captain. As I said, I will give you a guarantee that Ensign Scahd will in be in a position to assume command of the department prior to the ship's launch."

Kane seemed mollified. "This is very irregular, but..." He threw a glance in Arak's direction. "I've never served with an Aamazzarite before. Can you be as good as he says you can?"

Arak nodded serenely. "I believe so, Captain."

Kane sighed, thinking it over. Then he waved his finger at them. "Both of you, get to work before I change my mind."

Thomas grinned at Arak. "You heard him." Together, they exited the ready room, leaving Kane to ponder what he had just done.

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Scene: Captain's Ready Room, as before


Hours passed, and more and more crewmembers were boarding the ship. As they met their commanding officers and settled in to their assigned quarters, they logged in to the main computer, which kept a record of their arrival. Every hour, Kane kept checking back to see how many more were coming aboard. It was a hive of activity down there.

Senior officers were to report to him by appointment, and there was another new officer he was eager to meet. Commander Malin-Argo, the new Chief Engineer, was a Grazerite who came very highly-rated and was being tipped as a future Admiral. On paper, Malin-Argo looked like the perfect officer to replace Jake Crichton - he had over thirty years' experience as a Starfleet engineer, twenty of them as a Chief Engineer aboard starships. His letters of recommendation were from such illustrious starships as the Repulse, the Columbia, and the Constellation, all praising him as being the best engineer in the history of those starships. He had won the Cochrane Medal of Excellent three years ago, and his service record was full of words like 'impeccable' and 'faultless'.

That meant nothing about the man himself, Kane knew. It was possible to have a service record like that and also be an unmitigated asshole to everyone on your staff - none of the recommendation letters mentioned anything about Malin-Argo's personality, but in about sixty seconds, he'd find out.

Sooner than that, as it turned out. The door chimed, and Kane stood up. "Come in."

The door hissed open, and Kane found himself the closest he had ever been to a Grazerite. They were bulky, well-built humanoids who had evolved from a herbivorous herd animal on their homeworld. Malin-Argo himself was about the same height as Kane, but was much thicker-skinned, and his hide was covered with a carpet of amber down. He moved slowly, but with imminent purpose, heavily-muscled limbs moving within his well-fitting black-and-gold uniform. His features were dominated by a thick furrow of bone on his brow that tapered upward to two small horns, the outlines of which could be seen under a tight black skullcap. His skin was lightly tanned.

The new Chief Engineer stopped by the desk and drew himself up to attention. "Commander Malin-Argo reporting for duty, sir."

Kane was impressed. The Grazerite's voice was deep and rich, and the tone was professional and business-like. "Welcome aboard the Phoenix, Commander," he replied. "I'm very much looking forward to serving with you." He gestured to the seat in front of the desk.

"Thank you, Captain." Malin-Argo sat down.

Kane tried to remember what he had read about Grazerites. Their homeworld (Vacca III, although their own name for it was more unpronouncable) had given birth to a single sentient species, and like the herd land animals from which they were descended, Grazerites tended to live and work in large social groups. By reputation, they were placidly confident, contemplative, and eager for consensus above conflict.

Except that Malin-Argo immediately did not appear to possess any of those qualities. He gave Kane the impression of decisiveness, of strong self-confidence, and the stern expression on his face seemed to brook no dissent in any decision he might have made. Malin-Argo seemed a direct contrast to the stereotypes of his people.

"Let's discuss your role aboard the ship," said Kane. "Now, normally I - "

Malin-Argo held up a hand. "Permission to speak freely, Captain."

Kane thought about it for a moment. "I hadn't finished speaking, but go ahead."

"I'm not the type of engineer who needs any direction, Captain Kane. I have three decades' experience in starship engine rooms, and I know what is expected and required of my department. Rest assured that you will have peak operating efficiency at all times across all ship's systems, and if you do not I will immediately explain why, as well as providing an estimate as to when the problem can be resolved."

Kane was pleased. "Well, that sounds - "

"Furthermore, I want you to know that I will extract one hundred per cent effort and commitment from my staff. I do not tolerate shirkers. The Phoenix's Engineering department will be the finest in all of Starfleet when I whip it into shape." The Grazerite leaned forward. "I have examined your service record and found out what I could about you from my contacts across the fleet. Your style of command is to leave each department head to their own devices - the light touch, as it were. Yes?"

Kane sat up straight. Why did he feel like he was the one being interviewed? "Yes, that's - "

"Good. I dislike interference in how I run my department. If you accept from me, here and now, these assurances, then you will not be sorry, Captain Kane." Malin-Argo gestured with his right hand to punctuate his words. "My people do not require much rest. I work twenty hours a day, every day. I have no hobbies or interests, no family, no desire for any personal relationships with anyone aboard this ship. I am absolutely committed to my duty, and I am ready to begin, right now." Just like that, the Grazerite stopped talking.

Kane nodded. He felt like he had just been hit by a heavy wave of water, and thought quickly. Everything Malin-Argo was saying was exactly what every ship's captain wanted to hear - a promise of efficiency, drive and commitment. The Grazerite did seem a little overbearing, but would that be a good thing? The staff in Engineering were supremely competent - Jonathan Maynell, Chaucer, Asta Elgin, and the unproven Lynette Ryan - but Kane was willing to bet that they'd never served under someone like Malin-Argo before.

He thought about warning the Grazerite to treat them kindly, but discounted it. As long as Malin-Argo did not abuse anyone under his command - and there were no indications that he would do any such thing - there would be no problem. Engineering was about to enter a new period of shake-up under a new commanding officer, but perhaps that would be good for everyone. Malin-Argo represented a different kind of boss than Jake Crichton did, a boss that was more distant, less interested in making friends, and who demanded the utmost from those working beneath him.

It would be an interesting time in the engine room from now on, that was for sure.

Kane stood up, the old arrogance resurfacing in him. He was still the captain of the ship, and Malin-Argo still had to follow his orders. "That will be all, Commander. You may begin your work immediately, and I shall expect you to live up to the high standards you have outlined for yourself."

The Grazerite got to his feet, nonplussed. "Yes, sir," he rumbled.

He turned and lumbered out of the room, leaving Kane behind, wondering what he had just unleashed on the crew.

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NRPG: Meet our new Chief Engineer, whose bio is up on the website in the USS Phoenix manifest. He is domineering and strong-willed and brooks no dissent, but he's also a magnificent engineer. Make sure you read up on him before trying to write for him.


Jerome McKee
the Soul of Captain Michael Turlogh Kane
Commanding Officer
USS PHOENIX


"He speaks an infinite deal of nothing!"
- Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", Act 1, Scene 1.117

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