Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Katherine (Katie) Hobbes (Chief Engineering Officer) in New Engineer - The Old Bird
In his own way, Ark Angel’s new Engineering Chief Warrant Officer was a magnificent creature. Taller than most humans, the top of his head was not the highest part of his body. Like all Aurelians, (https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Aurelian) the knuckle of his wings was several centimeters higher than his head. Like many of his species, he was covered with bright yellow feathers on most of his body other than his beak and his claws.

“Chief Anang. Request permission to come aboard,” he said and he handed the duty officer his PADD that contained his orders. The duty officer gave the cursory glance at the orders while Anang came as close to smiling as the structure of his face allowed. The “smile” was directed as much at Ltjg Hobbes who waited just beyond the immediate reception area as it was for the duty officer.

“Everything is in order here, Chief Anang. Permission granted. Welcome aboard the Ark Angel,” the duty officer said. He handed the PADD back to Anang. Katie had waited long enough. Stepping rapidly toward the old bird, she wrapped her arms around him. “And I believe we have someone here who can escort you to your quarters and duty station.”

“Lieutenant Hobbes,” Anang said as he unwrapped his arms and wings from around Katie. “You are just like your sister. You must also remember to display appropriate decorum.”

Katie stepped back and nodded but made attempt to hide her smile.

“Of course. I am very glad to see you,” Katie said.

“I was beginning to guess as much.”

“Jasmine said she was sending you to me,” Katie said. She glanced at the duty officer who was both smiling and pretending not to watch the reunion. “Your expertise will be a great help to us.”

“Your sister, Captain Jasmine Hobbes, sends her greetings and well wishes. She and the USS Phobos are doing well,” Anang said. He, too, glanced at the duty officer. “There is no news concerning Nickle.”

Katie’s smile may have faded a bit at the lack of news concerning her brother Nicholas. That was to be expected given that he had been ‘missing’ for three years.

“Come. Let me show you around the ship,” Katie said.

=/\= LtJg Katherine (Katie) Hobbes Chief Engineering Officer

Katie and Anang sat silently in the ship’s lounge; he with his water and she with her sickly sweet carbonated beverage.

“Have I ever asked you what you think about Nickle,” she said breaking the silence.

“I think Nickle is a fine and useful element,” Anang said quietly. Katie started to protest but Anang held up a clawed hand. “Yes. I know that is not what you meant. The individual in question either has gone on to his reward or wants people to think so.”

“Do you think…” Katie started to say her brother’s name but took a deep breath instead. She opted to change the subject. “How long have you been affiliated with my family?”

Anang leaned back and lifted his head. “I first met Jasmine on her first year cruise. I was most impressed with her bearing from the beginning and was pleased when I received an assignment on her ship after she received her commission. I first met your older brother shortly after that. He was…”

“He is…”

“As you wish,” Anang said. “He is a most interesting a most interesting individual. Highly intelligent. Talented. Low regard for regulations.”

“You attended our parent’s funeral,” Katie said.

“That is right. I had almost forgotten our first meeting,” Anang said. Katie instantly recognized the tightening of his face muscles. It was as close to a smile as Anang ever got. “I tend to remember that incident on the starbase as our first real meeting.”

“I try not to think about sanitary waste treatment systems whenever possible.”

=/\= LtJg Katherine (Katie) Hobbes Chief Engineering Officer