Posted by Commander Shara Calloway (Executive Officer) in Main Engineering- Making the Rounds

Posted by Lieutenant Harry Archer (Chief Engineer) in Main Engineering- Making the Rounds

Posted by Commander Shara Calloway (Executive Officer) in Main Engineering- Making the Rounds
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
While Shara was familiar with most of their senior staff already given they had all served together during their last assignment, there was an exception that had been on board a short while already. She was mostly settled in after her and Micah returned from her much needed R&R, so Shara decided now was as good a time as any to rectify the situation.

Her promotion had been in position only so she bore no obvious signs of the change, but as she stepped into Main Engineering, an ensign immediately snapped to attention. “Commander,” he said.

She bit back a chuckle and gave a tiny smirk. “At ease, ensign.” In truth, the deference weirded her out. Shara was far too accustomed to moving about inconspicuously unless she wanted to be seen. Now she had to be seen and she had even desired it. It was so bloody strange.

Moving over to the warp core, she folded her arms on the barrier and leaned forward, gazing intently at the pulse of the ship. She didn’t do anything else for the moment but just contemplate and wait, mentally noting what was going on around her with a keen sense of observation that many found unnerving.

~Shara Calloway, XO

“I should start charging for the view.” came a plummy British voice from behind Shara. Harry had stepped out of his office, recognising the new Executive Officer by the pips on her collar.

“Harry Archer,” he said as way of introduction. He went to extend his hand, but hesitated a moment recalling the awkward moment with Mwezi when he went to shake his hand… or was it a paw.

Lt. Archer
Chief Engineer

With ease, Shara extended her own hand and gave a soft smile. “It’s nice to meet you. Shara Calloway…” She smirked. “I was about to saw Chief Intelligence Officer, but that’s now longer true.”

“Yes, I heard about Comm…” Harry paused, “Ensign Mwezi” he continued.

Shara nodded. “Yeah. And somehow I ended up the seat in his stead. Trust me, it wasn’t something I was looking for. But the job is mine now.”

She turned back to the warp core. “It is an interesting view. Every ship has its own rhythm, frequency. It’s bene a long time since I spent anytime around a core though.” Not since she was a crewman in the Delta Quadrant trying to utilize her computer skills in a reasonable way while she wished she was anywhere but on that ship.

~Shara Calloway, XO

Harry nodded. “It is amazing to think that despite all the artificialness of the construction of the ship, you can have something as seemingly organic as this powering it in the centre. And I doubt anyone could predict the rhythm and frequency of the next set of pulses, even if they knew the ship build down to the micron.”

Lt. Archer
Chief Engineer

“There’s a reason we call it the heartbeat of the ship,” she said softly. Calloway ducked underneath the safety barrier, though held on with her left hand as she reached out and rested her right hand on the outer casing. “It’s the Asimov’s lifeblood, both literally in terms of power systems, but also what keeps us going. We can have all the philosophical discussions about space travel and why we do it, but without this-“she patted the core twice before removing her hand-“none of it is possible.

~Shara Calloway, XO

“Anyone would think you were an engineer in a past life,” he said with a smile. “I think people sometimes forget that this is one of the few things on this ship that stops us from turning into humanoid popsicles.”

“It’s one of the reasons why I love being on a ship; there’s something about knowing that engineering standards have a direct correlation on your life expectancy.”

Lt. Archer
Chief Engineer

She smirked and then ducked back under the safety railing. “There is that. And few people know or realize that I was a computer specialist before I got my commission with Starfleet. But I was also a crewman. I spent many hours just doing whatever job needed doing and they were rarely the glamorous ones. But I like to think that it gives you an intimate look at the ship you’re relying on to, as you said, not turn you into a popsicle.”

~Shara Calloway, XO

Harry smiled. “Well, I also find it a useful incentive to remind repair teams when their standards slip. Funnily enough they improve after that reminder.” he said, gesturing toward his office. “And at least I know who to come to if I have a computer problem,” he commented. “I did do the usual modules at Starfleet Academy, so it shouldn’t be too often,” he said with a grin.

“Can I get you a drink?” he asked, as he moved over to the replicator.

Lt. Archer
Chief Engineer