Posted by Captain Daniel “DaVinci” Colter (Commanding Officer) in Meeting the Head Honcho

Posted by Lieutenant Cherp’Eng (Chief Science Officer) in Meeting the Head Honcho

Posted by Captain Daniel “DaVinci” Colter (Commanding Officer) in Meeting the Head Honcho
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
With his egg safely in the science lab under the careful gaze of Ensign Millis, Cherp’Eng headed to the bridge and the captain’s ready room. He attracted curious gazes from the NEs on duty on the bridge, Avisarites still being an unfamiliar sight for most in Starfleet. He nodded politely to the officers and crossed the bridge to the ready room doors. Reaching out, he tapped the chime and waited to be acknowledged and admitted by Captain Colter.

Cherp’Eng: CSO,
USS Manhattan

“Enter,” game a gravelly voice from inside the ready room.

The doors opened to reveal what at first glance appeared to almost be a museum dedicated to Earth’s late 20th century military . Machine guns, automatic pistols, military plaques and framed awards lined the walls, including numerous Purple Hearts, a Medal of Honor and a Bronze star. Also, on the walls were framed pictures of Army military units. If one looked close enough, they would recognize a younger Capt. Colter with various military rank insignia on the uniforms.

Colter’s favorite item in the collection sat by itself, almost reverently. It was an US Army M24 sniper rifle. The weapon he used to get him safely through the Eugenics War.

Seated behind the desk was Capt. DaVinci Colter himself. A large muscular man built for combat.

When his new chief science officer entered, DaVinci stood from behind his desk. “Welcome to the Manhattan, Lt. Eng. Forgive me if that’s not how to address you. I’ve not dealt with anyone of your species before. Getting to know your social norms and customs may take me a little bit of getting used to. Please, have a seat.”

Capt. Daniel ‘DaVinci’ Colter
CO-USS Manhattan

“Thank you, Captain Colter,” Cherp’Eng replied, “amongst my people, it would be Lt Cherp’Eng.” He looked at the display curiously, and then at the chairs. “Avisarites are not really designed to sit in chairs, Captain, its more comfortable for us to sit on the floor.”

“Very well, make yourself comfortable. I’d also like to give you permission to make any modifications you need in your science department.”

“Thank you, Sir,” Cherp’Eng replied.

Cherp’Eng proceeded to lower himself straight down, almost sitting on top of his legs. “I can sit on chairs and the like when required due to space or other considerations, but after a while it becomes very uncomfotable.”

“We’ll also make modifications elsewhere in the ship to help, especially your quarters.”

“I appreciate it, I’ve been able to make enough space in my quarters to create my nest for both myself and my egg, so it’ll be optimal conditions for when my offspring is born. But the … what do you call it … bed, isn’t it? Could go elsewhere if another crew member has a partner with them, and the chairs and lounge, I won’t use them either … though I suppose if someone wanted to visit me in my quarters they would like to sit. So I’ll keep a chair, but the bed and other chairs/lounge could be better used elsewhere.”

Cherp’Eng’s long neck stuck up over the desk, allowing them to have a conversation as if a member of a shorter species was sitting in a chair.

Cherp’Eng motioned his had towards the rifle, “does that still work, Captain?” he asked curiously.

Cherp’Eng: CSO

“Last time, I used it, it did. That was some years ago while I was serving as the Chief of Intel on the Saracen. We ended up going back in time to Earth, circa 2025. I used it to take out a rogue Vulcan operative determined to stop World War III. It was a moral dilemma, but we couldn’t risk the timeline being changed.”

Colter looked reverently at the sniper rifle. ” I haven’t used it since. Projectile weapons could do some serious damage on a starship.”

Capt. Daniel ‘DaVinci’ Colter
CO-USS Manhattan

“Yes, they could,” Cherp’Eng agreed, he looked at his arms, showed the two digits at the end of each one and said with a smile, “no worries about me using it, I don’t have the necessary digits to do so.”

Cherp’Eng paused for a moment, and then said, “if we could consider my department, Captain, I took the opportunity to review the ship specs, as well as the science facilities and personnel I have available. A vessel with twenty-one science labs and a further two computer labs is the dream of every CSO, and one of the reasons why I put in for the Manhattan. Following on from my review, I have put together a proposed Science Department organisational chart with names of my team who are either currently in the role permanently, or in an acting capacity.”

Cherp’Eng handed over a padd to DaVinci which showed the current organisational chart: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DrzuhNgDChj4vjA0DGXIUDezzCz5Gn5IIz1cM5_IarA

“The chart shows that there are three areas without a permanent head, and that one of my team, Lt Stirin is currently head of both Space Sciences and Stellar Cartography.”

“Regarding the other positions, I’ve stepped in as acting head of the plant sciences, but am actively reviewing the scientists in that specialty to place someone in my place so I can focus on the department as a whole.”

“Ensign Jaidin Millis has been acting as head of Zoology, and Animal Physiology and Anatomy since the departure of the previous head of that section. My recommendation is that Ensign Millis be made the permanent head of Animal Sciences and he receive a promotion to Lt JG. He’s currently keeping watch on my egg for me and he demonstrates readiness for the responsibility of the head position and I believe he is worthy of the promotion.”

“The last vacancy, Head of Mechanical Sciences is one I’d like to get the ship’s Chief Engineer, Lt Kaia’s input on. I barely know my plasma spools from my hyper spanners and I got one of the lowest results in engineering at the academy … I’m sure you’ve heard the saying ‘all thumbs’ and in my case, that’s almost literally the case. So, someone who can review the credentials of candidates from an engineering perspective would be useful, particularly as the mechanical sciences work closely with Lt Kaia and the engineering team. After I return to check on my egg, I plan to meet with Lt Kaia to discuss who can fill the role.”

Cher’Eng paused, and looked at Captain Colter, “I apologise for dropping all this on you at our first meeting, but wanted to get my staffing sorted as soon as possible.”

Cherp’Eng: CSO, USS Manhattan