Posted by Ensign Everett Shaw (Engineer) in Side Sim: Shau to Shaw

Posted by Ensign MJ Shau (Security Officer) in Side Sim: Shau to Shaw

Posted by Ensign Everett Shaw (Engineer) in Side Sim: Shau to Shaw
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Ensign MJ Shau was reviewing Chimera’s personnel records of gains and losses… personnel transferring on and off the ship… when a name caught his attention. Everett Shaw.

While Shaw and Shau weren’t pronounced exactly the same, the distinction was subtle enough that only native Risians were generally capable of noticing it.

The new Engineering Officer was a recent graduate from the Academy and, since no red flags appeared in his record, the Security Officer moved on without giving it a second thought.

A few days later, MJ saw the new Ensign in the Crew Lounge, eating alone and reviewing some information on a PADD. Ensign Shau smiled… he had recently gone though a similar adjustment period, working hard to learn everything he could about the ship so he could do his job effectively.

Being part of a crew was more than just work putting your head down and getting to work though, so MJ decided to go introduce himself.

A fellow Ensign in Operations Gold approached Everett’s table. He was about the same height as Everett, but had a muscular build, short curly hair, and a stubbly beard. The man had a tan complexion and the traditional Risian marking on his forehead.

“Everett Shaw, right?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. “I’m MJ Shau. Mind if I join you?”

OOC: Since you’re doing all your formal check ins, I figured I’d extend the opportunity for some less formal Interation with a fellow Ensign.

Welcome aboard!

Ensign MJ Shau - Security Officer - USS Chimera

“That’s right, which I guess would make you Ensign Shau?” Shaw stood and extended his hand for a handshake as a greeting, not especially sure if Risians engaged in that tradition. Fortunately, Shau accepted and gave him a much firmer handshake than he was expecting.

“And yes, please do join.” Shaw gestured to the open seat while simultaneously resuming his seated position.

He had not studied the ship’s roster in any detail yet, but he did know that Shau was not part of the engineering team which, by process of elimination, meant he was with security. “Security I take it?” Shau nodded in response.

Shaw continued poking at his plate of grilled beef and potatoes. He wasn’t used to replicators, but this simple meal reminded him of home somewhat. “I just arrived aboard,” he added after a brief pause. “Still figuring out where everything is.” He shifted in his seat. “So how long have you been on the Chimera?”

Ensign Everett Shaw - Engineering Officer

MJ sat down and put his plate on the table, then chuckled at Everett’s deduction. “Got it in one… though I hope that wasn’t because my bearing comes off as too rigid. I am a bit reserved, but I try to avoid the overly strict mannerisms some Security personnel adopt.” Even that comment was an attempt to separate himself from a lot of the preconceived notions people have about Security. MJ never liked the divide that sometimes occurs between Security and the rest of the cree.

“I’ve been onboard for a couple months. I transferred in right at the end of the Chimera’s last big mission, so not much has happened. Its definitely been weird adapting to a much larger class of ship. ” He took bite of his sandwich before continuing. “Part of our orientation has us learning how to navigate the ship, so I’ve been lost a few times.” He flashed a faint grin. “Probabaly similar to what you’ve been doing… except I’m learning my way around corridors instead of plasma conduit.”

“I didn’t take that close of a look at your record…” MJ’s brow creased as he tried to recall a piece of information. “Aeren’t you from… Australia?”

Ensign MJ Shau - Security Officer - USS Chimera

Shaw chuckled to himself at the plasma conduit comment. “You know, it is a bit unfair that you get to just learn the corridors while I have to do that and the kilometers of jefferies tubes. I’ll be studying these schematics for months at this rate.” He paused briefly. “It’s good to know that getting lost still happens even to those that have been here a few months already.”

He sat back in his chair and took another short sip of his plomeek tea. A rather bland and uninspiring drink, but he had never found coffee or any of its derivatives to his liking.

“Australia huh?” Shaw laughed. “I have always wanted to see what the original Sydney is like, but it’s tough to get to Earth from the border systems. No, unfortunately I’m from New Sydney.” He sighed slightly at even hearing those words. “I’m assuming you haven’t been, but let’s just say…” he pointed to Shau’s forehead feature “…it’s about as diametrically opposite from Risa as one can get. Gritty, dangerous, and full of Ferengi and Nausicaans.” He caught himself and immediately corrected his last statement. “I mean, nothing against Ferengi and Nausicaans of course, but they’re not the best neighbors let’s just say.”

He took another sip of his tea. “Starfleet was my ticket out of there. I haven’t looked back once.” Nothing about that statement was untrue. He knew he had to get away and applying to the Academy was his only real opportunity unless he wanted to join the crew of some freighter. The freighter life, however, wasn’t exactly brimming with excitement and opportunity though.

Ensign Everett Shaw - Engineering Officer

MJ nodded as Everett corrected him regarding his Homeworld. New Sydney… that’s right. Though it sounds like whoever named it had a sense of humor.

“Untamed worlds can have a beauty and majesty all their own… but it does sound like New Sydney is a rough place.”

MJ let a faint smile show. “And I know what you meant regarding Ferengi and Nausicaans. They provide security officers training on the cultural norms of most species in the Alpha and Beta quadrants, and how they can be a source of conflict with Starfleet’s culture. And I was actually part of a brief exchange program with the Nausicaan academy.”

MJ took a bite of his food and listened to Everett explain his motivation for joining starfleet. “It might sound funny for a Risian to say, but I was trying to escape my homeworld as well. Or at least… the way it made me feel at the time.” Although MJ had overcome his initial conflict, his feelings toward Risa were still a complex and layered affair.

“Starfleet is more than just a means of escape now… though im sure you feel something similar. I like like knowing that I can do something tangible to improve our corner of the galaxy, even in a small way. Its also nice to do something im good at.”

Ensign MJ Shau - Security Officer - USS Chimera

“I totally agree. I really hope this is a successful posting for me. The systems on this ship are like nothing I’ve ever worked on at home, but I’m excited for the challenge. I like to think I’m good at what I do, but I suppose that determination is in the hands of my superior.” He continued to casually sip his drink. The only cultural norms Shaw was fluent in was how not to be killed by saying something stupid which was a required skill in New Sydney.

Shaw’s face turned to one of skepticism, “I’ve never heard of someone wanting to escape literal paradise.” He laughed to himself. “I’ve never been to Risa, but it’s the only place anyone ever talks about wanting to go.” He paused at his own realization. “But maybe that’s what made you want to leave?”

OOC: Sorry for the delayed response!

Ensign Everett Shaw - Engineering Officer

“Oh… Risa is beautiful alright… weve been terraforming it for generations. It’s the granduer of a perfectly manicured garden rather than the harsh and wild beauty of an untouched forrest.”

MJ smiled at the memories, then frowned. “It was less about the planet itself and more about the people who visited it. Or rather… the dynamic between those visitors and the locals.” The Security Officer shook his head and sighed. “Except… it wasn’t all of them. I can see now that I was young, and had a tendency to see things as black or white. I may have been overly emotional at the time, but the feelings themselves were real. And they drove me to Starfleet.”

MJ raised an eyebrow as a thought occurred to him. “If you’re ever interested getting a taste if what Risa is like… I have a jet pack program for the holodeck that I’ve been meaning to dust off. It spans a small mountain range from back home.”

Ensign Shau shook his head again. “Once you’ve settled in of course. My first couple weeks onboard were pretty hectic. What was the old Earth saying my first Chief used? ‘Its like drinking water from a fire hose.’” MJ let a faint smile show. “It may seen like a lot now, but just keep working at it and you’ll have your bearings in no time.”

Ensign MJ Shau - Security Officer - USS Chimera