Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim- Acclimating to Main Engineering

Posted by Lieutenant William Hampton (Chief Engineering officer) in Side Sim- Acclimating to Main Engineering

Posted by Lieutenant William Hampton (Chief Engineering officer) in Side Sim- Acclimating to Main Engineering
This was it. William Hampton’s big break had finally arrived. The young engineer stood in front of the warp core, staring at it intently. His hands together behind his back. Due to the fact that Leviathan was still docked and being worked on, primary power had yet to come on. In a few minutes he would begin the process of bringing it online, but for now, he took a few moments for reflection. The Main engineering deck was poorly lit at the moment by the overhead lights, as they were functioning on auxiliary power. A blue hue, emanating from the matter antimatter reactor coated the deck and Hampton’s body.

An unmistakable grin had found a home on Hampton’s face. He continued to stare at the piece of technological brilliance before him. He was not looking at anything in particular, but was simply zoned out in the moment. He was in his head, where all the memories and emotions of his early days in the Academy and Starfleet were flashing before him. He saw the points in his past where he had found himself debating his fellow cadets over the merits of force over diplomacy. His argumentative discussions with his instructors about his belief that the Treaty of Algeron was one of the Federation’s biggest blunders. Hampton’s disgust at the naive and misguided cadets around him, who labeled him a nut for simply having the view that Starfleet should be more focused on crushing enemies of their order then in establishing contact and friendly relationships with societies who could barely build a warp engine. His annoyance with the starry eyed optimist counselor aboard his cadet vessel, who had never felt true loss or pain in their lives, yet who still felt the need to lecture Hampton on dealing with anger and hurt. The inability for his fellow engineers aboard his first main fleet vessel posting to understand why the federation needed to be more productive in weapon research and development, and not focus on cultural sensitivity so much .

None of that mattered now, none of THEM mattered now. His service and personality had spoken for themselves. Of course he had been asked to join the Leviathan’s crew. A ship designed and ordered to deal with the darker side of the galaxy. He was one of the limited few in Starfleet with real walking around sense, eyes to know what needed to be done, and the maturity to do it. Not only was he enthralled at the scene of joining the crew, but he was also relieved that finally, finally, after years of being socially ostracized and ignored by those who thought themselves morally superior to him, he would finally be with people who understood how the real universe worked, just like he did. He might even make a few friends along the way.

His grin widened. The ship had not been perfect. When he boarded it a few hours before he had gone straight to his quarters, placed his few belongings in their appropriate spots, and headed out to survey the ship. He had walked past two ensigns fixing a broken power conduit on his way to Main Engineering. Lighting was hit and run depending on the part of the ship, and several bulkheads were missing. He would fix that all of that though, given the time, and the authority, he knew he could fix anything.

“Not a bad gig you have here for yourself.” Hampton spoke to himself, his grin changing to a smirk. “You’ll have this ship in shape in no time.” Once Leviathan was on its way, Hampton would begin the real purpose of his career, studying new technologies and innovations and learning if and how they could assist Starfleet tactically or strategically. Not to mention to make sure any discoveries he did make stayed with Starfleet. As for the life forms themselves the ship was inevitably going to encounter, Hampton saw nothing wrong with flushing them out the nearest airlock once they were no longer of use to him. The mind was always the best weapon for any person, and engineering aboard Leviathan was going to be a great opportunity to create an avenue for which to harness that weapon.

Hampton stared smiling for a few more moments, and then stepped away from the core, the smirk still plastered on his face. His time had come, and he was going to seize his opportunity. And he would be damned if something or somebody tried to stand in his way. Mercy was for the patient, and William Hampton had run out of that grace a long time ago.

Lt. William Hampton- CE

OOC: Fantastic first post! I think this guy is going to make a really interesting addition to the crew :)

IC: “Every Starfleet engineer carries a small piece of the warp core in their soul”. Wasn’t that how the saying went? Or perhaps it was “the first thing an engineer should learn is how to make alcohol from Terran candy corn and a dash of engine grease”. Either way, it had not been Cobb’s choice to be ripped from the sanctity of a darkened jefferies tube and thrust into the spotlight of the centre seat and, since his first morning onboard the still-docked Leviathan had been somewhat overwhelming, he was desperate for the kind of comfort that only a powered-up warp core could provide.

Stepping onto the engineering deck, even only at fractional power he could sense immediately the capacity and the grandeur of their 1610 cochrane core. The beating heart of the ship. The reserve lighting was dim, but Cobb needed no illumination to show him the way, he’d walked these passageways and gantries a hundred times daily throughout his career. The core drawing him to it like a magnet and he the lone filing scattered to the winds, he approached it with arms held aloft and eyes closed in reverence. And for a few moments he simply stood, silent and serene, while the silverlight glow of the core washed over him.

But in a breath the spell was broken. Zachariah was not alone. In that sinking way that one quickly becomes aware, usually when engaged in activity wholly private and embarrassing, that they are being watched, Cobb’s own eyes scanned the room and fell upon his unsummoned audience.

His cheeks burning with the ferocity of a well-spiced rum beneath his beard, Cobb scratched at his head and then, with a shrug, blustered, “Eh, I was just taking a small stroll. Stretching the old legs. Erm…name’s Cobb. Captain Cobb.”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

Stepping back from the warp core, Hampton turned and noticed a figure standing nearby. At first he could not make out who the man was. As he approached the man his eyes widened slightly. It was his captain. ‘First impressions count a lot. Don’t mess this up.’ He thought as he continued to make his way to Cobb. Hampton straightened his uniform before stepping up to his CO. Before he could introduce Cobb did. When he began talking, Hampton was taken aback and slightly disturbed by the informality and apparent the Captain exhibited. After Cobb gave his name, Hampton took a moment to process his thoughts. His captain seemed to have a mind which strayed, and his awareness was poor. For half a second, a ping of frustration flashed through Hampton. This was his commander? A man who’ aura was more akin to a wandering traveler than commander? As quickly as that feeling arose, Hampton pushed it down. He looked at Cobb sternly and held out his hand, something his captain should have done. “William Hampton sir, it’s your ship, you can stroll around here all you like sir.” William disguised his annoyance with his formal and respectful tone.

LT. William Hampton- CE