Reid walked into engineering after speaking with the Captain as a man on a mission. He did not realise this was his first time in his department. Engineers looked at him expectantly. “Oh. Um. Hi. I’m Dr Reid, the new Chief Engineer. If you’re wondering, Ph.Ds are in chemistry, engineering, and mathematics. I’ve been in Starfleet for seven years. I will probably be in my office or around… most of the time. Um. I’d like to take a look at all the projects you’re working on later today, but I have an assignment from the Captain. Any questions?” Stark silence for a moment followed by one engineer raising his hand. “Dr Reid, can you rattle off some more reasons you’re smarter than us?” The department chuckled. Reid had no reply. A young Vulcan woman stepped forward. “Starfleet chose Dr Reid to be the new Chief. They did so for a reason. Perhaps having several doctorates as well as graduating Starfleet Academy is what qualifies him for this position.” Reid nodded his thanks. “I’ll get to know you all over time, but we all have work to do.” Everyone dispersed.

Reid went to the workshop and set a phaser on a workbench. He took a sight off a disused rifle and disassembled it. Appropriately set, it functioned like a sniper sight. He placed a hinge on top of the hand phaser and put the sight on the hinge. Now a single targeting lens could be moved up and down for aim assist.

Reid looked up and noticed he had gathered an audience. “Nicely done, boy genius.” Respect is earned, not given. It was going to be a bumpy start.

-Dr Alex Reid, CE