Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Medical had cleared her, so that only left the Captain before Brigette strolled into Engineering and learned the nuances of a new ship and a new crew. She had debated seeking out the Captain this late, just after shift change into 3rd shift, which is why she was at his office. If he had retired for the night, no one would answer, and she wouldn’t have wakened anyone. No harm, no foul.

She tugged down her tunic to be sure it was sitting right and raised a hand to activate the chime.

Lt JG Brigette Marshall
Chief Medical Officer

The captain was indeed in his office going over mission data with the XO. When he heard the chime. Without looking at the door he yelled “come!”

The office is dark in color with a bunch of cubes under glass displays with autographs on them and pictures that are signed by a very pale white man with pins stuck all over his head. On the desk was a Cube that was wrapped in a brown butcher’s paper with a red wax seal holding it together. It was of course in a glass case. In the corner of the room was a big tube that was clear and 20 inches in diameter and 5 feet high containing what appears to be a human arm and leg or what’s left of them. They looked like they were torn off.

Captain Chris Taggart CO

The intricate boxes caught her attention first. Some even appeared to have patterns that made the young Engineer things of puzzles and hidden boxes. But the designs and patterns were far too advanced to let her mind wrap swiftly around how she would puzzle them out. Instead, she admired the designs as she stepped in. “Brigette Marshall reporting for duty, Sir.” She smiled and nodded clearing the door so it would shut behind her.

“Oh! Well welcome Mrs Marshall. I didn’t expect you until tomorrow. I am Christopher Taggart. Doctor Taggart, Captain, or Chris in private is fine. This here is your supervisor and the XO Commander Malkin.”

“Amazing collection,” she said and then nodded to the body parts. “Would love the story behind that sometime… perhaps over a stiff drink, though,” she laughed slightly. It didn’t offend her or turn her stomach. Quite the opposite, it intrigued her to no end and she was certainly curious how he came but such unique curiosities.

Brigette snapped her attention back to the Captain when she realized she was straying.

Brigette
CE

“Thank you very much. I’m a huge fan of an old Earth horror franchise called Hellraiser. These are cubes from the movies and are signed by the cast. The one on the desk is actually signed by the guy that created the cubes.” He let that sink in before continuing. “I am a huge film buff. And I can tell you about those”.... pointing to the body parts.....”Those are mine.” He raised his pant leg and his sleeve to show her cybernetic arm and leg. He was wearing a patch over his right eye as well. “Those floated up on the beach on Risa about two weeks after I was attacked. Looks like the big bastard didn’t like the taste of me after all!” He smiled. “There’s more to the story but like you said, a stiff drink would help. Please come in and have a seat.”

Captain Chris Taggart CO

Brigette smiled and nodded to the XO, “Sir… a pleasure.” Even as she listened to the explanation, her shook her head in awe and wonder. “I am not familiar with the old horror franchises. But if this is any indication,” she motioned to the carefully preserved mementos, “then I am certainly open to learning. A good scare does the mind good sometimes.”

“Well I am always holding movie nights, so you can come to one, I hope.”

Her nod to the body parts was also in awe. “Well I hope the creature had a horrible demise and ended up on someone’s plate or wall, Sir.” With the XO in the room, she couldn’t bring herself to use his first name so soon. “Please, Brigette or Bridie. Easier on the tongue.”

“No. It did not. In fact we are going to Risa for a furlough and I will be deep sea hunting. “

Sitting down, she nodded to the padds on the table. “Forgive me, I honestly hadn’t expected you here. And if I am intruding I can certainly come back tomorrow after morning shift change.”

Brigette
CE

“It’s fine Mrs Bridie. I am actually on the night shift. We take turns do as we all can learn from the different hours and to have breaks. So I’m here all night.”

Captain Chris Taggart CO

“Just Bridie, please. And it’s Ms… Mrs Bridie was my great grandmother,” she laughed. “My namesake. And I’d love to see the movies.” When he mentioned Risa and deep sea fishing, she shivered slightly but quickly hid it.

“Then it’s settled. You can come and watch Hellraiser with me next time your off.”

“I put myself on second and third shift as well. To remind my folks they aren’t as free as they think,” She laughed slightly and started to relax. It was hard to get a read on the XO who seemed the strong, silent type.

Brigette
CE

He laughed a bit as well. “True. So tell me Ms Bridie. What kind of Engineering do you specialize in? Stre you familiar with this class of ship?”

Captain Chris Taggart CO

Bridie smiled. “Well, I certainly admire the sustainability of warp 9 of the ‘49 Cochran Core. And I admit my hobby includes finding ways to increase warp core use at higher warps for longer periods. With us delving deeper and deeper into the unknown, I want us to be ready if we come up alongside someone we don’t want to be alongside of.” She nodded behind her as if encompassing the ship.

But I will admit, my reason for asking for this ship, in particular was the ENINTADI AI system. I’ve never had the pleasure of actually working with one. I’m curious to see how the algorithms affect and rotate the shield variances. I know they are pre=programmed, but I want to figure out a way to change them on the fly, so to speak, so we can vary even that. The trouble with programming is, no matter how long the sequence, it invariably starts over. Human factors, added to that, make is truly unpredictable. Don’t you think?” She wasn’t aware her enthusiasm for the ship and its efficiency was spilling out of her like a waterfall of excitement. She suddenly bit her lip realizing she was heading for a fit of rambling. “Sorry…” she said and fell silent, her hands suddenly clasped tight in her lap.

Bridie
CE