Posted by Ensign Jhalae Ynuchausti (Engineering Officer) in Moving Forward, Jhalae’s Arrival and Check in with the CE
Jhalae was focused, carefully piloted the shuttle as it approached the USS Saracen. Her copilot, a Vulcan woman, sat motionlessly holding a pad in her left hand as she intently stared out the window ahead. Jahlae navigated the shuttle into the shuttle bay of the ship, then idled, hovering a bit before it made a semi-hard drop on the landing pad. She grimaced a bit as she looked at the woman.
“Although your landing was a bit…turbulent, you have shown a remarkable improvement in your piloting abilities since you first began your flight training.” She paused and entered something on a PaDD she was holding then said, “I think you will not only exceed as an engineer but as a pilot as well. I will be sure to send compliments regarding your skills as a pilot to the Commanding Officer of this vessel.”
Jahlae smiled at the woman and said, “Thank you, Commander T’Poran, for allowing me to complete the final part of my training as I transition to my next posting. I know you did not have to do it, so I am grateful. Also, I would like to acknowledge that I would not be at this point without your direct and straightforward coaching.”
The woman bowed in agreement and gratitude then said, “Now that we have landed, you are to grab your belongings and exit the shuttle. You must then immediately report to your Commanding Officer.”
Jhalae nodded and stood from her seat, “Will you be flying back immediately?”
T’Poran replied as she also stood to her feet “I will as soon as I gather the departing individuals.”
“Well then, safe travels Commander. It’s a shame you cannot stay longer, as I was hoping we might share a meal together before you leave.”
T’Poran placed her hand on Jhalae’s shoulder and then said, “I am sure we will have the opportunity to do so at another time in the future. Now we must hurry, I am due back into the Starbase, with my passengers, in 17 hours.”

The only thing Jhalae carried with her as she made her way to meet with the Chief Engineer was a standard-issue Starfleet duffle that held all the belongings she cared about in the whole universe. She’d only been stationed on the Starbase she’d just arrived from for about a year, landing there as soon as she graduated from the Academy. She’d mostly been doing routine shuttle maintenance and minor system updates while she completed the last part of her pilot training, which comprised in-air navigation and some simple strategic maneuvers. When she was offered an engineering position on the USS Saracen she jumped at the opportunity because it would be her first posting on a starship.
As she approached the engineering section on Deck 11, she dropped her bag and walked around as she examined and studied the area. As her hands moved across the various consoles taking in the design and the setup, she thought about how different it was from the systems she’d been trained on at the Academy. She hoped she would be able to acclimate herself to this particular design and thus prove herself to be a competent engineer.
After her inspection, Jhalae realized she had no idea where she was to liaison with her commanding officer. She went over to one of the consoles and activated a comm, =^=Ensign Ynuchausti to Lieutenant Ch’Thaanaq. Are you available, sir? =^=

Ynuchausti, Engineer

=^= Ch’Thaanaq. Find me on Deck 10.=^= A gruff voice replied through the comm.

On deck 10, the Chief Engineer was at an access panel in the corridor near the ship’s mess hall. A blue hand braced against the outer wall, the other arm and his head were reached into the access panel. Grease smudged his uniform (again). There was a loud thunk! and then the angry utterance of an Andorian swear, and at last his head reappeared from inside the panel, a cylindrical object in his hand. Glossy silver hair covered a blue head, his antenna protruding from his frontal bone. In contrast, he possessed the pointed ears characteristic of his Vulcan heritage.

When he stood to his full height he was several inches taller than Jhalae, and looked down at her with a hard, long look. “You must be the Ensign I was warned to expect. I am Lieutenant Ch’Thaanaq, the chief engineer.” Giving the wall a good kick, he continued, “Expect to be busy, this rust bucket needs constant maintenance to keep it going.”

~ Lt Ch’thaanaq, CE