Posted by Lieutenant M’Mera (Chief Engineer) in The Quiet After the Watch ​
Snip

Reeves set his mug down with a measured calm, as if the question deserved more than a quick answer.

“Family history, mostly,” he said plainly. “My father served in Security during the Cardassian border tensions. My mother was medical—so I grew up watching both sides of crisis response. One dealt with preventing problems. The other dealt with the aftermath.”

He folded his hands loosely on the table.

“Security made sense. Not because I wanted confrontation, but because I prefer situations where things don’t spiral out of control. Structure matters. Discipline matters. If you hold the line early, you don’t need heroes later.”

A faint, almost dry smirk crossed his face.

“Or at least, that’s the theory they sell you at the Academy.”

He glanced briefly toward the corridor outside the mess hall, then back to Mercer.

“The reality is more complicated. You end up being a counselor, investigator, and sometimes a diplomat who carries a phaser.”

He took a slow sip of his drink.

“As for Vey’lan… I agree with your assessment. It’s a puzzle. But puzzles have a habit of changing shape when you’re not looking directly at them. Engineering sees the mechanism. Security watches the intent behind it.”

His gaze steadied on Mercer.

“Both matter. Just depends on what breaks first.”
Lieutenant Junior Grade John Reeves
Security USS Merrimack NCC-2346

Mercer considered Reeves’ words for a moment before giving an appreciative nod.

“I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

He traced a finger absentmindedly around the rim of his coffee mug.

“I guess engineers tend to assume every problem has a solution if you can just gather enough data and understand the system. We spend a lot of time asking how something works.”

A small smile returned to his face.

“Security has to ask why. That’s probably just as important—especially somewhere like Vey’lan.”

He glanced toward the mess hall entrance before looking back to Reeves.

“For what it’s worth, I’m glad there are people aboard thinking that way. It lets the rest of us focus on keeping the ship running.”

Mercer raised his mug slightly in an informal toast.

“Here’s hoping neither of our departments gets too much excitement before this mission is over.”

Ensign Ethan Mercer
Engineering Department
USS Merrimack NCC-2346

Reeves couldn’t help but smile as he lifted his own mug in return.

“I’ll drink to that.”

Their mugs clinked lightly before he took a sip.

“Believe me, Ensign, a quiet day is usually a successful day for Security. If the crew barely notices we’re around, it generally means everything is going according to plan.”

He set the mug back on the table.

“And don’t sell Engineering short. Without your department, we’d be adrift with cold engines, failing life support, and no power to half the ship. Security can respond to emergencies, but Engineering prevents a great many of them from ever happening.”

Reeves gave Mercer an approving nod.

“You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Mercer. Stay curious, keep asking questions, and don’t be afraid to learn from the senior engineers around you. The Academy gives you the foundation. Experience is what turns an engineer into a great one.”

He finished the last of his coffee and glanced at the chronometer.

“I’d better get back on duty before someone from my department starts wondering if I’ve transferred to Engineering.”

A faint grin crossed his face as he stood, collecting his tray.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Ensign. Welcome to the Merrimack. I’m sure we’ll cross paths again.”

With a respectful nod, Lieutenant John Reeves turned and made his way toward the tray return before heading back into the corridors of the ship to resume his patrol, leaving Mercer to finish his meal with one more friendly face aboard no longer a stranger.

Lieutenant Junior Grade John Reeves
Security USS Merrimack NCC-2346