So Seklar, how did you spend your shore leave?

Posted on Wednesday 21 December 2022 @ 18:04 by Captain Melody Jones & Commander Seklar

Mission: Revelations
Location: Tempory Office, DS21
Timeline: MD20 1100
1173 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Melody was going through the senior staff. After a pleasant conversation with the XO, she looked to see who was next on her list. She tapped the comm button.

"Commander Seklar, could you join me in my office please? Room 113-A, Habitat ring level 21 section Baker?"

"On my way," came the curt and crisp response from the Merlin's chief engineer. He wondered what this was about as he made sure his ageing cats were comfortable in his temporary quarters, and the twins were suitably entertained. He looked at them for a moment, briefly wondering where the time had gone and how much they had grown. He still remembered them being placed in his arms, at a time when he himself could still be considered a child in some aspects. And now they were getting closer to being teenagers. At age 8, they were already very independent though of course nowhere near as when he'd been their age. But times were different, and he was glad they had someone to turn to with their questions and problems, even if he didn't always have the answer. As a single parent, he knew he was doing the best he could do to do right by them.

Shaking himself from his musings, he hurried towards the captain's temporary office, not wanting to keep her waiting even though he wondered what this was about. As he arrived, he took a moment to recompose himself, before pressing the chime.

"Come in" Melody called out. "Ah Commander. Please have a seat. Don't worry this isn't a formal report or anything like that. I just wanted to catch up with my officers after recent events. Did you have a good shore leave?"

"Yes captain," Seklar answered as he took a seat as requested. "Though I find it curious that I am called here to discuss my leave. Is it not up to me how I spend it?"

Melody chuckled to herself. "Come now Commander, your shore leave activity was not the sole reason I requested your presence. I do take an interest in the lives of my senior staff you know. The refit of the Merlin is now complete and I'm hoping the work done by the dry dock personnel meets your high standard. Have you been aboard yet and inspected the work?"

"I was on leave," the Vulcan pointed out, "it is my understanding one tends to spend it away from one's place of occupation. I took my children to spend time on the station and we explored some nearby planets. I also spent time on the new shuttle but no I have not set foot on Merlin just yet." He arched an eyebrow at her. "Was I expected to?"

Melody smiled and shook her head. "I was just curious, I haven't had a chance to go aboard myself yet, what with the refit just been completed. The work is now officially completed, and the crew can start getting back on board. I myself intend to be back in my own office and quarters by the end of the day.
Tomorrow will be final loading and inspection with preparation for departure and we'll be leaving the dry dock at 0900 the day after. I believe the parts for the experimental shuttle have been delivered to the main shuttle bay and we're also expecting some new personnel in all departments, including engineering.
I've asked our second officer to go over all the new systems and report back to myself and the XO. Could you have a look at our new engineering systems and prepare a shakedown list and any things you want to discuss, and we can go over that in engineering tomorrow evening, say 1900?"

"So we are assembling the shuttle ourselves?" Seklar commented, "how much time is allotted for that, and who can I pull from their duties to assist? I can hardly do this on my own." He paused for a moment. "A report will be ready by 1900 tomorrow," he finally added, "and if something does not fall within specifications I will let you know immediately as it will delay launch."

"Indeed Commander" Melody replied thoughtfully. "The safety of the ship and crew are the primary concern. As for the shuttle, you have as long as you need to make it space worthy and you can use whatever personnel you see fit, as long as it does not interfere with normal ship operations. I've been looking over the notes Starfleet sent and from the looks of it, their engineers haven't had much luck getting this new propulsion system to work. In fact, in every one of the simulations, the shuttle ripped itself to pieces... so...no pressure..." she added with a smile.

"Then I believe you will be pleased to know that we did use some of our leave time to try and build a holographic shuttle. I believe my team is making progress," Seklar all but smiled as he spoke up, "so far, the simulations have indeed torn the shuttle apart, but we are ready to test some new ideas as soon as we get back aboard the ship. Perhaps having the actual shuttle, rather than a simulation will help us in properly determining what the issue is."

Melody smiled. "That's some good work Commander, sounds like you'll have the problem fixed in no time. If you need anything from me just let me know. I'm still looking forward to having a trial flight in the new shuttle myself."

The Vulcan frowned at that. "Is that wise captain?" he ventured carefully, "would your first officer agree to letting you do something as dangerous as this? We cannot predict how the shuttle will act on the first flight, even if we do iron out all the problems on the holodeck first. We are making headway, but I am not certain the shuttle will be safe to test speed once we put it together."

“Oh I’m sure you’ll have all the bugs fixed and that shuttle running smoothly in no time commander.” Melody replied. “I’m a flyer at heart after all.”

"Perhaps, though I believe I have already had my objection noted. You are a new mother, your infants need you. You should not be piloting, it is too dangerous."

Melody sighed. "Yes, I know of your objection Commander. Let's cross that bridge when we come to it, shall we? Is there anything you'd like to discuss?"

"You summoned me," the chief engineer reminded her, "I do not believe I have anything I desire to discuss at this time. Do you?"

"I believe I've covered everything. I wanted to give you this opportunity to bring anything to my attention. Any concerns you might have. If you think of anything, my door is always open." Melody replied. "I look forward to your report tomorrow Commander. Dismissed."



OFF:

●●●● Captain Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin

●●● Commander Seklar
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Merlin