The new guy on the block

Posted on Friday 15 October 2021 @ 12:14 by

Mission: First Contact
Location: Round Table
Timeline: Current
1818 words - 3.6 OF Standard Post Measure

On:

It had been a while since the other Engineer had been gone, and Mathias had been pitching in as defacto chief of both Ops and Engineering. Those of engineering were capable to keep things moving forward until they got another chief engineer. However he was needed to check on different matters. "Alright everyone. We still need to run diagnosis of the systems. Especially since we had that last bout of problems when those people had infiltrated. Give me the status of the systems..." Mathias also said, pulling out his PADD, to start comparing notes.

"Uh sir, something you may want to know." one of the engineers spoke up. "We've got someone new who's joined the crew."

"Oh? Is it a new chief of Engineering?" Mathias looked up and around trying to spot the newest person.

Crawling out of a nearby maintenance hatch, Jack brushed down his uniform before getting to his feet and noticing the group of people, “oh, don’t mind me. A few of the relays needed to be realigned” he said as he walked over to the diagnostic console to confirm his work was correctly done.

“That’s him Sir” another of the engineers said, motioning to Jack

"Well hello there, I'm Lieutenant Mathias McPhee, are you the new chief of engineering? I've just been overseeing engineering until we've got a new person." he said in a way of explanation.

Jack shook his head, “nope, not me. I’m just your new grease monkey building up some space time” he said as the computer confirmed his repairs were up to specs. Turning to the group, Jack gave the Lieutenant a quick bow, “Chief Petty Officer MacGyver at your service”

"Well Chief, welcome aboard. Looks like we'll be working together for quite sometime." giving a grin. "So what do you think about this ship? She's a special lady mind you." Mathias said with a great deal of fondness.

Jack smiled, "she's special alright. a ship almost the size of a small starbase, she's quite impressive. though it seems whoever built her decided that standard starship power relays would be enough to handle the sheer amount of power this girl can throw around. I'd recommend changing them out for ones designed for starbases"

'If you take a closer examination of the relays, they are not the standard ones. I've looked at them myself. And when it comes to changing them out, we'll have to talk to the Captain. " Mathias stated firmly, but not with a mean demeanor either.

“Oh don’t worry, they’ll do the job for now. I just wanted to put the idea of upgrading out there” Jack replied, before thinking back to Mathis’ name, “McPhee? You’re the Ops chief right?”

"Yes I am, looks like you've been doing your homework there." giving a chuckle. "I was the Chief of Science then it was felt that I would be a better fit in Operations. A bridge between engineering and science" giving a bit of a shrug.

Jack returned his own shrug, “makes sense, and if it makes you happy why not”

"Well it seems to be working out so far." Mathias giving a grin. "Lets me expand my horizons a bit. So, Chief, what do you like doing for fun besides working on the ship?"

“I have an old earth motorbike I work on every now and then, other then that not a great deal really. Got any suggestion?”

"Oh? Tell me about your old earth motorbike, that sounds rather interesting." Mathias replied, genuinely interested.

"it's not the real thing, just a holodeck program I created a number of years ago. the real bike is back on Earth at home" Jack explained

"I don't care if it is just a holodeck program, I still would love to see it. Is it a replica of the one back on Earth?" Mathias asked. Still very interested.

Jack nodded, "yep, it's an old Harley Davidson. Proper petrol engine and everything"

"That is fantastic! Yes, definitely you've got to show the Harley to me." Mathias exclaimed. "So have you had lunch yet? I'm thinking that its getting that time. At least my stomach is saying that it is. The others can keep things going while we had to the Round Table, sound good?"

Jack shrugged, “yea ok. I could go for something to eat”

Mathias quirked up an eyebrow, then clapped his hand on Jack's shoulder. "Okay times a wasting let get some grub." leading the way to the lift and then to the Round Table. "Nice place right? Where do want to sit?"

"Don't know. Do you have a preferred spot?" Jack asked, looking around the large room, "I haven't been here before, usually I just grab a bite in engineering or in my quarters"

Mathias nodded, "Well I do like sitting near the window, that looks out towards the stars. Give you a good view of space as well as a good view of who comes into the Round Table." walking towards a table that was empty. "This will work out nicely" Mathias said.

Almost as soon as they took a seat a server came to attend to the two men. "What would you like to drink for tonight gentlemen?" the server asked.

Mathias replied, "I'd like some shepherd's pie and some ginger tea with lemon and honey" he said to the server.

The serve then looked at Jack. "And you sir?"

“I’ll have a mixed sushi platter, a beer and a water please my friend” Jack replied to the waiter

Giving a nod the waiter left, and Mathias looked at Jack. "So, first time here. just to let you know you are welcome to come here anytime. It is for crew. Now tell me your story, where are you from?"

“Well I don’t have much of a story, I was born and raised on earth. Enlisted in the Marines, finished my tour then decided to give Starfleet a try. So here I am”

"Well glad you are aboard, you will find we've got some friendly crew on the ship. With a sprinkle of Marines as well. You can get to know the crew as time goes on." the waiter came back with their requested food. "Thank you. " Mathias thanked the waiter. And started digging into his food.

"ah thank you" Jack said before picking up the chopsticks provided, and started at one end of the platter, "So what kind of problems should I expect from our rather large lady?"

"Well, there is always something going on with any sort of ship, little details like some form of power going slightly wacky so have to go check it out. That sort of thing. I don't go out of my way of anticipating a problem unless I see some evidence of it in my examination of her." Mathias dug into his food.

“Sounds pretty standard for a ship of this size. Though this ship is almost the size of a Starbase so I hope our two departments are up to the task” Jack said between bites, "The docking clamps on Deck 13 did surprise me through, is this ship capable of separating?"

"I do believe that she can. " Mathias answered. "I've not been able to go over all of the specs of the ship. Things have been a bit busy, in fact I had been on a planet that was on the verge of being torn apart by volcanic activity. Kind of my fault in that aspect. We had come across a machine that I've not seen before and I accidentally triggered the mess. We were able to stop that from happening. It took the blood of the people from that planet, to help switch the two crystals to green. After that though, I got hit with some energy and I don't remember anything happening afterwards. The next thing I remember was waking up in medical." Mathias giving a shrug.

"Sounds like quite the machine. I've heard about some cultures using crystals instead of isoliniar chips but i've never seen such a device. Did you have to touch it yourself or did this energy choose you?"

"I had to touch the machine to switch the crystals around, then it felt like I had been hit by a strong electrical surge I couldn't pull my hands away, and then I was unconscious until I woke up in sickbay." Mathias shrugged. "From what a couple of people had told me I was possessed by two beings. I think it was that planet's deities. One male, one female. I was even told I stepped through the wall into volcanic activity and didn't suffer any damage." Mathias shook his head. "Just so weird and I don't remember that. And maybe its a good thing too."

Jack was quite surprised by this story, and although he did find parts of it hard to believe, no one ever said Starfleet life was normal, “yea it’s probably for the best, I’m not sure how I’d deal with walking into an active volcano without a protective EV suit. Did the entities leave anything behind? Like have you noticed any new abilities? Perhaps a small urge to walk through walls?”

Mathias shrugged, shaking his head. "Nope not that I know of. Anya was there, on that planet. And I think she is still feeling badly about what happened. Which is why she was irritated at my sneaking out." giving a wry grin. "I am sure I may end up being the subject of some testing and research. A walking and talking experiment?"

“Oh she’ll be right. You came out of it no worse for wear and you’ve got a great story to tell at parties. How many other people here can say they’ve been possessed by two spirits? And no drinks don’t count” Jack replied.

Mathias chuckled then he gave a thoughtful look at the blond man seated in front of him. "Say Jack, I was wondering about something, with your experimental curiosity, how would you like to work with me in Operations instead of in engineering? I can see you have a lot of ideas and even theories. Plus you could do well in working on some science skills as well. What do you say? Want to work with me?"

"Sounds like fun. Do you want me to put in the request or will you do it? it is your department" Jack answered.

"We'll do both then." Mathias responded, reaching out a hand towards Jack. "Welcome to the operations department, Jack." giving a grin.

Taking the offered hand, Jack gave a boyish grin, “glad to be here boss”

OFF

>>>* Chief Petty Officer Johnathan "Jack" MacGyver
Engineering Specialist
USS Merlin


●● Lieutenant Mathias McPhee
Chief Operations Officer
USS Merlin