Miracle Worker?

Posted on Sun Feb 11th, 2018 @ 9:03pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Edited on on Thu May 31st, 2018 @ 9:45pm

1,055 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 2 - The Enemy Within
Location: Main Engineering - Deck 11
Timeline: MD004 0600 hrs
Tags: SD 71378.0600

The ship was due to arrive at the Badlands in two hours. Tyler found himself up early and walking the ship. He went to the Mess Hall first to check on his crew and get his morning cup of joe. He liked being among his men. Tyler thought back to his command training and remembered that they had said that a CO should not be sequestered it builds animosity, and he was out to build a family.

However, there was something that was making him nervous and Tyler knew just the man to see. He strode into Engineering and one of the enlisted crewmen snapped to attention. "Captain, on deck..." They shouted and the whole of Engineering came to attention. Tyler laughed "You all are busy I'm just taking a stroll as you were...." With that everyone went back to their appointed duties. Working at the console next to the core was Thalk, his Chief down here. Tyler had seen that Thalk made himself at home and main engineering wasn't as clean as most, but Tyler thought that was how should have been.

"Lieutenant how goes? Do you have time for a chat?" Tyler said by way of greeting to the Klingon.

"Just checking energy expenditure figures, sir." He left out the fact that he'd been doing the calculations in his head, and entering the results into the console manually. "Between the shield retrofits, the backup medical equipment, and whatever it is Science has in the works, we're pulling a lot of power, but well within our limits."

Thalk closed out his calculations and turned, "What can I assist with, Sir?"

Tyler looked at his engineer for the moment. He realized that he was not looking at an engineer, he was looking at a craftsman. Tyler would have wagered anything that this Klingon took as much pride in his craft as most Klingon warriors took in battle. "Nothing to assist with... How is the ship faring. She running up to specs, better than specs I hope..." There was something nagging in the back of his mind, but Tyler could not find the words to ask just yet.

"No real problems, so far. We had a slight issue with some of the capacitors that absorb the excess energy from the warp drive, but it turned out the biogel units nearby had a vitamin D deficiency." He shook his head in bemusement. "Gel packs. I'll have to start borrowing textbooks from Medical's archives, at this rate."

It was nice to have a commanding officer that was more interested in what got done, rather than how you went about it. "As far as specs, we're running approximately 15% more efficiently than expected across the board. If you wanted to power an auxiliary system of some sort, or if Intel has a secret toy I can't know about, we wouldn't have a problem."

Tyler chuckled "No secret toys although Beckett keeps that place under lock and key. Lieutenant take a walk with me there is something we should speak of..." Tyler motioned for the lift that led to the upper level of engineering.

When the two officers were out of earshot of most of the rest of the people in engineer Tyler chose his words carefully. "Thalk, I have been through your file and know what you went through with the Empire. I could never imagine loosing Katherine like that. This mission... this mission may put us against Federation citizens in combat. People who are fed up with the status quo in the Federation. Much like you with the Empire. I want to make sure that you are up for this. If you need to talk there are two counselors on board... But somehow I think you would prefer a friend and here I am..." He smiled as he spoke and gazed at the spiraling energy in the warp core.

Three times in as many days Thalk had this conversation. For a brief moment, he missed the isolation of a lab. "Sir, I know the situation. I've already made the counselors aware of my background, in case it causes contention with the Empire. I am here because I want to be; I'll serve." It was remarkable, to have a commanding officer have something to say about his past, other than "I don't know what to say.".

"I am, however, grateful to have a friend." His tone shifted rapidly, becoming jovial. "Since we're such good friends, could you possibly get me access to the Federation's top secret Refractory Shield Generators? It was always above my clearance."

Tyler laughed, "Well you are a senior officer on a ship of the line. That clearance may have changed. Tell me Thalk have you ever ridden a horse? I would think with your love of things ancient in Earth history..." Tyler was beginning to plan a trail ride on the holodeck.

"No, I haven't. However, I have been reading about your 'cowboys'. Six individual combustion chambers to enable a manual rapid fire. Brilliant. Perhaps we'd give both a try?"

Tyler smiled and placed his hand on the Klingon's broad shoulder. "Indeed Thalk we shall I will introduce you to Wyatt Earp and Tombstone Arizona." Tyler's mood went somber, "Thalk listen, the Maquis are back and they are here. We are going to have to deal with them. I need you to look over all the records of Maquis technology. Find a way for us to overpower the technology without casualties. My superiors would have me eradicate these people. I prefer to relocate and re-educate them." Tyler took a beat before he continued to speak. "How are you acclimating to ship life?"

"Aye, sir." He made a mental note to research appropriate counter measures. "I am beginning to appreciate the ship's quirks. I miss the lab, and even the Evangelist occasionally, but the challenges here are second to none."

"Well I am glad to have you down here keeping us safe and moving." Tyler smiled. "After this mission you and me have a story to tell on the holodeck. Agreed?"

"Agreed, sir. Thank you."

A Joint Post By

Commander Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer

Lieutenant Thalk
Chief Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer

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