Coming in from the cold

Posted on Mon Nov 4th, 2024 @ 6:40pm by Captain Tyler Driskill & Lieutenant Makai ("Kai") Nokamura

818 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Mission 2 - Death is Only the Beginning
Location: Deck 24 - Stardrive Section | Main Engineering | USS Concord

It wasn't everyday a Captain got the honor to promote one of his officers, but today's promotion was both a happy and sad occasion. The Captain bowed his head in the turbo lift and had his one moment of silence for the two officers they had lost in the line of duty. There was also the loss of several of the aliens the crew now knew as the Kobali. As Tyler entered main engineering he adjusted his uniform and found the engineer he was looking for. He knew what the man looked like from reviewing his service record. "Lieutenant Nokamura" he said out loud to the man working at a console, trying not to startle him.

"Captain," Kai said turning in place, surprise evident on his face. "What can I do for you?"

“I came down to see how repairs were going” Tyler asked knowing they had taken a little damage when the Kobali ship was lost.

"Fairly well, Sir," Kai said, gesturing toward the display on the engineering console. "Forward, dorsal and port defector shields are down but we're swapping out parts and anticipate repairs to be complete within the next twelve-twenty four hours. Had a bit of work along the EPS Conduit as well but we were already started on that before I got called down here. Should be finished in the next four hours."

"That's what I was hoping to hear" Tyler smiled "I don't want to be caught out here with out pants down, so to speak" he was referring to the two sections of the shields that were down. "How are you doing Lieutenant" the Captain asked with a tone he was hoping let the young man know he was being sincere when he asked the question.

"About twelve hours into my second straight shift," Kai said with a laugh. "We're all sort of adjusting on the fly, so to speak. Not a lot of time to process, at least not until the ship's back in shape again."

"I appreciate your teams hard work and the sacrifices you are making" it was true, the Captain remembered trying to keep ships operational or helping with repairs. Memories from before he took the center seat "is there anything I can do to help" Tyler ask with a smile. "It wasn't all that long ago you'd find me elbows deep in a busted console or helping with this or that. He figured the engineer wouldn't put him to work, even though he was serious and would help if he could.

"We've got it under control, Sir," Kai said and then, grinned, as he added, "but I'll add you to the emergency roster if you're serious. You know, the one where we'll all be floating in space in our EVA suits tied together with string if we don't get this fixed sort of emergency?"

"If I'm not needed on the bridge" Tyler smiled at the image the Lieutenant just put in his head "I'll be glad to help." The Captain knew the engineering teams were extremely busy, they were working like a hive of bee's doing everything they can to get the ship back to 100% again. "Like I said you've done fantastic in the situation you were placed in and I'd like to make it permanent."

Kai stopped, surprised, his gaze traveling upward from the console, which he'd gotten in the habit of checking every few minutes, to meet the captain's own. After the 'incident' with the former Chief, the one that had left him perma-banned to Gamma Shift, they were probably the last words he'd ever expected to hear. "Really?" He stopped and started again. "I'd be honored."

"Really" Tyler repeated "you are doing the job and are already the senior most engineer I have" there was a smile on the Captains face.

Kai found himself smiling as well. To be trusted to do the job, brought in from the cold, that was ... awesome. "Then I accept, Captain. I accept."

"Congratulations Lieutenant" the Captain said and extended his right hand, an old Earth gesture. "It will take us several days to reach the nearest Kobali vessel" he shook his head "hopefully everything goes peacefully and the ship wont require an additional repairs."

"Mahalo, Captain," Kai said as he shook the man's hand. "We'll be ready if it doesn't."

"I know" Tyler smiled while shaking the mans hand. "If there is nothing else" he looked around "I should probably get back to the bridge."

Kai nodded and waited until the Captain headed out before turning to find the minions clustered together. They had been relentless in their disdain and disapproval and now shared a worried expression. "Relax," Kai said as he studied them. "I"m not nearly as vindictive as you all. Do you jobs, don't cause trouble, and we'll be fine." They shared another look, cautious disbelief, and so, Kai added, softer now. "Back to work."

 

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