Phoenix CSO Hera Seven
Posted on 04/14/2013 @ 7:39am
Edited on on 04/14/2013 @ 7:41am
Mission: From the Ashes
As he was making his rounds to departments around the ship, Syntron took the turbolift down to Deck 3 to check on the progress with the new specialized astrometrics computer system being installed and integrated into their new Astrometric Lab.
As he stepped purposefully into the lab, the captain's attention was immediately drawn to a tall attractive young woman whose pony-tailed, long pallid hair stood in stark contrast to her dark skin as she articulately barked out instructions as she worked.
Syntron did not know who this woman was, but as he listened attentively as she spoke, it was unmistakably established that she not only had a grasp of what needed to be done, but also the most efficient manner and sequence to complete the task.
Although she was unaware of his approaching presence, the Vulcan commanding officer calmly walked up closer to the section of the lab which she was working, to procure a better view of what she was specifically doing.
Noticing her rank and uniform, he merely stated "Ensign" but based on her startled reaction, he had obviously jolted the young apparent human unexpectedly from her thoughts.
Hera looked up from her PADD raising an eyebrow wondering what had gone wrong enough someone was coming to her to speak directly. She blinked and realized that the Vulcan's uniform might be blue but he wasn't 'hers' at all. She straightened and tapping hold on the PADD, tucked her hands behind her back nodding to him.
"Captain, it is good to meet you. Do you desire a status update?"
The commanding officer was impressed by the ensigns quick response to offer an update on the spot.
He stated. "Affirmative Ensign" and then gazing at her inquisitively asked.
"Who are you and what is your position and specialization?"
Hera nodded wondering in the back of her mind if he really didn't know or if this was some sort of ruse.
"Ensign Hera Seven, I am assisting with the construction of the sensor suite here, my specialty is in subspace sensors and astrophysics."
She tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear before adding dryly,
"And apparently in goat wrangling."
Being a former science chief himself, Syntron readily understood the first part of her response, but the closing axiom was lost on the Vulcan.
With a slightly raised eyebrow the captain inquired " Goat wrangling Ensign? I do not understand this reference you are stating."
The corner of her mouth quirked up a bit and she says "Animals that are renowned for deciding to be obstinate unless handled well."
She nodded her head towards the equipment saying "Things are going well. I plan to meet with the Chief Engineer and go over the power layout I think we can make some modifications that will help. When its complete this system will be the most powerful off of a Starbase."
Syntron was not certain whether the ensign was referring to her fellow crewmates or the equipment they were implementing as being rather inflexible. Regardless, he decided to carry the conversation forward.
"Maximizing our efficiency levels throughout the ship is imperative Ensign Seven. At this point, I am not certain as to the status of our arriving chief science officer. Nevertheless, continue to take the initiative as you have demonstrated in preparing our systems and send me a report by 1900 hours on our readiness status at that time."
Then he inquired "Is there anything else that you require to complete your work Ensign?"
She arched an eyebrow at his comment about the Chief Science officer and looked over the room thoughtfully as she went over the things she had to do nodding to his request for a status report.
Promptly answering "Time. But that is more valuable than the golden fleece. I believe we will meet our deadlines Captain."
Syntron nodded a subtle gesture to her response and her reference to the mythological tale of the golden-haired artifact sought by Jason and the Argonauts. Time was indeed a precious commodity in which they had a limited amount remaining to complete a range of objectives throughout the ship.
"Understood Ensign Seven. Carry on." the Vulcan concluded as he turned and headed out of the Astrometrics lab.
As the doors whooshed shut behind him, Syntron lifted his PADD and made note to look up the file on Hera Seven. She seemed to be a qualified and interesting addition to their ship. Her file would perhaps provide additional insight into this new crew member.
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Ensign Hera tapped away into her PADD Setting up the schedule for the next shift. The last thing she wanted was for anything to run into delays. She knew new equipment meant problems but she refused to accept any delays. They would be on time even if she had to show these Starfleet's what agony really way.
Her PADD told her that the Chief Engineer was supposed to be in Engineering so she left with some simple instructions to the crew she had worked with. Heading down the hallways she was grateful she didn’t get lost in such a large ship.
Punching in things as she went into her trusty PADD she was almost to engineering when she heard a faint sound of a message. Checking it she was floored by what she read of delays and turned about to head back. Talking to the engineer to volunteer her help would have to wait. The fact this wasn’t flagged as an emergency told her as much as the fact it was happening. Using the authority of the Chief Science officer, currently invested in her, she investigated the records of the officers on third shift.
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Her normal somber mood reassumed she strode out of the turbolift with an aggressive step till it brought her to the Astrometrics Lab. The people within straightening up seeing her and suddenly finding something to do. The balding human she sought didn’t look up from what he was reading till Hera reached out and touched the panel closing it down.
His lackadaisical expression when he looked and stood up from his station up irritated Hera but she set that aside. Tapping on his station she brought up his message and asked
“So, what is going on?”
Lieutenant Charles Willington the third) looked at this uppity Ensign and sniffed. He touched the control bringing up the EPS layouts.
“Someone didn’t lay out the grid correctly, Ensign.”
Slightly emphasizing her rank so she would understand her position in this conversation.
“So work will have to wait for now.” His expression a mix of smugness and ‘not my department’ resolve.
Hera’s cool blue eyes met his for a moment before she started typing into the console bringing up the next few days plans scanning them and started barking out orders.
“Lieutenant Stoeia and Ros load up the drills we were going to do in two days, we can test them with the equipment at low power. Ensign Bajen run through a level five diagnostic of the installation and linkage of the computer and its holo interfaces.”
She looked at Willington and said simply
“You’re with me Lieutenant.”
Hera picked up a couple of tool packs and walked off. Willington looked to the other officers but they were already starting to work on the tasks so he followed Hera to where she was releasing the lock on a Jeffers tube entry. Hera didn’t so much as glance at him as she got onto her hands and knees and started crawling into the narrow tube. Feeling her didn’t have many other options he followed.
Soon the two of them lay upon their backs in the junction. Hera began simply.
“With this tool you can scan the flow of power and what its maximum is for a line and use that to figure out a choke point for the power you need.”
Before she got any further Charles said,
“I know what that tool is Ensign.”
Hera looked at him and said coldly
“You do? You said there was nothing that could be done because of a slight delay in the schedule. Ive found its otherwise.” She held his gaze for a long moment before adding “I don’t care if you like me but you will do your best to make sure this ship is not only ready on time but exceeds the Captain’s expectations.” She cut off his response continuing “If it isn’t I will put such a reprimand in your folder you will be watching asteroids for the rest of your career.”
Charles’ jaw hung open for a moment while Hera let him digest that before she continued in a softer tone.
“The Willingtons have a long history in Star Fleet and before. I don’t think I will have to do that.”
The entire time she had been working scanning pathways to see fi they matched the design specs or not and adjusting them where needed and making notes on her PADD. Whe he nodded she said simply.
“Good. Make the changes as needed if you can. Mark them as made but needed a check to Engineering. They can check our work remotely in a moment and that way all the work that takes their special touch gets done faster, like relaying the EPS conduits for our lab.”
Hera finally found her way to the lounge feeling the shock of the people in there intensely for a moment. She managed to step out of the way of the door closing her eyes and steadying her breathing at being around so many chaotic thoughts. Smiling faintly as she regained her center appreciating their thoughts. Relaxation through second hand.
She got herself a drink of water from the bartender and made her way to one of the small tables before a window taking the second chair and moving it away before sitting at one. She laid out her three PADDs carefully before taking the luxury of looking out the window.
Smiling an intimate smile she could never fake as she admired this sparkling light form far closer than she would be ever allowed at home Briefly Hera was free in her imagination of the things that might be she murmured;
“Stellarum, mea sunt.”
Gazing at the starts for a long moment Hear turned her attention back to the separate PADDs. It was a luxury that let her ponder one project while looking over the details of another. In this case the personal filed of the Science team on one while the other was the current project and timeline.
The third was her entertainment PADD and for now it housed an image of the ship without any skin. She touched it first making the image whirl and dace looking at systems and configurations admiring its beauty and construction though something bothered her. Hera took small naps as she relaxed this way a few moments of moving systems around to see if she could find a better way and a few moments rest.
Hera started checking the updates and was reasonably pleased to see how things were moving on the timeline. She tapped where the Graviton Polarimetar was having trouble and studied it. I can help a bit there and better yet it will be a good excuse to get out of the ship.
Hera’s PADD suddenly pinged and she was surprised her time she had given herself was up. She had a feeling that setting up the Lady Phoenix would push her to her limits but she welcomed the challenge feeling an affinity for the ship. Gathering her PADDS Hera headed to the turbolift saying
“Main Astrometics Computer.”
By Syntron on 04/14/2013 @ 7:42am
Hera can continue her posts here... authors can be added as needed or requested.