Not Everyone's Favorite Engineer

Posted on Sat Mar 6th, 2021 @ 3:51am by Lieutenant JG Summer Wyse & Lieutenant JG Darzen Kail

986 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: To catch a thief
Location: Engineering
Timeline: Prior to Hide & Seek - part 3

{ON}

Taking her ‘tour’ of the ship Summer dropped into Engineering to see Lieutenant Kail in his element. Commander Radak had mentioned that others didn’t like Kail, she wanted to see if there was a particular reason.

Lieutenant Kail was working intensely at the main hub of Engineering. As he worked people constant came to him as reports and problems. He seemed to deal with most of this the way that any officer should.

He sighed before the ensign was even to him. "Why are you here again?"

The ensign held out the PaDD. "It's not..."

Darzen slapped the PaDD out of the ensign's hand and it hit the floor and skittered away from them. "Is it done?" His second question was louder. The Trill turned from the console he had been working at to step toward the ensign. "Don't come back Until YOU'RE DONE!"

The ensign ran. Kail went back to his console.

Summer had just entered engineering at the right time, witnessing the interaction between Kail and the Ensign. She stood arms folded with a frown on her face, not liking what she’d just witnessed. Putting on a neutral expression she approached Kail wondering if she’d get a similar response. “Excuse me, Lieutenant.”

Darzen barely looked up. He wasn't sure who Summer was and hadn't seen any of the newer crew. "Yes, Lieutenant?" he asked. His fingers continued to tap at the console he was working on.

“My apologies for interrupting you. I can see you’re a busy man.” Summer strolled across to a nearby console. “If I’m reading this right, then there looks to be a slight imbalance in the plasma flow ratio. Could be a misaligned coil or an incorrect reading.”

Darzan raised his gaze from the console to Summer. "I'm sorry, who are you again, Lieutenant?" He could see that she was medical in some sort. He knew that he up to a medical checkup, perhaps that was the reason she was there.

“I’m sorry, forgive my manners.” Summer smiled warmly. “I’m Summer Wyse, the new Chief Counselor.” She lowered her voice not wanting everyone to hear why she was there. “The Commander mentioned that I may want to speak to you regarding the complaints he’s received about you. He’s... concerned.”

The Trill raised his eyebrows. “The Vulcan... I don’t know what to say, Counselor. Not every one likes my management. I expect people to work and do their jobs. Yes, I’m hard on people, but it’s important.”

Summer nodded. “I understand that, but from what I just witnessed, as I came in, it seems your staff are terrified of you. If they’re busy worrying about how you will react then you’re not going to get staff who are concentrating on their work, you’ll end up with silly mistakes instead.”

"Ensign Malikno... is a constant pain in my ass," Darzen said simply. "I think he might be better in another department... but yes, I know I've been in report a few times. Is there something I can do about it?" Considering how some of his recent conversations have been he wasn't surprised that the counselor was here. "Do I just need to go lay on a couch or something? Because I really need some help here..."

Summer smiled. “No lying on a couch, but maybe we could talk in your office? I think somewhere more private would be better.” Just then poor Ensign Malikno reluctantly reappeared with a PADD. “It looks like you have a visitor, may I suggest you try a gentler approach this time?”

He took the PaDD from the Ensign. “Is it done?” When Ensign Malikno nodded, Darzen looked over the PaDD, signed off of it and handed it back to the ensign. “Thank you. Good job. Please go back to your duties.” When the ensign scooted away he looked at Summer, crossing his arms over his chest. “Happy now?”

“It’s not a case of me being happy.” Summer smiled. “It’s a case of your staff being happy. If they feel at ease you’ll have less worries as well. How did it feel to you?”

“Felt like I was being nice to someone who can’t do their job,” Darzen quipped back. “I don’t have time to hold anyone’s hand, Counselor. I need that ensign to do what I tell them to do. How many times do I tell him before I can get upset about it?” he asked. It was probably hard to tell if he was actually angry or asking because he was frustrated and wanted to fix it.

“If it’s a regular problem, then I’d suggest further training for the Ensign. The holodeck probably has training scenarios that could help to bolster his skills.” Summer offered a smile. “If it’s a matter of confidence, then I’ll speak to him and see what I can do.”

“I’m not sure what his problem is... I will put him in for some training. See if that fixes the problem first and then I’ll send him to you.” He nodded as if this was the end of the discussion. “Is there anything else, Counselor? I know my eval has probably due... should we schedule that?”

Summer nodded. “Please do, when would be the best time for you?”

“I’m second shift... so early mornings or evenings. To be honest, I’m nicer in the evenings,” he replied honestly.

“Okay so how’s about 1800 hours in my office this evening?” Summer offered a smile. “You can be my last appointment of the day.”

Darzen nodded. “Sounds like a plan. I will see you then, Counselor.”

“I’ll see you then” Summer smiled warmly, nodded politely and headed on her way.

{OFF}

Lieutenant JG Darzen Kail
Acting Chief Engineer

Lieutenant jg Summer Wyse
Chief Counsellor

 

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