The Life of a River

Posted on Thu Mar 3rd, 2022 @ 3:43pm by Captain Taliserra Tigran & Lieutenant Dovenice Baka

Mission: The Silent Scream
Location: Deck 2- Mess hall
Timeline: 7th April

Starbase 54

Perhaps if she had spent any time on Star Bases, navigating the corridors would not be quite so confusing. As it was, they all curved to run people in circles and looked the same on every level. Starships were different. Each deck served a logical purpose and had a unique character. Or, maybe that was through an engineer's eye? Either way, Dovenice Baka was having a terrible time finding the correct docking port without constantly checking the base's map.

Dove had arrived at the star base a little less than an hour ago. She confirmed her belongings would be transferred to the Wolff and got directions on how to get there herself. The ensign she spoke with didn't use many words - whether this was by malice or introversion, Dove couldn't be sure - but she was promptly turned on the wrong path.

The engineer's tour on the Europa had come to a close several months ago and while the ship was going in for a refit, she took the opportunity to grab more credits at the Academy. And, of course, catching up with old friends on Earth was also on the schedule.

Her transfer orders came in for the Wolff as her classes came to their conclusion. Rumor mill said the Wolff's Chief Engineer was a stickler for accuracy and intelligence, that she'd been kicking people off her team left and right for minor errors in judgement. Dove's personnel record reflected what Kiroshi wanted in an engineer and had been specifically requested Dove for the third shift deputy chief.

Dove accepted the orders, begrudgingly. Third shift was rarely appreciated in the same way as the earlies shifts. But deputy chief was a title she could work with. And for that, she waved farewell to Earth and the small fire of discord within her bevy of friends.

Eventually, she found her way onto the Wolff, submitting her transfer orders with the intake officer at the port entrance. He told her to report to the CEO, but Dovenice wanted to meet the Captain.

Dove rarely took time to look at the manifest of the ship. However, when she saw a Trill name for the Captain, her interest was piqued. At her clearance level, there wasn't a lot that she was able to learn. The captain appeared to be a rather private person.

Navigating the Wolff was a trillion (pun intended?) times easier than the starbase. Dove asked the computer to find the captain's location and headed in that direction.


=== Lounge ===


Taking a rare break Taliserra sat at a table in the lounge looking out of the window as she enjoyed a sandwich. While she had a private dining area, it barely got used, preferring to be a visible and approachable Captain. She'd made it known anyone could approach her if they needed to talk even if it wasn't anything important.

"Hello, Captain Tigran," Dove approached from the side with a warm smile. "Mind if I join you?"

Taliserra looked away from the view as a voice she didn't recognise called out her name, that of a short Trill woman in engineer gold. "Of course Lieutenant."

"Lieutenant Baka," Dove introduced herself. "I'm newly assigned here and wanted to come over to say hello. I rarely have the opportunity to serve aboard a ship with someone from my home world."

"Indeed it is nice to see another Trill onboard," Taliserra pondered for a moment. "that brings us up to four. You, me, Ensign Joran and Lt Kail."

"One of the first things I do when heading to a new ship is scan through the manifest to see what sorts of people I'll be working with. Of course, the manifest doesn't tell you very much about anyone at all. Have you been serving here long?"

"Longer than I thought I'd be, started off as a lowly Lieutenant leading the Ops department, worked my spots off for a few years and got the Xo position. Then on the personel recommendation of an old Co, four months ago I got offered the command." Taliserra chuckled not many Co's got commands without transferring to different ships.

"Moving up the ladder on a single ship is quite impressive. It must be a good ship," it was more of a question than a statement.

"The Wolff is a good ship, she's getting a little old now and has taken a kicking but she's always gotten back up." Taliserra remarked. "Just like her Captain."

"Older ships have more character," Dove agreed. "It's the quirks that make them interesting and less predictable. Of course, having a predictable warp core is a good thing, but there's some fun in a replicator that doesn't produce your eggs quite right, no?"

Taliserra chuckled slightly. "Since our last refit the tea from the replicator in my ready room doesn't quite taste the same."

"Is it better or worse?" Dove asked with curiosity. The engineer in her almost said, "I can fix that." Though she long ago learned that not every flaw was a complaint.

"Later." Taliserra said with a somewhat dismissive wave of her hand. "What bought you to my ship?"

Dove nodded her head slowly, considering the question. "Starfleet orders..." she answered. "From what I can tell, it looks like your chief engineer has been washing out the engineering team and looking for people with more experience than were available. I have both the education and experience she's looking for."

"Yes, that woman is quite the character." Taliserra remarked. "Thinks half of my engineers don't know one end of a coil spanner from the other, still I am glad to have any experienced and willing crew onboard my ship."

"So," Dove tucked a wayward stand of hair behind her ear, "is the engineering team incompetent, or is she overzealous?"

"I think she is being extremely overzealous, the Wolff isn't a first line ship anymore but we still have a good crew." Taliserra paused to have a bite of her sandwhich. "Yes we have some fresh from the academy but everyone has to start somewhere."

"Well, I'll see what I can do to help ease her worries over incompetence. I've can't say I enjoy being micromanaged, but I'll give your ship a shot. Either she'll ease up or I'll be requesting a transfer in three months..." Dove smiled, though she wasn't joking. "I should let you finish your lunch. And, maybe I'll see you around if I'm not relegated to working the graveyard shift."

"I can't promise you an easy time on my ship Lieutenant, this ship has a knack for getting into scrapes but I will wish you good luck." Taliserra said with a small smile. "Oh and make sure you get to know Ensign Larson, she may only be an Ensign but she knows the Wolff's engines like the back of her hand."

"I don't need an easy time, but I do require respect. I'll find Larson after I find my quarters," Baka nodded. "Thank you."

"Good day Lieutenant." Taliserra said as Dove turned to leave.

OFF:

Captain Taliserra Tigran
Commanding Officer

LT Dovenice Bakka
Engineering Officer