First Day
By LT. SG Avery Breaux
80120.2200
After Nothing Lasts Forever
By LT. SG Avery Breaux
80120.2200
After Nothing Lasts Forever
Breaux ambled into Engineering, the first day, the first cycle, the first of many hangovers, judging from the good-naturedness of the crew.
*Gods does the warp core have to hum?...and the flashing blue light*, Avery groaned to himself, pulled up his sleeves and grabbed a cup of coffee with cream from the department replicator and began his rounds.
Breaux stood back, holding several padds in his hand, and observed the work of a young engineering crewman.
The lad was on his back, under a console and working furiously. It was obvious he was attacking a problem that had now become personal between the circuitry and himself. Breaux smiled. And then he winced. And then he tried to force a smile, and decided he didn't have the energy. Avery set the padds down on the railing next to him.
Eventually the young man came out from under the console, and seeing Breaux he began to scramble to his feet in order to meet with protocol when faced by an officer. Breaux held up his free hand to slow the youngster.
"Just working out a relay problem sir...I was told by Kellyn...I mean Lt Commander..."
Breaux raised his hand again and then took a sip of coffee. "Young man, when I'm around, you'll find I don't stand on formality...if the real brass is here, you can salute til you feel dizzy...good luck with your circuitry work-I admire your zeal," Breaux said.
"Thank you s...uh...Mr. Breaux," the young man stammered.
"You know my name?...doing your homework...good for you...can a 'salt' give you a piece of advice?"
The young man nodded eagerly.
"Do not...under any circumstances...mix your drinks," Breaux offered and walked to the next station.
The young man raised a finger to question Breaux and then better of it and headed back under the console.
The master systems display was Avery's next stop, and the lights, especially the blinking ones, were taxing beyond belief. Breaux pored over the console and began crunching the numbers.
'Diagnostics' thought Breaux...then he realized that he'd left his padds on the railing. He turned to head back for them and found the young engineer moving toward him padds in hand.
'He's going to do it', thought Avery.
The engineer dropped the padds on the table-like console and the sound amplified inside Avery's head. *it's going to be a long shift,* thought Breaux.
"Thank you son," he offered.
The young man started, "Mr. Breaux, about the drinks..."
Breaux closed his eyes and simply said, "Not now son...not now."
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LT. SG Avery Breaux
Engineering Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
LT. SG Avery Breaux
Engineering Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012