By Lt. Commander Lair
80210.15
A few hours before the Alchemy's departure
-=Personal Quarters of Salvek and Lair: 0400 hours=-
80210.15
A few hours before the Alchemy's departure
-=Personal Quarters of Salvek and Lair: 0400 hours=-
Kellyn rose early.
She'd barely slept, her mind unable to stop replaying, forward and backward, her conversation on the holodeck with Keiran O'Sullivan.
His words to her were so perfectly timed that it seemed to her that there had to be some sort of divine intervention at work here. If not an outright sign from the Prophets, then at least a big universal warning sign that she was headed down the wrong road.
Ever since her initial conversation with Admiral Vox, she had been uneasy about taking the position of Chief Engineer. Not because she was unable to perform the tasks, or that she disliked the responsibility. She was accustomed to it, and shouldering the burden on a ship so much larger than the Serendipity.
It was just. . . something.
A nagging feeling she'd had ever since leaving DS23 really, that she had left the work she was supposed to be doing behind her.
Salvek's work.
She knew that the whole purpose of The Alchemy Project was to further the Federation's technology and she felt that if they were going to continue to do that, then Salvek's plans and theories were key to that future, just as they had been the foundation for the creation of the USS Alchemy itself.
He was XO now, and he would only have time to pursue his research and development work when his formal work day was done. Perhaps she could do something to help the cause of making sure that his ideas did not simply die on the drawing board.
As soon as she got back, she would ask for a meeting with the Captain. She had been observing Avery Breaux, and Rada Dengar, very closely since their arrival aboard the ship and she had no doubt that the Engineering department proper could function at peak efficiency without her at the helm- and that she could do much to help fill in the bigger picture if she could focus instead on what could be instead of what was.
Kellyn met Ensign Sten at the door as he arrived. "Allow Arie to sleep until 0700 this morning, please." She whispered. "She had a long night. But I guarantee you she will not be disappearing on you again."
She handed him a PADD with further instructions of things she wanted to see incorporated into Arie's usually scheduled day, including time for play with Sunshine the dog, visits to the Arboretum, and time to read or play in a holo-novel in addition to her usual school work.
Kellyn headed to the bridge, where she knew Salvek was already working.
She found the it mostly deserted, with only the Commander and a handful of the night shift officers still present. He gestured for her to follow him into the conference room.
"I'm ready to go." She announced. "I'll be working on the trans-warp drive during the trip, if I can. When we get back, I have a favor to ask."
Kellyn rarely used the word favor, and so Salvek was intrigued.
"What can I assist you with?"
"When we get back, I would like to sit down with you and the Captain and discuss the current structure of the Engineering Department's chain of command."
"Oh?" Salvek stood a little taller. "Is there a problem?"
"Yes, there is." Kellyn replied. "I shouldn't be the one running it."
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Lt. Commander Lair
Chief Engineer
USS Serendipity/Alchemy
Lt. Commander Lair
Chief Engineer
USS Serendipity/Alchemy