An Engineer, Thank the Gods!!

Posted on Mon Jun 23rd, 2025 @ 11:14am by Lieutenant Commander Jalay Prinnet & Commodore Elias McEntyre

1,227 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Prologue
Location: U.S.S. Guinevere
Timeline: Febuary, 2388

Elias, after almost a year of searching, finally found himself a Chief Engineer. Her file was interesting as he headed down to the docking port of the Guinevere that lead onto DS12. Their latest refit had them upgrading their computer systems and he would finally be getting his engineering staff up to speed. While he was proud of the job that Elen has been doing (and more than amused with her energy), for as many times that he offered the young woman, chief engineer, she didn't want it. It was a fair point.

This woman, Prinett Jalay had the experience, Bajoran, Engineer since she had been old enough to fight the Cardassians in the Occupation of Bajor (and some other skills there that may come in handy one day). It would be interesting to see what she thought of Guin and her systems.

He stood before the docking port door, waiting for the engineer to arrive. Standing tall, uniform pressed and sharp.

When the doors did finally hiss open, they revealed a very perky human ensign standing at attention and saluting, and one short Bajoran woman standing at something approaching attention. She smiled at the Caitian standing before her, took in his rank insignia, frowned, looked him up and down then said, "You're not a Human."

Elias tilts his head, confused at the greeting, but he would work with it. "It happens all the time. The human name confuses the hell out of people. Elias McEntyre, Welcome to Guinevere." The Caitian extended a paw out to greet the Bajoran woman.

"Stand at ease, please, before you strain something."

Looking suitably embarrassed, Jalay eased out of her mostly-regulation posture and shook the offered hand. The ensign beside her scurried off to complete post-docking procedures. "Thank you, Commodore, and I'm sorry. Or do you prefer 'Captain?' It would be just great for me to start with two mistakes."

"Commodore is preferred and you're doing fine, better than I did as a young Lieutenant on the Jane Addams. Please." Elias smiles as he gestures towards the turbolift.

"Guin is a very unique ship. Built from the design specs of the Renissance-II class. She's been exploring the deeper parts of the Briar Patch for the last year or so, tracking down Grey tech for the New Grey Research Center on DS-12." Elias elaborated as they walked.

"Our Acting Chief Engineer will be glad to not have to be in the post full time, though I am giving you a friendly warning, she can be a bit...chaotic."

Jalay had to lengthen her strides to keep up with the taller man. "Chaotic doesn't bother me, Commodore," she said, emphasizing the title to try to remember it. "As long as the ship flies, I've never been one to chastize the crew helping her do it."

She omitted that this was her first Starfleet ship, and that her only actual starship posting had been a tiny Bajoran intra-system patrol frigate with an engineering crew of four. Either the Commodore already knew that and had accepted her anyway, or he didn't know that, and didn't need to.

Trying to get off the topic, she asked, "Any problems in the Briar Patch? I've heard it can be rough going."

"Deep Space 12 has been the Nexus of activity since it was built in 76. The Grey Confederacy had been a concern but they've disappeared. Most of their tech and the Tetrahedrons however, remain right for the taking. That's not our main concern though. Exploring and cataloging this region has always been our goal. Along with patrols outside the patch in the former Romulan Territories. With the collapse of the Star Empire and the Supernova, it's an area of concern."

Jalay gave a genuine grin for a moment, before remembering that she was in Starfleet now and that Starfleet was Extremely Serious. She schooled her face into what she hoped read as polite interest. "I enjoy stellar cartography on an amateur level. I'm glad to be able to contribute to our understanding of the region. Hopefully you've--we've--the Guinevere--has run into more spatial phenomena than it has Romulan marauders?"

"It's been quiet but we got things in the pipeline that might prove exciting. The most recent refit of Guin has been kicking our asses. They want to add something called a Nexus Hub. Basically all the gel packs on ship interlinked to a central gel core brain thing. In theory, it should be more efficient. For now, I want you to focus on getting Engineering shipshape. Ms. Rell has been doing a good job but she's not a command officer and her reports have been...erratic." The pair got to the turbolift, the doors opening allowing the two to step on.

Before stepping into the turbolift, Jalay stuck her head forward and instinctively gave it a visual scan for danger. Satisfied that it was safe, she entered and rubbed thoughtfully at her chin. "Probably more concerned with getting the Hub working than telling you whether it's working yet," she speculated, then visibly winced. This was not her most tactful day, apparently. She quickly followed up: "Getting new and old technology to work together is a specialty of mine, I'm sure we'll have the Nexus Hub performing to your satisfaction soon, sir."

"That's all I ask." Elias said as the turbolift asked for a destination. "Engineering" The Turbolift beeped and began it's journey towards the engineering levels.

"Dr. Tyris, our Chief Science Officer will also be available to help with the new core. Should you need it. These refits have been a pain but there all for the advancement of knowledge. Guin herself, as she was put to me by Captain Naros, her original designer, "A thief in the night". she's more science than Warrior but she's got teeth where it counts."

Her head was spinning with all of these names. Privately, she wished that her fancy Federation combadge had a recording function. Still, she pressed onward. "Night-time thief, eccentric acting chief engineer, a computer core that's supposed to be able to think for itself..." A Caitian with the most Human name imaginable... so much for that Human culture studies elective. "I'll try to keep all of our disparate parts from flying apart when we go to warp."

Elias smiles and notices her confusion. "If you have questions, now the time, tomorrow may be too late."

Jalay scrunched up her mouth as she considered her priorities. "Honestly, Commodore, I'm sure I'll have a million questions, but for the moment, I want to meet this minor menace in Engineering, find my quarters, and start to get settled in. I'll reach out to the XO if you're busy."

“I tend to split duties evenly with the XO, but we should get together for dinner sometime soon, I’ll introduce you to Dr. Tyris and our son, it’ll be fun, I’ll make steak.”

“Main Engineering” The Turbolift beeped announcing their arrival at engineering. The doors swished open.

“After you” Elias said gesturing towards the massive engineering bay.

"Thank you, Commodore. I'll head the rest of my way on my own--I want to meet this minor menance Elen Rell on my own terms."

-----

Commodore Elias McEntyre
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Guinevere NCC-80518

Lieutenant Commander Jalay Prinnet
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Guinevere NCC-80518

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