Post Number: 251 *Meeting with the Chief Engineer*

Posted on Mon Mar 24th, 2025 @ 8:00pm by Captain Marius Pontmercy & Lieutenant David Chambers

627 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Secrets

On:

As a Captain, Marius did his best to be there for his crew, but also found himself apart from them. There were standards on decorum that even in times like this, needed to be observed. However, it didn't stop him from being happy for his crew when they succeed, or do an outstanding job.

Marius was sitting in his ready room reflecting on this, and then tapped his comm badge

"Lieutenant Chambers, please report to my ready room."

Chambers was busy inspecting fittings and seams from the trip, but tapped his badge. "Chambers to Captain Pontmercy. I'll be right there." He unfolded himself from the cramped space he was in and waved Steinmetz over. "Take over, huh? Cap wants to see me for something." Steinmetz nodded and took his place.

A few minutes later, Chambers stood at Pontmercy's ready room door, cleaned and pressed.

"Welcome Lieutenant, please come in and have a seat," Marius said when the man was admitted. He motioned for the chair across from him at his desk.

Chambers sat and waited for the man to finish what he was doing. In Engineering, he might be the one at the big desk, but here, he knew how to respect authority.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Lieutenant. I know you've been busy, and with everything that has been going on, I wanted to check in with you. How are you holding up?"

Chambers sighed heavily. "Well, sir....I'm dog-tired, to be honest, but I know things have to be done. The department's running full-tilt, and even with the tech we discovered built into the base, it's needing upgrading and tweaking here and there to make sure it's seamless."

Marius admired the man's dedication to the job, but it sounded like he was deflecting- for which he held no blame. They were all dealing with the tremendous loss the best that they knew how.

"I think it goes without saying that you have been doing excellent work," Marius stated, "but what I want to know is how you are doing with the attack on the Federation by the Synthulans. It is not an easy thing to deal with."

"I'm the only one left of my family. Everything's gone. I can't even have a funeral." Chambers exhaled heavily, head in his hands. Dammit, sir......I'm it." Marius leaned back for a moment, taking in what the man said.

"I am very sorry for your loss Lieutenant. It is a heavy burden being the last of your line. From my own experience, there is nothing I or anyone can say that would make it easier except for time. I also suggest that you set up some meetings with Counselor Tarel- she can help you find ways to manage what you are going through."

Chambers considered his words. "I'll look into it. For now, only 58% of the base has been checked for systems integrity."

"You also have a staff to rely on," Marius said sternly. "I will be checking with the Counselor to ensure that you seek help. None of us can do this alone right now."

"Yes, sir. I'll schedule a session as soon as I can, and get someone to cover me so I can go. Fair enough?"

Marius nodded.

"I appreciate that, Lieutenant. I know that you are under a lot of stress, and I value you and your contributions to this crew."

"Thank you sir." Chambers pinched the bridge of his nose, staving off the beginning of a headache. "Any urgent requests I need to look into before I go back to Engineering?"

"Not at this time, Lieutenant. Thank you for your time. You are dismissed."

Off:

Captain Marius G. Pontmercy
Commanding Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant David Chambers
Chief Engineering Officer
Starbase Obsidian

 

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