Chief engineer

Posted on Thu Jun 22nd, 2023 @ 11:44am by Captain Xavier Carey & Lieutenant Isla Hamilton

Mission: Starship Side Quest
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: shore leave

Xavier had taken five minutes of his day to finally creep into the lounge. Take a break so to speak from the evacuation, the marines arriving, and the whole we are at war kind of deal going on. The next while was sure to be hectic. Sitting down at a table, he stared out at the planet... several ships had orbited as of now. Several cruisers, transports.

"What will it be Captain?" The waitress replied walking up.

Looking over, he noticed the blue skinned female with a padd in hand. "Steak, medium rare, fried egg on top. Baked potatoe and sauteed button mushrooms."

Smiling, she nodded and headed away.

The doors of the lounge opened and a small human female walked in, her long platinum blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes standing out. Her gold uniform showed she was part of the Engineering Department, and two rank pips showed her the rank of lieutenant. Lieutenant Isla Hamilton was searching for the ships Captain, she had just come aboard as the new Chief Engineer.

Spotting the man, she approached slowly. She didn't want to bother him if he was off duty. She looked around slightly sheepishily as she approached before finally coming to a stand by the table.

"Excuse me Captain..." she opened with.

Looking up slowly... it wasn't too evident that he was slightly annoyed, but seeing a stranger it dissipated. "Lt? Can I help you?"

Isla nodded. "Sorry to disturb you sir. I've just arrived..." she held out a PADD. "Lieutenant Isla Hamilton, transferring as Chief Engineer".

"Ah excellent. Welcome aboard, I was just getting a bite to eat, please grab something and join me."

"Thank you sir" Isla responded, her Scottish accent coming out a little thicker than usual. She slid into the seat opposite.

"So tell ne about yourself. We are off duty for a brief time."

Isla dreaded that question, she hated talking about herself. "There's not much to say really. Born and raised in West Scotland. Joined Starfleet at eighteen, I'm good st fixing things and I have a knack for computer programming. The only real interesting thing is that my hair colour is natural. Faulty albino genes..."

"Who says its faulty." Xavier responded.

The chief engineer smirked. "Its just how it is. Technically Albinoism affects pigmantation in both hair, eyes and skin. However mine only seems to partially ben effective. As you can see, my eyes are very blue and I'm not so pale skinned. It only seems to have an affect on my hair colour" she paused for a few moments. "However, I'm an Engineer, not a geneticist"

"You do know thats usually a doctors line right."

Isla blinked a few times. "So they say. But it works for pretty much anyone if they want it to" she said simply. She quickly changed the subject. "So Captain, if I may ask, how come you needed a new Chief Engineer so quickly? What happened to the previous one?"

"Got transferred." He replied simply. "Unfortunately... he... made it... difficult for others to work with him."

"I see..." Isla replied. "I'm guessing that's why there is so many problems with several of the ships systems..." she sighed.

"The chief operations officer, and Lt geiger has been working, but its still a slow process. If you can, meet up with them, and see what you guys can do."

Isla nodded. "I will see to it sir. I intend to have this ship running like clockwork"

"Good to know Lt." Xavier replied

Approaching with the Captains meal the waitress noticed the newcomer. "Apologies Captain wasn't aware of your guest."

Smiling. "Its perfectly alright. Please take it back place in the warmer. She will grab a bite to eat."

"Of course Captain," the waitress replied. "So what would you like Lt."

"Anything is good really. I'm not picky" Isla replied simply.

"Anything you won't eat?" Tyler asked. "I do have a meaty surprise, and a veggie surprise for those vegetarians."

Isla raised an eyebrow. "No disrespect Captain, but I'm Scottish. If you can fry it, its likely I'll be eating it" she stated simply. She looked over at the waitress. "I'll have some Lorne Sausage, with a side of black pudding, beans, fried toast and eggs" she told her.

"Coming right up." She replied as she took down the order, turned and left.

"How was your travel here." He asked, making small talk as he awaited the arrival of her food. Talking official business was not something he had planned, however, it was good to come in time. Something that could wait until the meal was complete.

"Not too bad. Pretty standard stuff," Isla eplied. "I just had a mosey Ensign at the helm who was far too fascinated with my hair colour," she sighed.

"Perhaps, they were trying to make small talk but starting a real conversation isnt their strong suit." He suggested.

Isla nodded simply just as her food arrived. "I guess that this is the most unusual way of reporting in you've had." Her cheeks began to feel more flushed as they turned red.

"Meh, I think that unusual can be very... welcoming in a way. The norm, can get very dull."

Isla just began to simply eat her food. "I suppose breaking the standard routine is good sometimes."

"I agree with you on that one Lt." Xavier nodded as they continued their meal