=Tarangor/Aeran Shipyard=
=Aeran System=
Rick watched from the shipyard command center as the Detector was
tractor beamed slowly into the drydock. While work continued on the
shipyard, enough had been accomplished to begin work on the Detector.
Rick wanted to have the ship ready to get underway within the week.
It may have been asking for a lot considering what had to be done.
Sections of the hull were incomplete as large gaps could be seen,
exposing the decks of the small vessel. But, the main problem would be
upgrading the Detector so that she could be useful for the war effort.
She would serve mainly as a scout vessel, able to go into enemy territory
and provide valuable information back to Starfleet. A cloaking device
would prevent her from being seen. Even so, should she be detected by
the Romulans, the Detector would be unable to put up much of a fight.
So, needed a fighting chance to get out of a bad situation. While
firepower would be lacking, defensive capabilities would have to be
improved greatly. He had plenty of ideas for that.
Once the Detector, and the shipyard were completed, they would be able
to start producing their own ships, mostly fighter classes.
As the Detector settled into the drydock's small berthing, Ensign Yalya
Glascoe approached.
"Sir, we're ready to begin work on the Detector," she said. "We just need
your approval."
Rick handed the already signed PADD to Glascoe with Commander
Ohmsford's signature. There was a time when Rick's approval on such
matters would have been enough, but Starfleet no longer trusted Rick
in making decisions. Any decisions it would seem. In fact, Bren was in
overall charge of the Detector's repairs and refit. Rick was basically just
"overseeing" the project.
"Thank you, sir," she said as she took the PADD and walked away.
Rick shook his head and wondered what use he was here. He would help
where he could, but his team pretty much had everything in hand.
Technically, it wasn't even "his team", even though they saw him as their
supervisor.
'I use to be chief engineer of the flagship of the SSF and at one time
second officer,' he thought. 'Hell, I was offered the No. 2 spot at the SCE
by Admiral LaForge himself!'
He sighed and stood quietly in thought, considering what "his team" would
do next.
"Hey!"
Rick nearly jumped out of his shoes.
"Damn it, Jo!" Rick spurted out, trying to catch his breath when he noticed
Jo Weathersby walking up from behind him.
"Wow! I didn't mean to startle you, but after seeing that look on your face,
I'm kinda glad I did," she grinned.
"Don't do that again," Rick finally calmed himself.
She chuckled with no sign of sympathy.
"What you doing here?" he asked.
"We're dropping off the new shield emitters for the Detector," she answered.
"Not reading your memos again, are you?"
"Yeah, I just forget that was today," Rick responded. "Not think Starfleet
was sending us new emitters."
"Actually, they're not new. We got brand-spanking new emitters for the
Qashqai. You're getting our old ones."
"Wonderful," Rick muttered sarcastically.
"They're in pretty good shape, just like everything else on the Qashqai, mind
you. Better than those outdated ones already on the Detector," she said.
"I sure they be big help," Rick admitted. "Anything would be improvement."
"A slingshot and some small rocks would be an improvement," Jo said. "Anyhow,
are you ever going to tell me about that device we found on the Detector?"
"No," Rick responded. "You only not authorized, but best fewer people know,
better."
"Just remember, if it wasn't for me, we wouldn't have gotten into that room,"
she said.
"As you have remind me at least a dozen times," Rick countered. "Do not bring
up any more. That an order."
"Fine. Geez. Consider it forgotten. You're so uptight."
"I'm fine," Rick said.
"You need some time off," she said.
"I just had couple of days off."
"No, some real time off. Like a week or so. It would do you some good."
"Did I miss something and they make you counselor?" Rick asked as he looked at
her. "Because I already see a counselor once a week. It one of Starfleet's
requirements for me returning to duty. A little too much if you ask me."
"Well, you did go through some pretty dramatic stuff," she said.
"I know! I was there!" he shot out, perhaps louder than intended.
"Sorry," she responded.
Rick took a deep breath.
"No, I sorry. I just not need reminded. I already feel like I being punished for it."
"Punished …?" she seemed puzzled.
"Nevermind," Rick shook his head. "Let see about those shield emitters."
She nodded, realizing this conversation was finished as she followed Rick to
another part of the facility.
Commander Rick Rodgers
Assistant Engineering Officer
Starbase Unity
and
Chief Petty Officer Jo Weathersby (npc by Rick)
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Qashqai
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