Engineer to Engineer - Part 1

"I'll make sure he finds his way up Zedd" she replied. Standing up as well, she left her coffee on the table and motioned towards the nearest exit out of the tables. "Shall we then?"

“Let’s go…” Avery said. He led the way for a minute but let Mei-Lin catch up until she was by his side. The streets were getting crowded as the day’s business moved on.

“So tell me more about Sykes. He seems like a reasonable and capable leader. I couldn’t help but notice the connection between the two of you. How long have you known each other?”

"About a week" Mei-Lin said. "The ship is pretty new and just launched so we're working on getting more crew. Coming from somewhat of an engineering background himself, the Captain has made himself useful in engineering a few late evenings when he can. It's been nice considering the current crew compliment. Aside from that you already know about his data port, and from what little I am aware of, he likely has a shady background, although specifics can't be found and he's been tight lipped. Not that I blame him, we're all just starting out."

She walked along with Avery for a moment before asking a question herself "What I do wonder is, what in the hell are you doing out here? Tenured professor, several degrees. you'd be a shoe in for Utopia Planetia. Makes me think of Chief Miles O'Brien, he was an instructor at the Academy while I was there. So why come out to the Gamma Quadrant and work for just about a nobody?"

“I find myself thinking about that. Nonetheless, here I am. To be honest, I was kind of down after the Dominion War. I watched almost everything around me get destroyed. People I worked with everyday either died or resigned. Things were not pleasant on Earth after the attack. I also don’t have any extended family, except for my parents and sister. I just wanted to do something new, exciting, different. I heard about the Dutchman and I figured….I could make a difference here, Starfleet, Federation, or no.”

He and Mei-Lin approached a corner and turned left. “It’s right down here on the left about 10 meters. I left my stuff there. So I decided to jump at the chance. Guess you could say we’re taking chances on each other. But I think we’ll get along just fine. I’m not a slave-driver, Mei-Lin. I’ll put in the work. You just need to trust me. I know you know your shit. And I know mine. That being said, what’s our current engine efficiency? For a newer ship, it should be about 95 percent.”

"The war was very tough for everyone, to say the least. I was in the Academy for most of it, I graduated the year before the attack. I can't imagine having been on a ship in the middle of it, everyone stood tall. And I know what you mean about wanting to make a difference. After I was forced to resign my commission, I have spent my time learning and growing as an engineer, definitely into the focus of structural integrity and systems for the ship."

She listened to his question and came back with an answer "Honestly when I checked last night, the rating was at about seventy percent. We need new dilithium crystals, something apparently pretty rare around here for the ship class. The Captain however is working on a lead that may be able to provide them to us, but right now it's a waiting game. So we can plot around some but not to the level we need to. Otherwise I have been repairing and replacing conduits and junction tubes for parts of the propulsion system, typical wear and tear for a used ship."

The young lady also considered his statement about position as Chief and being helpful "I can appreciate the sentiment and note about your intent as the new Chief. I just want to be certain this isn't going to be run like Star Fleet. I'm on a contract and any of us can leave at any time. I will absolutely yield and learn from your expertise and look to you for leadership, but I also expect the same level of professionalism to be shared between you and I. Regardless of my age or situation, I can assure you I've cut my teeth plenty on jobs hte last handful of years. In trugh, I'm excited to be back on a Federation style starship, and I'm looking forward to working for someone as experienced as you, Avery. I can learn alot." She watched as the man went to retrieve his gear.

Morgan carried an oversized duffel and a backpack from the front corner of the shop, hidden from public view. He retrieved 5 strips of latinum from the duffel and gave it to the shopkeeper. “Thanks, friend. See you next time.”