Find your niche, Petty Officer Beaumont

Posted on 20 Feb 2014 @ 11:46pm by Ensign K'os Beaumont & Command Master Chief Markum Quinn
Edited on on 21 Feb 2014 @ 12:16am

1,149 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 05 - Solstice
Location: Starfleet HQ - CoB's Office
Timeline: MD 18 - 1300

[ON]

If K'os was nervous about meeting the CoB, it didn't show on his face. He instead had a look of eagerness as he waited for Markum Quinn. A PADD with a list of his certifications, qualifications and recent training updates stayed tucked under his arm should he ask for them. He'd heard mixed things from the other crewmen and was looking forward to forming his own opinion of the man. He'd met only two other Command Master Chief's and each one had their own unique personality.

Quinn rounded the corner of the corridor and noticed what looked like a young Vulcan donning a yellow colored collar. Quinn took a sip from his steaming mug as he got closer. "You Beaumont?" he asked as he passed by to his office door. Not giving the young man a chance to answer he made a statement while the door to his office swung open. "Let's go."

K'os managed an, "Aye," after the older man disappeared quickly.

Quinn entered the office and the lights came on. The office wasn't particularly large, yet not cramped either. The desk was made of cedar. The book shelve to the left was made of the same wood. The bottom two shelves were stuffed with engineering manuals and guidebooks for a dozen different ship classes. The second shelf had what appeared to be texts of theoretical sciences and faster than light theories. The top shelf has pictures of his family and a couple little trinkets. The walls were filled with memorabilia of his long career in Starfleet, along with his engineering degree from both Starfleet Academy and Andorian University of Structural Engineering. His Masters Degree in Propulsion Dynamics.

As the old sailor sat behind his desk he looked at K'os. "Petty Officer Beaumont, have a seat young man. Care for a beverage? What can I do for you?"

He had stayed just inside the door way until he was addressed out of respect, but more to take in the office around him. He found himself slightly awed as he usually did when confronted by someone with vast knowledge. When Quinn spoke he moved to a chair in front of his desk and with a some what dazed looking grin he sat down. "Water would be great, master chief, thank you." He smiled then found his eyes drawn to the manuals on the bottom shelf and his eyebrows rose in interest briefly before he returned attention to Quinn. "I've just recently completed my transfer to the Galileo and thought it prudent to check in with you."

Quinn turned around and activated replicator and moments later he swung back around and handed K'os his beverage. "I'm glad you did. You're a matter-antimatter specialist I read somewhere. I'm an engineer by trade too. In fact, I was the original Chief Engineer for the Galileo. But that's a different story for another day."

Quinn took a sip from his mug as he studied the young man. "So, tell me about yourself, Petty Officer Beaumont. What's your favorite part of being an engineer. And hold of on any of that scripted bullshit they teach you in your advanced specialty training."

"But the scripted bullshit is so succinct." He chuckled. "I would say the satisfaction after solving a complex puzzle is among my favourite aspects or working collaboratively with people of different skill sets and knowledge to arrive at a solution." His enthusiasm genuine, he considered his words then added, "I thrive in those environments."

Quinn stared at the young man, taking a pause to swig down some hot coffee. "Now that is a damn good answer Petty Officer Beaumont. One that I believe. So you like fixing shit and getting along with others while you're fixing that shit. Good. What are your plans Petty Officer Beaumont? Is Starfleet just a stepping stone to other bigger and brighter adventures, or you gonna stick it out and make it a way of life?"

K'os thought about that for a moment then smiled widely. "I don't think there's anything wrong with the adventure I'm on now, Master Chief." His words gushed with the naivety of his age, but there was no denying the genuineness behind them. "My father, Warrant Officer Cole Beaumont still serves and I think he will until he retires; from service or life. I don't think that's the route for me, necessarily. I see myself going through the CPO ranks as an instructor maybe?" He lost himself for a moment as he thought about the possibilities that Starfleet laid before him. He truly couldn't see himself wanting to do anything else.

"I'm sure you'll find your niche, Petty Officer Beaumont. If you want to be an instructor, NCO's make the best. But I have a requirement of all my NCO's on this boat." Quinn paused again to take another taste of his cooling coffee mug.

"Education. If you hope to attain your next rank of Petty Officer Second Class, you'll enroll in some sort of continuing education. I don't really give two Gorn shits what the course of study is, just as long as you are actively participating in broadening your knowledge.:

Both eyebrows rose on the young man's face as if he was reminded of something. "Right, of course. I'd almost forgotten, Master Chief," he handed over the device he'd been holding that detailed his credentials and coursework up until this point. It detailed the work he'd done training as a propulsion specialist and then the all the different courses he'd taken to certify as an energy systems specialist. "In addition to those, Master Chief, I'm currently studying for my linear induction conduit maintenance exam. I do feel I lack some skill sets that would help my career; shuttle piloting for instance."

Quinn accepted the offered device and looked over it. "All engineers need to learn how to fly. Period. If the Bridge were ever to b be compromised,
Main Engineering by default becomes the new Bridge....Until flight control can arrive to take over helm control, if falls on the Engineers. I'll get with the ship's Quartermaster, and be sure you get some time in. Bother shuttle and ship."

"Thank-you, Master Chief, I'd appreciate the opportunity!" He slowly tuned his enthusiasm down so as to not come across too much like a gushing recruit and more like a professional Petty Officer. The grin was proving too difficult to remove from his face, but that was just the way it went.

"Sure thing." Markum replied. "Anything else, lad? I have a ton of work to finish off."

"No Master chief," He practically stumbled to get out of his chair to shake the man's hand. "Thank-you for meeting me." His grin was from ear to ear.

[OFF]

PO3 K'os Beaumont
Energy Systems Specialist
USS Galileo

&

Command Master Chief Markum Quinn
Chief of the Boat
USS Galileo

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