A Long Time Coming

Posted on 20 Aug 2023 @ 7:24pm by Lieutenant JG Fynn Taymor & Commander Scarlet Blake

1,458 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: Regula 1 - Level 16, Administrative Module
Timeline: MD 17, 1100 Hours

[ON]

Brushing his hair from his face, Fynn Taymor walked briskly through the corridors of Level 16. In truth, he wanted to run but felt that would be unseemly for a newly assigned Chief Engineer. Chief Engineer! On a Nova Class ship, no less. Each had their own personalities and quirks, of course, but given the years spent on his beloved Edison he felt as if this promotion were a gift from the Prophets themselves. If nothing else, it was confirmation that his decision to return to Starfleet and postpone taking holy orders had been the correct choice.

Now the only task left to complete before boarding his ship and overseeing her repairs was to formally check in with the First Officer. Glancing up, he realized he'd hurried past the Commander's temporary office. Retracing his steps, he approached the door and pressed the chime.

"Come in," Blake called out, her voice distracted as she worked at her computer. She was half bent over the screen, deep into a list of reports. She was pretty certain at this point they were related to tribbles, with the rate they seemed to multiply.

"Hello um Commander Blake? Fynn Taymor, um, Lieutenant Fynn, reporting for duty" the Bajoran stammered as he entered, stepping forward and offering a hand. "I've been assigned to Galileo as Chief Engineer. So pleased to meet you."

Blake blinked as she came back to reality. Fynn Taymor. Badly needed engineer. She was caught up. She nodded firmly, motioning to the seat on the other side of the desk. "Not more than I am to meet you. We've had a long wait."

"I'm sorry to hear that. A beauty like her should have a steady hand overseeing her needs... not that the crew you have has been neglecting her!" His face flushed red, afraid he'd offended. "I just mean that, um, in my experience, every ship needs a dedicated Chief that can see her for what she is. Um, see the whole picture. Even the engineering department, however skilled, can still only certain aspects. Perhaps only the captain would have a comparable image, but even then, they have other considerations than the ship itself."

Blake just nodded as she listened to what seemed to be a stream of nervous chatter. She took his word for it though. She wasn't, and never had been, an engineer. Nor did she have much interest in that side of fleet life. "So you don't mind working all the way out here, to take this position?"

Fynn nodded enthusiastically. "No, ma'am. I'm happy to go where I'm needed. Although I'm admittedly more interested in my ship or station than on any sight-seeing, it is nice to travel to places I might not have visited on my own." Finally settling into the offered seat, he folded his hands and returned the question. "How about you? How are you finding the Mutara sector?"

"Lively," Blake replied without missing a beat, a touch of dryness coming to her tone. It was an understatement of bold proportions, all things considered. "Where did you come from? Tell me about your career so far."

Leaning back, Fynn started to organize his response. She's mentioned career, so anything prior to graduation would not be relevant. "My first assignment as Ensign was to the USS Merrimac, Nebula Class, beautiful ship. It was assigned to a variety of missions, so I was able to rotate through the different engineering departments. I got a lot of really great hands-on experience in some areas that I'd only been able to work on holographically, in class.

After a couple of years, I was transferred to the Edison. A Nova Class, you know, like our ship? I spent four years there - I believe that has a lot to do with why Commander Tarin sought me out. Anyway, they were some of the best years of my life. I, um, got promoted, um twice kind of, both rank and position. Gyrda, Lt. Commander Gyrda, she was my Chief Engineer? She really helped me develop that big picture I was talking about earlier. She was planning on retiring soon, and I think she and Captain Sorik intended me to take over for her when she did."

He paused, his brow furrowed with the unpleasant memory of what came next. "But then I had my accident. The ship was in a fight, and I was near a plasma conduit when it ruptured and..." He gestured to his left arm. "I got burned pretty bad."

Blake nodded with a frown at the turn of events, sitting back as she processed what she was hearing. The way he went over his career, it showed him to be a thorough man, confident in his ability, with clear appreciation for his job. But the demeanour changed with the retelling of his accident. It clearly had been a profound experience. "It took time to recover?"

"Yes. But it did. Um, that is to say, I did. Recover." Fynn's expression lightened, and he pressed on. "I took some time off, did some healing, and some thinking, and then I came back. Gryda's position had been filled, so I accepted the assignment to come to Regula-1. And now, I've accepted the assignment to Galileo. So it all worked out."

"For all of us," Blake added with a firm nod, appreciating what seemed to be an actual piece of actual good luck. A stab of dark humour cut through her thoughts, wondering what deal was made with which devil to make that happen. "Is there anything you'd like to know?"

"The only question that keeps coming to mind is: How soon can I start?" he chuckled, blushing deeply. "But I suppose there are some things I should know. Or, um, ask about." He wiggled his fingers nervously, trying to figure out what those questions might be. Blake had mentioned engineering was not her forte, and to be honest, Fynn knew he could glean more about the ship itself from the damage reports, maintenance logs, and his own observations once he boarded than she'd be able to convey in a brief conversation. So what did that leave?

"How, um, is the crew?" he managed, sounding almost apologetic as he voiced the question.

Blake just watched him silently for a long moment, managing to keep a straight face for a long moment before finally laughing softly, glancing down to recover herself. "Sorry..." she cleared her throat, shaking her head at the very uncharacteristic outburst. "It's not you. It's just...we've all been in interviews or meetings where someone asks if we have a question, but we fully understand everything, and we panic because we think we really ought to ask a question to look interested and thoughtful. I just wondered if my face looked like yours when I did that..." she gave him a small, good natured smile. And she didn't blame him at all. In this instance, he knew his job far better than she did. He was ready and raring to go. And she appreciated his self assurance.

Fynn flashed a sheepish grin in return. The first officer was certainly different than the commanding officer, that was for sure. He almost said as much but held his tongue. He was certain he would be learning much from both of them, and he didn't want to give the impression that he was one for gossip or idle speculation. In answer to the last (possibly rhetorical) comment, the Bajoran simply shrugged.

Blake chuckled and nodded with understanding. He was astute too. "We're a small crew," she answered his half hearted question all the same. "Which means we work hard, often more than our fair share. Your team is especially hard working, and they always put the ship first."

"Good to hear," he acknowledged. "Captain Tarin said she would arrange my formal transfer tomorrow morning, but I was hoping to board, meet my team, and lend a hand to the repairs. Is that okay?"

Blake nodded firmly, already reaching for a padd, tapping lightly on it. "Absolutely, I think they can do with all the help they can get," she replied honestly. "I won't keep you any longer in that case. If there's nothing else, you're free to go."

Fynn nodded and stood. "Okay. Um, it was very nice to meet you, Commander Blake. I look forward to serving with you."

"And you," Blake replied honestly, having gotten a favourable first impression from the young man. If nothing else, it felt like the ship was in very safe hands indeed.

[OFF]


LTJG Fynn Taymor
Chief Engineer
USS Galileo-A

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo-A

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