Lieutenant Marco Yolanda walked into the conference room with his usual brash arrogant manner.  This was not the look of an officer who, only hours before had lost a member of his team.  He came to a stop at one end of the table: bringing himself stiffly to attention; whilst at the other end sat Commander Mary Anacostia-Bolling, Captain of the USS da Vinci, and to her right, the ships First Officer; Lieutenant-Commander Alara Ley.

The Commander wasted no time in pleasantries; she was not in a good mood.  One of her crew was dead, and she wanted answers.  After tangling with the Vaadwaur Supremacy without the loss of a single life; then to have this tragedy happen, was unacceptable.  She didn’t even give the Lieutenant permission to sit; instead making him stand there to attention. “Would you care to explain how Crewman Cooper ended up dead?”  Her query was direct and to the point.

“I can only assume he failed to carry out the relevant safety checks before carrying out the repair work.” The Chief Engineers reply was curt.

“Would he have been aware that power was still running through that section of the system?” The Commander asked, clasping her hands together.

“I can’t see why not.” Yolanda replied.  “It’s just basic common sense.”

“Really?” Anacostia-Bolling leaned forward a fraction.  “Is it also common sense for a Chief Engineer to leave the organising of the work roster to a Petty Officer?”

“I was required in the Staff Meeting!” Yolanda’s voice sounded indignant.  “Besides the rest of my senior staff have been stuck down on that planet for the last three weeks!”

That last statement wasn’t true; the Commander knew for a fact there had been an Ensign on duty in Engineering, during the period in question.  So why had Yolanda cut Ensign Green out of the chain?  She knew the answer, even if she wished it wasn’t the case.  The simple fact was that the Lieutenant didn’t like her, plain and simple.  Ensign Green had proved her skills and knowledge on a number of occasions already, and Yolanda didn’t like anyone stealing his thunder.

**********

As the part meeting, part interrogation continued; there was an air of unease in Main Engineering.  Everyone was working, as they normally would; but the atmosphere had changed.  It was like all the life and energy had been drained from them.  Crewman Cooper hadn’t been with them long; yet he’s death had somehow left a hole.  He was a quiet, almost shy man in his late twenties, but a hard worker, more than happy to lend a hand or simply observe others and pick up tips.  This was his first posting and first mission; no one ever expected it to be his last.

Petty Officer West was checking through the air filtration system, an odd smell had been reported on deck 3 and it wasn’t clearing as quickly as he would have expected.  He wasn’t entirely sure from where the actual odour was emanating.  He went through the motions, almost robotically; checking airflow, section by section.  Comparing them with eachother and the figures taken which had been collected by the computer previously.

“You shouldn’t be here.”  Ensign Green said softly after walking in and approaching the man.

“I can’t afford to give him another reason to put me on a report.” West sounded exasperated.  “He’s already put the blame of Cooper’s death, squarely on my shoulders.”

“Now we all know that’s rubbish.”  She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He may have been fourteen years her senior and spent many more years than she had, on starships, but right now, none of that mattered.  Right now she was just a friend.

“Is it though?” He replied, head and shoulders slumping.  “I sent that kid to his death.”

“We’re short staffed and trying to get a devastated planet back on its feet.” Hayley said calmly.  “But that doesn’t give him the right to walk over everybody and treat us like trash.”

“We’re stuck with him though.” West looked at her wearily.  “Unless there just happens to be another Chief Engineers sitting around; without a ship to play with!”

“We can but hope.” She smiled warmly. “I’d offer to help, but Environmental Control, just like the Warp Drive, could be written in Klingon for all I know about it.”

“If only I could figure out where the smell was coming from?” The Petty Office called up another screen full of data.

“Someone’s preparing a meal in the crew mess!” Green suddenly piped up.

“You’re a genius.  Here I am staring at these figures like an idiot.” He tapped his combadge. “Can someone from security with a strong stomach or a hazmat suit head to the port crew mess on deck three and have a polite word with Ensign Wy’k’Neria about her cooking please.”

He received a chuckle and an affirmative, as way of reply.

“Oh, she’s going to really love you for that!” Hayley giggled.

“I’ve had a smell of her cooking, and believe me it should be classed as a Level 3 Bio-hazard.” For the first time in several hours West felt like he could breathe again; which was ironic, considering the situation.  “Adjusting Mess Hall extraction fans to 150% capacity.”

Ensign Green was about to say something when her badge chirped.  Her presence was required in the main Conference Room. After acknowledging, see looked at Petty Office West, who’d been close enough to hear everything that had been said. “Oh boy, what’s happened now?”

**********

It only took a few minutes to reach the Conference Room, she didn’t rush, but Saber’s weren’t large ships.  Lieutenant Yolanda was coming the other way; a face like thunder as he visibly stomped his boots down on the deck.  When they were right next to each other, he jabbed out an accusing finger; almost poking her in the nose.  “Don’t think this is over, not by a long shot.”

Ensign Green watched the man carry on down the corridor, she was lost for words; not entirely sure what the Lieutenant meant, or whether that was supposed to be some kind of threat..  She took a moment to compose herself, before tapping the entry buzzer by the door; and didn’t have to wait long, before she was called inside.

“Ensign Green, please take a seat.” Lieutenant-Commander Ley, was by the replicator.  “Care for a drink?”

She looked at the Commander, as if looking for reassurance that both sitting down and having something to drink was permitted. There was a small nod.  “Raktajino, as it comes please, ma’am.”

The Trill First Office carefully placed the mug down in front of the Ensign.  “The Commander and I were wondering about your view on this tragic situation involving Crewman Cooper.”

“Permission to speak freely?” Green asked looking at Officers.

“Granted.” The Commander replied. “Go ahead.”

“Lieutenant Yolanda doesn’t know the first thing about this ship.” Green started.

“That’s rather a bold statement to make; do you have any evidence to back this claim up?  Anacostia-Bolling hadn’t expected that to be the engineers opening statement.

“The da Vinci spent years in the service of the Corps of Engineers, receiving multiple upgrades, not standard equipment and prototype systems.” The ensign answered.

“But all that equipment was removed, before they handed her over to the Fourth Fleet.” Ley stated.

“That is correct.” Hayley confirmed.  “But they didn’t rip all the wiring out.”

Both commanding officers thought about this for a moment, before Anacostia-Bolling, asked the next question.  “So are you saying re-routing power shouldn’t have been an issue or that this problem should never have arisen?”

“Both.” Her one word answer was swift and definite.

“That doesn’t sound good.” The XO announced with concern. “Do you have any theories?”

“I wouldn’t wish to make any comment, without understanding all the facts first.” The engineer stated.  “I would assume that the Chief would be conducting an investigation, and I’ll assist in any way I can.”

The Commander noted the Ensigns willingness to continue following the Chief Engineers instructions despite having just proved she knew more about this ship than the Lieutenant.   Mary herself had never considered that this ship still had some of the unique adaptations the Corps of Engineers had installed, because it was on record that all modifications had been removed.

“About that.” Anacostia-Bolling said clasping her hands together.  “I want you to take over as Chief Engineer and run any investigation into this incident as you see fit.”

“But I know nothing about Warp engines and what about Lieutenant Yolanda?” Ensign Green blurted out, clearly shocked by what here Captain had just said.

“Lieutenant Yolanda will be covering Gamma Shift for the foreseeable future.” The Commander informed her. “I need someone running that department who will work as part of a team, will both inspire and count on the knowledge of those around them to get the best out of everyone.  I believe you fit that bill.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Hayley replied softly.  “I’m honoured by your faith in me.”

“Try said yes.” Ley smiled

“Yes.” Ensign Green almost shouted, her mind full of mixed emotion, before calming herself down with a few deep breathes.  “I gratefully accept the position of Chief Engineer, along with all commitment and responsibilities the role entails.”

Anacostia-Bolling stood up so she could shake the Ensigns hand. “Congratulations Ensign Green.  You are now Chief Engineer of the USS da Vinci.”