When You Need an Engineer

Posted on Wed Jun 18th, 2025 @ 10:53am by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Ánderijá "Rija" Rautajärvi

860 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Wounds From the Mirror
Location: USS Washington - Engineering

Shran made his way down to Engineering. The warpcore was humming along, as were the warp engines with the ship now moving at Warp 8. The Andorian took a moment to look around, everyone moving around with purpose to keep things running smoothly.

Suddenly Shran heard the familiar voice of Lt O'Connor, "Simpson, look at that plasma flow. You keep up that sloppy work and I am going to transfer you to waste extraction."

Shran made his way over, "Lieutenant..."

"Whatever you need, it'll have to wait" Aidan responded not looking at who was speaking to him.

"Lieutenant..." Shran said again.

"Listen here you eejit..." he began before turning around and seeing the captain standing with his arms folded, "ah, captain, my apologies. Busy down here at the moment" he tried to sidestep.

"Yes, quite" Shran replied. "Lieutenant, we have been given a task that will require the ship to potentially travel at high warp for several days and then go into combat. You look like you have your hands full here, where are Lt Rel and Lt Rija?"

"I can have them here in a minute captain. They are both working on standard maintenance, nothing that needs them urgently" Aidan replied.

"Do so" Shran replied abruptly.

Aidan signaled both Rel and Rija, and then the waiting began for them to arrive.

Several moments later, Rija rounded the corner, eyes fixed on the cascade of information scrolling across his data PADD. He nearly collided with the captain--pulling up short just in time. "Apologies, sir," he said quickly, straightening himself. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"Not a problem lieutenant. Have you acclimated to life on the ship?" Shran replied.

The comm chimed, =^= Del Rio to Shran. Sorry to bother you captain, but you signaled Lt Rel, and I am currently treating him for Levodian flu. I'm afraid he won't be allowed on duty for at least 29 hours. =^=

=^=Very well doctor. Thank you for informing me. =^= Shran looked to Rija, "Well it seems you are the engineer I need to speak with lieutenant."

"I'm settling in, sir. Still mapping the quieter routes between decks and making peace with the sonic showers, but the team's solid and the systems are tight." He tucked the data PADD under one arm, adopting a more attentive stance. "What can I assist you with, Captain?"

"We have a special operation that we have been assigned to that may require engineering expertise, or at the very least an engineer's eye" Shran replied. "With Lt O'Connor already keeping things here running considering the power needs of this mission, you appear to be the engineer to have join us in the conference room to go over the material. Do you feel up to it?"

Rija nodded. "Of course, sir. I'll bring a fresh diagnostic slate in case we need to model load tolerances on the fly." He tapped quickly at his data PADD, offloading his current task to standby crew before falling into step beside the captain.

As they exited Engineering, the ambient hum of the warp core faded behind them, replaced by their footfalls on the deck plating. Rija knew better than to ask for details just yet. He knew they'd come soon enough--and he'd also learned there was value in listening first.

"Appreciate you joining us lieutenant. Atop of your engineering expertise and perspective, having a generally fresh perspective on this situation may come in handy" Shran noted. They entered the turbolift and Shran ordered it to Deck 1. As they traveled to the destination he continued talking with Rija, "Lieutenant, how much do you know about what is referred to as the Mirror Universe?"

"Survey-level familiarity, sir. The Terran Empire, its fall, and the fractured power blocs that followed. We studied tactical reports from the incursions during the Dominion War era." His brow creased slightly out of interest. "The doctrine's clear: assume hostility, assume deceit, and never assume anyone's dead until you're holding the body."

Shran nodded confidently. "Very good lieutenant, exactly right. I am afraid we are about to encounter at least two members of that universe. We will be going on a black op, consider everything you see classified."

They reached the bridge, and the doors parted with a soft hiss. Rija stepped aside instinctively, waiting for the captain to exit first. Just as he moved to follow, he paused--one hand lightly braced on the threshold.

"Captain," he said quietly, still in the same measured tone. "How much of what I'm about to hear am I cleared to share with the rest of Engineering?"

"Everything will be on a need-to-know basis lieutenant. You are being informed of information you need; you may inform them of what they need to know to do their job in equal measure. I trust you can determine what information is necessary for your subordinates to do their job" Shran replied. "We are meeting in the conference room. I'll join you there momentarily" the Andorian said as he walked onto the bridge and made his way down to his Ready Room, wishing to gather up information he needed for the meeting, and leaving Rija to go to the conference room solo.

 

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