Engineering Report
Posted on 15 Feb 2024 @ 8:00pm by Captain Corvus DeHavilland & Lieutenant Commander Christophe Leblanc
Mission:
M4 - Falling Out
Location: Deck 1 - Commanding Officer's Ready Room
Timeline: MD08 - 0914HRS
1188 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure
Chris exited the turbo into the command center, a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding space and Obsidian below. Stepping out, his mind was occupied with the captivating view that greeted him. With squinting eyes, he could see the finer details of ships which happens to be moving by in view of the top of the station. He had served on Earth Spacedock, and this view never failed to amaze him. Indeed, he was on the frontier again, and he felt his heart start to race to see it. He made his way down the nearby corridor to the circular entrance, following the signage to the CO’s ready room. Clearing his throat and adjusting his uniform, he reached and pressed the chime.
Standing at the replicator, Captain DeHavilland had only just picked up her steaming mug of tea and put it to her lips when the door chime rang. With practiced effort, she managed not to flinch in surprise and thus spill hot tea all down her front and instead managed the sip gracefully down and then called out to it, "Come in." She only half glanced at the door as she walked back to her desk, taking another bracing sip, setting it down finally and facing her arriving guest. A face she only slightly recognized.
When bid, Chris enter to the opening doors. On his face, he had a professional seriousness he was sure the captain saw very often. He had read her file, of course, but was surprised to see her in person; she was taller than he expected. Walking forward, the man paused and offered a quick, well-executed, but somehow relatively relaxed salute.
“Lieutenant Commander Christophe Baptiste Leblanc reporting for duty.” He said, his voice accented and almost musical in its tone. He looked forward, resisting the urge to study her eyes during the first moments of their interaction.
"You're here a day earlier than expected, Commander. Great. Welcome to Obsidian Command," Captain DeHavilland smiled, gesturing to the seats in front of her. "Please," she said.
Chris relaxed his body and gave a look that communicated friendliness, but he didn’t return the smile. Instead, he took the seat which was offered him, sitting relaxed and crossing one leg over the other with his ankle to his knee.
“Thank you, ma’am.” He said in response to her offer, “I left on a transport the morning after I got my transfer order. A bit quick, I know, but I was eager to get started.”
Corvus tried to resist the feeling of relief to be rid of Commander Quinn and bubbling hope that Lieutenant Commander LeBlanc would be a much more functional replacement, but it was hard to do considering all the history. But she tried to put on a professional face regardless and not let that 'excitement' color her reaction to this new member of her senior staff. In all reality she actually hadn't spent that much time sourcing her new Chief, she'd left that task to Commander Zayne who (as always) had done an incredible job of providing the best and brightest Starfleet had to offer so that she only had to select from a curated list of candidates. Lieutenant Commander LeBlanc fit that bill best, to her mind.
"I hope the Corps of Engineers wasn't too upset you left to join us," Corvus smiled as she sat down as well.
“The Admiral was…disappointed, but he was no stranger to my wanderlust.” He said with the first hint of a smile, “In truth, I think he knew I would be moving on soon, even if I didn’t.”
"Well, I don't expect you'll find any shortage of projects and tasks here," DeHavilland continued, getting straight to business. "Commander Quinn was a brilliant Engineer in his own right, but what this station needs is a hands-on, shirt-sleeves, Chief. I find new tech and theoretical ideas as fascinating as the next woman, but until this station is fully up and running, all systems in peak condition and all our refit facilities running like a well-oiled machine we don't have the time for that. That's why you're here. You have the expertise, and the experience to manage this stations Engineering teams," she explained, emphatically, trying her best not to express an adverse opinion of Commander Quinn. "Commander Zayne will have the specific details, but I assume you're up for this," she smiled, presuming he would have done a little of his own research before agreeing to accept this transfer. "What kind of questions do you have for me?"
"I'm certain I will be able to handle the job, Captain. It will be nice to have something that requires a bit of work again. My previous role at the Corps rarely let me near a piece of broken technology." he said, and then leaned forward slightly, his blue eyes locked on hers. "I have been studying this station since I got the transfer order, but I know there's so much more to learn. I have found my quarters and my office, and I have already met Commander Quinn, much to the surprise of both of us. I think I have everything I need to get started."
"Ok," Corvus smiled gratefully, happy not to have to hand hold anyone. "Commander Zayne can color in the details as you need them," she went on. "My door is always open if you need me. Commander Quinn has turned in his standard readiness report as of this morning, but I'd like your assessment of the Engineering department on my desk by end of day tomorrow, please. Leave no stone unturned and don't mince words in your report. I want to know the hard truths," she said, smiling tightly. "Anything else you need to know, or need from me?"
She was looking forward to a life without any drama hanging over her head from all of this. Regardless of her personal opinion on the matter of Lance and Calliope having them part of the senior staff had quick turned into more trouble than it was worth. Add to it Quinn's issues of late and it was like a whole section of her station was off limits to her and she felt like she had to walk on eggshells. No more. Commander Leblanc was ushering in a new era for their Engineering department and she couldn't have been happier about it.
"Nothing I can think of as of now, ma'am." he said, standing up. He couldn't help but feel he was replacing a man who had managed to make the entire station revolve around himself. Quinn was an ass, but in his own way, Chris had to respect his impressive ability to be noticed and, almost universally, hated. At the same time, he intended to use the momentum of the change to make a useful name for himself. He would be pleasant and respectful, but he expected results. "My report will be on your desk by tomorrow at close of shift, as you say. Thank you for your time, ma'am."
Corvus nodded curtly, smiling all the same. "Welcome aboard, Commander."
