JDL || Cmdr th'Zarath & Lt Cmdr Rhodes, XO & CEO || "Reporting for Duty"

Posted on 241402.19 @ 10:13pm by Lieutenant Thelin th'Zarath & Acting Captain Mark Rhodes

Mission: Where no man has gone before.
Location: Executive Officer's Office.

=/\= USS Enterprise, McKinley Station =/\=

While Lieutenant Commander Mark Rhodes made the trip from Jupiter Station to McKinley Station he poured over the PaDD of information he was given when he was informed that he had received the position. His new ship was just about ready to leave spacedock and ready for their sea trials. When the shuttle arrived at McKinley Station he immediately beamed over to the USS Enterprise.

Materializing in a Transporter Room, Mark stepped off of the pad with his messenger bag slung over his shoulder. "Thank you Chief," he said nodding to the Transporter Chief. Mark started to walk out of the Transporter Room before he paused a moment. "Which Transporter Room is this?" he said turning to the Chief.

"Transporter Room 4, sir," replied the Chief.

"... 4 is..." Mark said thinking aloud. "Deck... 11...?"

"Yes sir," said the Chief with a warm smile.

"Thank you Chief," said Mark as he left the room and entered the corridor. First thing Mark had to do before he could start in on his duties was report in. He headed for the nearest turbolift. "Deck 2," said Mark as the turbolift doors closed and started to carry him upwards. The doors opened and he headed for the Executive Officer's Office to check in. Hitting the chime he waited for a response from within.

Having finally removed the wrapping from the guest chair in his office, Thelin had also been surprised by the timely arrival of his assistant, a bubbly young Trill by the name of Katzi, she had somehow managed to expedite the transfer of his belongings from the storage on McKinley and the Andorian now found himself with a small crate in the centre of his desk, he looked up when the chime was called, but let the young woman do her job.

Bouncing to her feet from her desk next to the door, Katzi stood beside it, a padd clasped in her hands as her voice rang out, "Enter."

Before a word could be uttered, the young woman held up the padd slightly and looked over the officer stepping through the door, "Go right in Commander, Commander th'Zarath is free." she chimed before wheeling away and retaking her seat, busying herself with some of the paperwork.

Mark entered the office, dropping his bag by the door then stood at attention before the Executive Officer. "Lieutenant Commander Mark Rhodes, Chief Engineering Officer, reporting for duty, sir," Mark said standing at attention.

"At ease please Commander," Thelin replied with a friendly smile as he offered a hand over the desk, using the other to push the opened crate to one side, "Commander Thelin th'Zarath, Executive Officer, for my crimes." the Andorian added with a slight chuckle.

Mark shook the Andorians hand as he eased up his posture a bit. "Sorry to have disturbed you will getting settled in," said Mark. "I was just hoping to get started as soon as possible sir. A lot to catch myself up on, a lot to learn and more then my fair share to inspect," said Mark.

"Believe me Commander, your intrusion is most welcome," Thelin replied as he gestured towards the seat opposite, "Please."

Mark took a seat in front of the XO's desk. The chair seemed stiff as if it had just come out of an industrial replicator.

"You are certainly right about having a lot to inspect, I'm sure you know as well as I do that the Corps of Engineers will have left this ship to specification," the Andorian continued as he placed his hands together before him, "I've spent a fair part of my time in your position, so I do not envy the job you have ahead."

"An ever exciting opportunity sir," said Mark. "Having the chance to start with a new ship gives me the chance to watch the ship grow and adapt. Heck, and the chance to work with some of these new systems should keep things interesting," said Mark with a wide smile.

"Indeed, it will seem you will have a task and a half ahead of you with these new weapons arrays, I've been reviewing the specs and it seems despite being tested, they haven't actually been tested on a functional starship," the Andorian replied, referencing the Phased Disruptor arrays, a joint Klingon and Federation designed weapons system, "So with our Chief Tactical Officer, when we have been assigned one, you have the honour of being responsible for overseeing their field test."

"I did a bit of reading on my trip from Jupiter Station to McKinley, I will want to have these things thoroughly tested before we take them into combat. Looks like any number of things could go wrong, all of which are very very bad," replied Mark. "Also, I would like to give the Slipstream Drive a good shake down before we have to use it an emergency setting. To be fair, I have a long list of things I need to check before we get forced into having to use them riding the line between life and death."

"Unfortunately, I've not been briefed on our first mission, it appears Starfleet Command are waiting until our Commanding Officer arrives, I'm sure we'll be able to fit in a good couple of runs for the slipstream drive though," Thelin responded, giving a slight nod to his assistant who came bustling in through the door with a tea tray, depositing it on the edge of the desk and pouring a mug for the Andorian, "Would you care for some tea Commander?"

"Thank you sir, but no thank you," said Mark. "I was hoping to check in and get right to work in Main Engineering. I have a lot to get to work on, and I am hoping to get everything inspected and get the Warp Core primed and started by 1200 tomorrow, if that is alright with you sir? I would like to do some testing before we even depart space dock, just to be safe."

"Be sure to coordinate your efforts with station operations while we're docked," Thelin replied with a slight nod as he took up the mug and let a quick sip of the steaming liquid pass his lips, "I'll leave you to your work then Commander, I expect reports on my desk as you finish them."

"Understood sir," Mark grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Oh one more thing sir... I know I was assigned Quarters on Deck 3 with the rest of the Senior Staff... but I was wondering if I could get permission to repurpose Storage Bay 13 into a set of quarters for myself? The Storage Bay is just outside of Main Engineering, which I would feel more comfortable being that close in case something happens.

"I would prefer to be there as opposed up on Deck 3. The time it takes to climb from Deck 3 to Deck 17 could be critical time wasted in an emergency. I looked into on my way over, it would be easy to repurpose and ends up being smaller then traditional Senior Officers Quarters. Also, the Bay hasn't been given a purpose yet, and sits empty at the moment."

"I can't see a problem with that, just make sure you log it officially with the quartermaster, I'd hate for you to get settled and them turn up with several tons of cargo for your living room," Thelin replied with another slight chuckle.

"Understood sir," said Mark with a smile. "Best be on my way. It was nice meeting you and I look forward to working with you sir," said Mark standing before the blue skinned XO.

"And you Commander," the Andorian replied as he stood, a slight bow of the head dismissed the Engineer, the door being held open for him by the young Trill assistant.

And with that Mark left the office and headed straight for Main Engineering with a spring in his step.

(End Log.)

Commander Thelin th'Zarath
Executive Officer

&

Lieutenant Commander Mark Rhodes
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-F