Better Late Than Never?

Posted on Fri Feb 3rd, 2023 @ 5:26pm by Lieutenant Sturgis O'Connell & Ensign Kateyo Fenn

Mission: Character Development
Location: Engineering
826 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Sturgis stood at the center table in the main room of engineering, feeling relieved that the morning briefing had gone well. Maybe even better than expected. There were no questions concerning the former CEO and everyone seemed focused on the task at hand. There was one engineer absent, but he assumed there was a good excuse for that and had plans to track him down as soon as he completed the diagnostic at hand. This transfer might really have been the best, the words flowed through O'Connell's mind right as Teyo walked through the doors.

"Ensign Fenn?" Sturgis asked, vaguely recognizing the man from the profile he had pulled up earlier.

Teyo strolled into engineering without a care in the universe. He spotted the unfamiliar man and wondered if this was the new person who had taken over from Keating. He wasn't as hot as Finn but he wasn't hard on the eye either. "Yes Sir," he responded in his usual carefree manner.

"Everything ok?" Sturgis asked. Clearly, Fenn looked fine, but something must have happened for him to have been the only engineer to arrive to his shift late.

"Aye Sir," Teyo replied a little confused. He wondered what had warranted this special attention he was receiving from the new boss, maybe he liked to check in with everyone on their first shift. Much better than my first interaction with Finn he thought.

"In that case, Ensign, I expect everyone to show up for their shift on time. Team briefings happen in the first ten minutes of every shift and I do not like to repeat myself. Is that understood?" His look had shifted from one of understanding to the expression typically found on uncompromising commanding officers. Sturgis very much believed in holding everyone accountable and there would be no exceptions to that rule.

The latinum dropped. "Oh, that," Teyo said, noticing the tone shift of his new superior. "Sorry Sir. Finn and I had a sort of understanding that I didn't need to attend those, old habits y'know?"

Sturgis found it hard to believe that any CEO would agree to such terms, but either way it didn't matter much now. "Whatever understanding you may have had previously, no longer stands in my department. I'll see you tomorrow at 0600 Ensign. Don't be late."

"Yes Sir," Teyo replied, resisting the urge to salute at the same time. This guy was really spreading his scent everywhere and obviously, the Trill was an easy target. Fill you boots bossman he thought with an edge of sarcasm he dare not share out loud right now. "So what do you want me working on today?" He asked nonchalantly as he picked up one of the PADDs on the workstation.

Sturgis looked directly at Teyo, his face conveyed a stern disposition. "You weren't here for the morning briefing, which means you don't have an assignment. If you don't have an assignment you're of no use to me or this department, Ensign Fenn. So, as I said, I'll see you tomorrow at 0600."

"You're kicking me out of engineering?" Teyo asked, a mixture of surprise, shock, and outrage. He tried to keep a hold of his primal emotions but he could feel them bubbling dangerously to the surface. He was one coolant leak away from a warp core breach and the worst thing was, there was nothing he could do to stop it. "That's a bit extreme, don't you think, Sir?"

"You're dismissed Ensign," was his only reply. Was it extreme? Maybe. Would it send a message? Hopefully. Sturgis returned his attention to the main console and continued work, a clear signal that the conversation was over. Based on the limited interaction he assumed Fenn would be pretty upset, but he hoped that would just fuel a desire to step back in line.

Seed. Spread. Everywhere! Teyo couldn't believe this man was now ignoring him like he was nothing. At least Finn would have fought back, giving him a good what-for. That way he would be able to vent his anger and his frustrations and then they would move on and work would get done. But this guy, turned his back, ending things before Teyo could ramp up to warp. He was so angry it felt as though he were vibrating, just waiting to erupt.

Teyo was torn, usually an unexpected day off would be his dream, but not in this way. The defiant part of his nature made him not want to comply. He wanted to grab a toolkit and start working. That would show him. What would O'Connell do? Physically kick him out? Call security? Report him to the XO? Throw him in the brig? Was it really worth finding out? Teyo decided it wasn't, not if he wanted to keep serving on the Athena. "Sir!" He said glumly as he left engineering, his proverbial tail between his legs.