A Second Attempt

Posted on Wed May 14th, 2025 @ 7:51pm by Lieutenant Commander Finnley Keating VII & Lieutenant Commander Savin & Ensign Kateyo Fenn

Mission: Character Development
Location: Engineering
1488 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

Engineering remained a place he didn't visit often and it was somewhat of a mysterious place. At least to the counselor because like OPS, it was a field he had precious little knowledge in. However, with his attempts to master the bridge exam, he also felt he needed to learn more about what made the ship go.

Approaching the CEOs office, he knocked on the door frame to draw Finns attention. "Commander... do you have a moment, or should I come back later?" He smiled politely. "I promise, I am not here for a counseling session though I cannot guarantee that stays that way. But I will....try."

Finn looked up from the data she was scouring through. A mix of maintenance logs, current mission status reports on the back up plan and some data she'd been trying to pull to help Fenn with his side project. Usually, she'd be annoyed at the interruption, but she assumed Savin had come with an engineering request. She quirked an eyebrow inquisitively. "More trouble with the alert system in your quarters?"

"No ma'am, the alert system works well. I was hoping to learn a few basic engineering skills. Perhaps of use when in the field? And perhaps basic knowledge about our engines, and how to use our systems to our advantage when in combat?" It was a lot to ask, but he was keen to learn something new.

Her curious look only deepened. "You know we have engineering training modules in the holodeck right? Why come here?"

"Yes, I am aware," Saving acknowledged, "but i was hoping to spend some time with you. Preferably not in a counseling setting, but in an educational one instead. You are aware, that I am trying to complete the bridge exam, so that I may also take rotations on the bridge?"

"I wasn't aware, but good for you," she said simply. "Why me?" Finn was almost immediately suspicious. "I mean, no offense but you don't typically just walk into the chief of engineering's office and ask them to teach you something. Most people use the holodeck trainers and if they don't do that they make an appointment with one of the engineering teams for hands on learning. I can't say I've had a non-engineer come in my office looking for a learning opportunity..." It sure seemed like a counseling set up to her, which she was absolutely not in the mood for. Not that she was ever in the mood for counseling.

"Because I trust you. And I did ask if I should come back later..." This certainly wasn't going well, which to him felt like he really should head out more more often. He hesitated, already taking a step back towards the door. "I cannot sense a holodeck trainer," he added, "I need someone... corporeal to assist me. And as I said, I trust you." Though of course there were others too and if she wished to assign someone else that was acceptable as well, but he was looking to engage the chief engineer, in a capacity that wasn't a medical situation.

"Ok..." Finn's eyes still gave him a wary once over. This definitely felt weird, but from a stance of principal she hated to turn anyone away simply for wanting to learn. There was a decent pause before she spoke again. "What do you want to learn then?"

Patient as ever, Savin waited for her to continue and he gave her question serious thought. "Efficient power distribution between the cores may be useful to know," he started, "but also which systems to best use when power needs rerouting. Which systems can be shut down and which are absolutely essential to keep online?"

"Power distribution is more an ops thing. I can tell you how to realign magnetic constrictors, patching coolant leaks, warp field stress, plasma injectors...you get the gist. If you're interested in power distribution, I can tell you what I know but have you talked to Lieutenant Leiko?

Slowly, the Romulan nodded. "I tried," he offered hesitantly, "warp field stress seems useful information, I do not know what a magnetic constrictor does and being able to assist with patchwork does seem a useful thing to do?" He sighed softly, though visibly. "I need to know more to be able to help, to be able to anticipate if and when I get a chance at bridge duty. And not be in the way in case I can assist, outside a medical scenario."

"I imagine that went swimmingly," Finn muttered under her breath. Xavier had been on edge lately. He thought he was hiding it, but she'd seen it and he could be about as defense as she typically was when someone came around wanting to talk, even worse if it interrupted work. "Well...I'll assume you took some basic engineering courses so..." she rubbed the back of her neck, thinking it might help her to figure out where to take this impromptu lesson. "Have you ever had an actual full tour of engineering? Maybe we can start there and you can note what piques your interest from there?"

His expression seemed to brighten a little now that he wasn't turned away. Her mutter went unnoticed and unanswered, however. "Basic engineering, at the academy," he confirmed with a quiet nod. "And no, you never did show me around engineering before. I would very much like a tour, if you have the time and if you are willing."

"I'll be entirely honest with you Commander. I don't have the time, at least not now, not in the middle of a mission, but I can assign you someone to show you the ropes. You take the tour, tell me what interests you the most and then we'll set up some learning from there. Deal?" She already had the perfect engineer in mind for the tour, plus it meant she'd get her office back to herself at least for the day. After that it would at least be a scheduled interruption, which was a lot easier to handle than unscheduled ones.

"I expect nothing but honesty from you Finn," Savin smiled, though he wasn't entirely able to hide his disappointment "Yes your proposal is acceptable, I did state it was depending on you having time and I had considered being assigned someone else." Even though he had preferred it to be Finn. "When should I return?"

Finn stood from the desk and tapped her combadge. "Ensign Fenn, please report to my office." Then she looked at Savin. "I assume now is a good time since you're already here?"

"If it is convenient to Ensign Fenn, of course. I do have time or I would not have come down." Savin nodded to affirm his words. She was right he was here, but she could've sent him away, which she hadn't. "Thank you commander."

Teyo entered the office but stopped short when he saw the ship's counsellor waiting there too. Was this about what he had said to her during their work on the emergency protocol systems? "You wanted to see me, Sir?" He asked, standing a little straighter, his arms behind his back.

"Commander Savin here came in asking to learn more about engineering. I was hoping you might give him a quick tour. I'd do it myself but I'm digging up data," she gave him a look that said 'please get him out of my office so I can finish my work grabbing more data for your side project'.

Finn posed her request as though he had a choice, but Teyo knew this was a polite order and not one the Trill was willing to fight. "Aye, aye," he said, mustering as much cheer as possible. "Did you want to start now?" He asked, turning towards the counsellor.

Sensing the cheer was a farçe, Savin smiled politely. "If you please," he suggested pleasantly, "I have only basic engineering skills, I would like to expand, so I can be of better service during an emergency. Be it on the bridge, or elsewhere. I may as well try to be useful, when not having scheduled patients. Where would you propose we start?" He cast Finn a polite but grateful look as well. "Thank you commander."

"The warp core is as good as any," Teyo said, wondering how quickly he could bore the counsellor, so he gave up on this whole idea. "It's the heart of any starship, and it's right out there." He pointed to outside the office, knowing that Commander Keating was itching to get back to work. "After you, Sir."

"Emphasis on 'short' tour," Finn said as they walked towards the door. "I need Ensign Fenn back working on the plasma injectors before too long." She Teyo a look that said 'I owe you one' before crossing the distance back to her desk and digging back into her research.