The Lamb to the Lions' Den

[Akirapryde]

The Lamb to the Lions' Den
Stardate: 53835.4
Chief Engineer's Briefing Room
USS Thunderchild
Chief Engineer Kiera Medart, Engineering Section Chiefs and Lt. Jr. Noonia

It was Lieutenant Jacobson who spoke up next, "Lieutenant Medart?" she said softly yet with a firmness that couldn't be avoided. "Do you have any suggestions?"

Lieutenant Medart barely looked up from her PADD, "huh?" She tapped some more in to her PADD as she continued to focus on what ever was on her PADD.

Once more Lieutenant Jacobson spoke firmly yet with intent, "Lieutenant Medart, shouldn't the Chief of Engineering have a suggestion?"

Lieutenant Medart looked up from her PADD and finally Lieutenant Noonia was able to see what had taken her attention. She was working on mathematical equations on her PADD. Noonia knew his stuff, but even for him this was pretty advanced stuff. He couldn't tell by just the glance he was having but he thought it had something to do with the Warp Engines. But these equations were much more involved than just dealing with the Warp Engines. "I'm sorry" she said with a half distracted voice. "Please repeat what you were saying" she asked to the disappointment of the majority of the table.

To Lieutenant Noonia's surprise, Lieutenant Jacobson didn't seem bothered or upset at the change in situation by Lieutenant Medart. Instead, the veteran lieutenant only restated the issue with the power and fuel lines within the Hanger Deck. She went in to details over what the others had suggested as a fix for the problem and Lieutenant Noonia's concerns over the limiting of power to the Flight and Hanger Decks. Lieutenant Jacobson's recap was both thoughtful and detailed. Lieutenant Noonia was floored by Lieutenant Medart's behavior. She couldn't even keep her focus on what was being said long enough to listen to what was being explained.

During the long, detailed recap, Medart's attention was drawn back to her PADD and those equations. She kept making minor changes to her equations as she was trying to solve for something. But what that something was, was beyond Noonia's guess. If he had any respect for her as a leader, it was clearly being tested now by her own actions.

Lieutenant Medart lifted her head from her PADD looking almost as if she was sick. "Oh my...." she trailed off.

Lieutenant Jacobson tilted her head in surprise, "Lieutenant?"

Lifting herself from her chair, "I....I have to go....." she said turning and starting to head for the door.

It was the slamming of the table by Lieutenant Gray that halted her departure. "What about the power lines within the Hanger Deck? Do we remove them or move them? Damnit Medart, lead your division!"

Lieutenant Medart came to a stop, "Use the transfer lines instead." she said almost as an after thought. She spoke over her shoulder almost as if she was tossing the comment back to appease everyone. The table was completely confused by the off the wall statement. Not even Noonia couldn't see where she was coming from. With a heavy sigh of disappointment Medart turned around and walked back over to Noonia and snatched the PADD from his hand. She put her own PADD under her shoulder and started to work on his PADD.

It was a move that shocked him, "the issue is not the power but the fuel lines. This ship was originally designed to be a Fleet Support Ship during its drawing board days. I should know, we build hundreds of them during the war. Before the last round of modifications which turned this class in to a fully functioning Heavy Cruiser, this ship was designed as a multi role mission ship. One such role was to be disaster relief. Like her sister ships, a pair of transfer lines run from keel to dorsal. These lines tie directly in to the main deuterium tanks aboard our ship. These lines were designed to be used to refuel four ships at a time during disasters. The lines while no longer needed for that role but are still aboard the ship. They run within armored crawl spaces long either side of the Hanger and Flight Deck. It shouldn't take long for the crews to cut in to these armored crawl spaces and tap in to these lines" she explained as she worked on Noonia's PADD.

"By adding emergency cut offs here, here and here" she said making changes to the PADD. "And extra leak sensors along these passages and within these spaces," she continued to explain her plan. "We should not only be able to fulfill the fuel needs of the Hanger Deck but also provide for running refueling operations on the Flight Deck as well. We could use the current pass over lines as EPS conduits to increase the power supply for both the Hanger and the Flight deck" she concluded explaining her idea as she took a few seconds to review what she had created on Noonia's PADD.

She handed back Noonia's PADD for his review. Her plan was bold and used what they already had to not only correct the problem but increase the operational efficiency of the Hanger and Flight Decks. Maybe he was just tired or maybe it was what she was able to do in such a short time. But Noonia was floored once more by this idea. During the amount of time she took to overview her plan, she drafted up a complete set of blue prints and schematics needed for the change. It addressed both the fuel and the power issues of the Hanger and Flight Decks. There was even a time table of when the work could be completed if started today. By her estimation, she predicted that the work could be completed within thirty six hours. She might be the worse Chief Engineer he ever met, but one thing was for sure now. Lieutenant Medart knew her ship and Lieutenant Noonia couldn't deny this.

She nodded to the stunned faces, "Okay, anything else?" she asked than answered before anyone could respond, "no? good. I have....to um go now" she said as she returned her mind to what was distracting it. "Lieutenant Noonia, that was a great suggestion. Once you guys are done here and you go over my idea, why don't you take them to Lieutenant Paxton for her review then take them to the Captain for his approval" she said with this annoying look on her face. She turned to Lieutenant Jacobson, "Tina, you have the meeting. I have to go, um....yeah...." she said as her mind started to wonder once more again. Returning her attention back to her own PADD, she then turned to leave the room. Everyone just watched as she walked out of the room. No one made a sound as the doors hissed open and then closed behind her.

For a long moment, it was if everyone was trying to figure out what just happened. As Lieutenant Noonia turned to face the crowd, it was Lieutenant Jacobson who he took note of. She only leaned back in her chair and smiled at him. She didn't seem all that surprised by what just happened. Once she was sure that she had everyone's attention, Lieutenant Jacobson spoke up. "I believe that brings to rest this issue of fuel and power supply. Lieutenant Noonia, can you please continue with more of your suggestions?"

[Kunanaki]

The Lamb to the Lions' Den
Stardate: 53835.4
Chief Engineer's Briefing Room
USS Thunderchild
Chief Engineer Kiera Medart, Engineering Section Chiefs and Lt. Jr. Noonia

Pinched his nosebridge in between when nobody seemed to be watching. He was trying his best to keep focused on things. Brain felt like mush, so he was just putting his best effort here. Then Lt. Medart came from left field with the best answer possible, and that made Lt. Jr. Noonia smile. A look passed between him and Jacobsen, who seemed to be in the know. Lt. Jr. Noonia was very impressed. She really may not have what it takes to be a head of it all, but her Technical Knowledge was astounding and thorough.

Lt. Noonia used the Momentum, spurred on by a boost of energy and excitement to outlie his idea for a Modular Tractor Beam removal system, using a backup. Shuffling every 50 and easily able to pop it in and out if they put staffing in a Milspec Shop down there. It wouldn't even take that many people, just a dedication towards the primary function of the USS Thunderchilds Flight Deck and Hanger Bay Operations. In this, Noonia took in the reaction of his suggestion carefully, as it was the meat and potatoes. The failure of the front system is part of the reason the accident happened in the first place. That and improper calibrations, which he had gleaned over without any faulting of this or that.

Lt. Jr. Noonia's noted that Lt. Jacobson seemed to have a good head on her shoulder, and also seemed to be supporting him in keeping things on task. With Lt. Medarts suggestion taken down in whole and all credit due, LT. Paxton was sure to be pleased with the easy fix that would give her what she needed.

[Akirapryde]

The Lamb to the Lions' Den
Stardate: 53835.4
Chief Engineer's Briefing Room
USS Thunderchild
Engineering Section Chiefs and Lt. Jr. Noonia

The idea of modifying the Launch & Recovery System to be more modular so that sections of the entire system could be pulled rapidly and easily was larger accepted as a sound idea. To Noonia's surprise the idea had been floated before during refit, however it was Starfleet Engineering Chief at Utopia that had refused to entertain the idea. The reasoning behind the refuse was because Utopia Engineers had never expected the Thunderchild to be deployed in to a combat role. Her mission was to test the technology then return to Utopia for further refits once the systems were fully tested. The current situation was already pushing the limits of those tests. No one within the Engineering section believes that the Thunderchild is ready for combat operations, regardless of what Lieutenant Paxton would like to believe.

The idea of pulling the Launch & Recovery Systems to refit them in to more modular systems passed with little debate. It was Lieutenant Klerkse who suggested that because of the accident, pulling the Forward Systems first as repairs are being conducted would allow them to kill two birds with one stone. By her estimations, they could have the Forward System pulled and modified within four days. The rear L&R System would take a bit longer due to the secondary system in the center of the Flight Deck. The only problem with the plan would be that the entire Launch & Recovery System would have to be taken off line during the refit. That means no combat operations till the refit is over. She made her point clear as she said, "This means that the Captain will have to personally approve this plan before we can act." She paused a moment than added, "I for one will not be telling Paxton that her Hanger and Flight Decks would have to close during this time."

Despite the need of the Captain's approval, the table was largely supportive of the current plans. But that was before the mention of giving up personnel to the Hanger Deck to man their mill shop. This suggestion brought forward the hardest resistance as of yet. Not one section either seemed willing or even acted like they supported the idea of giving up personnel. At one point, the table erupted in to open yelling over who could afford to give up personnel and who couldn't. It took a rather loud and very demanding vocal statement from Lieutenant Jacobson that brought the group of junior officers under control. After retaking her seat, Lieutenant Jacobson leaned back and looked at Noonia, "while your idea has sound justifications. I know that the manning within both Warp Engineering and Impulse Engineering simply can't afford to give up personnel for such a venture. Even if we couldn't do the work here. Which we can, so staffing that Mill Shop is not required. Let me explain why this idea wont work."

She paused a moment before continuing, "Impulse Engineering consists of two main decks on either side of the ship. Split between the two engine rooms, I have only three junior officers. Six Petty Officer and eighteen crewmen. I also have six cadets that are only learning to hone their skills. I have to divide up the work load and these personnel among three shifts. Warp Engineering is in the same boat that I am in. We complained that Engineering was short staffed before we left dry dock. But this is only one reason why this idea won't work. My Engineers are in my section because this is their specialty. This is where they want to be. We have asked before for volunteers to work on the Hanger Deck. No one wants to pull double duty there" she explained.

Leaning forward in her chair she posed this question to Lieutenant Noonia, "tell Lieutenant. If you were Chief Engineer, would it be your order to force your engineers to work in a field that they have no desires. Work for a person that very few can get along with. And to work beside crew members who think that they are better than us. Would this be your order?" She leaned back in her chair once more to allow Lieutenant Noonia to consider her question.

[Kunanaki]

The Lamb to the Lions' Den
Stardate: 53835.4
Chief Engineer's Briefing Room
USS Thunderchild
Engineering Section Chiefs and Lt. Jr. Noonia

Thought of it long and hard. Of course a lot of consideration went into the prior things spoken, but it was true that the manpower was stretched as it was. A hard choice lay before. "We need to bridge the gap between our sections. Unfortunately from what I've experienced, most of the sense of being better comes from a lack of Intership unity. That's really the largest nut that has to be cracked, before we move forward." Noonia stated, since the question was proposed to him. That really was the core of the problem, isolated sections that had horrible interactions with each other.

[Akirapryde]

The Lamb to the Lions' Den
Stardate: 53835.4
Chief Engineer's Briefing Room
USS Thunderchild
Engineering Section Chiefs and Lt. Jr. Noonia

Lieutenant Jacobson nodded as Lieutenant Noonia spoke, it was clear that she was getting what he was saying. Finally once he concluded his statement she finally spoke up, "indeed lieutenant. I am sure you never experienced this during your last assignment but allow me to tell you it was there more likely than not. But it might not have been as noticeable as it is here because like unlike us, there the junior officers were able to bridge the gap" she explained.

She slowly spun in her chair and rose up to her feet there was this look in her eyes as she scanned everyone at the table. She walked over to Noonia, "do you mind?" She asked as she motioned for his PADD. She was polite and waited for him to hand it over to her. "We Lieutenant, as Junior Officers we are expected to take the lead on issues like this." She explained as she took the PADD and walked over to a terminal on the wall. "During the war we had nearly a eighty percent turn over rate. Because of battle losses we were ranked as one of the most dangerous assignments in the entire Ninth Fleet" she said as she recounted the facts of this ships battle record. None of it was news to Noonia, he had already knew the battles that this ship had been part of.

She turned from Noonia as she typed something on the screen while she continued speaking. The whole time her face was hidden from his view, "back then, I was a young bright eyed ensign" she said and paused. She half looked over her shoulder as she nodded to him, "not much like you lieutenant," she said with a smile to him. She turned her attention back to the terminal as she continued, "I remember my first battle. I was assigned to Port Side Impulse Engineering. My engine room took a direct hit by a Jem'Hadar fighter." She paused and looked up to the ceiling. "I remember thinking that this was the end of us. That feeling that there was no hope of survival can be overwhelming. I watched helplessly as nearly half entire section got sucked in to space. I was saved by an armored plating that was lodged in a corridor. It blocked my free fall in to deep space and certain death."

She returned her attention to the terminal on the wall and his PADD. "We were always a brave crew. I guess it just goes with the ship. When a evacuation ship fell under attack, the Captain ordered us to respond even though we had lost almost a third of the crew. That day was far from over despite my near death encounter. I was forced to command the entire port side engine room alone. A pair of security officers" she paused and turned back to the table. She gave a nod to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Pace. "Your previous boss was also there. Five in all" she said turning back to Noonia. "I was the only engineer in charge of the Port Side Impulse Stacks."

She ended what she was doing on the terminal and walked back over to Noonia and handed his PADD back to him. "Moral was always an issue for us" she said softly. "We hated the idea that tomorrow could be our last. So this is how we coped with it. A group of us Junior Officers got together and formed a band. Those who couldn't play helped write songs. Even your hero, Commander Bonham was part of it. He was the lead singer" she said with a smile. "I couldn't play, but I knew how to write songs. There is a video on there. Before the Velos invasion, we transported nearly a thousand marines. Plus more aboard other ships. Captain Campbell, then just a lieutenant, knew that moral was an issue. So what did he do? He pushed the issue till he almost got tossed in the brig. But he got permission for us to hold a concert. The entire Flight Deck was filled with crew members and marines. God what a night. The unity aboard this ship was shaped that day. A unity that wasn't broken till CMO-26."

She started to walk back to her chair, "so lieutenant, the moral of my little story is this. When moral is low don't look to others for answers. Find an answer within your own means. Because as a Junior Officer, we have much more ability to cross departments than anyone else does. We have bridge gaps faster than any action the Captain or XO might take." she said as she reached her chair. "Tell me lieutenant, do you understand what I am saying?"