The Lamb to the Lions' Den

[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.