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

The accident on the flight deck has clearly effected many of the crew. But none as much as Lieutenant Medart, she stood silently by her desk reviewing the notes of the investigation. There had been so much damage, so many were hurt. In private she even gave a bit of a cry over those who suffered. There was a heavy weight on her heart. She had actually had called the meeting for five minutes ago, and she knew that her staff would be waiting on her. But she couldn't bring herself to walk across the hall just yet. There was so much on her mind, so much happened in the past few hours that gave her reason to be concerned.

It was fortunate that no one was killed in the accident, She had heard how admirable Lieutenant Noonia had acted. But now the glory of being heroes had passed and now she had to deal with the aftermath of the accident and the blame game what was on the wind. She hadn't had a chance to get any rest since the accident. She toured the area with members of damage control as she took her own notes of what happened. She spoke with the wounded and listened to eyewitness accounts. Even took a moment to speak to Lieutenant Paxton and offer her regrets over the accident. Kiera's lips curled in sadness as she remembered how the rude woman slapped her across the face. Kiera understood that the Deck Officer didn't like her, but to slap her like this in front of her own officers and members of the medical department was not acceptable. The savage beast didn't even had to manners to say anything. Just slapped her and walked away.

Kira leaned up against the desk slowly as she reviewed the logs of the event. So much happened in such a short period of time and now so much more was going to happen. Now they had to find a path forward. She reviewed the names of her officers that were going to be at today's meeting. She had questions and wanted to hear from everyone over this issue.

CHIEF ENGINEERING OFFICER: Kiera Medart (Human, Lt, NPC)
BRIDGE SECTION: Section Chief: Barclay Aling (Human, Lt, NPC)
WARP ENGINE SECTION: Section Chief: Todd Ottmar (Human, Lt, NPC)
IMPULSE ENGINE SECTION: Section Chief: Tina Jacobson (Human, Lt, NPC)
POWER DISTRIBUTION SECTION: Section Chief: Alesha Klerkse (Human, Lt, NPC)
MAINTENANCE & DAMAGE CONTROL: Section Chief: Ben Gray (Human, Lt, NPC)
TRANSPORTER SECTION: Section Chief: Ainsley Vann (Human, Lt, NPC)
TRACTOR BEAM SECTION: Section Chief: Zachery MacEachern (Human, Lt, NPC)
JANITORIAL SECTION: Section Chief: Carmi Pace (Human, Lt Jr, NPC)

She looked out of the window of her office and saw Lieutenant Noonia waiting on her. She had granted him permission to sit in on her section chief's meeting. The man was neat and clean. She respected that about Noonia. He was a good officer. Showed a level of respect and dedication to his duties that she could appreciate. He showed up right when she asked him to. For the time being she asked him to wait in the corridor while she gathered the last of her things. She hadn't had a chance to inform his section chief that he would be attending and didn't want to surprise anyone. She figured if they walked in together, it would show everyone that he was expected to be there by her invitation.

Still, Noonia's words earlier this morning had stung. IF what he said was true than it meant that there was a serious break down between the two divisions. But at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder if this young junior lieutenant was attempting to make a name for himself with the captain by using this accident to further his own goals. She would have to measure this by his actions during the meeting. Noonia had already caused her some issues after a run in with Commander Bonham over his new placing. She didn't want to have him pulling double duties but the Commander ordered it. The Commander wouldn't explain why he reassigned one of her officers to the Flight Deck. But she suspected that it was by Noonia's own request. Not even a day with his special posting he was back in her office casting accusations. She knew his type and knew that if she was weak in dealing with this situation that she could end up loosing respect in the captain's eyes.

She put down her PADD and took a sip from her new coffee mug as she reviewed her own thoughts of what was going on. She had been warned that Noonia was asking questions and even gave a disrespectful tongue lashing to one of her ensigns over a simple joke. If he wasn't 'in bed' with the Executive Officer, she would have put the junior lieutenant in his place the first time she heard that he was trying to taint the official investigation. She looked once more out of the window and thought about what she would do. No, she knew his type. She had seen them before back on Utopia and knew how to handle them. She would win him over with kindness. Show him that they were all on the same team and that there was no reason that they needed to be at odds with each other. If that didn't work, then she would have to play hard ball.

She reached down and picked up a PADD that held three official reports that were confirmed by witnesses. These reports were from Ensign Jones and another other junior officer and a petty officer who all claimed that they over heard Lieutenant Noonia stating that he was going to lie in attempt to ruin her reputation. She hated the idea of all this. The fact that one of her officers felt so little respect for her that he would actually lie to get at her. She paused a moment looking over the reports with a heavy heart and let out a deep sigh of disappointment. There were mixed feelings as she was grateful that she had such loyal officers like Ensign Jones and his two friends to warn her of Lieutenant Noonia's plans. At first she had been worried about Ensign Jones and some of the other Engineering Crew because of their displeasure with Commander Bonham.

But this act of loyalty proved to her that those fears were misplaced. They came to her with what they heard and expressed their concern for what was going on. Despite their urging to make the report to security, she asked them to make their reports to her before witnesses. It was done by the book except taking this to security or to the Captain. Then again she might bring it up to the captain and seek his advice on how to handle it. That is if she can't win him over. Kiera really didn't want to rock the boat. Not like this, she loved this ship and its mission. She wanted to be everyone's friend. The kind of officer that people come to when they need a friendly ear. The fact that she is the youngest chief engineer in Starfleet only filled her with that much more pride.

"No" she mumbled as she added in her own thoughts, 'I am not going to cut short his promising career. I will show him that we can get along. That we can work together.' She set down the large coffee mug as she walked in to her closest and closed the door behind her. She carefully opened her secure locker. She pulled out a small false backing and hid the PADD within it. "I wont use this unless I really, really, really really have to," she said almost playfully and replaced the false backing. Her heart was filled with happiness over the challenge of turning Mordecai from ravel to best friend. Smiled to herself speaking as she walked from the closest, "Mordecai Noonia you don't know it yet but we are about to become best friends."

She walked across her officer and picked up the PADDs of the investigation and the issues that need to be talked about at today's meeting. She also picked up the mug that Mordicia made for her. She walked the rest of the distance to the door as it opened. She passed through the door with the ease and grace that her mother had taught her. She played this out in her mind nearly a dozen times before that door opened. She would treat him with respect and friendship. Just like that savage down in the hanger deck. She smiled broadly at Mordecai and remembered her mother's words, 'Kindness, Kiera, will win over everyone.' Kiera smiled as she faked slipped thrusting the mug towards Mordicia and laughed as nothing came out. "I love the new mug Mordicia" she said then paused as she placed her fingers over her lips, "I am sorry do you mind if I call you Mordicia or would you prefer Lieutenant Noonia." She smiled softly and friendly towards him.

[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

Knew nothing of the internal debate that Lieutenant Medart was going through right now. He was actually sighing inwardly, as he despised the thought of the engineering division split in the way it was. The rampant disrespect for different cultures, the crude jokes, the endless stabbing. However, in this he felt that the upcoming meeting that he'd be better served listening than attempting to comment. A small smile crossed his lips however, at the arrival of Lieutenant Medart and the faux spillage. The designed cup actually had an Engineering Symbol on it, as he had made it as a thoughtful way of helping her out.

"I'd appreciate it while on Duty if you call me Lieutenant Noonia, Lieutenant Medart." Noonia said respectfully, though he did chuckle a bit. "I'm glad to see my design works." Then he'd quietly shift. Noonia had before this meeting sent an unedited copy of his findings to Commander Bonham, with the disclosure that he'd wish somebody would double check his own investigation and see if he was biased. Triple checking his work was a habit, and he knew that Subjectively he was closely involved. In this way, both of his supervisors were in the know. It was a way to cover his bases, though he had been quite distraught at the information of the lack of submitting time sensitive documentation to the Captain.

Mordecai Noonia stood by to be lead by Medart, as she was the ranking officer and thus he gave her every courtesy. It was frustrating being torn between two sections as he was, but such is how things were on a Ship that Lacked proper manpower. He had heard and read about the CV #1, or USS Langley. It was quite a similiar situation from his research. It was also a historical attachment that he had given Commander Bonham, but more of a Trump Card otherwise.

Lieutenant Medart was friendly today, but it seemed almost forced with her behaviour. A suspicious thing indeed, however having compiled all of his information besides this upcoming meeting, he was feeling rather good. It was a way for all of the facts to be presented together, unifying the Engineering section. A warm smile crossed his lips when he grasped that thought, knowing that his good working relationship with his fellow Engineers mattered to more than him. Having done a little research, Mordecai Noonia knew what the Ensign was talking about. Though he didn't quite understand what Paxton's rank worked quite, as she wasn't officially a part of the Federation.

[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

Medart nodded, "oh of course. I was reviewing your personnel file. Served aboard the USS Potluck. Your record with them is pretty good." She said as she took a friendly seat near him. "I know we got off on the wrong foot and I mean the change that." She returned her attention to his service record. "This morning over breakfast I was looking over your warp field modifications that you played with on the Potluck. The work is impressive. The engines down here are much more complex than those aboard the Potluck."

She scrolled through his file, "it says you requested this assignment. You are one of fifteen in the entire division that actually requested to be here." She smiled as looked at him and added, "something we both have in common." 

She returned her attention back to his file. "you came aboard at Starbase 74. That explains why we haven't had a chance to sit down and talk." She almost giggled, "well on a more personal level. I mean you have only been aboard for Just over twenty four hours."

She nodded putting the PADD away as she continued to smiled as she thought 'that's right Kiera, show him that his personal history matters to you. Show him that he is a person in your eyes.' While her mind was thinking over her friend winning strategy, she remained silent to give him a chance to speak to her on a personal level.

Once he had finished his thoughts she rose up, "Well Lieutenant" she said making sure to put emphasis on the lieutenant while maintaining that playfulness in her voice. "Shall we join the section chiefs?"

[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

Mordecai thought on this conversation, and it was rather telling of what was going to be happening in the upcoming meeting. Already Medart was undercutting his accomplishments by stating that it simply didn't measure up to the current Engines. Non-withstanding that he was an Engineer that had requested this assignment, like she had. Yet it was the manner of how she was speaking rather then what she was saying that had him put off.

However, Mordecai was easily capable of swallowing the physical aspects of unease. Instead of showing what he knew in counter to what she knew, he nodded his head and realized that she really didn't care. After all, if she did, then it'd be a conversation rather than a dictation of facts. Noonia realized that it was a rather short period of time that he had been on the ship. Double shift already. Things moved at an unreasonable pace on this particular ship.

Lieutenant Noonia nodded. "It will be a nice thing to meet them. I rather hope that my investigation didn't put off Damage & Control." In truth, Noonia did hope that. However the shortness of his time aboard the ship really did show a complete and utter lack of Morale. Medart was a sycophant through and through. The Engineering Section was stepping all over her leadership. His prior experience of all the lovely flavours of Officer aboard his last ship gave him awareness of how to deal with them. "I just felt so helpless watching it all happen, I wanted to find answers." A genuine glimpse of his frustration.

[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

Lieutenant Madart motioned for Noonia to follow her in to the briefing room. In her mind, all she could think was 'Oh My God!' as her heart raced. She wanted so much for everyone to respect and like her. After all, this was her own staff. Unlike on Utopia Yards, here everyone looked to her for leadership and knowledge. She would be that leader that others wanted her to be. She smiled as she gracefully walked for the door regardless of the turmoil that was in her heart and mind.

Like as her mother used to say, 'put forward a good face Kiera, and all will respect that.' With a smile on her face and a glimmer in her eye she led the way in to the near by room. "Good morning everyone" she said with a slight bounce in her step. 'Everyone will see me for the leader I am' she thought with pride. She motioned behind her to Lieutenant Noonia, "Some of you might have already met him, but this is Lieutenant Junior Grade, Mordicia Noonia. I asked him to join us because I think he has some really good ideas that we should at least hear" she said as she introduced Lieutenant Noonia.

There was no hint of anything besides the happiness that she wanted to put forward. She ignored the rolling of the eyes and even the sighs from some of her Section Chiefs. In her mind, she excused the behavior due to her being late to her own meeting. After all, she did call the meeting and she did show up late. She didn't blame them for their actions, she should have been on time. She decided to address that, "I am sorry I running late. Thank you for waiting for me" she added as they entered the room. Her mother had always ensured that Kiera was on time for everything. Being late was not dignified. Her mother's warning always rang clear to her. 'Be concerned with what others think of you. For they will judge you harsher than you will judge yourself.'

Like a high school class president she worked the room speaking with her Section Chiefs and asking how they were doing. She knew personnel details that really didn't have much place in such a meeting. Still she spoke to them on a personal level. She acted more like a high school senior trying to win votes for prom queen. Aside from Mordicia, most of her section chiefs were more than ten years older than her. It was a well known fact that Lieutenant Kiera Medart was the youngest Lieutenant to hold the position of Chief Engineer in Starfleet.

However for her section chiefs, All of them wore their faces like masks just over the complete contentment they felt for the bubbly headed woman before them. Kiera didn't make any sign that she saw through their mask or even acknowledged that she cared about their true feelings. For Kiera, these were the core of her Division and they were all happy, shaking her hand and speaking pleasantly with her. To her face, they were all pleasant and greeted her with a professional attributed but that was the extent of their acceptance of her.

Of the entire room, Mordicia only knew Lieutenant Barclay Aling personally. The man was by far the oldest Lieutenant Mordicia had ever met. The man was actually retiring in nine months after a long and hardly eventful service with Starfleet. Mordicia knew that Lieutenant Aling was embittered because his planned retirement was pushed back one and a half years to fill an empty posting aboard the Thunderchild. The man knew his stuff but simply was not in the mood or couldn't be bothered to teach. Mordicia was lucky enough to get a duty roster from the man let alone any real detailed training on the post or the responsibilities that would be expected of them. Aling pushed that off on to Ensign Jain.

Ensign Jain who had been a God Send to Mordicia. She had taken the time to explain everything Mordicia needed to know about the Thunderchild and its complex split bridge operations. The fact that Command and Control was split between Flight Operations and the Bridge made manning the bridge post more complex than Mordicia had first expected. Not close to be considered a leader in her field, she never stopped reading and expanding her understandings of the systems aboard the ship. Despite his short tenure aboard the ship, he knew without doubt that Ensign Jain was one of those officers that cared about her duties and fellow shipmates. Similar Mordicia, Ensign Jain had only come a board just a short period before the Thunderchild left dry dock.

Unlike Ensign Jain, as Mordicia looked around this room he didn't see that same level of passion from some of these officers. He looked at Lieutenant Todd Ottmar, the man in charge of the warp engine room. He was the first one to greet Lieutenant Medart and the first one to speak about her once she was out of ear shot. He mentioned to a nearby officer that this was going to be another bubble meeting. The two laughed off the joke about Medart. Lieutenant Tina Jacobson who was in charge of the two impulse engine rooms aboard the ship. She set across from Lieutenant Medart and actually pulled out a PADD to take notes of the meeting. Lieutenant Jacobson was one of the few in Engineering who had been aboard prior to the refit. A seasoned officer, Lieutenant Jacobson was most likely Medart's only truly loyal officer in the room.

Lieutenants Alesha Klerkse from Power Distribution and Zachery MacEachern from Tractor Beam Section were well known for their love affair. Here in this meeting, they made no attempt to hide their playful behavior towards each other while Medart was speaking to other officers. The next officer to be evaluated by Mordicia, was Lieutenant Ben Gray. He actually surprised Mordicia but moving his seat to ensure that he would sit next to Lieutenant Noonia. Lieutenant Ben Gray was from Maintenance & Damage Control. There was a look in the man's eyes as he set down. Sure there were the normal pleasantries, but if anyone would be a critic it would be Lieutenant Gray. Finishing up with the group were Lieutenant Ainsley Vann and Lieutenant Junior Grade Carmi Pace from Transporter Section and the Janitorial Staff. Both officers showed the same level of respect as those of Lieutenant Jacobson as they prepared for the meeting in silence.

Lieutenant Medart walked around the table as she took in a deep breath and summoned up her inner strength. 'They respect you Kiera because you respect yourself' she thought with a smile on her face. "Okay everyone, let us begin" she said softly but not everyone had been listening. "Okay guys" she said a again this time a bit louder then repeated again, "Let us please begin". She looked around the room and saw that she finally had their attention. "Okay so before we begin. I want to make it clear. I don't care about finger pointing. I have already reviewed the facts. I will not have finger pointing like what happened two months again when we had a similar failure on the flight deck. Back then, that behavior didn't get us anywhere. So I will not allow us to be drawn in to a disagreement with Flight Operations again. The facts are pretty clear to me. We had equipment failure and some safety protocols were not followed." She said than took in a deep breath, "This time however people got hurt." Her heart was actually sad to the point of nearly crying. That was, if she would ever allow anyone to see her cry.

She paused a moment then realized that she forgot part of her preplanned speech. Correcting herself, "I am sure that the Captain doesn't care about who did or didn't do what. I am sure he will want to hear from us how we are going to correct the issues which led to this tragic accident." She paused once more as she scanned the room. She knew that they wouldn't like this. The last time this happened everyone wanted to claim that the fault was with how the Flight Deck was conducting its operations. She hated those meetings following that accident. There was so much yelling at her and at each other.

She wanted to avoid that this time. "Okay so with all that said. I want you to greet Mr. Non'ah" she misspoke his name and caught it just as it slipped her lips. She gasped as she brought herself to silence by placing her hand over her mouth. There was terror in her eyes as she looked in to Mordicia's eyes. "Oh my god, I am so sorry" she said with heartfelt horror for her silly mistake. "Mr. Noonia. Please greet Mr. Noonia with the same respect you would with me."

She motioned for Mr. Noonia to take his place at the center of the table while she took her seat to listen. 'Damnit Kiera!' she cursed herself. 'You really won him over with your kindness, Kiera. Way to go, girl.' she continued to mentally punish herself. Under the table where no one could see, she dug her finger nails deep in to her flesh as she punished herself over the slip of her tongue. Her uniform would prevent anyone from noticing the self punishment. Outwardly, there was a smile on her face and she listened to each word Mordicia said with baited anticipation. After all in her mind she remembered, 'put forward a good face Kiera, and all will respect that.'

[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

Inwardly felt rebuffed by his own Leader. Not only did it take a lot for him to admit that in front of anybody, but she had brushed it off without even acknowledging the comment. It honestly hurt, yet the man swallowed the pain and put on his professional mask. Noonia felt ragged. A brisk shower and change of clothes as well as a shave. Followed up by some Recaff and he was feeling froggy.

Upon entering, there was some mingling. In that time, Noonia got to get some face to face with the Section Leads. His prior experience on a ship served him greatly now. Tone was firm, but soft spoken as usual. Introductions were crisp and pleasant enough. There was even a small amount of genuine talking and bonding.

Of course all of that ended when the meeting officially started. During the time spent with conversation, he got to get a measure of the body language and eye contact of each. There was also a genuine disdain of Lieutenant Medart here by most of the Section Leads. Which was bad news!

What was this? An event that happened two months ago? Mordecai didn't hear about any of this in the official report. It didn't even mesh with Commander Bonham's event. Lieutenant Medart looked close to tears, which was wrecking her persona of leadership.

Then of course there was the pointing out of his name which had him frozen. Of course the woman corrected herself of his name, but Noonia only kept his visage neutral with a slight nod if she looked at him. The request was for his advice, but he wasn't foolish enough to be percieved as a huge upstart by spouting off at the mouth. As horrifying as it was, he had a fresh slate here.

After the generic greeting, Noonia would get to it but in a manner of suggestion rather than dictation. Not to be seen as a weak face, but also not as if talking down to these experienced heads of different sections. His first recommendation was that all equipment have a proper reference manual, and that each manual used only for that piece of equipment.

After the suggestion, Noonia waited. It was a polling of the room, a small and good suggestion that Engineers could appreciate. Nothing more or less than that. This was more a way to break the ice with competency.

[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

The group didn't seem all to happy to listen to the suggestions of this junior officer with less then a week aboard the ship. However he had the backing by the Chief Engineer and this ensured their silence and more importantly, their attention. As Lieutenant Noonia laid out his plan for proper manuals, no one seemed to find question with the plan over all. But what bothered the most was their lack of engagement as he ended his suggestion and searched the group for comments.

Any comment would have been welcomed, but they just set there watching him. For a long moment they seemed to soak in what Lieutenant Noonia had said. As the time ticked away, some started to turn to their PADDs and take short notes. Kiera wanted so badly to speak up but she knew this group. If she jumped right in and started to back the plan, some would join while others would only half heartily play along. She wanted to say something, but she was also worried that some of her chiefs wouldn't like the idea. She didn't really want to make waves so early in the meeting. Luckily, the silence would be broken.

It was Lieutenant Jacobson who first spoke up, "We have made a number of changes to the Impulse Manifolds that were not part of the original specs when they were installed about five months ago. I can see how our manuals would be considered out of date," she said as she made a note in her PADD. It was clear that the suggestion was taken in terms of their manuals being out of date due to modifications done to the ship. "While my entire core staff were part of those modifications, some newer engineers that came aboard at Starbase 74 were not aware of these changes. The manuals don't reflect them. So I can see how this could cause issues during a crisis. Also I think the current crisis has prevented us from really training up the new engineers on those modifications."

It was Lieutenant Junior Grade Carmi Pace who spoke up next. "You know, I don't think there is any manuals for cleaning up bio-waste. Sure most of you would expect my staff to carry out our duties. After all, this is what we were trained to do. But what if we were not available to clean up said mess. Lets say so to speak, there is a bio-waste hazard in one of the engineering sections. The library doesn't hold any actually sound information as to how to clean up such a mess. I can have my people draft up a step by step procedure for a wide range of possible situations that would normally be expected to be handled by us. This way if we are not available waste disposal protocols can be followed."

Lieutenant Medart gave a slight clap as she heard the up take in conversation over the manuals. "That is a grand suggestion Lieutenant Pace. I will be eager to read those planned procedures. Also I can work with Lieutenant Ottmar to draft up updates to our warp engine manuals as well." She turned to Lieutenant Ottmar, "I think we made more than two dozen changes to the warp engines within what a week of them being installed?"

There was laughter around the table as Lieutenant Ottmar nodded, "At least Lieutenant." If anyone noticed the slight disrespect in his voice towards his boss, no one said anything or made note of it. "I think the vendors of the engine wouldn't recognize their own engine anymore."

Lieutenant Medart smiled as she turned to face the rest of the table, "We have pulled just about every bit of power that is possible out of that engine." The lightness of her voice carried over the table and caused others to quickly open up as well.

Within moments the entire table was buzzing with talks of how their section could come up with updates to minor changes here and there. Each section was communicating about this change and that change and how to be more clear in updating the manuals aboard the ship. Since the ship's near complete overhaul, it was clear that each major system had been modified in one aspect or another. Lieutenant Medart even tossed out the suggestion to hold workshops across the entire division where engineers could have hands on lessons regarding these modifications by those who created them and why these modifications were required to be made.

With a smile on her face, Medart turned to Lieutenant Noonia, "It is a positive step forward Lieutenant," she said. However it was the way she ended her statement that seemed to bring question to Lieutenant Noonia's mind. The way she raised her voice just slightly to suggest that she was stating a question rather than making a statement. It was a strange way to hear a supervisor speak and through Lieutenant Noonia off just a bit. The best way he could describe it in his mind was that bubble headed means of talking where every statement was posed in such a way to sound like maybe it was a question and not a statement. She patted him on the back as she added, "Lieutenant I know you have more. Please continue."

[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

Ended his sentence and waited quietly. It was the moment of truth. Who would break first? Would it be the young lieutenant Noonia, or the seasoned chiefs? The suggestion wasn't stupid, and he was an engineer that cared about learning. These were the supposed masters of their craft, or the best that was available. Without passing the lore down to the new Engineers, it was useless to even have them on the same deck after all!

Finally there was a rumble of conversation and ideas being tossed around. That made Noonia somewhat warm internally, as it was the truism of Engineering! Laughter even was shared, and talking was buzzing around. The Suggestion that Medart had was wonderfully brilliant in it's own right, as it meshed with his earlier thoughts on the crew being trained in that manner. He was a bit tired, but focused in on how Medart seemed almost planitive with the questioning tone. As if it was good, but not quite good enough. So Noonia waited respectfully for the Chiefs to die down in conversation, before outlining the next thing.

The fuel lines that extended on the aft of the ship in the flight deck was perilously close to a secondary support system. Thankfully, a bit of foresight had placed a thick wall of steel over that area. There was no damning, or pointing fingers here. He even avoided stating who erected it. Just that he recommended shifting the Fuel Lines so that future accidents wouldn't compromise the integrity of the ship. He outlined his idea, and then polled the room for thoughts. The Milspec shop only cursory entered into the mention at the moment. Mordecai Noonia was forming up to be an apt inner section politician with the manner of which he brought up things and pointed out the need.

[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

As they all fell silent once more to hear what other suggestions that Lieutenant Noonia had, once more all eyes fell upon on the young Lieutenant. As he explained the fuel lines within the hanger deck, there came the first of the resistance around the table. It was Lieutenants Alesha Klerkse of Power Distribution that spoke up this time, "With all due respect. During the refit, those fuels used to run alone along the ceiling of the hanger deck. They were part of the original design. It was only because of the desires of Flight Operations to have increased back up power fed to the Flight Deck itself is the reason why those two sets of lines run so closely together. It wasn't foresight that prevented a worse situation. I had advised Flight Operations that we couldn't provide the power they wanted without the new EPS Conduits. I told them that this was a risk when they first suggested these modifications. So it was by ignoring my foresight that created a potential situation that could have been much worse. If you ask me, we rip out those extra power lines."

All eyes now shifted across the table as they readied to enter in to another part of the conversation. Lieutenant Medart didn't bother to speak up as during this moment. Instead her attention had been taken from the meeting by her PADD and something on it. She allowed the others to speak freely as she seem too preoccupied to even look up or pay attention. However Lieutenant Ben Gray of Maintenance & Damage Control was more than willing to speak up, "I can't tell you guy how many times I have warned them about their fuel handling procedures," he said to a table full of nodding heads. "They actually wanted, no demanded, fuel lines fed up through the ceiling so that they can conduct refueling operations on the Flight Deck as well as in the Hanger Deck." He said then turned his attention to Lieutenant Noonia, "You don't understand how those people think up there. After just a few times speaking with that Lieutenant Paxton, one would think that this whole ship revolves around her and her people."

Lieutenant Ottmar raised the stakes with, "Why don't we just pull out the extra EPS Conduits and this would resolve the entire issue. Or can we even move the fuel lines to somewhere else on the ceiling?"

"Removing the extra power would not be advisable" warned Lieutenant Zachery MacEachern from Tractor Beam Section. "To meet the demands that Flight Operations is placing on their launch and recovery systems, we need the extra power there. So unless anyone wants to go toe to toe with Flight Operations about cutting the demands of THEIR operations, removing the power lines simply wont be a wise idea."

Lieutenants Alesha Klerkse from Power Distribution spoke up once more, "That whole ceiling is line with power lines for nearly a hundred systems that are mission critical for Flight Deck operations. When the area was laid out, we made sure that the fuel lines ran alone for this very reason. However after their Combat Simulation Test and their demands for more power, both primary and back up, this situation was created. The only lines that are not critical are those extra ESP Conduits. Flight Operations are simply going to have to bite the bullet on this issue and give in a bit. They are being completely unreasonable in insisting that we continue to provide power at their current levels. I told them that those extra lines would cause us problems. The drain on the systems as it now, is already pushing our distribution systems to their peak."

Lieutenants Klerkse looked down and gave a moment of thought before adding, "as for moving the fuel lines within the hanger deck. Where could we move them? That whole space is maxed out with power lines for this system or that. Hell, you ask me the entire Hanger Deck was poorly laid out in the first place. We might want to consider a recommendation to Starfleet Engineering Corps that the whole idea be rethought. Maybe even a recall back to Utopia for added worked on the Hanger Deck." As the table engages in the conversation of poor design of the Hanger Deck and even giving up on the idea of Flight Operations as a whole, Lieutenant Medart seemed to be completely distracted with her PADD. She had pulled out a second PADD and appeared to be writing down some notes from one to the other. There was no emotion on her face as her eyes scanned over the information on the PADD.

[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

LT. Jr. Noonia Cautioned against that, citing the backup power needed to run the systems. Also stating that the current power output is well within it's parameters, it just requires a rewiring to prevent failure which happened when the Fire Suppression System failed to go off. It was stated respectfully, with a chart of the power with and without the additional system as it was at the moment. They simply would fail in wartime operations.

As always, he tried to keep his idea short and sweet, due to the fact that he was tired and was feeling it. Noonia longingly looked at the machine that would make him glorious recaff. Bed was calling him in. Noonia knew his own limits, and had yet to truly reach his failing point.