Fancy a challenge?

Posted on Tue Feb 16th, 2021 @ 3:32pm by Captain Jack Solomon & Lieutenant Percy McWire

754 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 109 - The Dust Settles
Location: USS Ark Royal-A, Starbase 400 dock
Timeline: MD2 1430 hrs

Jack was sat at his desk in the Ready Room aboard the USS Ark Royal-A, where the crew were already preparing the Vesta Class starship for her next voyage out to Earth.

Having cleared the voyage with Admiral Bremer, Jack knew that there were two reasons for this taking place now. With the Alliance now back in control, it meant that things were almost going back to normal and that allowed for exploration as well as guard duty to take place in the ara where SB400 presided.

The Admiral agreed that this was as good a time as ever to shake down the new vessel now that she was in full service as Commander Solomon's support vessel and a voyage to Earth would also give the crew on board a chance to make sure all systems were as they should be.

It also meant as well that both Jack and Deela could finally take the chance to do what they had been planing for so long now: they could finally get married and also have the kids there with them. They'd been trying before War broke out and this has denied them the chance to tie the knot.

Jack had requested Admiral Bremer that he wanted to give Ensign McWire the chance to lead the Engineering team on the Ark Royal A and see how the young officer would cope with being a department head on board a starship.

Jack was reading several reports as he waited for Ensign McWire to report on board.

As soon as Percy got the assignment to report for duty onboard the Ark Royal A from Commander Solomon, he went on his way to meet with the Commander.

He soon arrived at the docking bay where the ship was docked and stepped inside.
Once onboard he went straight to Cmdr. Solomon’s office to report for duty. As he arrived at the doors he then pressed the chime and waited for a response to come in.

"Come in," Jack said as he heard the chime. Looking up, he saw Ensign McWire walk in.

"Ah, Ensign, good, please come in and take a seat, I have a new assignment for you, as per request from Admiral Bremer," Jack said. He got up from behind his desk to greet McWire.

"Thank you Commander", Percy responded to the warm greeting from the Commander.

"May I ask what assignment you have in mind for me, Sir," he asked. He was eager to find it out, he was keeping his posture and kept calm, he wondered what it could be.

"An excellent question, Ensign, and I won't keep you in suspense either about it, " Jack said. "I want you to be my Chief of engineering whilst we're on this Shakedown cruise, making sure that all work is kept to the expected standard and that you get the chance to get some experience as a senior officer."

Jack handed the PADD he had set up for the Ensign for this new assignment. "When I was an Ensign back in my early career, I got thrown in the deep end as Chief of Operations on the USS Wildcat, however, I know that not all junior officers get this chance, so embrace it with open arms and show me what you can do. Fancy a challenge?" Jack offered after his explanation.

"Of course Sir. I am up for a challenge," Percy answered with a grin on his face.
"Thank you for your trust in me, Sir," he said "This assignment will help me grow and gain experience." he thought. "I am ready for duty, Sir, " he said, already feeling the weight of this assignment, he was ready to step up to it. He also felt honoured for the trust the Commander has given him.

"Very good Ensign, well, don't let me hold you up any further. Assume your duties as Chief Engineer and make sure that the ship is ready to leave as soon as possible," Jack ordered as he returned to behind his desk. "If there is nothing further, you are dismissed."

"Thank you, Sir. I‘ll get the ship ready for departure," Percy replied. He then turned around and left the office of the Commander. He headed straight to the main Engineering to fill his position as the Chief of Engineering.

As he watched Percy leave, Jack felt pride in seeing how the young officer had reacted to his assignment and was happy for giving one of the junior officers a chance to learn more.

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