A determined engineer

Posted on Wed Nov 8th, 2023 @ 1:14am by Commander Sarah Rodgers & Lieutenant JG Aubrey Miller
Edited on on Wed Nov 8th, 2023 @ 11:26am

1,424 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 118 - "It's About Family"
Location: USS Falcon
Timeline: MD 1 23:00 hrs

USS Falcon - Engineering Department

Aubrey was hard at work, she was driven to make the USS Falcon back to one hundred percent, maybe even better. It was her baby and she didn't care what anyone thought.

Sam had been helping as well as others. She had seen him earlier taking a break with an officer but hadn’t stopped to even say hello. She just grabbed more coffee and went to work. It was like a driving mission to put her back together. Aubrey smiled to herself, she had always referred to the Falcon as a female. She was strong and never gave up but at the same time she had a kind and loving heart. It took an engineer to understand the ship and its engines.

Aubrey reached out and grabbed the tool she needed and tightened the part. Once she was finished she scanned the area and smiled to herself. Grabbing the panel, she put it back in place and made sure it was securely attached.

As she stood up, she stretched as she yawned. Aubrey walked over to where her coffee sat and took a drink, wincing at the cold taste. It had been hours since she had replicated it. That had been her first repairs so they could eat and drink without having to leave the ship.

Checking the time, Aubrey was surprised at how late it was. The days were jumbled together, Dustin had been called to help somewhere on the base for a couple days. She couldn’t remember if it was today or tomorrow he was returning.

Last night, Aubrey had gotten home late and left early grabbing two to three hours sleep at the most. She would head home in a bit, she wanted to work on one more panel, things were beginning to take shape and she was hoping to have some kind of time table for when she would be operational.

Aubrey picked up the sandwich and ate it, regardless of it having sat there for a while. She was hungry and didn’t feel like taking the time to go replicate a new one. Time was valuable. Finishing off her coffee, she looked around and decided where best to work next. Gathering some new parts that had been delivered earlier, Aubrey stretched once more and then went back to work. She had a few more hours and then she would head home to Dustin. Aubrey needed to get a good nights sleep in his arms.

USS Falcon various areas

Captain Sarah Rodgers walked towards the USS Falcon. She had seen the destruction a few times already but it still hit her hard when she caught first sight of it. This time, she was at least encouraged as she was starting to come back to life.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Aubrey Miller was her reason for being here so late at night. Dustin had been trying to reach his girlfriend to let her know he would be home tonight and apparently, Aubrey had laid it down while she was working and wasn’t answering it. That came as no surprise to Sarah. They didn’t come more dedicated and hardworking than Aubrey. She was serious about protecting the crew and managed to find power whenever Captain Bagwell needed it.

Sarah smiled to herself. He was no longer their captain. Zeke was a marine colonel and the Falcon was hers now. Sarah was so honored by the faith he had had in her when he recommended her to replace him as the captain. Sarah thought his shoes were going to be pretty big to fill.

She stopped on the bridge and ran into a couple engineers that had been assigned to help. With all the destruction they had been fortunate they had these two. They were going to be needed elsewhere soon but Sarah was grateful for their work. She asked them if they had seen Chief Engineer Miller and they said she had chased them out of engineering earlier. That came as no surprise to Sarah. Aubrey was very picky about who worked on her engines.

Sarah headed in that direction. She held a cup holder in one hand with two cups of specialized coffee. Aubrey liked German Chocolate Coffee with salted caramel cream. It was an addiction she wasn’t will long to part with.

Sarah walked into Engineering and she didn’t didn’t have to look for Aubrey, she could hear her mumbling to herself. Sarah smiled widely as she was certain Aubrey was cussing out their attackers again. When this has first happened she was all for hunting them down. Even though Aubrey and turned her anger and energy into fixing the Falcon, Sarah wouldn’t leave her alone for a second with any of them.

Sarah stopped next to Aubrey and waited for her to look up. Aubrey smiled when she saw her and then a childlike look of joy crossed her face at the cup in her hand.

“Take a break with me.” Sarah said. Her tone let Aubrey know it wasn’t a request. Aubrey sighed and laid down her tools and followed Sarah over to the two chairs in the corner and sat down.

“Thank you.” Aubrey said as she took the cup and took a drink. It was hot but the flavor was so good. “This really hits the spot.”

Sarah stared at her for a long moment. “You look like hell.” She said pulling no punches. “When was the last time you slept.” Audrey’s eyes had circles under them from lack of sleep and her uniform as if she lived in it for days.

“Last night after we had dinner.” Aubrey said defensively. “I’m fine. Things are coming together.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “That was two days ago!” She shook her head. “You need to go home and rest.” She shook her head and spoke. “Aubrey don’t make me make this an order. I want you to go home and sleep. I’ll don’t want you back here for thirty six hours. I…”

"I will!" Aubrey waved her hand. "I can't rest until she is well on her way to being put back together."

"I know we're friends." Sarah began. "There is a fine line between that and my being your captain. You look like hell. Zeke and Anna are getting married shortly and you are in the wedding. Do you really want to show up looking like the ugly stepsister!" Her eyes glittered as she became serious. "As your captain I am ordered you off duty as of now. Thirty six hours before you can step on this ship."

Aubrey opened her house to argue and then shut it. She looked at Sarah. "Our friendship's changed. We both know it has to. Our friendship won't fade but in some respects it has to, you are my boss." She sighed then and fell silent.

"We will be fine." Sarah murmured. "There will be changes, I am not going to lie. As long as you respect my position and remember that when we're here, I am your captain first it will be fine."

Aubrey smiled at her. "We will be good. I think you're right. I am tired. I'll put up my tools and head home." She looked at Sarah. "You have my word."

Sarah knew she meant it and would not have to stay and babysit her. Aubrey was always a woman of her word.

"Let's meet up early tomorrow, before the wedding." Sarah suggested. "For breakfast and we can have a good visit."

"Sounds good." Aubrey nodded. "Dustin will be off with the guys helping Zeke get ready. "See you in the morning. "

"It will be an adjustment." Sarah said quietly as she spoke before she left. "I will always be your friend and things don't have to change when we're off work."

As Aubrey watched her friend leave, she started picking up her tools and putting them away. She didn't agree with Sarah, there were already differences. Even when they are off shift, she was still the Chief Engineer and Sarah the Captain.

Aubrey was happy and proud of Sarah. She deserved the position and would be a good captain. But when life changes, the people around have to as well.

Once she was finished, she messaged Dustin that she was on her way home and left the Falcon. Aubrey felt guilty about not staying but she was dead on her feet. She needed the sleep for tomorrow.

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