Watching Paint Dry

Posted on Thu Jan 26th, 2017 @ 11:46am by Lieutenant Commander Vincent Holt
Edited on on Fri Jan 27th, 2017 @ 7:18am

Episode: Out of Sequence
Location: USS Kukri Berth, Utopia Planitia Shipyards, Mars
Timeline: 0952 - 28/03/2392

"Chief, I thought you said this section had been done already," Holt said, looking at the PADD infront of him, showing a section of the MSD blacked out, "Now you are telling me we need to depressurize and remove 10 meters of paneling?"

"Uh yes sir, the ODN circuits had been mistakenly installed with no breaks for surge buffers," Chief Davis explained, moving the small observation pod they sat in around to the affected area, "These Sabres run more power through their frames to keep them maneuverable, last ship that was at this Berth was a Miranda class for refit, someone mustn't have read their manual in enough detail."

Vincent sighed and rubbed his eyes, "Which shift was it?"

"Beta shift," the Chief answered, wondering what consequence there would be. The small ship coasted around, its small lights showing other sections of both paneling and interior workings, there were already several personnel in EVA suits doing various tasks. Vincent was slouched further down in his seat with his feet up on the outer edge of the console.

"Well they better clean up their mess, rouse them for a double shift, I want them to be ready to go in an hour," Vincent said, looking to the next item on the agenda.

"Sir, they came off an 8 hour shift and they only just stood down an hour ago," Chief Davis protested.

"And their screw up is putting us behind by a day. Get them up," Holt ordered, before sighing again, "Bring up Alpha shift too, they aren't due on until 1300hours. Many hands and all that. Next item."

Davis tapped some commands into his PADD, letting the pod drift a little. A small alert sounded and a nacelle came into view, taking up a large portion of the cockpit window.

Vincent looked up and then back down to his screen, clearing his throat, "Chief," He said calmly. Davis looked up and grabbed the controls again, righting their course.

"Sorry sir," Davis looked back to his PADD once again.

The two of them had been working through the night on the RCS simulations, using sensors on the current state of the vessel to see whether they had been installed correctly. Both were pretty tired, however the ship's schedule was already blown out with multiple issues.

For some reason Vincent didn't remember there being this many problems with the ships during the Dominion war. The engineers were obviously working on adrenaline and the pressure of potential invasion, tends to get anyone working. That same pressure wasn't there in peacetime.

"Paint is on the port and starboard nacelles, that's progress," The Chief said, partially sarcastically.

"Good, now change the colour from Military grey to Ocean grey," Vincent replied in similar form. The two chuckled briefly, more of a snort than a laugh.

They were both running on fumes at this point, but until they were closer to getting back on schedule there was little chance for sleep. Holt stupidly figured that being a caretaker commander would be an easy stint before moving to take command, he was wrong. Still the excitement about getting his own ship was what was driving his actions. It was probably why he was taking the whole process so personally, It would be his ship, he'd want it built right. The two completed the inspections after another hour and docked back in the tiny shuttlebay, along side what seemed like a fleet of workbees.

Getting up from his seat Vincent didn't break stride as the doors opened at the rear of the pod, continuing his brisk pace back to the transporter room. Walking into the Transporter room and straight onto the pad, "Quartermaster and Logistics Support office please, Energize."

The bleary eyed technician did as commanded, before returning to beaming in supplies. The whole feel on the Berth was not a happy one, being behind schedule never did much for anyone. Holt energized in the Logistics section of the main complex of the fleet yards. Several requisitions had gone unanswered by this support office and Vincent was not in a mood to have another one unanswered. A Warrant officer stood behind a console with a PADD in hand, this Warrant officer was known to be hard to deal with.

"Warrant Officer Jasir, always a pleasure," Vincent said semi-sarcastically, "Wondering if you received my requisitions or not, I for certain haven't received my shipment."

"Commander Holt sir, I have received your requisitions, but.." Jasir began but was interrupted by a Holt holding up a finger to stop him talking. Holt tapped his commbadge twice and a small crate energized into the room, with the words 'Altarian brandy x20' written on the side.

"And now?" Holt said, with a tired smirk.

"I'll see what I can do sir," Jasir said, moving into the adjoining cargo bay.

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Lieutenant Commander Vincent Holt
Caretaker Commanding Officer
USS Kukri

Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Davis
Lead Engineer
USS Kukri