Checking In

Posted on 24 Feb 2021 @ 1:37am by Lieutenant Commander Gemma Alexander & Ensign Aurilia Moretti
Edited on on 17 Mar 2021 @ 1:52am

1,108 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Extinction
Location: Flight Deck
Timeline: Mission Day 1 at 1100

After her chat with the Captain Gemma decided to continue with checking in with everyone member of the flight deck one person at a time, everything looked status quo at the moment so it was a good time. She wanted to make sure all was well and that sort of thing. Checking her list, there was enough going on a status list helped, and went in search of Ensign Moretti.

On the flight deck, Aurilia was busy yelling at one of the Gryphon techs. "I don't care what you say the specs are rated at, I'm telling you the person who wrote the manual was holding back so techs like you can look like miracle workers by getting it done in half the time. It can take it."

"I'm telling you, Ensign," the Tellarite flight technician growled right back and going nose to nose with the short redhead. "If I see so much of an iota of change in this bird's capabilities, I'm going to run the flag straight up to the CAG!"

Alexander neared the pair in time to catch the most recently back and forth, obviously part of a longer running conversation, "Problem?" she asked the two in a questing tone loud enough to be heard but not yelling.

"This one!" they both started and pointed fingers at each other. "wants to increase/make better/ruin/improve the Gryphon fighter!"

Alexander caught up in the verbal chaos as they both tried to speak at once, held up one hand briefly, "Enough." This was firm and held a tone of command, she pointed to the tech, "One at a time, you first."

"Moronetti here thinks the specifications for the Gryphons is optional," the Tellarite snarled. "Normally, I'd agree, but I don't agree!"

"Moretti." Alexander corrected firmly with a matching look, then turned to Moretti. "Anything to add?"

"Only that this crewman has been keeping me from running a full diagnostic on my fighter," the petite redhead said. "Every time I try to do it, it comes up with an error and then when I try to talk to Space Bacon..."

"SPACE BACON!? Why you miserable little pink skinned hooveless...."

"Enough!" Alexander stepped closer, "If you two can't act toward each other with the respect due to a member of Starfleet I got a coffee cup full of tooth brushes just looking for a craft to polish." Crossing her arms with an 'I mean business face'. "What's the error?"

Aurilia rattled off the error but the Tellarite shoved a PADD under Gemma's nose.

"It's coming up with that error because she keeps trying to overclock it!" he grunted and stomped a hoofed foot.

Gemma took the PADD and looked at it a part of her attention on what Moretti was saying, Then after a few moments, She handed the PADD back to the tech. "Since this doesn't have to be solved under the gun, let's do this." Her next words were to the tech, "You write a report about why this item is unmovable for you. Why it's a bad idea, likelihood of doom et tal." She turned to Moretti, "You write a report about why it is moveable. Benefits and the like." And to both, "include all facts, reasons and related data. Send to me. If we override a spec there has to be a reason and at least some likelihood of not death. We'll follow up with it, for now we'll leave it be."

"Understood, Chief," Aurilia said with a smile.

The Tellarite, however, looked fit to be tied and have an apple shoved in his snout. "Do what?" He asked with a hint of incredulity. "Do. What?" He grabbed the PADD and shoved it back under Gemma's nose. "Does this not look like the most comprehensible report on Gryphons that Starfleet has ever put out, or does it look like a copy of Play Orc?!"

"My orders were pretty clear." Her tone was even but firm, "If this report has everything I just asked for, you're a step ahead aren't you?" Alexander replied unfazed, "Forward on with any related additional professional comments from yourself and you're done. I'll compare the two, talk to your Chief to make sure I got a full handle on it..." Meaning the tech supervisor, "and we'll debate the merits of this later as needed." She knew many Tellarite's enjoyed a good debate but would rather it not be here or now. "In the meantime no changes will be made so unless you both need to continue this now, in my office, I am sure you have other vital duties to perform?"

"With your permission, Commander, I'll get on it right away," Aurilia said with the Tellarite mocking her behind her back.

"Got it," the Tellarite grunted.

Alexander nodded to the Tellarite he was free to go. She turned to Moretti, "A moment Ensign. I actually came over here for another reason."

"Yes, Commander?" Aurilia asked and gave her her full attention.

After the tech had left and they had an island of distance in the busy bay, Gemma made a mental note to follow up with his superior later. Then replied, "Before I get to get that, I get that Tellerites have a passion for 'robust discussion' but yelling personal insults in a flight bay is hardly acceptable behavior. Clear?"

"Clear, Commander," the petite pilot said, but wanted to point out that the Tellarite had also insulted her.

Alexander nodded, "Grand and will go across the board for everyone." she replied, then shifted gears, "Next point, I don't know if I made it clear lately but my door is always open. If you have questions, want to talk or need something, I promise not to bite your face off even if some species consider it to be high in protein." She was sincere even with the joke at the end.

"I'm low in protein. Too scrawny," Aurilia said. "Hardly any meat on my bones."

"Get working on that." Alexander joked, then grew a bit more serious, "Seriously though, the last while has been odd even by Starfleet standards. a A compass check now and again is a good thing. Alright?"

"That's a five by five," the petite pilot said, hoping she could go soon.

Figuring that was about as good as she was likely to get at the moment, Gemma nodded, she'd keep an eye out like with everyone but for now, "Dismissed Ensign."

"Aye, Commander," Aurilia said before she turned on a heel and headed off. The first order of business was to write a report. The second was to get even with that Tellarite.

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