Surprise!

Posted on Mon Nov 13th, 2017 @ 11:33pm by Lieutenant Renee Salchin & Captain Michelle Bartlett

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: June 19, 2399 0700

=/\=

Renee settled her uniform on herself and straightened it so as to look as professional as possible, then took a steadying breath. She then reached for the rank insignia on the top of her dresser and after a few moments of thought finally attached them to her collar for the first time, but she'd been used to a smaller rank for a long time before. She tucked the PADD into the carrier on her waist next to the tricorder and looked at herself in her mirror to make sure she was presentable to Captain Bartlett.

With a practiced ease, she swept out of her quarters with a flash of a smile to her roommate and into the corridor, working her way to the bank of turbolifts. She passed several of her normal workmates and greeted them, but none of them noticed the one major difference with her. She punched the buttons for the bridge and stood there in a parade-rest position as she contemplated the words she would have to use. As the doors slid open she scanned the bridge for the CO and not seeing her, gave a slight smile as she slipped around the edge to the ready room and punched the annunciator button.

"Come." Michelle said as she was catching up and finishing even more of the neverending sea of paperwork it appeared Bowman forgot. She thought to herself for a moment that if Bowman would going to play Captain she could have at least done the bloody administrative crap. She took a sip of her coffee and looked around, still feeling strange about being in the ready room without Captain Ross.

Once again, Renee stepped through the door, then smiled towards Michelle, "Thank you, ma'am. This may be a bit awkward... But Lieutenant Renee Salchin reporting and yes, there is much I need to talk to you about."

"Congratulations, Lieutenant." Michelle said. "I'm happy to hear you passed. And it seems that's going around today. What can I do for you?"

"Actually, ma'am, while I did pass the test with flying colors, it is inaccurate to say that it is the source of my commission." One hand rested on the PADD in her belt container, "I earned my first pip four years ago and as of last week was promoted from junior grade Lieutenant to full grade. I was assigned to the New Earth sector by Admiral Rozhenko of Research and Development to locate a ship and crew, especially an engineering crew, that would be capable of aiding the R and D section back in the Sol system with field testing some of the projects we have nearing completion. He believed it would be easier to make the judgement as an NCO to grt a true feel of a section. In my file," She tapped the PADD, "My record is one hundred percent accurate up until my commissioning date. The only difference is my rank record."

"So you were never some rebellious bad girl, hmm?" Michelle said with a laugh.

"You have no idea." Renee deadpanned, "If it weren't for Captain Vernet, they wouldn't have been able to fit everything I was getting kicked out for in a PADD's memory!" She grinned with a chuckle, "But he straigtened me out, got me to take the OC test and gave me his original Ensign's pip. Hood memories those four years ago ."

"Well, I appreciate you coming forward, Ch.... Lieutenant." she said, catching herself. "That being said... What was the nature of the project such a deception was required?" she asked, a bit concerned but it did seem the ship had been through worse as of late.

"Experimental technology that could help the Federation immensely, ma'am." Renee half-shrugged, "With this side of the project run by a former NCO whose history should have had her kicked out of the Fleet. When I first got out here, the Chief Engineer on the Nuremburg kicked me offbhis ship so fast, even as a CPO, because of that record. Prejudice like that would only hinder any project, not to mention his meddling in things he quite literally wouldn't understand."

"Of course, I would expect you to work with the Chief Engineer." Michelle replied. "I'd rather there be no sneaking around with secret plans for a while."

"Absolutely not a problem, ma'am." Renee agreed, "In fact, I scouted out Commander Mo'Bri before we really got caught up in everything, then things got a bit hectic before you and I had that chat yesterday. I have no doubt she'll be more than willing to work with me. Sorry about your report, by the way, at least initially. You did see the copy that should have popped up on your screen shortly after it came up, right? I was very specific with that program, had it do a backup on any open files before it activated. I needed an excuse to talk to you."

Michelle nodded. "It turned out fine. I only lost about 5 minutes' work on the final report." she said. "And yes... hectic is one way of putting it."

"I can only imagine, ma'am." Renee teplied, "It's been busy for all of us recently and we're still finding problems down there. Hopefully we can stay out of more fights until we have a chance to do the overhaul that the starbase screwed up?"

"I'll do my best." Michelle said with a smirk. "But the last guy did too, and look how that turned out."

"Well, ma'am, I think we're going to be a bit better off than we were." Renee smiled, "No one actively trying to blow us up. But if you'll excuse me, I need to go see Commander Mo'Bri... I think she's going to shit bricks."

OFF:

Captain Michelle Barlett
Commanding Officer
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Renee Salchin
Research & Development Engineer
USS Wellington