Like Sailors of Old

Posted on Mon Sep 5th, 2016 @ 11:11pm by Captain Charybdis MacGregor & Commander Fiona McCray
Edited on on Mon Sep 5th, 2016 @ 11:11pm

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Taking Chances
Location: USS Bonne Chance, Deck 14, Main Engineering
Timeline: 2265

The Nausicaan suicide run had been taken care of, the away team was still away, and word had come from Engineering that her project was ready. Charybdis turned to check on Fiona, and she looked pale, peaked and weary... even a few hours at a bridge station had taken a toll on her, and it was time for her to get some rest.

Of course, that was easier said than done. But the wily science officer had a plan.

"Lieutenant McCray, would you accompany me please?" She rose from the command chair and stepped up to the engineering station, which was located next to the turbolift. She wanted to help the chief up, but she also wanted to respect her independence and her image, so she stood by somewhat awkwardly, ready to help or not.

The petite woman levered herself up slowly and straightened without a sound even though the effort caused her to whiten about the mouth a bit. She walked stiffly behind Char without so much as a word which was a tip off that she wasn't up to snuff... there was none of her usual bounce or sparkle.

Summoning the turbolift, when it arrived she stepped in and waited for the Chief Engineer to make her way into the lift, then she grasped the control handle and declared the destination. "Deck Fourteen."

Fi leaned against the wall of the lift and crossed her arms with a wince. "What have ye got in mind?" she asked with the ghost of a smile.

A close-lipped smile played upon the face of the Vulcan vixen. "I know that you won't be happy in your quarters, but you can't work... not yet. So I've worked out a bit of a compromise that I think will do the trick... so just bear with me a little further, okay?"

Fiona's eyes narrowed "Al-reet..."

As the turbolift doors opened and deposited them in the corridor leading to Main Engineering, Charybdis walked very slowly behind the petite redhead, ready to catch her if needed but determined to let her make her own way. This was her domain, and these were her engineers... if she needed help Char would be ready, but damned if she was going to embarrass her in front of her boys if it wasn't absolutely necessary.

Though her instinct told her to simply carry the injured Chief to their destination, she would do no such thing. She suspected Fiona would never forgive her if she did.

Fiona's back was rigid and she stayed close to the wall. It was obvious that every measured step cost her but she put one foot in front of the other stubbornly.

As they entered main Engineering, a collection of red-shirted men stood about solemnly in a semi-circle, awaiting the return of their fiery and fearless leader, and as she entered they stepped aside to reveal something that did not belong. Between the main energizer panel and the long hallway where the matter and antimatter mixing bottles were located, where the thrum of the engines could be felt as well as heard, there was some sort of contraption of white canvas slung.

"What the..." Fiona started with a quick glance at Charybdis.

"It is a hammock... it is how sailors of old would sleep, on sailing vessels on Earth," Charybdis explained. "I know you won't be that happy in your quarters, but from here you can keep an eye on your systems and keep an ear on the engines and you are right here for your men... and they can bring you anything that you need."

"I don't know if it is regulation or not... but last time I checked, someone left me in command, and so that means that I can make these calls. Your men rigged this up for you, and I can't think of a better solution."

The engineer scowled slightly then softened. "No... ets not regulation boot then again neither am I." She nodded as she tested the ropes. "Tis a lovely gesture... and I luv eet boot... I dinna kin how I'm gonna climb oop intae the thing. " She gave a soft bark of laughter and lifted the arm that was in a sling. "Gravity works fer tha duin boot oop is going to be... irksome."

"Well, it is set low to the deck, so all you have to do is put your good arm in..." Char stepped into it an put her hand down, fishing about until she found the edge. "And hold the edge steady, then just ease your rear into it." The curvaceous commander demonstrated, placing her not inconsiderable rear into it, then picked her feet up off the ground and slid them into the hammock. Once achieved she reversed the process to exit the ancient construction.

Fiona watched with a dubious expression. The rest of engineering took in the show with considerably less skepticism and more appreciation. There were a couple of muttered remarks that were quelled by a sharp glare from the chief.

"Failing that... you have any number of volunteers here who I am certain would be happy to lend their Chief a hand... after all, they are the ones who built it. What do you say, men?"

There was some bashful shuffling and nodding then a "Yes M'aam," as one of the bolder fellows spoke up. "Always glad to lend a hand to a member of the fleet"

Fiona chuckled slightly "Mmm hmm sure... tis truly a selfless offer," she gave Char a more genuine smile than she'd seen from her friend since the attack. "Truly have ye ever seen sooch selfless upstandin' youngsters?" she asked the Vulcan, then put a hand on her friend's arm. "Thank ye" she said quietly. "Would ya mind steadying tha contraption for a moment?" The words were humble and the closest thing she would probably ever hear to an admission of need from the small engineer.

"It would be my honor and privilege, ma'am," Char replied quietly as she held it open and stepped to the side, demonstrating how to assist with it to the assemblage.

Fiona settled gingerly in to the hammock with a wince and a soft grunt of effort. She swung her legs up and then carefully wriggled herself into a mostly comfortable position.

"Thanks" she said softly then moved the pillow behind her head til it was just so. She didn't look relaxed but she was getting there.

"You can see the energizer controls... oh," the curvaceous commander reached behind her and produced a communicator, then handed it to the engineer. "Here's your communicator so that you can stay in touch, issue orders and have a way to contact any of the other departments without having to get up. So... think you might be able to rest now?"

The eyebrows were both up and the look on the alien's face was earnest... no sarcasm, just concern. "I should make an exit now and let you start barking orders, right?" she whispered.

"Thanks" Fiona said as she took the communicator and nodded. "I'm still tryin' to clear the last of the wacky-juice outta me head but yes... I kin rest here better. Besides, someone's got ta keep an eye on these boyos."

The scientist patted the engineer's arm, then strode away as the chief addressed her troops. "So what, ye think jes because we're all feelin cuddly an warm now there's nae work ta be done? Ferguson, where's me padd! Jenkins, ye finished recalibrating them energizer coils yet? Caruthers, why's the antimatter running too rich?"

"WELL!?! Stop standin' around gentlemen... move like ye have a purpose!" the engine room tyrant snapped from her makeshift throne.

Life aboard the Bonne Chance was slowly returning to normal, it seemed.

 

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