"Meeting the Assistant Engineer"
 by Ensign T'Kang
 Chief Engineer - USS Intrepid


T'Kang marched into Main Engineering after sneaking out of 
the Intrepid's sickbay while Doctor Desmond left to cover his 
incompetence of Trill physiology.

Soon as T'Kang walked onto the Engineering deck, he 
noticed an immediate change.  Eyes followed him.  Voices 
quieted.   The brash Klingon Engineer was used to people 
staring and whispering about him of course.  Often he'd 
gained wind of hushed whispers about how rude and 
barbaric he was; usually from the humans on board.  It was 
something T'Kang was used to.   But this. this silence was 
different.  He'd never experienced it before.  Finally he 
realized what it was.  T'Kang was now the Chief Engineer.  
Finally rid of that freak Hermat, Hannoyh who had scurried 
off the ship and out of Starfleet after becoming pregnant.  
The Klingon realized it was the first time he'd ever set foot 
into Engineering as the department chief.  It was not a bad 
feeling.

"Ah-hem."

T'Kang turned around to see a neatly uniformed Vulcan 
engineer standing at attention before him;  Chin up, eyes 
straight, expression neutral and completely Starfleet by the 
book.   The Klingon liked him immediately, though one could 
never have told so from his sour expression as he crossed 
his arms menacingly.

"Greetings, I am Salek son of Srock.  I am your assistant 
engineer." The black hared officer with a "Beetles" haircut 
declared in a professional manner befitting a Vulcan officer.

"Hmm."  T'Kang grunted in a tone that sounded 
disapproving.  Though, in actuality he was just thinking of 
what needed to be done to get the Intrepid back into shape 
before they had to engage the Panthers' ships that orbited 
the planet.

"What do you know about the Intrepid's Multi-Vector Assault 
Mode Cadet?"  T'Kang asked in a tone that didn't disguise 
the Klingon's impatience or expectation that the wet behind 
the ears officer would probably know nothing at all.

He was wrong.

"Actually, I am fully versed in MVA Mode Sir.  I took the 
liberty of memorizing the technical specifications when I 
learned of my assignment on board a Prometheus-X class 
starship."  Salek said in typical Vulcan `matter-of-fact' 
fashion.  His facial expression never changed once.  Not 
from T'Kang's `attitude', or pointed question.

T'Kang liked this new engineer.  He thought they would get 
along fine.  "Then you understand the positions of the 
separate Vectors then?"  The Klingon hisses back stubbornly 
in a testing tone.

Cool as a cucumber, the Vulcan blinked his eyes once.  "Of 
course sir.  Vector One is the Upper Saucer section of the 
ship from decks 1 through decks 4.  Vector Two is the Lower 
Saucer section from decks 5 through 8.  Vector Three is the 
remaining Engineering section of the ship.  Together, when 
separated, these individual Vectors make up the Multi-Vector 
Attack Mode of the USS Intrepid."

T'Kang's sour expression didn't change, though inwardly he 
was smiling.  **Finally, someone who knows their way 
around this bucket of bolts.** he thought.

"That is correct."  T'Kang responded in a guttural tone.  "You 
will be the Assistant Engineer in charge of Vector One 
should the Captain order the Intrepid into MVA mode.  You 
will be responsible for maintaining all engineering functions 
to that Vector of the ship from the Engineering station on the 
main bridge of deck 1."

"I am familiar with that station sir." Salek replied evenly.

T'Kang regarded the Vulcan for a moment.  The Klingon's 
huge arms were still crossed defensively, though Selak 
could sense that the Klingon had relaxed minutely during the 
course of their conversation.  It was a minor perception that 
only a Vulcan would likely have noticed.

"I suppose you read a technical brief on the bridge station as 
well Selek?"  T'Kang asked sharply.

"Yes sir.  I have a photographic memory.  It comes in useful 
at times."  Selek responded immediately in an even, Vulcan 
tone.  Though T'Kang thought he heard a hint of pride 
seeping through as well.

"Very well.  Go now to the bridge and activate a diagnostic 
on the MVA mode activation release clamps.  I then want 
you to go around decks 4 and decks 5 and manually inspect 
the latches yourself to verify they are in working order.  
Should the Captain order an MVA Mode assault, I don't want 
Engineering to be dropping the ball because this vessel is 
not ready.  Am I understood?"

"Completely sir.  I will get started at once."  Selek responded 
with a nod.

"Dismissed Cadet."  T'Kang finished.

Selek clicked his heels together in Starfleet Academy 
fashion, before turning sharply and walking out of Main 
Engineering.   T'Kang watched the new officer as he exited.  
Selek had a pride about him in the way he carried himself.  
He appeared to be an officer who was genuinely dedicated 
to his work as an Engineer.   T'Kang appreciated that, nearly 
as much as he appreciated Selek's lack of emotions, unlike 
several of the human officers on board the ship.

Returning his attentions to the work at hand, T'Kang 
activated the USS Intrepid's master situation monitor and 
began running a full evaluation of every system on board the 
starship.   He needed to get a feel for the Intrepid and see 
what Hannoyh had left him with after running out on her 
duties as Chief Engineer so she could have her pups.