<USS Avalon> Re: A New Chief Takes the Reigns

"A New Chief Takes the Reigns" 
 
Delaney walked into Main Engineering with a smile on her face.  She'd just 
been promoted, just been given new responsibilities as chief  
engineer---something she probably couldn't have imagined in her  dreams---and 
it looked like she 
was well on her way to a romance with a hardcore  Marine. 
 
She stopped short just inside the doors as a thought occurred  to her, the 
thought that she really shouldn't be well on her way to a romance  with anyone. 
After all, she was carrying around a serious secret she  wasn't allowed to 
tell, and Adrian...well, be it him or anyone else, she would  want to tell him. 
She'd want to be completely honest so any man she got involved  with would know 
what he was getting into. 
 
"Hey there... Lieutenant Scott, is it now?" 
 
Delaney was startled out of her reverie by her former  assistant Deck 
Officer, Elijah Farraday. Technically, as a shuttle engineer, he  was still her 
subordinate, but now...it seemed different. 
 
"Uh, yeah," she said. "That's, uh, what Admiral Ketchum wanted  to see me 
about this morning. That and, um..." She fought sudden nervousness, as  
technicians and engineers going about their daily tasks glanced in their  
direction. 
She decided if she was going to tell Petty Officer Farraday right  here in the 
entryway, she way as well tell the whole damn engineering team (the  ones on 
duty, anyway) and get it over with. 
 
Laney cleared her throat. "Can I have everyone's attention  please?" she 
called out loudly. 
 
Everyone stopped and turned to her. She stepped a little  further into the 
room and, looking around slowly, taking in the  faces staring back at her, she 
said, "As you all know, for some time now  Avalon has been without a Chief 
Engineer. Well, she's not anymore.  Admiral Ketchum has appointed me to the 
position." 
 
Farraday congratulated her as a murmur went through the crowd.  "What about 
Lt. K'Etrall? She was our assistant chief---shouldn't she be in  charge now?" 
someone called out. 
 
She didn't see who had spoken, but she looked in the voice's  direction. "She 
was, and by all rights she should be. But I cannot speak as to  the admiral's 
motives. I can only do my best to not make him regret his  decision. I would 
greatly appreciate each of you doing your jobs as well as you  always have. 
Thanks for your time. As you were." 
 
Before anyone could see her rattled nerves, Laney nodded and  turned into her 
new office. Farraday, probably her only other real friend  besides Adrian and 
perhaps Counselor Danaan, followed close on her heels. 
 
"Wow," he said as she all but threw herself into the chair  behind the desk. 
"You're chief too? Does that mean I get to be in charge of all  the shuttles?" 

Laney shrugged. "I don't know, Eli. I guess. Good heavens,  that was harder 
than I thought it would be." 
 
Farraday watched as she groaned and ran her hands up and down  her face. 
"What? Telling the engineering crew you're in charge now?" 
 
She nodded behind her hands. 
 
"Laney, I don't know you well, but...you seem as capable as  anyone else to 
do the job, if I may be so bold as to say. I mean, Ketchum  wouldn't have given 
you the job if he didn't think you could do it, and if he  chose you over 
K'Etrall, he must have had his reasons. They're just gonna have  to deal with 
it. 
Frankly, I kinda like having a pal for my boss." 
 
Delaney dropped her hands and looked up wryly. "Who says we're  pals, Petty 
Officer Farraday?" she retorted. "Get back to work." 
 
Farraday grinned a boyish grin and mock saluted, then turned  and left her 
alone in the office. Laney looked around, seeing that even K'Etrall  had not 
personified the place, possibly because it hadn't felt like it was hers.  Well, 
now it was Laney's, and she had a sudden urge to brighten the place up. 
 
But first came the engine status reports. Now she was going to  have to read 
and sign off on them, instead of just writing them...
 
_____
 
Written by
Lt. Delaney Scott
Chief Engineer, USS Avalon
 
 
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