[SD-G] LtCmdrs. Tristam Core & Roshanara Rahman: Unhappy Reunion
Deliera Jay
((Battle Bridge))
::Typical of Tristam to just miss the more interesting stuff.::
Core: Sorry to barge in unannounced, Captain, but it's probably best I report in while there's a slight pause in the drama.
Egan Manno: I appreciate the thought, Commander -- erm--
Core: Lieutenant Commander Tristam Core. New transfer from the Vigilant.
::And- wait. Roshanara Rahman? Whoa. Talk about blast from the past.::
Egan Manno: Well, it's good to have you here, Commander. I didn't think you'd made it.
Core: I managed to jump aboard before we set off.
Egan Manno: And you've been busy, I expect.
::Rahman stood, and began to walk towards the turbolift, stopping at the command chair. Tristam pursed his lips - she didn't seem unhappy to see him, but it certainly felt like there was something else going on. After what had happened, of course things would be tense between them, especially when he, unfortunately, believed that she was the cause of what happened.
::Well . . . not the *complete*, 100% cause, but it was pretty damn close. He lost his telepathy after what had happened, and he was lucky he still had a leg. And a life, for that matter.::
::He didn't *hate* Rahman. He could never feel so negative about her. But there was that slight twinge of distrust . . . or something else entirely.::
Rahman: If it's all right, captain, I'd like to return to engineering to check on the progress of the plasma conduit investigation. Commander Core can serve as the engineering bridge officer on duty if you wish.
::No. No no no. No, anything, *anything* but that! He and the bridge didn't get along with each other - why!? Why would she *force* that onto him!? It had been almost four years since she'd seen him, but in the seven months that she *did* know him, he made it abundantly clear that he didn't like working on the Bridge as an Engineer!::
oO Nonononononononononononononono- Oo
Rahman: I could use his assistance, though, on this matter actually...
oO THANK YOUR GODS. Oo
oO Wait, what? Oo
Egan Manno: Very good. Dismissed, Commanders. And welcome aboard, Mr. Core.
::His mind went blank for a few seconds as he struggled to form a response. He had spent the last day in Engineering, Rahman not even apparently noticing him there, and now, all of a sudden, she wanted his assistance in a plasma conduit investigation?
::Wait, *something happened to a plasma conduit?!* When was anyone going to tell *him*!?::
Core: Thank you, Captain.
::Was all he could come up with as a response to what just happened. The chief engineer looked back at him and gestured to the turbolift.::
Rahman: After you, Commander.
::And so Tristam led the way towards the turbolift with Rahman following. This was going to be more awkward and interesting than it was professional. The doors slid shut, and they began their descent down to Main Engineering. He didn't look at her when he spoke next.::
Core: I hope you realize that I'm a utilities expert, right? Last time I worked with plasma conduits, I almost took out a whole deck.
::That was *two* years ago, but thankfully, the supervising engineer on Deep Space 17 jumped into action without hesitation. He might have been an engineer on the Pioneer, but getting out of practice after a medical leave was a real problem. Not to mention, he was still only a Lieutenant JG at the time - he was still learning. Plus, propulsion never interested him. The component engineering course the Academy offered was more his style. Propulsion was for snobs.::
Rahman: Well, a utilities expert is perhaps just what we need. The issue is with three separate plasma conduits within the EPS grid.
::He glanced up at her, frowning a little.::
Core: Three? Really? Why, what happened?
Rahman: We’re not sure yet. From the initial reports, though, there seems to have been structural damage done--both to the conduit housings as well as the internal components.
Core:::he sighed dramatically:: I’m barely on this ship and already things need fixing. And here I thought this was going to be a vacation, what with the ship being Galaxy class and all.
::She returned a slight frown of her own with her arms folded behind her back.::
Rahman: I thought you might have been looking forward to returning to Engineering after spending the last few years on a station.
Core: Oh really? Name the difference between Operations and Engineering on a station or starbase?
Rahman: Well, propulsion for one.
Core: The only time propulsion is ever useful in saving a life is when we're running from an angry pack of something. Normally Borg or Klingons. Or a whole crew of assimilated Borg-Klingons. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't end well for anyone.
::She raised an eyebrow at that response. Then again, there was a certain truth to it... but that was besides the point. The turbolift hummed along as it traveled downward, and he continued.::
Core: Besides. As much as I wanted the change from Engineering to Operations, Engineering is addictive. Though I’m not going to enjoy getting stuck in ship battles. That was one of the many things I appreciated about being on a station - if you were going to be attacked, you had fair warning before it happened. Completely different on a starship. ::he shook his head.:: They’ve transferred me twice in three weeks, and I am *not* grateful. I was perfectly fine on Deep Space 17.
Rahman: I’m sorry about the trip to the Vigilant. When I found out your tour on Deep Space 17 was set to end, I had put in a request for your assignment here, but apparently it got through the channels too late before you’d already been sent elsewhere by Starfleet Operations.
::He blinked a few times, opening and then shutting his mouth, and then frowning again. *Rahman* was the reason he was here?::
Core: Hold on a sec- computer, halt turbolift.
::The turbolift car shuddered as the brakes were applied.::
::It was clear by the way he turned to completely face her and stared that he was not at all impressed with this information. Not only was she the reason he was back as a fully fledged Engineer, but she had also been the reason he was forced onto two transports to each end of the quadrant?::
::None of that came out in his next sentence.::
Core: Are you seriously telling me that *you* are the reason I had to take a crash course on a quantum slipstream drive for *nothing*?
::He stood over her, peering down with seething, black Rodulan eyes. She hadn’t quite expected this reaction.::
Rahman: Well, I wouldn’t say for *nothing*. While the Garuda herself may not have a quantum slipstream drive, that is the future of propulsion engineering…
::Tristam’s eyes widened, his eyebrows raised as he tried to process what he was hearing. What was he meant to *do* with this information? The only real thing it was doing was frustrating him! As if he wasn’t already moody enough!::
Core: I *hate* propulsion engineering! You *know* I hate propulsion engineering! Why do you think I’ve avoided it for the last *four years*!
::She winced at his outburst, feeling the sting of his anger. If it had been anyone else on her staff, she’d have cut them down right there, but after what had happened on the Pioneer, he was the one person who was forever entitled to speak as he wished to her.::
Rahman: Look, I’m sorry. I know you’re frustrated... but I’m hoping you’ll find an area of interest here on the Garuda. Utilities for one, but there are many others. There are *some* advantages that come with a large engineering department on a starship after all compared to a station.
Core: I *have* an expertise. I work in utilities, for God sake! I honestly don’t understand your reasoning for forcing me here!
::As his voice grew louder, hers went softer.::
Rahman: Like I said... I thought you might have liked the opportunity to return to your original field of study. I wanted to give you that chance.
Core: I’m not going back, Roshanara. ::he snapped.:: What happened happened, I’m moving on. Computer, resume turbolift.
::With a jolt, the turbolift car started up again, and he took a step back to lean on the bulkhead of the turbolift, crossing his arms.::
Core: Never liked propulsion anyway.
::She looked over at him as his sulking figure.::
Rahman: Commander... (beat) Tristam, if you’re really unhappy about it, I can talk to Lt. Mei’konda and see if there’s an opening in Operations.
Core: So you’d force me into *another* situation I don’t want to be in. Yeah. Great. Thanks for that.
::She felt the warm air on the back of her neck.::
Rahman: That’s not what I meant…
Core: I know what you meant. ::He sighed and rubbed his eyes.:: Just . . . I don’t need your help. I know you think that whatever you’re doing is going to do me good, but believe me, not letting me stand on my own is only making it worse.
::She nodded silently, and a brief moment between the two passed before her combadge chirped.::
Uddin (NPC): =/\= Uddin to Commander Rahman. =/\=
::She cleared her throat before answering.::
Rahman: =/\= Go ahead, crewman. =/\=
Uddin (NPC): =/\= We’ve reached the second conduit. Similar findings as the first. We could use another set of eyes, though, ma’am. =/\=
::Roshanara looked over at Tristam.::
Core:::he sighed again.:: Fine.
::Not the most enthusiastic response, but she’d take it.::
Rahman: =/\= Understood. Commander Core will be joining you shortly. =/\=
Uddin (NPC): =/\= Yes, ma’am. =/\=
::The Kriosian input the new destination, and the turbolift made its quick detour to the nearest service junction near the malfunctioning plasma conduit.::
Rahman: ...I’m not trying to get in your way of standing on your own. In fact, that’s exactly what I want you to do here. I promise I’ll give you that room aboard the Garuda if you do decide to stay.
Core: I’m not planning on moving departments or getting another transfer. I’m sick of shuttle rides.
::Actually, he was pretty sure if he was forced into another transfer, he might just jump out of an airlock. Going from a station with hundreds of decks, to a small shuttle craft felt like going from a giant mansion to a broom closet. It was claustrophobic.
::The turbolift chimed as it reached its destination, and the doors slip open with a hiss. Before he fully stepped out, though, she called out to him.::
Rahman: Commander.
::He spun on his heels to stare at her again.::
Core: ::flatly:: What.
Rahman: ...welcome aboard.
Core: Yeah. Thanks.
::The Rodulan turned and walked away from the turbolift, the doors sliding shut once again before moving onward, leaving the chief engineer to continue the rest of her journey to Main Engineering alone.::
TBC...
Lt. Commander Tristam Core
Engineer, USS Garuda
&
Lt. Commander Roshanara Rahman
Chief Engineer, USS Garuda