Lt. Haukea-Willow: Employee Handbook.
Aly Drolet
((Forestry Site pagh-los-soch, Reltarn Highlands, Kerret’raa))
While the Klingon workers from down below wore not a single stitch of ear protection, Haukea herself, despite the recommendation, was far from bothered by the cacophony. She had lived the majority of her life on a planet surrounded by the tossing of the ocean, heavy tropical storms, and a boisterous band of cousins, plus her non-biological siblings. Sound waves at such a decibel level merely washed over her like waves, blending into the background as she breathed at steady intervals.
Yet, utilizing the provided noise canceling headphones allowed the trio to access quality, clear communication. And later, after engaging in conversation, bending over the railing, Haukea considered at least over 100 employees present within the warehouse.
Willow: What do the employees have to say about it?
Kervas: I don’t know, ask them ::He replied simply, but honestly.::
Ross: I am... surprised by the way processing is handled down here.
Willow: While the methods are far from traditional, the advancement of technology is clear.
Whittaker: Response
Kervas: Perhaps you do not understand. Allow me to clarify. This processing building is on the land of the house of Grim’lar. At the top is the head of the house who controls all. Under the head of house are advisors. The head of house appoints a leader – a captain if you will – to each major operation. This processing building has a leader who manages the workers under him. Workers are organized into teams. Each team has a lead. Each team functions together and works independently of the other teams. Each team decides how productive they are and are compensated accordingly. Each team decides the discipline and retention of team members. If you do not like your team, you can challenge the leader or challenge for a place in a different team. The leader can remove workers from the team.
The methods, as well as structures discussed were foreign to Haukea, and likely the rest of the Federation worlds. Yet, despite such opposition, the Klingon ways had a logic to them, a flow to which they merely worked without explanation within the correct environment and culture. Though it was likely that flaws could be present, as most structures could use improvement, Haukea had no doubt that despite the few that opposed more technologically advanced methods of harvesting the wood, the majority in favor won out.
Ross: Can you give us an idea of the scale?
Willow: What Ross means is you mentioned teams. How many employees per team?
Whittaker: Response
Kervas: Five to eight.
Ross: And people around here... are they familiar?
Like all businesses, no matter the structure, you often found a mix regarding familiarity among employees. Several could cluster together, forming bonds of friendship, or even family. However, others could merely work as colleagues, uncaring towards personal relations, only the task at hand considered important.
To quote the Ferengi Rule of Acquisition number 21 “Never place friendship above profit.”
It was true that while Klingons did not have such rules, they were likely to follow a similar norm.
Willow: I can only imagine it to be a mix. Among each other and to Krevas.
Whittaker: Response
Kervas: I know all of the teams. They must pass through my wood to get to their work. I talk with some of them. Others leave me to my silence.
Haukea’s own theory proved to be correct in the fact that a majority of workers, even Kervas, regarded their fellow employees with a neutral affect. No hostility, no bond of friendship or kinship in any form. Haukea saw, in some ways, the advantage of this position. Such neutrality allowed for an improved focus on the tasks set before them.
Ross: ::He smiled in appreciation:: The forest's porter.
Willow: The keeper of keys and grounds at Pagh-Los-Soch.
Whittaker: Response
Kervas: The only teams I would share a drink with are the three traditional cutting teams. I have known Yanuk’sol since we fought the Romulans together as Bekk.
Ross: You guys go way back, huh?
Haukea turned her eyes towards Ross as he spoke in a calm, jovial manner. His tone, compared to minutes previous when he was shaking, shuffling closer to her, seeking comfort from the overwhelming noise, had turned nearly a full 180. The improvement in tone soothed Haukea in turn. Haukea was consoled when her crew mates were out of direct harm.
Willow: You don’t go through something like that and not become close.
Whittaker: Response
Ross: So, how do these guys feel about the modern processing then? Kinda feels like a hot topic.
Conflict could come from a number of unlikely sources.
Willow: Tradition, while the method for centuries, is now competing with modern technology, which makes the process more efficient, shortening the undertaking, allowing for more wood to be shipped out.
Kervas/Whittaker: Response
Ross: I get it. Technology often feels like a loss of craft. Pretty sad, no?
Willow: While technology can result in traditional skills dying out, that does not mean that they have to.
Kervas/Whittaker: Response
Ross: We don't want to anger anyone or interfere. We're just learning, taking notes.
Willow: We are following your lead as guide.
Kervas/Whittaker/Ross: Response
Willow: So tell us about this building?
Kervas/Whittaker/Ross: Response
Willow: Do all the operations to work with the wood take place here?
Kervas/Whittaker/Ross: Response
