PNPC - Lieutenant jg TK Cabrillo - First Impressions Were Not So Bad
Joel Cannistraro
((Deck 14, Brew Continuum, USS Ronine))
Not very happy to be pulled from his work TK reluctantly left the confines of the torpedo launchers and made his way to Deck 14 after stowing his Engineers kit and equipment. So far to this point TK had managed to avoid dealing with his new Chief Engineer but he knew it was inevitable that his boss would come calling to finally meet him.
As TK entered the room he knew he was already going to hate being here. Too many people with too many fake smiles, jokes and stories that really should be kept to themselves. It wasn't that TK did not enjoy being around people, in fact one of his favorite people was on the Ronin. Rox and Tk had developed a bit of an unusual friendship considering TK could count the number of people he called 'friend' on one hand. Rox had made her way under his defenses and become someone he enjoyed hanging out with. Of course pairing them together was also somewhat a danger to ship and crew.
TK spotted the chief in the back of the room, raised a hand pausing the Chief and then stepped to the counter and asked for a dark Colombian coffee. The server quickly handed him his drink and TK turned and stepped towards the chief's location. Tucker stood as the TK approached and held out his hand. TK put on a smile and extended his free hand to shake the chief's.
Tucker: Good to finally get a chance to talk to you, Lieutenant. Things have been busy, as you know. ::pointing to the seat opposite him:: Have a seat.
Cabrillo: ::taking a seat:: Likewise sir.
Tucker: I hope the Quartermaster has got everything sorted out.
Tucker took a sip of his raktajino and TK clinched his jaws together. oO Terran coffee is far better than that stuff. Oo
Cabrillo: I am sure the Quartermaster does. I'm very low maintenance when it comes to ship based needs. He or she won't be getting much work from me.
TK was not kidding in the least. He hated quartermasters and their need to control ships' stores. The fact that the Ronin still even used a quartermaster was enough to set TK off on some rant about 25th century technology and the outdated position such as the quartermaster was.
Tucker: I see you've joined us with our new Security and Tactical Chief, Lieutenant Kessler. How are you settling into life on this old warhorse?
Marty listened as the man talked, taking a sip of his drink.
Cabrillo: ::looking around the room and then back to Tucker:: The Ronin is not the oldest ship I have served aboard but her refits are more than impressive.
Tucker: I got to oversee the second refit and the reconstruction. Though part of that time I was….
Cabrillo: My first assignment was the USS Cape Horn, a Cheyenne Class starship.
TK bit his tongue. Jack had told him to play nice while aboard the Ronin but that information was in his service records and the Chief no doubt already knew that or had not read the service jacket itself.
Tucker: Yes, I noticed that in your jacket.
TK eyed the man before him as he lifted his Colombian coffee, took a long inhale of the aroma and then a long sip.
Cabrillo: As you know sir, Tactical is 0.5% on the bridge. That's Kessler's domain. The best part of Tactical, like what we do in Engineering is the Engineering of the Tactical systems. Just like the warp core, the best finest tuned phaser emitters or torpedo launchers or shield emitters makes a significant difference in a fight.
Tucker: I don’t disagree with you in the least bit. And we only want the best here on the Ronin. She may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts.
Cabrillo: Some ships might but you won't find that with Kessler in charge. Shipboard offensive and defensive systems are his and he gets very picky about the quality and level of maintenance they get. ::beat:: That's why he and I work well together and why being cross trained between the two departments is so beneficial.
Tucker: I’m all for cross-training. The more you know, the better we all are as a team.
TK took another drink and looked at the Chief. He hated talking about himself and since he was not in any particular mood to dive into his past TK abruptly changed the course of the conversation.
Cabrillo: I understand prior to you coming aboard the Ronin, you served at Denali Station right out of the Academy. You have not been interested in exploring other, newer vessels?
TK took another long slow sip of his coffee while waiting for the Chief to respond. The room around them was getting busier and more conversations were making the room louder. TK, clinched his jaws and reminded himself that Jack had said he needed TK here with him. He had to play nice. He hated being told to play nice but the last time Jack had told him to play nice and he didn't, Jack had no hesitations giving TK a job assignment that he would certainly never want to do again. Playing nice would have to do today.
Tucker: Right out of the academy, I was assigned to Denali Station. I spent just a few months there before the call for the Ronin re-launch came, and I knew I had to seize that opportunity. While it would be nice to have a newer vessel, I’m content here for now. I was only an ensign when I stepped in as acting Chief Engineer, since our previous Chief had some, shall we say, issues to handle.
Cabrillo: ::smiling ever so slightly:: An Ensign? Impressive, you must be proud of the Ronin and what you have achieved with her.
TK watched as Tucker finished his raktajino and set it back on the table, glancing one more time at the PADD in his hand, before Tucker tapped his chin with his index finger.
Tucker: I’ve grown to love this bucket of bolts. I hope you do too. In any case, your tactical expertise will be invaluable. I would like you to join Lieutenant Morgan’s team, which is being assembled to reverse-engineer and disassemble the spiderbot I have in a level 5 containment field in my workshop on deck 12. If you're interested, let me know. Lots of weapons on this thing, and we’re looking for a weakness.
If there was any level of excitement at getting to tear into alien technology, TK did everything in his power to hide it.
Cabrillo: Of course, and I am more than happy to help in any way I can.
Tucker: I’ll possibly loop Ensigns Roop and Nakada. However, they are currently working on another project for me, and I also have a project that I need to attend to. Do you have any research or projects you’d like to pursue? I’m always open to new ideas and fresh perspectives.
Cabrillo: Between Engineering duties and Lieutenant Kessler I generally do not have much time for research projects but if I come up with something I will certainly let you know.
Tucker: Sure, let me know, and I have an open-door policy, and yes, I do keep my door open. Well, most times. ::he chuckled::
TK nodded as he watched Tucker pick up his raktajino and attempted to take a sip, only to remember that he’d finished it.
Cabrillo: I appreciate that Commander and I will keep that in mind.
Tucker: Well, Mister Cabrillo, I think I’ve taken up enough of your time. However, I just wanted to let you know that it’s great to have you on board, and I'm looking forward to working more closely with you.
As Tucker stood, TK matched his movement but was also somewhat surprised that Tucker had not tried to refer to him by first name during the entire first meeting between them. TK only allowed someone close to him to use his first name and normally always had to put commanding officers or co-workers in the understanding that Cabrillo was sufficient for them to use. Tucker had not made that first falter that so many Chief's before him had. A level of respect for Tucker's professionalism inched up a notch or two in TK's mind.
Carbillo: As am I sir. If there is any project you need me on, I will be happy to lend a hand.
Tucker: Alright, you are dismissed, and if you need anything, I’m not hard to find.
TK nodded and turned towards the exit, coffee mug still in hand. As he moved towards the bar and sat the mug down and then exited the lounge TK's memories drifted back to Jack asking him to transfer to the Ronin with him and Michele. Jack had explained that Commander Kel had said the Ronin was unlike any other crew he'd served with. TK had not believed him at first, but Tucker was certainly more professional in his mind's eye than any other Chief Engineer who had welcomed him aboard and tried to become best friends in the first five minutes of meeting him. Maybe the Ronin was going to be different. Time would tell but for now TK smiled at the thought of digging into the guts of the spiderbot Tucker had mentioned.
[[END of Scene for Cabrillo]]