Lieutenant Commander Toryn Raga - Lesson in Consequences
Rameses
(( Bridge, Deck 3, Main Hull, USS Ronin ))
There was so much to do. The ship had been in refit for at least a year but since they had to push her into service early it meant a lot of things that would have seen a full go over had been paused, barely started or hadn’t been gotten to yet.
For one the tactical systems were not what he would have considered acceptable on the Chin’toka, or any ship that he’d been the Tactical chief on. The biggest issue was that one of the torpedo tubes in the mission pod was slightly misaligned. They’d at least been given a brand new mission pod with the more modern improvements since the Dominion War. But one of the autoloaders wasn’t testing positive because it wasn’t calibrated properly. He just knew he’d have to get up there and be the one to move the thing so the engineers could tweak things. There were times that mega strength wasn’t as nice to have.
He sat in the Captain’s chair, which still didn’t feel comfortable. Something he’d noticed every ship had in common. The Atlantis, Astraeus, Chin’toka. Terrible chairs. They were perfectly comfortable. Excellent design. He just never felt like he fit right in them. And yet. The Ronin’s seat didn’t feel as awkward to him. Perhaps him being the ship’s XO had something to change that perception.
He referred to one of the handful of PADDs he had in his lap between glances at the small control monitor on the arm of his seat. The phasers needed alignment. More calibrations there. The aft shield emitters were only reaching 87% strength for some reason and the targeting systems software hadn’t been updated in a decade.
He hadn’t even looked at the preliminary reports from the other departments yet. The Al-Leyan rubbed the bridge of his nose and let out a weary sigh. The Ronin felt like she was in worse shape than the ‘toka had been after moving that Neutron star had cracked her catamaran.
Niac: =/\= Mr. Raga, please join me in the ready room. =/\=
The Al-Leyan’s brow raised slightly. He’d seen an Ensign enter the ready room not long ago with a PADD in hand. He hated that he didn’t yet know everyone on the crew. This was strange to him. And difficult, having to learn so many new names and faces. But he would. He rose from the chair and set his own PADD down on the stack on the XO’s seat and took a moment to adjust his uniform.
Toryn walked to the Ready Room and as the door to the office swished open he gave his CO a questioning look. First thing of note was the Ensign’s rigid posture and he met the CO’s gaze as the man looked past her at him.
Niac: Ah, Mr. Raga. Ensign Vailani here was just telling me about the lackluster state of the ship and the inadequacy of our timetable. In fact, she felt it was so serious that she entirely forgot about the entire chain of command and came right up here to report it to me personally.
There was something in the CO’s tone that spoke of ‘disciplinary’ intent and he again let a brow raise slightly.
Raga: Did she now? I don’t recall everyone but you being on leave, sir. ::He dryly added:: Perhaps the Ensign suffered a memory loss of some kind?
Vailani: Response
There it was. A light twinge to the CO’s tone that hinted to the Al-Leyan that this was not meant to be a harsh dressing down. Not entirely at least. Just enough to get the point across.
Niac: Yes well I was just thinking about how to address this memory issue of hers. Tell me, are we still shorthanded in the crew mess?
Raga: Hmm. ::The Al-Leyan crossed his arms over his chest and rubbed his chin with two fingers and a thumb:: Yes, but I do believe I also saw a request from Engineering for someone to scrub the plasma manifolds. ::He made a eureka face:: Now that I recall, the waste reclamation system hasn’t been properly purged either. ::He circled back:: That being said, cleaning the mess would keep the Ensign from being stuck in an isolated part of the ship.
Kerrod’s soft smile turned entirely feral.
Niac: To me that sounds like an excellent opportunity to lend a hand in a critical area and, at the same time, learn more about the crew of which she is now a part. Wouldn't you say, Number One?
Raga: Absolutely, sir. I believe the replicators in the mess are due for cleaning and maintenance. I saw something about one of them stuck replicating nothing but tapioca pudding. ::He tapped his index finger on his chin:: I’m sure since the Ensign has so much time to circumvent the chain of command, they’ll be able to help with any of the critical tasks on the ship that are lower priority. I’m sure the department chief’s will be glad for the extra help.
Toryn noticed the CO bit his lip and smirked at the man since he was still standing behind the Ensign.
Niac: Oh that is an excellent suggestion, Mr. Raga. Truly excellent. Can you see that the Ensign's duty assignments are adjusted accordingly?
Raga: Of course, sir. I’ll have the department chiefs send me a list of all the low priority, critical issues that need doing. I’m sure the Ensign will be quite busy helping out her shipmates.
Niac nodded and turned his attention back towards one of the many other padds stacked on his desk but as he retrieved one, he glanced back towards the suffering junior officer.
Niac: Ensign, I strongly believe in second chances. I advise you to take advantage of this one and learn all you can about what actually makes a starship operate. If in one month's time I find your understanding to still be lacking you will be on the first cramped shuttlepod to Starbase Eighty. Am I clear, Ensign Vailani?
Vailani: Response
Toryn finally moved further into the ready room and stood beside the Captain to give the Ensign a proper look. The Al-Leyan had his best, stoic, authoritative expression on his face. Arms still crossed over his chest. Karrod turned his attention back to his padd and resumed work on the report he'd been halfway through when the Ensign stormed in.
Niac: Dismissed.
With a nod he signaled for Raga to stay behind for a moment as Ensign Vailani beat a hasty retreat. When the door closed he let out a long, slow breath and rolled his head, generating pops and cracks from his neck.
Niac: Keep an eye on that one, Toryn. If she gets her act together I've got a pretty good feeling about her.
Raga: ::brow raised he smirked slightly:: She definitely seems to be a fajroŝranko*. I’ll keep an eye on her. ::He looked the CO over and added:: You sound as though you know her well.
He shook his head.
Niac: She reminds me of her father in a lot of ways...same intensity, same confidence, same desire to act. But he has four decades of experience. If we don't teach her to channel it she's going to get herself killed.
Raga: Hmm. I can understand. I’ve a bit of a reputation among my former crew for being similarly…impulsive. Particularly in my early career. She seems to have the drive, but I get the impression she’s missing the bond of camaraderie that every Starfleet crew thrives on. ::he smirked:: I doubt this will be the last time she might do something like this.
Karrod chucked.
Niac: In that case I'll start locking my door. Thank you Commander.
Raga: Of course, sir. That’s what I’m here for.
The Al-Leyan smiled at his CO and with a nod, excused himself from the room so the Captain and he could get back to what they’d been doing. Those tactical systems weren’t going to calibrate themselves.
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Lieutenant Commander Toryn Raga
First Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
Writer ID: A239410TR0
https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Toryn_Raga