Sudden Illumination

Posted on Mon Mar 4th, 2019 @ 1:49am by Staff Warrant Officer Victor Ward
Edited on on Wed Apr 10th, 2019 @ 5:36am

Mission: The Team Assembles
Location: USS Saturn, Engineering Support Lab
Timeline: Mission Day 1 at 2330

Victor sat in relative darkness working at his console in the Engineering Support Lab of USS Saturn. A mug of raktajino, now cold, sat on the table next to him as he worked with the screen. Images of an electronic component were displayed on the screen, to which he made slight modifications. He had been working so long, and so quietly, that the other person who was working there earlier thought she was alone and turned out the lights when she left.

The Chief Engineer, a Bajoran named Kazdan Paradus, entered the darkened room, lit only by Victor’s screen. “Computer, lights,” he said, the room responding to him instantly.

Victor squinted as he was shocked by the sudden illumination. He looked around and saw Kazdan standing at the door. He started to stand at attention, but the chief lifted his hands, signaling for him to stop. “At ease, Mr. Ward. Did you know it was dark in here?”

Victor smiled and shook his head. He took a sip of his drink, but was immediately disgusted by how cold it had gotten. He stopped himself from spitting it out. He slowly swallowed it and brought the cup to the replicator. “What can I do for you, sir?” he asked.

“Have you ever heard of STAT?” Lieutenant Kazdan asked.

Victor nodded as his cup disintegrated in the wall slot. “Scientific and Technical Assessment Teams. They solve the problems most starship crews can’t. I’d love to be on one of those units.”

Kazdan smiled very widely. “Then I have very good news,” he said. “I received a communiqué from the CO of USS Polaris. It’s a refit Excelsior where they’re about to deploy STAT-42. You’ve been selected for the role of Technical Lead.”

Victor wasn’t sure he’d heard that right. He went back to his seat, for fear of losing his balance. “Technical Lead of a STAT, sir?” he asked.

“That’s not all,” Kazdan continued. “You’re also going to be one of the flight specialists. If they need someone to fly a shuttle, you’ll be fairly high up the roster.” He stepped closer to the Warrant Officer. “This also comes with a promotion. Congratulations, Staff Warrant Officer Ward.” He clipped as second hollow pip to Victor’s collar. “Pack your bags, because we’ll be dropping you off at Starbase 72 tomorrow morning, where you’ll take a runabout to where Polaris is currently resupplying. My apologies; I don’t know where that is right now.”

Finally having processed all of this news, Victor stood and shook Lieutenant Kazdan’s hand. “Thank you, sir!” he said. “I’ll go pack now.” He slid passed his department head and walked quickly down the corridor to find the turbolift to his quarters, where he spent the evening organizing and packing his belongings for the trip to his next assignment...Technical Lead of STAT-42.