USS Erigone – Bridge – 1700

=^=There are nine hundred instances of modifications, adjustments, or other changes to the USS Erigone from its original design markers=^=  The computer had been hard at work scanning the ship from one end to the other, and Harris had been working before that fine-tuning the sensors to avoid having to do a physical search.  The master display marked red dots where the issues were being found, and they were spread across the ship on the inside and exterior.  Ambrose had done this kind of work before but he’d hoped the closer he’d come to command it would be less of a thing.  Apparently not.

“Damn.  Computer, put those instances in a report and send to Master Chief Christopher Grace with further repair needs and system issues needing addressing.”  The beep confirmed it was on its way.  Harris lay back in the front chair as the door to the bridge whooshed open.

“You look like hell, Commander.”  

He slowly spun around and found his newly assigned CMO standing at the rear of the bridge.  He cracked a weary smile, “I feel like it, Lieutenant.”  He gestured to the master display, “That’s the long and short of how much this ship has been messed with – an even 900.”  He pushed himself out of the chair, “How’s sickbay look?”

She shrugged, “It’s small.  I found about twenty things that need fixing in there,” she looked at the monitor and counted the red dots over sickbay, “…and I found ‘em all.  So there’s that.”

Harris gave her a nod of thanks and then thought for a moment, “You hungry?”

She gave him a look, “You asking me on a date, Commander?”

Her CO chuckled, “No, Lieutenant Reid.  I figured some food would be a good way to share some conversation.  Didn’t know if you were going to stay on the ship overnight or head back to Bravo.”

Reid contemplated his offer.  She had a room on Bravo for the night, but she was hungry.  “I’m guessing you’ve got something cooking in the mess.”

He smiled, “To the mess we go!”

USS Erigone – Mess – 1700

“You made this?”  Reid had tasted the spaghetti and meatballs, finding herself impressed.

Her CO shrugged, “I grew up in a family of cooks and chefs.  Always taught me to make from scratch if I can.  Replicator food isn’t bad, but there’s something about homemade that just…sticks with you, you know?”  She took another bite and gave him a grateful nod.  They ate for a few more minutes in silence until he sat back and asked, “Who’d you piss off to get this assignment, Doctor?”

Reid nearly choked on the garlic bread she was eating.  She took a drink and stared him down, “What makes you think I pissed someone off to end up here?”

Harris raised his eyebrows, “I think we both know this wasn’t your first choice, Ms. Reid.  Hell, it wasn’t mine, but here we are.”  He took another stab of noodles and followed it with a pull from his beer, “So who sent you to purgatory?”

Jordan nearly stood up and walked out on her commanding officer.  She wasn’t sure she wanted to punch him or kick him…or both.  His lack of subtlety both impressed her and infuriated her.  She took a moment to consider her words.  “Vice Admiral Gwenelda Patton.”

It was the CO’s turn to nearly choke on his food and take a drink to clear his throat, “You upset The Patton?  Damn.  That’s…that’s something.”  He took another bite and leaned forward, “How’d you manage to end up on her list?”

Reid grumbled as she took her last bite, “I told her she was wrong.  To her face.  In front of our senior practicum class.”  She tossed the fork down on the empty plate and swore under her breath, “I knew she was a tough one, but I didn’t expect her to hold a grudge.”  Glancing up she caught his curious stare. She threw up her hands, “OK, it wasn’t just that.  We didn’t really get along.  She almost threw me out of the academy.”

Ambrose shook his head, “She’s notorious for being a gatekeeper.  What kept you in?”

She let a sly smile cross her lips, “One of the other medical instructors stood up for me.  Vouched for me and my future.”  She drained the cup of soda, “I’ve got a lot to prove here on this ship, Commander.  Small as she is, she’s where I have to show I know what I’m doing.”

Ambrose nodded quietly, “Your honesty is appreciated, Lieutenant.  We’re both in a place I don’t think we really want to be.  In the interest of honesty, I was happy as Chief Engineer…this wasn’t my idea.  Someone somewhere thought I would be a good fit for this ship and its mission as a quick response repair unit.”  He stood and grabbed another beer from the fridge, returning to sit across from Reid, “But I’m measuring the importance of doing the best I can here so that maybe…just maybe…someone upstairs will notice what I’m doing and find me worth vouching for.”

Reid leaned forward, “What’s your dream command, sir?”

A shrug from Harris, “Something different.  I mean, I’ve studied the big ships.  Galaxy-class, Sovereign…all the big girls.”  He sipped from his bottle, “Either Excelsior-class or an Olympic.  The Enterprise-B design has always fascinated me…and the Olympic…she’s just a marvel.”  Another sip, “You?”

She chuckled lightly, “I’m pretty far from command.”  She considered, “I’d take a Chief job on an Olympic class.”  She shrugged, “Truth is, anything bigger than this girl is preferred.”

Harris lifted his bottle and saluted her with a toast, “From your lips to God’s ears, Lieutenant.”  He stood, “I’m going to retire for the night.  Don’t worry about this mess…computer cleans this room every night.  Report back here tomorrow at 0800 hours.  We’ll see if anyone else has been assigned…and start talking about our first assignment.” She moved to stand and he waved her off, “It’s just us, Doctor Reid.  No need.  Have a good night.”

She watched him leave and sat back in her chair.  She had managed to not get fired or reprimanded on day one.  She would take the win.