" Old Stomping Grounds "
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"The best part of any journey is the return home."
- Admiral Janeway, in response to a question asked by a Cadet about her
adventures in the Delta Quadrant
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Stardate: 60324.1330
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 22, Main Engineering
The repair needs of the USS ANUBIS had required that the Oltharian abandoned his temporary role as the ship's Flight Control Officer in favour of taking on the duties that he had so often proven himself best at. Elan had not been ready to admit it, simply because that had never been his way, but the gentle giant had been very happy about the opportunity to return to the life that he had enjoyed so very much - that of being an engineer on a starship.
"How are you doing down there?" The ANUBIS' Chief Engineer asked from the deck above, calling out to the Oltharian through the opening in the ceiling of the primary deck of Main Engineering. The three level Engineering section had been designed with such an opening to allow more officers to attend on the spot meetings around the central control island, or the 'Pool Table' as Lieutenant Dawson had come to refer to the station.
"I will have all of the secondary EPS conduits back online in less than 15 minutes, Sir." The Oltharian answered, showing the necessary reverence to the man who was now his superior in both position and rank. At one time Elan had held the rank of Lieutenant Commander and had been in charge of an engineering department very much like the one found on the ANUBIS, but life had held different plans for Fairborn, taking him away from what he later discovered had been his second true love.
"Glad to hear it," the Chief Engineering Officer announced with a clear hint of glee. The repairs on the ANUBIS' systems had been proceeding well but there still had been a great deal to do and very little time to get it all done. "How are those 'Exo-Thingies' doing?" Lieutenant Dawson asked, having placed the Oltharian in charge of the small robots since the idea to have them help with the repairs had been his.
"The Exo-Comps," the Oltharian politely corrected, "are currently working on repairing the primary infusers and magnetic constrictors. Initial scans had failed to report micro-fractures in the support coils but the Exo-Comps detected them and initiated immediate repairs, that is why they are being schedule. I am working as fast as I can so that I can join them and bring them back on track as per the schedule that we had set for the repairs." Elan explained from the lower deck, getting a glimpse of the Chief Engineer as he rushed from one side of the upper deck to the other, directing other members of his staff in the repairs that were theirs to accomplish.
"What do you mean the connectors are fused?" The Chief Engineer loudly snapped at another officer on the same level that he had been on. "If you can't work with them, then change the entire section. We don't have the time or the luxury of doing things as they should be done, what we need is to get it *working*. NOW GET!" Dawson unleashed, obviously upset by the time they had lost because of this. After having regained some of his composure, the Chief Engineering Officer glanced over the railing to look directly at the Oltharian would for the first time seemed *small*. "Mr. Fairborn, I have every confidence in you, your skills and your ability to get your team back on schedule. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for some of the other teams that I have under my command!"
As angered as the compliment had come across, the Oltharian took it just as such - a compliment. Since his graduation from the Academy Elan had known that Engineering had been where he belonged, and although the circumstances surrounding his return to those duties had not been the best, Fairborn still found himself being very grateful for the opportunity to once again work in what he enjoyed most.
Since time was of the essence and that the discovery of the micro-fractures by the Exo-Comps had set them back almost a full half hour, the Oltharian returned to his duties with renewed intensity and dedication. Being on the ANUBIS, working in the Engineering department, and surrounded by so many people he had come to know and admire over the years had made this a true homecoming.
"YOU!" A thundering voice well known of the Oltharian echoed throughout the department making him stop dead in his tracks. Being the type of man that he was, Elan actually knew no fear mostly because of his understanding of the circle of life and the deeply religious respect he held for all - but to all rules there are exceptions and she proved to be that for the gentle giant.
Turning to face the woman to whom he knew the voice to belong to, Elan held his gaze low, showing respect and trying to hide the fear her felt all at the same time. "How may I be of service?"
The Intel Operative glared at the tower which stood almost twice her height. Since the first time she had met the Oltharian, Enaii had been able to use the engineer to do her biding and have him perform tasks that no other would have dared to accomplish. "I need you to fix something," Enaii venomously hissed, her 'David' size standing firm against the 'Goliath' form of the Robotics Expert.
Elan did not like the idea that his schedule would be set back even further than it already had been, but the idea of going against the wishes of the Intelligence Officer proved to be even less palatable to the giant. "It will be my pleasure to help in whatever way that I can," Fairborn said adding the respectful bow that the Intelligence Operative had come to expect from the massive giant.
"Report to the IGC in 15 minutes," Enaii commanded as only she could. "Do not be late," the Lieutenant Commander added, knowing all too well that she had not needed to warn the Oltharian about punctuality as he had never been late in his entire life, but the words had been necessary to further instil in the giant the fear that she had cultivated in the colossal being.
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette {f_charette@hotmail.com}
Lieutenant Junior Grade Elan Talak Fairborn 2005 post #292
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
