#059 - USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 1400 ("Duty to One's Ship and Crew")

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"Duty to One's Ship and Crew"
[ Previous post Mark's "This Could Be Bad" ]
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"Think of the needs of others before you own and you will see your own troubles soon vanish as your needs are lifted by them in return."
- Ejenhan Starrise, Head Priest of the Oltharian Religious Cirlce

--==(/\)==--
Stardate: 61015.1400
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Engineering

The Oltharian had wanted to stay by the bedside of the ANUBIS' Chief Engineering Officer, Lieutenant David Dawson, but Elan knew that his responsibilities towards the rest of the crew and to Mattias took precedence. With a heavy heart the gentle 7'6" giant entered Main Engineering and was immediately noticed by each and every officer and crewman present.

Because of his colossal size Elan Talak Fairborn, the only Oltharian in Starfleet, had long ago learned that sneaking into a room had been a physical impossibility for him, not that he had wanted to do so on this occasion.

"Captain Rikar has named me acting Chief Engineering Officer on a temporary basis until we reach NEW ALEXANDRIA," the Oltharian announced to the engineers who had gathered around him with visible hopes of hearing news from Lieutenant Dawson.

"Will the 'Chief' be all right?" the Assistant Chief Engineering Officer, Ensign Mattias Norheim, promptly asked his loyalties having remained with his mentor and immediate superior.

"The medical staff is doing their best," the Oltharian quietly replied not wanting to raise anyone's hopes while keeping his own concerns about Doctor Summers to himself. Because of his upbringing, Elan had always admired the *Healers*, but the distress that he had seen reflected on the face of Lieutenant Summers had troubled him very much. The Robotics Engineer knew of the connection between David and Lea and it pained him that despite his size, strength and skills he could not intervene on their behalf.

"Lieutenant," One of the engineers began as he approached the towering officer who had been placed in command of the engineering department of the ANUBIS, "may I ask as to why Captain Rikar decided to appoint you as acting Chief Engineering Officer instead of Ensign Norheim?"

Elan took a slow deep breath before he offered a reply which allowed him to carefully select his words. "I can only guess that the captain thought me to be a better choice based on my experience and ability to emotionally distance myself from the situation. My one and only goal is to see this ship and her crew return to NEW ALEXANDRIA safe and sound."

"I did not mean any disrespect," the engineer rapidly said as he thought that his question had been perceived as some sort of challenge against the giant's authority in his assigned position.

"None taken," the Oltharian said while he added a reassuring smile. "I understand your question and can only guess that my appointment as Acting Chief Engineering Officer was also meant to give time for Ensign Norheim to deal with the possible outcome of our current situation."

The engineer's expression suddenly became very sombre as he nodded his understanding and walked away. Although the Oltharian had tried his best to reassure everyone as to David's condition it had been clear now that the winds of change had swept through the engineering section of the ANUBIS and that things would never again be the same.

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette {f_charette@hotmail.com}

Lieutenant Junior Grade Elan Talak Fairborn

Acting Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

And

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA

2006 post #219


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