Planning for perfection
Posted on Sat Aug 24th, 2024 @ 9:37am by Lieutenant Njalia Sayffier & Chief Warrant Officer Srivas
Mission:
Take My Hand
Location: COO's Office
Timeline: Back on the Vesta
1540 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure
To be eager would be illogical. Either the lieutenant would approve, or she would would not, or she would make adjustments that he would have to accept and adept to. And yet... Perhaps it was combination of nearly subconscious connections - a flagship vessel, a chief that had, according to her record, thrived through hard work, a new beginning with shipmates that didn't know what to expect yet - Srivas couldn't help but...estimate, yes, that was a better term than being eager. He estimated that there were good odds, mathematically speaking, that his plan might receive approval. Then again, given his track record as the human expression went, maybe not.
Or maybe it was just the effects of the sugar of the lollipop he'd stuck back into his mouth when he'd finished laying out that plan. Humans did seem to believe that sugar and optimism went together. Not that his green-tinted skin and pointed brows and ears made him seem anything like human.
Srivas' first meeting with his new chief was to lay out a detailed plan he had devised to ensure, ship-wide, every department and every hand on board the Vesta, from crew to residents to passengers, would all receive an intensive and thorough update on procedures. For the Starfleet personnel, drills, diagnostics, and tests to ensure that both the vessel and its crew would leave dock and enter back into the depths of space with a readiness unparalleled among ships in the fleet. Even civilians on board wouldn't escape, for life in space is dangerous, and they needed to know how to react in a crisis as well. Srivas' plan was, objectively speaking, grueling, perhaps even cruel at times given the schedules of things he'd offered up in the multitude of PADDs that he'd brought to detail his plan to Lieutenant Sayffier.
He calmly sucked on his piece of candy and awaited her verdict.
"This is . . . quite extensive, Chief Warrant Officer," said Njalia. She scanned the executive summary and tasked Maiden with a deep dive to analyze what was there and see if she was missing something obvious. "Are you sure you do not want to have a seat? Could I get you something to drink?"
"No," dark brown eyes seemed to weigh her response, one that wasn't directed towards his presentation, after he removed the candy on its little stick from his mouth. Though he made no change of expression, somehow the tone of Srivas' voice became even more dry. "Thank you, Lieutenant," was added on a few seconds later, quite late in fact. "Sitting would not alter the contents of my presentation, and I assure you I am sufficiently hydrated."
"Am I correct that you wish to institute shipwide drills including all of the fleet-wide exercises that were missed while the Vesta was undergoing repair following . . ." she paused for a moment, she would have to check what she could mention of their last mission, "During the recent rebuilding of the Vesta. Including the optional command ship modules and variant scenarios? As well as spot inspections to ensure that the crew are following all required and expected protocols? Is that correct?" She could only imagine how Nolan, Mantell, and Kita would respond to that. Martin would not be pleased but would see the sense in it.
"Affirmative. Along with any civilians on board, to ensure they are refreshed on procedures they might need to follow in the case of an emergency." Srivas almost seemed to suck the moisture of the very air itself with his tone. The computer had more inflection. "With the upgrades and new systems installed, now would be an optimal time to gauge where crew readiness is at. From those results we collect during this process, we can then determine further testing and drills that will be required." Further, he said. More drills and diagnostics to come. Will be required, he said as well, not may be required, as if estimating what the results from the first sets of drills would already be. The candy went back into his mouth.
"Isi, I am happy to institute such for Operations. We have some new crew and such will help us to learn to work together," said Njalia. Unlike many she knew, she often enjoyed such drills and exercise, it was a chance to stretch your skills in a controlled environment. "For the other departments, I will have to confirm with the Captain that this is how he wishes to move forward and possibly the department heads. But I will contact him on this matter directly."
"Perhaps I did not explain clearly-" he had begun to say, plainly not expecting such agreement, even partial, to his plan. The Vulcan's mouth actually snapped shut, and while nothing in his expression changed, for a moment it was plain to see he was surprised. He'd also bit right into the lollipop, shattering the hard sugar with an audible crunch, the noise alone able to stand in for how Njalia had caught him off guard.
Srivas took a moment to chew, swallow, and adjust what he had been about to say. "That is logical, ensuring clear communication and coordination with the command staff." He mentally crossed out the surprise inspections he'd been considering. For now. "With your permission, if we are to begin internally with the Operations team, I would like to focus my efforts on the Damage Control review." Once more, his expression hadn't actually changed, and one might be hard-pressed to point out any shift in tone but...the Vulcan seemed almost excited.
"Superb," said Njalia. "Damage control was a priority on a recent mission. I would like everyone to be on point for that in the future." She glanced to her holodisplay. "All software and firmware updates are in place, so we should not have any conflcits there."
Oh yes, Damage Control teams were going to loathe the day they met him!!! Srivas merely lifted a brow at the mention of a recent mission, but did not press for more details. For a moment, he picked his teeth from the crunched up candy with the tiny paper stick. Then Srivas added, in about as close as he would get to small talk, a small effort at getting to know his new chief better, "I admit a certain level of surprise that you did not start with reducing the scheduling and rigor of drilling I recommended, Lieutenant. May I assume that you too find efficiency to be a most satisfactory and fulfilling goal to strive for?"
"I want my people, and myself, to be prepared for the worst and be at their best when facing it," said Njalia. "We have the luxury to be able to train hard, fight easy, we should take advantage of that." Reflecting on how things had gone since she entered active service, the more preparation the better.
"I concur," Srivas said immediately. How...refreshing. "That concludes my presentation for now then, Lieutenant. I will, of course, revise schedules and specific details once you have accomplished your task with the Captain and other departments." In the meantime, Damage Control was about to find themselves so busy they might not be blamed for thinking there was an actual crisis. "I remain at your disposal for any additional tasks you may wish to assign."
A flag popped up on her holographic display. Njalia read over it, oh thank you, Maiden, she thought. "Isi, why, yes," she said carefully schooling her expression and anntenae to be as unreadable as she could manage. "I am sure it is a simple oversight due to the immense amount of work you have put into this training schema. But, according to your personnel file, you are overdue for your routine medical checkup."
Once more, the Vulcan paused, his eyes grew distant for a moment as he slipped the paper stick into a pocket. There came a few seconds of internal reflection, and then a raised eyebrow, as he confirmed Njalia's words. "Indeed, you are correct, I am thirty-one-point-seven hours past the start of the renewal period for this record. I will rectify that immediately, Lieutenant." Very well, Damage Control teams had earned a temporary reprieve. With all the time spent researching the Vesta-Class design and protocols, along with the transit to the station and ship, Srivas hadn't even noticed.
"The Medical staff will be most pleased and I assure you, they are among the best in Starfleet," said Njalia. "I look forward to working with you, Chief Srivas. I will let you know the Captain's reply on the training regime as soon as I have it."
"Again, thank you for your dilligence and hard work," she added. "Now I will release you to your tasks."
There was no 'nice to meet you, boss', no acknowledgement of the pleasure of the Medical staff, or any other such unnecessary niceties or small talk. Srivas simply provided a brief, "Aye, Lieutenant," turned on his heel, and headed out. Perhaps he could get a head start on the inspections of Sickbay while he updated his medical records.
Njalia watched the Vulcan go. She thought that it was no wonder that her ancestors had such trouble dealing with them.
