Reporting to Mr Smythe

Month 16 Day 4

1600 Hours

Lt Vojeck, Engineering, St Elmo

When Jennifer Vojeck entered engineering, she saw a middle-aged man in a Lt Commander's uniform standing before the open office door, regarding a small group of ensigns and technicians. Some of the lower ranks could hardly keep their eyes open, but they had been told to report, so here they were, trying to stand at something resembling attention. Jenni hurried forward, inserted herself before the newcomer, and saluted. "Commander Smythe? I'm Lt Vojeck, C shift supervisor."

The man quickly returned her salute, and offered his hand. "Lt Vojeck, good to meet you. What kind of rotation have you all been working since the accident?"

"A and C shift have been working 16 hour days, or more."

"And D shift?"

"Mr Baker never issued any orders for D or what little remains of B shift; they've been working their normal hours."

He cast a frown at the floor. "That doesn't make any sense."

"Never the less, that's what's been going on," she stated, hoping he wouldn't direct his anger at her. She wanted to like him. He was, after all, here to help. And having anybody in charge other than Baker has to be an improvement.

"Where can I find your computer supervisor? Or were they injured during the accident?"

"Lt Roosevelt was servicing a computer in the mess hall and wasn't involved in the accident. I believe she's in her office."

"Do I take it from that that, like D shift, the computer specialists have been working their normal shifts?"

"That's right, sir. They aren't part of Engineering proper."

"Does that mean Mr Facchini doesn't cross-train any of the sub-departments?"

"He does up to a point, sir. Some of the sub-departments are simply too different from what we do here."

Smythe grunted at the statement. "Well, I have some chores for the comp sci guys to do, but I'll take that up with them. Now, do you know where your A-shift counterpart is?"

"Here, sir!" Jamison said as he hurried forward and placed himself at her side. He saluted with his bandaged hand, a half-eaten sandwich in his other. Smythe returned the salute, and Jamison offered, "My apologies, Mr Smythe. I went to sick bay for a bandage, and hoped I had enough time to grab a sandwich on my way back, but apparently I was wrong."

"Quite all right. Go ahead and finish eating. The hand doesn't look too badly damaged?"

"Just a scraped knuckle, sir."

Smythe nodded and looked around at the crowd that had gathered in engineering. "Has anybody seen my Lt MacDowell? Or Baker?"

"She went to remove the nacelles from the power grid," Jamison told him.

"And she took Baker with her," Jenni added. Under her breath, she added, "She seemed to think he didn't know how to do it."

"I wouldn't be surprised," Smythe muttered, and glanced at the chronometer, then at the group of engineers—which had grown since Jenni's arrival. "Well, I do see a couple of energetic faces in the group now, so they must be D shifters. I don't suppose one of them happens to be the D shift supervisor?"

Both Jenni and Steve looked over the new arrivals, but Steve was the first to answer. "I'm afraid not, Mr Smythe. But Lt Rominoff is the one I'd promote to shift supervisor, if we needed another one, and I was in charge of it."

Smythe looked surprised, and turned his attention to Jenni. "Do you agree?"

"Well, he didn't get it the last time there was an opening, and I though he should have," she offered.

Smythe nodded. "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind as I hand out assignments. Now..." He stood up straighter and addressed the entire group. "Here's how this is going to work, now that I'm here. A shift and C shift can go off-duty; return here for your regular scheduled shift tomorrow. That means midnight tonight for the A shift, so I suggest you get some sleep. I'll call in D shift to work tonight until midnight, and then for B shifts starting tomorrow. There will be no days off until we get this ship put back together. With any luck, it will only be a few days, and then I'll redistribute people until those on B shift are released from sick bay."

There was absolute silence in engineering, but Jenni could feel the mood lift. Smythe turned his attention to the 2 shift supervisors. "Before you go, could I get you to call in the D shift personnel? The ones who aren't here?"

"Of course, sir," Jenni responded, beating Steve by mere seconds. "May we use the office to do that?"

"Absolutely," he agreed, and stepped aside to call for "Lt Rominoff."

Jenni and Steve were in the office then, and it only took a few minutes to set the computer to call the remaining D shift personnel and have them report to duty. As they turned for the doorway to leave, Steve suddenly slapped his forehead. "I forgot to tell Mr Smythe the doorbell isn't working."

"What made you think of that?"

"Take a look," he said. "It's obvious."

Jenni saw that a small panel next to the doorway stood open, and two wires were detached from their connections. "Who would do that?"

"Well, just a guess, but maybe somebody who wanted Baker to appear to be slow in responding?"

"You said she was no nonsense. You didn't say she was devious."

"A person can be both," he stated, and stepped forward to reach for the wires.

"Thank you, Mr Rominoff," Smythe said outside the door and stepped inside. "What are you doing?" he asked Steve, who had stopped in his tracks, his hands out-stetched.

"There seems to be something wrong with the office doorbell," Jamison told him. "I remember Lt MacDowell saying so, and it's obvious what the problem is, so I thought I'd fix it before I go."

Smythe glanced at the panel, then flipped it closed. "She just happened to mention it, did she?"

"Well, she used the intercom to summon Lt Baker, and when he finally got here, he couldn't get in the office."

"He wound up pounding on the door," Jenni added.

Smythe's mouth tightened. "Well, a malfunctioning doorbell is the least of our worries right now. We'll deal with it later. You 2 are relieved. Go and get some sleep."

"It wouldn't take but a—"

Jenni slapped his arm. "Thank you, Mr Smythe." She pulled Steve out the door with her, and towards the exit. "He's not worried about the doorbell!"

Steve snorted. "Obviously, but it would only have taken a minute to put it right."

"I thought it odd when she mentioned such a trivial matter, but she was covering her ass. And now, so is he."

Steve thought about that for the time it took them to reach the lift. "Well, it is a pretty trivial thing, in the scheme of things," he decided.

Using the Rules

Month 16 Day 4

1527 Hours

Lt Jamison, Engineering, St Elmo

Steve Jamison's wrench dislodged from the bolt head, and his hand banged against a manifold. He raised his skinned knuckle to his mouth, and that's when he saw a stunning redhead in an engineering uniform enter the department. Wow! She is not from the Elmo. Must be from the Fireball. Can't be the Mr Smythe I talked to a while ago, though. Where is he? I expected him to come in like the calvary to the rescue.

She started for the engineering office. Jamison hurried to catch up with her. "Can I help you, lieutenant?"

She paused to look at him. "Who are you?"

"Lt Steve Jamison, A shift supervisor of engineering."

"How long have you been working, Jamison?"

The question caught him by surprise, and his mind spun, unable to figure it out. He heard himself answer, "What day is it?"

She nodded. "Never mind. Do you know where Lt Baker is?"

"Probably inspecting crystals for installation," he answered. That's what he's been doing since this happened.

"He's not in the office?" she asked.

"I don't think so." He licked his stinging knuckle and asked, "Where's Mr Smythe?"

"Saying hello to Mr Facchini," she answered and quickly went on. "I'm his protégé, Lt MacDowell. All work is to cease as of now. Everyone can take a half hour break, then report to Mr Smythe here in engineering for instructions." She took half a step away and then stopped again. "Please go to sick bay to get that hand looked at. We don't want it getting infected."

"Lt Baker isn't going to like this," he blurted out.

"That's okay," the redhead said with a tight smile. "I haven't liked Baker since the Academy."

She kept going, disappeared into the office and closed the door. As Steve stood where he was, wondering what would happen next, the intercom system came on, and the redhead's voice came over it boldly. "This is Lt MacDowell, protégé to Lt Cmdr Smythe of the Fireball. In response to the SOS sent out by Capt Valentine, the Fireball has responded, and our engineering team will now take responsibility for all engineering activities on the St Elmo. All repair work will cease until further notice. All personnel who have been working on repairs may take a 1/2 hour break, then report to Mr Smythe in engineering." There was a short pause, and then she added, "Lt Greg Baker, please report to the engineering office."

People were slow to stop working, but they did. One by one, they started to exit, each looking as worn out as the one before them. Lt Vojeck paused to ask Jamison, "What's going on?"

"The Fireball has arrived," he answered. "Maybe now we can do this the way it's supposed to be done."

"Well, yeah, but where's Mr Smythe? He sent his protégé in his stead?"

"Smythe is saying hello to Mr Facchini. I got the feeling he needed to calm down before he relieved Baker."

"I'd rather he didn't calm down. Baker needs his head chewed off."

"Could still happen," Steve told her, remembering how barely contained Mr Smythe's temper was when they had spoken.

"What's his protégé like? He never even mentioned he had one, when we spoke."

"Well, you heard her on the intercom," Steve answered. "She's all business. Oh, and like you, she doesn't like Baker."

"Then she's got taste."

Baker came into the engineering lobby, angrily telling those who were leaving to "Get back to work!" He said that to Jamison and Vojeck, too, but Vojeck just grinned.

"The place is under new management, Baker," she told him. "And management told us to take a break."

"We'll see about that!" Baker declared, and strode over to the office door. It didn't open. He rang the doorbell repeatedly, and finally resorted to banging on the door with his hand, which probably hurt, since the door was metal.

"Come on, Jamison, let's get something to eat," Vojeck suggested, trying not to smile at the spectacle Baker was making of himself.

"You go ahead," Jamison told her quietly. "I want to see what happens. And then go to sick bay. By request of Mr Smythe's protégé."

The intercom came on again. "Lt Greg Baker, report to the engineering office!"

"I'm right here!" Baker declared, and pounded on the door some more. "Unlock this door!"

Vojeck hadn't moved away. She seemed engrossed in the tableau that was unfolding before them.

It took another minute before the office door opened, and Baker glared at the redhead, whose face was noncommittal. "Oh, there you are. About time."

"I didn't know there were any tugs in the area, MacDowell," Baker growled. "And how in space did you get a lieutenant's stripe?"

She used a hand to push him away from the doorway so she could step out. "I got promoted when I was transferred to the Fireball. Now, come with me." And she started for the exit.

Baker didn't budge. "Where do you get off telling my people what to do? You're not even in engineering. I ought to tear that fake uniform off you."

She stopped. "Touch me, and I'll charge you with assault." She raised a finger to tell him she wasn't done, and turned to the 2 shift supervisors. "Lt Jamison, when you speak to Mr Smythe, tell him the office doorbell doesn't work. I can't imagine it has anything to do with the warp drive ruptures, but if he wants, I'll look into that when I get back."

"The doorbell works fine!" Baker erupted.

"If it did, you would have alerted me to your presence when you arrived. When did you arrive? As for where I got the authority to issue orders, I got it from the Fleet's regulations. Section 55, Paragraph 9 states that when a Fleet vessel issues an SOS, and another Fleet vessel comes to assist, the relevant department of the assisting ship shall take control of the same department of the ship being assisted. My announcement over the intercom served as your notice that you were relieved."

Baker wasn't giving up. "That means that the commanding officer of the assisting ship relieves the commanding officer of the ship being aided. You're nothing but a lieutenant!"

"Therefore, to be sure all bases were covered," MacDowell went on, "Mr Smythe went to sick bay to inform Mr Facchini he was being relieved. He sent me to relieve whoever was in charge down here, and and to issue his orders on his behalf as it states in Section 99, paragraph 47."

"I was in charge down here!"

"Exactly. Was. Now you aren't. If you want to argue about it, take it up with Mr Smythe. Or your captain. But the regs are clear on the matter."

"You can't speak for Smythe!"

"I most certainly can, having been given instructions to do so, and being his protégé. Now stop dawdling and come along. We have work to do."

"I was working!"

"Mr Smythe wants the warp engine nacelles removed from the power grid. He was shocked to see that it hadn't been done yet."

"Told you," Vojeck said.

"Shut up!" Baker told her. "There's plenty of time to do that, MacDowell. They aren't harming anything."

"The proper way to address me is either Lt MacDowell or Mr MacDowell. Maybe you have convinced yourself that the nacelles are not producing any further damage, but that certainly isn't the impression we got from seeing them from the outside. Or perhaps you haven't done it yet because you don't know how."

"I had better things to do!"

"Your protests make me believe you don't know, so come along, and I'll teach you. Otherwise, you can explain to Mr Smythe why you refused his order." She turned and walked out, expecting him to follow.

Baker gaped after her, his temper rising even more with every step she took, but finally, he stomped after her.

"Wow." Vojeck stated in admiration.

"And she's the protégé," Jamison added. "Can't wait to see how Mr Smythe treats Baker."

"You may be right. We just might see him get his head chewed off after all. Now if we're going anywhere, we'd better do it."

"Right behind you," Jamison said, and followed her out of the department.

Not the Time or Place

Month 16 Day 4

1503 Hours

Smythe

The shuttle had room for 14 passengers, and there were only 11 passengers for this first foray to the St Elmo. So when Smitty got on at the end of the group, he sat alone in the very back. Good. I've got space and time to work up some ire to deal with Lt Baker. If nobody wants to make small talk during the trip.

He was surprised to see Colleen sitting in the co-pilot's chair next to Bugalu, and wondered for a moment what was going on. But then he saw Bugalu shake his head and say, "No, you can't drive."

"How am I supposed to learn?"

Bugalu gave her a brief, evil grin. "Sign up for the training, like everybody else that wants to know."

"You're taking all the fun out of this excursion," she returned.

"You'll have plenty of fun putting Baker in his place."

"If it comes to that."

"Knowing Baker, it will," Bugalu responded.

What's this? Colleen knows Baker? He remembered her reaction to the name during their briefing. Come to think of it, Bugalu and Baker didn't get along while Baker was on the Fireball. Something about bad feeling from the Academy, Baker said. So it's likely Colleen knew Baker at the Academy, too. And Baker often rubs women the wrong way, from what I've seen.

Smitty looked up from his ruminations and noticed that Colleen had turned to face the interior and was staring at him, a tiny frown line on her forehead. Now what have I done? No, Smitty, get yourself on track. You were going to get yourself ready to deal with Baker. Set your mind to that task. He closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat, going over what he would say to his friend's protégé.

Someone sat down next to him. Their knees touched, sending a wave of warmth through their trousers and up his leg. He almost barked at them before his eyes popped open and he realized it was Colleen. He could smell her perfume, and the warmth tripled or quadrupled in heat. No, don't sit here, Colleen. I was just getting a good bit of anger in my mood, and I can't hold that in place with you sitting so close and looking so beautiful.

"Smit," she whispered hoarsely. "We need to talk."

Her hands were folded together on her knees, and he could see them trembling, despite being tightly entwined. Poor thing's nervous. Even she knows she's mighty green to have this kind of responsibility thrust upon her. He reached out and placed his hand around hers. "You'll do fine, Colleen," he whispered back. "Just keep your wits about you, and don't get distracted."

She gave him a quick glance of confusion, and shook her head. "No, not that," she muttered. "I mean, yes, I'll do my best. I don't want to embarass you."

"You won't," he returned. "I have faith in you."

She briefly gave him a searching look, then shook her head again, and leaned toward him, lowered her voice even more. "I meant we need to talk on a personal note. About us."

Us? She wants to talk about us, as in... a couple? She'd been avoiding talking to me on a personal level since she postponed the wedding. What's changed now? No, I don't care what's changed. If she wants to talk, we'll talk. It's not very private here, but...

As if on cue, Bugalu called out, "Mr Smythe, I think you need to see this."

And there I'm reminded that we're both on duty, and that has to come first. No matter how much I wish it wasn't so. He patted the hands he still held. "Unfortunately, my dear, this is neither the time nor the place. But as soon as we can, we will," he promised, and stood up to walk to the front of the shuttle.

He caught a glimpse of what Bugalu had spotted before he slipped into the co-pilot's chair. There was a long jagged rip in the starboard warp engine nacelle, which was occasionally lit up when a burst of uncontrolled electricity jumped from item to item like lightning. "That blasted fool," he muttered, and called for, "Colleen, come take a look."

"What has Baker been doing all this time?" she asked from directly behind him, and her hand rested on his shoulder.

"Probably been concerned only with the damage he can see from the engine room," Smitty responded. "A blasted rookie mistake."

"Surely you've got to shut off damaged areas like that so that they don't cause more damage," Colleen stated.

"Would make sense," Bugalu agreed.

"Take us around the port nacelle so we can get a look at it," Smitty requested.

The shuttle smoothly moved away from the open gap and toward the next nacelle, which it traveled around, revealing a similar but smaller tear. Without any further instructions from Smitty, Bugalu then flew a loop around the north nacelle as well, where a section of the wall was deformed, but not ripped.

Smitty didn't have any trouble finding anger to direct at Lt Greg Baker now. He gave Bugalu a nod to let him know he could head for a landing in the shuttle bay. He became aware of Colleen's musical voice murmuring confidently, and saw her using a communications headset.

She signed off and put the headset away. "I told both ships we were looking at the extent of the external damage to the nacelles, but that we'd be landing shortly."

Smitty gave a curt nod. "Good." He started to gnash his teeth, forced himself to stop. "Now I hardly know where to begin."

"Don't let Baker change your plans," Colleen told him softly. "Go and say hello to your friend. Meanwhile, I will go to engineering, and make them stop working."

"I wanted to introduce you to Stinky," Smitty told her.

She seemed surprised, but came back with, "There'll be time later."

"Yes, you're right," he agreed. "Okay, go and tell them work is to cease, and they can all take a half hour break. By that time, I'll be there, and they can report to me."

"Okay, I'd better sit down before we land."

Smitty grabbed her arm to stop her, although they only had a moment or two before the shuttle would enter the shuttle bay. "You studied those regs I had you look up, didn't you?"

She gave him a dazzling smile. "I know them forwards, backwards and sideways, Mr Smythe." Then she was gone, walking back to the far end of the shuttle to find a seat.

"I want to thank you for having her study those regs," Bugalu said. "I've never seen her look so confident going in a new situation."

I wanted her ready to deal with Baker, in case he tried to run over her when I wasn't around. I didn't think I'd be turning her loose to take charge of the entire St Elmo engineering crew on her own.

Overdue Talk

Month 16 Day 3

2104 Hours

Bugalu

Bugalu was determined to find his adopted sister even if he had to wake her up in the middle of the night. But before he did anything that drastic, he entered the library—about the 12th place he'd looked so far tonight—and stopped to look around. As he tried to look into all the nooks and crannies, past all the bookcases and reading equipment, he thought he saw a patch of bright red beyond a shelf of regulatory manuals. That looks like her. I hope it is.

He eagerly walked back to the study area, where Mac stared intently at a reading screen. "I found you," he greeted, and she jumped in her seat. "What are you doing?"

She turned to face him. "Bugs. I would have thought it obvious; I'm reading."

"It must be fascinating, as hard as you were concentrating."

She shrugged one shoulder. "I wouldn't have thought so, but the implications have definitely caught my attention. I'm memorizing some rules and regulations."

His breath caught in his throat. Now what has she done? "You? Regulations? Do I need to get you a lawyer?"

She gave him a brief frown. "No, of course not. For your information, I was told to read up on these. All about assisting another ship and the relationship between mentor and protégé."

"Reading is one thing. You said you were memorizing them."

"Well, I have to be ready, in case I need them," she answered, and turned back to her screen.

This can't be good. Reading up on the relationship between mentor and protégé, memorizing the rules, in case she needs them. What has Smythe been doing? He crossed the alcove to sit down next to her, put his hand over one of hers. "Tell me what's going on, Mac. If things are that bad, we'll go to the captain, if we need to."

She gave him a confused look and pulled her hand away. "Why would we go to the captain? No, really, the rules are spelled out quite plainly. I don't think I'll even need to consult Smit. I can handle this by myself."

Doesn't need to consult Smythe? She has to at least talk to him to get him to stop doing... whatever he's doing that has her memorizing regulations. "I think you should at least enlist the aid of another officer. Preferably somebody close to his rank, if not higher. So that he can't say it's just a matter of 'he said, she said'."

"No, I don't need to involve anybody else; he's not going to be able to say that. That's why I'm memorizing. If I have to, I'll quote the regs to him, section and paragraph, and there won't be any arguing with that!"

She's not making any sense. He turned her chair to face him. "Mac, I know you've been upset this past month or so. I hate to see you like that, so I need you to tell me now; what has Smythe been doing to you that's driven you so crazy?"

"Smit?" She waved a hand in dismissal. "He has nothing to do with this." She paused to think for a moment. "Well, actually, he does. He told me this morning to read these rules and regulations, which I did, and after what I found out, I think it's best to memorize them."

Smythe told her to read this stuff? Why would he do that if he's the one not following the rules? No, that definitely doesn't make any sense. Okay, now it seems we're talking at cross purposes. Ask for one detail at a time, try to pick the knot of misunderstanding apart. "Okay, what did you learn?"

She rolled her eyes and cleared her throat. "Well, it came as a bit of a shock, but... No, let me start at the beginning. It seems the chief engineer is laid up in sick bay on the St Elmo, and his protégé has taken over the engineering department during his absence. A Lt Baker."

"Baker?" Bugalu repeated. It can't be. It absolutely can't be. But she did say it was a shock.

"Yes, I know it's a common name, like MacG said. But it left me uncomfortable. So I made a quiet inquiry of the St Elmo, and it turns out it is Greg Baker!"

A hole opened up in Bugalu's stomach, leaving his skin crawling with fearful anticipation. His head moved side to side in negation as he declared, "You can't go!"

Surprised by his declaration, she gave him a determined look. "I have to go! I'm Smit's protégé, and green as I am, he expects me to go, to do my best, and to act on his behalf!" She tapped the screen as she said the last few words.

It took Bugs a few moments to get his mind wrapped around that. She seemed to understand, for she waited patiently. "You can't fight Baker," he stated numbly, his memory of the Horseless Carriage rearing up in full glory. Or maybe it was rearing up in full gore. "Nobody out here will know what he did to you at the Academy, and no matter how much he goads you—"

"No, of course I can't," she stated simply. "Things are different now. As for goading me, he can try, but these regulations make it clear that—for a short time, at least—I will out-rank him!"

"What?" He turned the screen towards him, read the section she'd been memorizing. "This says in certain instances, the protégé is assumed to speak with the full authority of the mentor."

"And one of those instances is when the mentor and protégé are part of the assisting crew responding to an SOS."

"You really will out-rank him!"

"I'm glad you agree. I was hoping I didn't read it wrong. A little wishful reading, you know? So, want to help me memorize?"

"Absolutely. Get on the other side of the table, and I'll quiz you."

She stood up to do as she was told. "By the way, how does MacG know about Baker?"

He told her hurriedly, hoping she wouldn't have time to get upset about it. "I told him about the Horseless Carriage. A long time ago. You'd barely gotten aboard. Do you want to start with the assisting regs, or the mentor/protégé rules?"

"Surprise me. I need to know them both."

Planning Brief

Month 16 Day 3

0904 Hours

Head Nurse Temple

As expected, Beth accompanied MacGregor to the planning briefing, and Mac walked in with Mr Smythe. Captain Burke sat at the head of the briefing table, with Medical on one side, and Engineering on the other. “I assume you’ve both had a chance to communicate with the St Elmo and get some details about what to expect.”

“Yes,” MacGregor answered.

“I’ve had the chance, but I’ve got blasted few details,” Smitty groused.

Captain Burke regarded Smitty’s sour expression, and turned to MacGregor. “What have you learned, Drake?”

“Most of the injured are suffering from burns and cuts from flying debris, including shards from the warp crystals.”

“They have a name,” Smitty pointed out.

“Which I can’t pronounce,” Drake returned evenly. “You hardly ever refer to them as anything but ‘crystals’, which everybody understands, so why make a point of it?”

“Sorry,” Smitty returned testily.” I’ve had 3 conversations with the Elmo’s engineering team, and each has netted me less information than the last. But I’ll get to that when it’s my turn.”

Drake continued. “Their chief engineer is in the worst shape, with some severe burns and a plethora of shard cuts. They’re still removing shards from him as they find them. Apparently, he was at the center of the problem as it happened, or pushed himself to the center, as it seems he was the one who shut off the engines in mid-explosion.”

“Poor Stinky,” Smitty muttered to himself. “He’s never trusted crystals. Sorry, MacGregor, for interrupting. Please continue.”

“Well, they’ve got him sedated, and they’ve already used a healing ray on some of his worst injuries. Tricky business when you aren’t sure you’ve got all the crystal shards out. So he’s in bad shape, but they expect to have him stable by the time we get there. I thought I’d take Drs Davis and Fong and half a dozen nurses over, just to help with all the work that needs to be done, with so many injured. And Dr Fong can help with PTSD counseling. I’ll have a better idea exactly what’s needed as I get more reports.”

“Have you chosen your team?” Burke asked. “You, Drs Davis and Fong, and a half dozen nurses?”

“To a point. Temple, of course. She’s unflappable, and can snap an order with the best of them. We’ll select the rest as we get a feel for what skills are needed.”

Beth felt her face redden at Drake’s comment about snapping an order. When did I develop that skill? Not sure, but when something needs to be done, I want it done.

“Good,” Capt Burke stated. “Keep me apprised. Sounds like we’ll need to send a shuttle or two, so I’ll select a pilot for that. Now, Smitty, what have you learned?”

“Blasted little,” he answered. “Apparently, Benedicto has his own protégé, and a ripe one he picked, for sure. In the midst of this emergency, it’s his protégé who has taken command of engineering, rather than one of his shift supervisors.”

“Smitty,” Burke commented softly, “In similar circumstances, you’d expect your protégé to take charge, wouldn’t you?”

“Well, yes,” Smitty admitted, startling Mac, who turned pink. He gave the girl a sideways glance and added, “But with her so new to the position, I’d expect her to pay attention to the opinions and thoughts of the shift supervisors, at least. But this Lt Baker doesn’t care to hear the opinions of anybody else.”

“Baker,” Mac whispered, her face draining.

“It’s a common name,” Drake told her reassuringly, and Beth wondered what he knew that she didn’t.

“Yes,” Mac agreed softly. She sat a little straighter, her color better.

“This Lt Baker is the same Ensign Baker I refused to add to my team a few years back. And his attitude hasn’t improved. He had the gall to tell me that he had repairs well in hand, and he wouldn’t need my help!”

“I like a confident engineer,” Burke stated. “But that's not the way it works. Did he say what had caused the problem?”

“No! He’s not concerned with that! All he’s doing is making repairs! He’s not making any effort to piece together what happened, or keep any evidence of the circumstances, or anything!”

The captain frowned. “That’s not right.”

“Yes, and it doubles my workload when we get there. Or more. Of all the idiotic—”

“Capt Valentine has accepted our assistance. You may have to pull rank, Smitty.”

“Oh, I plan to have words with him, as soon as we get there! Or second thing, for I’d like to look in on my friend first.”

“He probably won’t be awake,” Drake stated.

“Maybe not, but he’ll know I’m there,” Smitty said confidently. “And that will put his mind at ease. We were study mates at the Academy.”

“It probably would make him feel better,” Drake agreed.

“So, you don’t know what you’ll be walking into,” the captain surmised.

“A blasted mess is what I’ll be walking into,” Smitty stated. “Evidence discarded, possibly destroyed.” He turned to face Mac. “You’ve got 2 hours after this meeting to make yourself familiar with the Fleet rules regarding assisting a fellow Fleet ship that’s issued an SOS. And the rules dealing with protégés and mentors, if you haven’t studied those yet.”

“Yes, sir,” she agreed.

“You haven’t gone over the protégé regulations with her yet?” Burke asked.

Smitty sighed. “She just seemed to fit into the role.”

“But if she’s going to speak with your authority—”

“Absolutely. That’s happening a little earlier than one could hope. I wish she had more experience, but I’m confident of her knowledge. So, yes, of course I’ll take her with me.” He turned in his seat to face her. “Who do you suggest we include in the work party?”

Surprised, Mac glanced around the table. “Um, Wilson and Jones.”

“You’re sure you want Jones?”

“He knows crystals.”

“He does,” Smitty agreed.

“Oh, and Oakhurst.”

“Oakhurst?” Burke asked. “A computer specialist?”

“To pull information from the computers as to what failed first, and so on. It might be useful.”

“Exactly,” Smitty agreed. “We’ll put a preliminary list together and send it to you by lunch.”

“Good,” Burke stated. “We’ll probably send 2 or more shuttles. In fact, in view of Baker’s behavior, I’m thinking of making the first shuttle mostly medical personnel, with only you, Smitty, and MacDowell from engineering. Let you get this Lt Baker on the right track.”

Smitty gave her a tight smile. “That suits me, captain.”

“Consider it decided. Keep me apprised of your plans as they shape up. Dismissed.”

As Mac stood up, she turned to her mentor. “Should I go to the library, then?”

“You could get to regulations from any computer, but the library will be quieter than engineering. So, yes, go.”

“Thank you, sir,” she answered, and left the room.

“How are you two getting along?” Burke asked Smitty.

He sighed. “On duty, she’s all business. Off duty, she’s… guardedly friendly.”

“Well, that’s better than it could be.”

“I suppose,” Smitty answered. “But she seems… anxious at times. Preoccupied.”

“How are her personal projects coming along? I expected something to be published by now.”

“I've encouraged her to publish her dictionary, but she says it's not ready. She’s working on measurements.”

“She can publish updates later.”

“She wants to make it as complete as she can, since it’s her first foray into that arena. I'll try again to convince her," Smitty promised.

Me too, Beth thought. Maybe I can push her, so she gets the recognition she deserves. First announcements are often followed by several updates.