New duty, new ways.

Posted on Sat Jan 4th, 2025 @ 2:15pm by Commander Alec Hunter & Commodore Finchley Kerr

1,284 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The 'Eagle continues.
Location: Bridge, USS Blackeagle
Timeline: Current.

Finchley came out of his Ready Room and looked around the bridge for Alec. He saw him sitting at one of the bridge consoles and walked over to him.

"Commander Hunter, take a walk with me will you" he said.

Alec looked up and nodded, motioning for a relief crewman to man the console. He moved quickly but not in a rush to join the Commodore.

Finchley started them off on the way to the turbolift. The doors opened and he allowed Alec to go in first before entering himself, "Engineering" he said.

The doors closed and turning to Alec he said, "We're going to visit McCrudden, he's...well, let's just say he's going to be your new best friend."

"McCrudden? He's the new chief engineer isn't he sir?" Alec asked. Not at all sure if he liked the suggestion, he was going to be the CEO's new best friend.

"He's new to you, he's been with me since the Dreadnaught...sems like a hundred years ago now, but don't tell him I said that, he's a bit touchy that people think he's old" Finchley replied, "and the reason I've said he's going to be your new 'best friend' is that he knows everything that's going on onboard, well, everything below decks. He doesn't know what the Senior Staff know obviously, but I wouldn't put it past him knowing some of it. You see, Chief Engineers are the heart and soul of a ship, they know every nut and bolt, interface and circuit, gel pack and you get the idea. At the same time, when he's fixing things or renewing things or maintaining things, people talk to him. So, if you want to know what's happening anywhere onboard below the bridge, he's your man."

Alec nodded in understanding. "I see sir. So, if I want to know the crew's mood on any particular topic or just get the general pulse of how things are going aboard ship Chief McCruddon is the man to seek out to get the answers."

"Exactamundo" Finchley replied, putting the tip of his left index finger to his nose whilst pointing at Alec with his right hand index finger, "he's your guide on all things ship related. Is that a surprise to you Commander?"

Alec shook his head, "No sir, not at all. It makes sense that if you want to know how the crew feels and thinks that there would be someone among them that one could go to and ask, speak with to get an honest view on the crew's attitude. Someone who interacts with them on a close, daily, personal level. On the Blackeagle it is McCrudden."

They left the turbolift and were soon standing in Main Engineering. "McCrudden!!!" Finchley called out, hoping the Chief Engineer would hear him.

"Who the fuck's that shouting my name at the top of their lungs???" McCrudden said angrily from beneath a console not far from where Finchley and Alec stood.

"It's me you miserable old bastard" Finchley answered, a grin on his face.

"Oh, you've deemed it necessary to come down to where the actual workers are then" McCrudden replied, "now make yourself useful and pass me that neutrino converter junction assembly unit."

"Aye Sir" Finchley replied, handing him the unit.

"Now, what do you pair want, I'm rather busy" McCrudden asked.

"I want you to keep Commander Hunter here in the loop with everything that goes on below decks, he's the ships new Executive Officer" Finchley replied.

McCrudden looked Alec up and down, "What, you chose that lanky streak of pish as your new XO...you're braver that I gave you credit for" McCrudden said to Finchley.

"Now now McCrudden, play nice, the Commander here deserves your respect, he is after all second in command of the 'Eagle" Finchley replied.

"He'll earn it before I give him it, same as you did when you took over the Dreadnaught and I was lumped with you as my new CO" McCrudden said.

Finchley looked at Alec and shrugged his shoulders.

Alec had been quiet as the Commodore and McCruddon talked and then McCruddon insulted him. "You're a ballsy, loudmouth bastard; I'll give you that." Alec replied evenly as he looked over to see if Kerr was going to say anything about his statement to the CEO.

Finchley smiled at Alec, then turned to look at McCrudden. He in turn looked back at his CO and said, "I like this one, he's got cojones, about time someone from upstairs did."

Looking at Alec he carried on, "Not a bad comeback laddie, not bad at all. So, what's the crack with you then, what's this loser brought you down here to me for?" he asked, pointing at Finchley.

Looking evenly and speaking in a level tone to the CEO, Alec replied. "The captain seems to think that you know what's going on with the crew. Their mood, their feelings." He elaborated.

McCrudden looked at Finchley, "Oh, you only seem to think I know what's going on with the crew..."

"That's just the way he said it Jock, you know what he meant" Finchley replied. The CEO turned back to Alec and asked, "And if I do, what's in it for me if I tell you?"

"I won't shoot you out the nearest airlock at my earliest convivence " Alec replied dryly. "And" He continued, "I'll buy you a bottle of whiskey."

McCrudden nodded in appreciation, "At least you're honest Commander, and the whisky is welcome, as long as it's a single malt and not that blended shit."

Alec nodded and let a smile come to his face. "That can be arranged Chief."

"Plus, none of the replicated nonsense, I want the real deal, and from Earth" McCrudden replied, "now, is there anything specific you're looking to find out?"

Alec nodded. "Fair enough. I can do that," He looked to Finchley and then back to the CEO. "I don't think the captain had anything specific in mind Chief other than me meeting you and you keep your ears open to the crew's mood."

"Actually, I was wanting to ask something" Finchley said to McCrudden, "Since coming back from Romulus, how have the crew been?"

"Whisky first" McCrudden replied.

"It's in my quarters" Finchley said, "I'll bring it to you later, promise."

"I'll hold you to that" McCrudden said, "to answer your question though, they're uneasy, they think the situation with the Orion syndicate being involved with Hallmyre hasn't been settled, they think they'll come after us."

"Well, I can understand their feelings" Finchley said, "They may well do so. Thank you for letting me know Jock, I'll bring the whisky to you later as I said."

Turning to Alec, Finchley said, "We have to get information on what's happened since we left Romulus. Commander, get in touch with SFI, find out what's happened to Hallmyre and find out if theirs any news on the Orion Syndicate stiill being on Romulus."

"At once sir. I'll see what information I can get from SFI on both Hallmyre as well the Orion Syndicate and what they might be up to and if they are not on Romulus where they might have gone." Alec assured Finchley.

Finchley nodded and watched as Alec walked away. Turning back to McCrudden he said, "Try cutting him some slack Jock, he's new to his role, he's just wanting to do his best."

"Where's the fun on being easy on him?" McCrudden laughed, "We all have to find amusement where we can, this is mine."

Finchley smiled and shook his head, the man was incorrigible he gave him that. With a nod, he walked away himself, back towards the turbolift.

 

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