A Stroll

Posted on Sun Apr 12th, 2026 @ 7:22pm by Lieutenant Juno Jones & Captain Robert Burke

1,183 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: USS Hecate | Bridge - Outside Captain's Ready Room

Though their time aboard the USS Hecate had been relatively minimal at this point, Juno had found themselves thrust upward into the position of being the Chief Engineer of the Excelsior class starship. Juno's predecessor, Haruka Amami had left so quickly that her abrupt departure had triggered the need for someone to either be promoted within the department or a last minute reassignment to take Amami's place. That was how Juno came to be Chief Engineer, and he was doing his best to play catch up. Good thought Juno as they skimmed over a data tablet containing information from their engineering staff on several works in progress that Juno had authorized.

Meanwhile, Juno had felt they had neglected the rest of the crew. The young lieutenant had been so buried in engineering that they had barely stepped foot on the bridge let alone socialize with the rest of the Captain's senior staff. The lieutenant gave the heavy maroon colored uniform a good snug tug as they waited for the Commanding Officer to step outside of his office. Juno was there waiting for him, and did not even allow the man's lips to separate before addressing him "You've been avoiding me" teased Juno. "Well, it's mutual. I've been avoiding you just as much, but I come bearing updates," added the lieutenant.

Caught off-guard, Burke could only smile and nod, 'updates can either be ominous, or good, depending on the context.' He smiled, I have neglected them a little. Engineering has been running smoothly so far, so there's been little reason to haul them in. 'shall we take a walk, and you can update me as we go? I was on my way to stretch my legs.'

"A little stroll sounds nice, Captain. We can have a bit of a confabulation along the way, just mind me if I get a tad cheeky. Its been a morning," stated Juno agreeing to the walk.

As they continued onward with Burke leading the way, Juno kept close in tow. "I have had a diagnostic team chasing gremlins in our systems. Little buggers started rearing their ugly heads. We've had to replace over a dozen duotronic enhancers. Nothing to be too concerned about, but next chance we get I would recommend getting our hands on some additional ones to have on hand."

Nodding thoughtfully, Burke made a note, 'put it in the requisitions. We'll be at Pinnacle Base in a few days - should be enough aboard to last until then, I assume?' His volume dropped, not wanting to alarm anyone they passed as they made their way along the corridors. 'And these are fresh-out-of-Spacedock problems, right? Nothing more than that?'

"Oh yeah, we're fine for now, Sir. You know us engineers. We like to have spare bits around," commented Juno. "We can sleep well at night, Captain. Just normal gnats, nothing to be too concerned about."

'That's good to know, Lieutenant,' Burke replied, relief coursing through him that there wasn't anything out of the ordinary to worry about. Just the normal stuff for a Commanding Officer he thought to himself. Unconsciously the taller man steered them towards the turbolift on their stroll. 'How have you found the transition to Chief over the last while?' he asked.

"Hecate is no survey vessel, that's for sure," Juno replied with a small smile. "Becoming Chief Engineer has been no easy task, but I like the men and women in the department. We have a fine crew and even better starship."

AS he stepped into the turbolift, Burke chuckled, 'no, a survey vessel the Hecate is not. Deck Five.' He turned to the younger Lieutenant, 'was that your previous assignment? I'll admit my previous vessel was much smaller than the one they've given me now.' The turbolift slowed, flitting between decks as quickly and softly as a hummingbird, depositing them on to Deck Five. Jerking his head off to the left, Burke set off, clearly expecting Jones to follow.

Jupiter Jones proceeded to follow Burke. "Yes, Captain. My experience has been not exactly traditional for Chief Engineer of a starship of this magnitude nor role. I tuned my toolset on surveyors and tow tugs before getting into starships in more of a support capacity."

'Tell me more,' Burke replied with interest as he followed the curve of the saucer. The corridor stretched ahead of them, the shape and nature of the starship concealing its far end from their sight. 'I've not had the opportunity to talk to personnel who've served on those types of vessels.'

"Well, you learn to entertain yourself. That is forbidden certain" commented Juno. "Those surveyors are small and by small I mean tin can of sardines, Sir. The crew often were rubbing elbows."

'Sounds like the time I spent on an Archer-class scout back in the eighties,' Burke remarked casually. 'Cramped, bunk sharing, and everyone practically on top of one another,' he carried on. 'Sounds like a hardship post if you can't cope with that kind of proximity to the same people day after day. Certainly not something I was keen to repeat.'

"I imagine not," replied Juno. "You have command of your own starship, and one of substantial size and power. Going back to a cramped scouting vessel would be several steps back."

Juno looked at Burke with admiration and respect. "Any advice for an upcoming Officer with aspirations?"

'Square away your duty space, file away your reports on time ... once you get the admin out of the way, I've found things take care of themselves,' Burke replied, a fatherly tone entering his speech. 'I can imagine it's a little frustrating working in Engineering if you want to make your way up the ladder quickly - but the opportunities will come, particularly if you have a trusted deputy to depend on.'

"I will certainly take that advice to heart" replied Juno. "Hopefully, I will have a good deputy to depend on."

Burke replied with a grin, 'you should have the best - we were given the pick of the fleet for this assignment.' He shrugged and spread his hands, 'that includes you of course - your skills have been evaluated and noted. Out there, beyond the Federation is where the real challenges start. We're taking the best with us.'

Juno smirked. "Well, don't go telling the Enterprise that, Sir," Juno said teasingly. "If they caught word we had the best aboard, they may go around poaching some of our crew. I know the Hecate may not have the same legacy as the Enterprise, but I will never see her as inadequate, Captain. She will make her own history, and this crew will be just as noted in the history books as the best of them."

'Oh, that's very true, Lieutenant,' Burke replied with a smile. 'She'll do great things, the Hecate and her crew.'


"I know, Sir. I feel it in my gut," replied Juno. "And I always trust my gut."

 

RSS Feed