The Audit

Posted on Saturday June 13th, 2020 @ 9:51pm by Master Chief Petty Officer Charles Payne & Captain Franklin Johnson

855 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: S1-A1-Ep. 1: Spectrophobia
Location: USS Poseidon; Captain's Ready Room, Deck 1, Bridge
Timeline: Around a week after departing Starbase 99

" We don't raise the level or our expectations, we fall to the level of our training."
-Archilochos-

ON:

Master Chief Charles Payne had just entered the Bridge for his duty shift. It was 1st watch, and it was just beginning. He looked around at everyone at their stations. Everyone was just about done their respective type 1 station diagnostics. And were ready to start the day. Payne looked over to the center seat. It was currently vacant. That meant 1 of 3 things. 1) the Captain was not there yet. Seeing as 3rd watch was not on the bridge. And the OD was not in the center seat, that was unlikely. 2) The Captain was off the bridge on ship's business. well, seeing as there was not some wet behind the ears Lt in the center seat trying to impress, again, unlikely. Besides, It was his job to know the Captain's itinerary. If there was an emergency, Payne would defiantly know about it. That leaves 3) The Captain was in his ready room. Just then, from one of the aft Bridge science stations a female voice rang out.

"Morning Master Chief." Said a young Bolian Ensign. She was smiling. Happy to be on the Bridge.

"Good Morning Ensign" Said Payne. "You wouldn't happen to know where The Captain went to, would you?" He asked, almost sure where he was.

"Yes Chief, The Captain is in his ready room." She said.

Payne smiled. When your right, your right. "Thank you." He said, putting his swagger stick under his arm. He walked up to the Captain's ready room and rang the chime.

Commander Franklin Johnson set down his datapad as the chime softly interrupted his educational forray into the finer workings of the Miranda-class and her safety procedures. It had honestly been a passtime affair, however it was something of a minor deal with the Commander considering he wanted to catch up on a few things. Furthermore, this alone time had given him the chance to catch up on ships reports. Knowing that his time of catching up was on hold, he gave permission for the guest to enter with a loud, "Enter!".

Payne walked in to find the Captain working behind his desk. He saw all of the padds that required the Captain's attention. They say that rank hath it's privilege. But most forget that rank also hath it's responsibility. And most forget that commanding a Starship is a great responsibility. Payne stood at attention in front of the Captain's desk. "A word, IF you have the time sir? It can wait if you are busy."

"Master Chief!" greeted the Commander. He stood respectfully, nodding. "At ease then, take a seat. What seems to be the issue?" He gave his uniform a gentle tug before sitting down, eyes on Charles and keenly attentive.

"Yes sir. Thank you sir." Said Payne sitting down at the desk. "I know that you are a busy man sir, so I'll make this brief. I would like your permission to do something. To be honest, I know it's the XO's territory. But she has been busy as we both know. I'm wondering if I can help out by doing an audit of all sections. a preparedness audit if you will. a report on the readiness of all sections. I start with Fighter wing, Marines, Tactical, Security, Medical then work my way from there. That way, when the XO gets around to her audit, you will have 2 separate audits to draw you're readiness report from to Starfleet Command. Thoughts sir?" He asked

Franklin gave an appraising hand gesture as he considered the implications, leaning back in his chair to carefully study the Master Chief - sizing the man up, considering all angles. After a moment, he nodded slowly.

"I don't see why not," Franklin replied. "The Command Staff and myself have been busy with the workings of this ship, trying our best to mesh an academy and starfaring vessel into a cohesive and working entity. It's a lot of work, but that's why we're the test bed. Why don't you include that in your prepardness audits as well?"

"Yes sir. Thank you sir." Said the Chief. "Seeing as we are the test bed for this, that had not occurred to me. Anything else you think would be relevant information for you or Starfleet?" He asked intently.

"The only other person I can think of to ask is the Commodore himself, Chief," Franklin suggested. "This is his project, and as I said we're simply the test bed for that Academy project. Other than that I have no firm suggestions on what you should do. I'm eager to see where this takes us," he finished with a smile.

"Thank you for your time sir. I will try to see the Commodore today then. Thank you again for allowing me this project sir." He said standing. "Permission to start sir?" He asked with anticipation.

Franklin smiled, standing. "Absolutely, I'll make sure the Commodore is aware of your expected arrival."

(TAG)

OFF:

Captain Franklin Johnson
Commanding Officer
USS Poseidon

&

Master Chief Petty Officer Charles Ermey Payne
Chief of the Boat
USS Poseidon

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