Handing over the keys

Posted on 15 Apr 2026 @ 2:41am by Lieutenant Ryan Collingway

452 words; about a 2 minute read

///USS Arawyn///
///Docking Bay Two////

The docking bay doors opened, and the first of the Starbase engineers arrived on the Arawyn.

Ryan was there to greet them. "Commander Mckenzie, Lieutenant Collingway. We spoke a few days ago."

"Good to meet you face to face, Lieutenant." Lieutenant Commander Mckenzie was a thin, tall man with a goatee. His friendly eyes took in everything. "How is your CEO doing?"

"Um, better," Ryan said as they walked to engineering. "He's still on medical leave, but stopped by briefly in engineering. Given the severity of his injury....it's frankly a miracle he was able to do that. He's authorized you to have full access."

"Thank you, and give him my regards." A few minutes later they entered engineering. Mckenzie took stock of the room. "The Arawyn is a beautiful ship. But whoever shot at her got a damn lucky hit in. You weren't kidding about the EPS taps and the coolant tank. Station teams are already working on a hull assessment as well. We'll patch her up, almost good as new. Then work on whatever repairs are outstanding."

"Sounds like a good plan," Ryan said. Both of them studied the the warp core, pulsing with blue light. The literal heart of the ship. He felt the familiar pull of worry. "I'll stick around, help your team out with the hull assessment-"

"Negative. You're relieved, Lieutenant," Mckenzie said. "Effective immediately."

Ryan blinked in surprise, wondering if he had done something wrong. "Sir?"

Mckenzie glanced at him, not unkindly. "You're not the first engineer to give me a damaged ship, exhausted out your mind but too worried to hand over the keys. Let me guess, you lost count of how many shifts you've been working, unable to sleep?"

Ryan looked away, which was admission enough for Mckenzie.

"It's not just you. Most of the staff in here look like they are on the verge of burnout and collapse. I've seen it before. That's my job as well-repair your ship, and recharge the engineering crew." He smiled. "You're all overdue for shore leave. There's a carnival getting set up at the base. From what I've seen, it's going to be something amazing. You don't want to miss it."

Ryan blinked. Oh right, the carnival. He had heard Alura had made some presentation about it. He made a mental note to ask her in more detail. "Yes sir."

"Go take a break, Lieutenant. That's an order," Mckenzie said with a dismissive gesture. "We'll get started here."

"Yes sir," Ryan said again. "I stand relieved."

With a shaking of hands, and satisfied the repairs were in good hands, Ryan turned and left engineering.

Lieutenant (JG) Ryan Collingway
Engineering Officer
USS Arawyn

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