Shuttle Service Crisis

Posted on Thu Feb 17th, 2022 @ 12:02pm by Lieutenant Aiko Kato

Mission: The Orion Syndicate
Location: Shuttle Bay

"Lots of going in and out. I am starting to feel like all we are is a shuttle service."

Aiko chuckled at that. "Well, that is part of your job description is it not as the leader of the ground crew?"

Aiko noticed ch'Thranne's side cut eye that indicated that he was not amused by her stating the obvious. Unfortunately, this only prompted another chuckle from Aiko.

"I'm sorry for making light of your plight Chief," Aiko said. "It's just at my last posting, I recall having this conversation with my crew chief and it was the exact opposite problem. She complained of how bored she and her ground crew were."

"Well...are they looking for a new Chief because I'm about to put in a transfer," ch'Thranne responded matter of fact.

Aiko grinned. "I don't think so, but even if they were, I wouldn't want to lose you. So you better believe I will sabotage that transfer."

ch'Thranne sighed in exasperation as he turned back to the control panel of the shuttle he was currently servicing. It was true that the flight crew had seen more than their share of activity as of late by virtue of being one of the few departments that had actually become busier during the vacation and dealing with subsequent maintenance in the aftermath.

"But I do hear you though...there's been a lot of traffic lately and I am a culprit in that, but can you blame a girl for taking a vacation?"

"Yes," ch'Thranne deadpanned.

"Huh...actually that was a rhetorical question Chief. Besides, L'Rissa and I took one shuttle for two trips since we dropped off and picked up the Captain from Andoria on our way to and from Cait."

"Oh sure...one shuttle, two trips. Did you know that we were nearly cleaned out during that vacation? Shuttles to Cait, Earth, Lupar 4, Mizu...and those are the ones I even bothered to look into."

ch'Thranne gritted his teeth as he struggled to loosen a junction box and nearly banged his head on the shuttle's bulkhead when he managed to get it open. He paused taking a
moment to compose himself before carrying on with his work.

"It's like you get a shuttle, she gets a shuttle and they get a shuttle. Did no one consider catching a transport? We were on a starbase after all. At one point, I was beginning to seriously consider rolling out workbees to replace our depleted shuttle fleet."

Aiko laughed as she mentally pictured the sight of travelling through interstellar space in a workbee. "Well, can't say that's the most convenient way to travel."

"And now," ch'Thranne continued almost as if Aiko had not spoken even though she was his boss, "you're telling me to prep two more runabouts for a trip to Earth and Vulcan."

"Captain's orders," Aiko said. "I get it ch'Thranne, the past week has been quite busy but with good reason. You and your crew have helped and are helping the crew keep their sanity by supporting them to take a break from work to see family, enjoy the pleasures of life...and I guess in some cases, seek treatment and...get back on board quickly, in the case of Doctor Howard."

"Sure...helping everyone else but us shuttle service techs."

Aiko opened her mouth to speak ready to rebuff his statement but realized that she actually had no defense for that line. "Huh...I guess you are right."

She paused. "How about we come to an agreement, I pull in some pilots including myself to help your specialists expedite the maintenance on the shuttles to ease the burden on you and your team. That way you and your team can have a bit of a break? Perhaps even a mini deferred vacation? Although given we are currently on our way to Orion, I anticipate that leisure time will not be very long."

ch'Thranne paused and looked at Aiko suspiciously, his antennae moving sporadically as if they were trying to sense whether she was deceiving him. "What's the catch?"

"No catch, just one officer helping out another. And besides, it's been a while since I got my hands dirty. The other pilots could use the practice as well. And with the delay the Captain has ordered to our destination, I really don't have much to do on the Bridge."

"Deal," ch'Thranne answered.

Aiko smiled. "Great. Put it there partner," she announced extending her hand which ch'Thranne glanced at for a moment bemused though he understood what social action was required of him. After a moment's pause he shook Aiko's hand.

Aiko grinned pleased with the outcome.

Yet another disgruntled employee placated, she mused. It was not too bad being the boss lady, she had to admit.

And now it was time to get her hands dirty and reawaken the grease monkey within...not a bad way to end the day.