The Plan for Now

Posted on 03 May 2019 @ 9:26am by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Azra Ghoc & Charlotte Franklin
Edited on on 11 May 2019 @ 3:36pm

1,801 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: USS Galileo-A - Azra's Quarters
Timeline: MD -17, 1127

[ON]

Azra created a virtual second screen over her desk and pulled up a training schedule on it. She didn't have a dedicated office, but her quarters served well enough. She checked the time, it was only a few minutes before Charlotte Franklin would arrive. Azra also prepared a screen displaying the training regimens she'd been through.

When Charlotte had initially been asked by Commander Wyatt to learn about the different aspects of the ship, she was wary. Charlotte's opinion of Starfleet had obviously changed since her removal from her home years ago, but she didn't want to learn. She was as stubborn as Amaranai had suggested and it was only through working with Commander Wyatt that her attitudes have changed.

With that, Charlotte has made a practice of speaking with the various departments about learning all aspects of the ship. The brunette wasn't sure she still wanted to go to the Academy, but she figured, if she was already on a ship, the least she could do was learn. She might not be the best student or even officer material, but she did want to learn.

Making her way to the chief warrant officer's quarters, Charlotte, dressed comfortably, was wondering exactly what the woman did.

Botswain?

She didn't even know how to pronounce the word, let alone spell it. She only knew it because she saw the title on the roster when selecting her next training assignment. When she got to the door, she pressed the chime and waited.

Azra pushed her chair back and stood. It wasn't a long walk to the door, and as soon as she approached the door opened. "Afternoon, Charlotte," Azra greeted her young visitor, "come on in. I'm Azra Ghoc, Galileo's bosun." The half-Cardassian woman slid into the chair behind the desk and leaned back.

The door opened and Charlotte smiled as the woman spoke.

Oh, that's how to pronounce that word.

Charlotte stepped into the room and followed the "bosun" to her desk.

"Nice to meet you," she said.

Her manners had definitely improved over the past few years

"I guess you might want to know why I asked for this training," she said. "Commander Wyatt suggested I start learning about different jobs on the ship in an effort to decide if I might be suited for any of them."

She paused.

"I've done some work with engineering and security, though not a lot. I wanted something different, so I looked at ship's operations and was curious about your job."

"It's odd we haven't really interacted before this, to tell you the truth," Azra commented. "A huge part of my job is helping to oversee training aboard Galileo. In most cases, anytime you asked to train with a department, I should have been involved at least in an advisory capacity." Azra waved a pale hand toward the screen that hovered to the side of her desk. "That is a list of the training sessions I've coordinated just over the last six weeks."

The list was long, extending off the screen. It appeared that there was at least one session for every day, if not occasionally more. "Every member of the crew should be somewhat familiar with me, if only because I've been present at almost every training session."

Charlotte listened as Azra spoke. It was probably true that she should have been involved but Charlotte had an answer.

"Again," Charlotte started. "Commander Wyatt was in charge of my training program and allowed me to discuss directly with him which section I would like to train with."

She paused as Azra showed the brunette the list of training sessions.

"I apologize for any problems that may have occurred because of my private training sessions."

Azra waved the apology away. "No, it didn't cause any problems. I'm just surprised the Commander didn't loop me in." She smiled, but that's not really the most important thing. She leaned forward, "What do you understand about the general functions of the Operations department?"

Charlotte thought for a moment and then answered the question.

"Honestly," she started. "Not much. I mean, I guess that the department deals with all the systems that keep the ship running. Something like that?"

Azra tilted her head in a non-committal way. "Sort of," she pulled up a long list of daily processes that Operations was responsible for, "Operations is a department that assists engineering with maintaining essential systems. More than that, Ops is the primary logistical arm of any starship. Logistics being how resources, including time, power, personnel, equipment, and more are distributed and how."

The Human/Cardassian hybrid paused to see if Charlotte was still with her. "So really, we help keep Galileo running smoothly."

Charlotte nodded as Azra explained the Operations department's duties. It was obvious that she really didn't know what Ops did and that there was a lot to learn.

"It makes sense," she started. "So, I guess you make sure that everything gets done in order to keep the ship running?"

"Exactly," Azra said, "as bosun, it's my job to coordinate training, to help manage the enlisted personnel in the operation department, coordinate damage control with engineering personnel, and to fill in wherever else I'm needed." She rattled off the description as if it weren't a rather lengthy and wide-ranging set of duties.

Charlotte listened and took in the information. The position didn't seem complicated in terms of actual schooling, which made it look appealing to the girl, but the fact that Azra maintained and organized such a large ship - in conjunction with all departments - by herself, was a little dizzying.

"Okay," she said. "That does seem like a lot of work." She paused. "What made you want to be a bosun? I mean, you have a lot of power, technically, but not really. So, what's the draw?"

Charlotte wasn't trying to be rude but wanted to know what had led Azra to the position.

Azra shook her head. "It's not the power that matters. I have some measure of influence with department heads, and with the captain, true. The real draw for me comes from two things. First," she held up a finger, "is the ability to really make a difference aboard Galileo. The second," she raised a second finger, "is that I get to learn a lot of different things. If I were simply an engineer I'd have to focus in on that job. If I were in security I'd focus there."

"This way I get to know a little bit about everything," Azra said, "and I like learning. I've spent more time learning the ins and outs of how Starfleet works than almost any officer does. Starfleet Academy starts with teaching broad principles and basic proficiency, but then you're expected to specialize. I specialized, then specialized again and again and again."

Charlotte nodded. Azra's explanation made sense and it made Charlotte really understand the position and how Azra worked with the rest of the crew.

"That makes a lot of sense," the girl said. "And it makes me think I'd like this job more than others."

She paused.

"I've always liked learning a lot of different things."

Charlotte considered her past and all of the hate she held and the things she learned because of her desire to do bad. She hadn't been that person in a long time and she no longer felt the need to be that person. She might have hated Amaranai originally for taking her away from her life but she was grateful to her sister for doing so. At least right now.

"Learning is fun for me and I like challenges, so this might be a good idea."

Azra nodded to Charlotte's question. "It is a lot of work, and you always have to be at your best, even when you want to let things slide. It can be exhausting, but it's incredibly rewarding." She brought up the introductory courses for Engineering, Operations, Personnel Management, and General Procedures. "These courses are where you'll want to begin. If you get to know all of the information in them, you'll be able to be certified by testing out of the courses after your AIT. If you still want to become a bosun at that point, you'll probably serve as an operations crewman for a year or two before apprenticing to a ship's bosun."

Charlotte listened to Azra and nodded her head as she explained the courses required for the certification and what the process would be if Charlotte wanted to continue. Did she? For now it was something that interested her, at least. And it would keep her busy instead of bored in her quarters. Plus, with Amaranai busy with duty or her girlfriend, Charlotte needed something in her life. She didn't really have any friends her own age on the ship, so working and learning with her peers might be better than nothing also.

"I understand," she said after a moment. "And thank you for your help with this. I really appreciate it."

"Of course," Azra said and stood to walk her young guest to the door. "If you want to keep on training under the Commander's supervision, go for it. Just remember that I am here as a resource. I'm happy to help with whatever you need."

Charlotte could tell that the meeting was close to over by the way Azra was moving. Charlotte stopped, however, when Azra spoke.

"Actually," she started. "The commander is very busy and might not always be available." She paused and realized what she said. "Not that you're not busy. It's just that you might have a better handle on my training. I don't really think the commander would mind too much."

"I'd be happy to help," Azra said. "I've got another appointment coming up soon. Stop by anytime or schedule another appointment and we can go over any questions you come up with."

"I understand," Charlotte said. "I'll let you get ready." She moved closer to the door. "And thank you for your time. I'll contact you soon."

Azra smiled. "I look forward to it." When the door closed behind the young woman Azra sighed. She remembered being that age. She'd flitted from one interest to another and back so frequently that she couldn't remember half of them. She still did, just not with her career choice. Instead it was her hobbies. Charlotte might find the same kind of interests, or she might discover a passion in only a single area. Either way, Azra planned to do her best to ensure that Charlotte had every possible opportunity.

[OFF]

--

CWO3 Azra Ghoc
Boatswain
USS Galileo-A

Charlotte Franklin
Civilian
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Franklin]

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