Challenges #7"
By: Craig Witmore, Engineer, [RNPC]
Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58207.30 1130



“Witmore is having a bad day” Location somewhere on the Zion.

"Oh Man, why am I always the one who has to go down the tubes," Craig was moaning.

"Hurry up Brubacker... give me that induction spanner." Craig was sitting curled up in one of the Zion's Jeffries tubes. As the ship was speeding along, the engines were strained to the limit and some EPS conduits were burned out.

Craig's comm badge chirped and the voice of Chief Engineer Silvio said,

"What is the status of those EPS conduits?"

"I am working on it Chief, shees I am not a miracle man." Craig responded and he rolled his eyes at Jason Brubacker. Who remained in the background and tried to hide his grin.

"That is obvious Witmore," snapped Silvio, "considering that you were assigned this job more than two hours ago and it is still not done. Finish up there and report to the waste recycling centre. There appears to be some contamination in the sterile matter tanks. Silvio out." The comm link went dead.

"Aye drill sergeant," Craig muttered and finished the repair. "You know Jase," he said as they both crawled to the exit. "I hope that one time in my life I would see the Chief smile or at least say thank you Craig or fixing stuff."

***

Silvio watched as the Zion's massive warp core throbbed and pulsed. The captain was sure shaking out the kinks, he thought as he made his way into his office. So far they had fixed several small glitches, and few large ones.

He looked around the main engineering bay and noted that the majority of his staff looked unfazed by the increased work load. In fact, he would gauge the general mood had light hearted and happy. Silvio figured it was due in large part to the shore leave they had just had. Everyone seemed to be happy...everyone except Craig Witmore that was.

Silvio stepped into his office and sat down at his desk. He has sent Witmore down to the Waste center a while ago and had not heard from him.

"Silvio to Witmore, WHat is your status?" asked Silvio activating the ship's communication system.

"Almost done with the disposal units Sir," he responded.

"When you are done down there please report to my office," said Silvio.

"Aye Chief." Craig responded. Brubacker patted him on the shoulder. "Way to go Craig.... seems you have mocked something up again.

Craig shrugged. "I haven't done anything wrong that is." Then he chuckled, I only work hard you see. Perhaps he wants to give me a ribbon or so."

Brubacker grinned as he closed the toolbox. "Craig, your funny, and keep on dreaming." He started to walk away.."Oh Craig, don't forget Friday is our poker night alright?"

"I will be there." Craig responded but in the mean time he doubted. The only time he got called to Silvio's office was when he had made a mistake or when something was not right.

Silvio tapped the keypad of his console and brought up Witmore's file. He was surprised to find that during their recent shore leave Witmore had not only worked his assigned Zion duties but he had also taken a few shifts with QulTuq's engineering department. The Zion's chief engineer was not sure how that had gotten by him. He suspected that Mister Witmore was burned out.

Silvio closed Witmore's file just as the door chime to his office rang. "Come in," he said.

A bit hesitantly Craig entered Silvio's office. He nervously rubbed his hands against the side of his pants.

"Ah, Craig," said Silvio with a smile. "thank you for coming, please sit down." Silvio gestured toward the chair opposite him at his desk.

Now Craig knew definitely that there was something wrong. But he kept his comments and sat down as requested.

"How are you doing?" asked Silvio.

"I.... I am doing fine Sir." he said with a small hesitation. "Did I do something wrong Sir, I mean if its regarding the repairs, I am on schedule you see. I also fixed the disposal units." he stated very quickly. He was pondering his mind to see if he had forgotten something.

Silvio smiled, "You have not done anything wrong," he said, "I am just concerned about you. It is taking you far longer than it should to complete your tasks and sometimes your comments seem a bit disrespectful." Silvio paused and then continued, "It just doesn't seem like you Craig. I just wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong."

Craig let out a deep sigh.. "I am sorry Chief, I just didn't have a good day that’s all. I... surely didn't mean to be disrespectful you know." He let his head hang and slumped in the chair.

"This is about more than a bad day," observed Silvio, "perhaps you should visit with the ship's counselor?"

"I know I should be talking to Ms Zoei about it but, well you know she is a woman.. and there are somethings you can not discuss with women." Craig now stated softly.

Silvio nodded, "Well, you should at least have an initial meeting with her. She can possibly refer you to someone else or perhaps a medical doctor if you are worried about your health."

He shook his head. "I just wonder what to do with my life you see? I don't want to stay an engineer all my life. Don't get me wrong that is something I am pretty good at even if I have to say it myself." Craig tried to grin. "It's like I am stuck..... It's... well you know...

"I notice that while we were on QulTuq, you worked extra shifts for the station," said Silvio. "With that and your duties to the Zion it does not seem like you got much time to relax."

Craig nodded. "It kept me out of trouble Chief." he responded. With the extra work he had tried to forget the message he got about his parents. Unable to verify the correctness of it, the message had left a nagging feeling in his mind, one he tried to forget by the extra work. Not only that but the extra work meant he stayed out of trouble.

Silvio thought about Witmore's predicament. It was clear to him that this engineer was burned out, he suspected there were other issues in the man's life as well, but he was not a counselor. "Craig, I am going to clear you off the duty roster for two weeks. During that time you are to take advantage of the Zion's recreational offerings. Unless there is a call to battle stations you are not allowed to set one foot in engineering."

"But Chief... you need me here," Craig said. "There is nobody faster then me fixing stuff," he pleaded.

"Craig, you are burned out and burned out people make mistakes. I am sure you understand what can happen when mistakes are made in this department."

"Yes Sir."

"I would also suggest that you visit, at least once, with the ship's counselor. She might be able to help you focus on what career direction you want to follow. You are not the first person to want change."

Craig slumped even more in the chair. "But Sir she is a woman... I can not..." he said. On the other hand perhaps he should talk to a woman. They normally had a different view on things.

"All I ask is that you go at least once," said Silvio. "I am confident that she can help you Craig."

"I understand." he replied while pushing him self out of the chair.

Silvio watched as Craig got up to leave. He regretted having to give his next order but he felt it was best to remove all temptation, "Craig," said Silvio.

"Yes Sir?"

"Please leave your tool kit with me," he said. Silvio knew that it would be hard for him to give up his tool kit. It would be hard for any engineer. "I will take good care of it."

"My tool kit, but Chief... what if something happens?" Craig said, his eyes wide open. Frankly without his toolkit he was lost. It was like taking candy from a baby.

"No arguments Mister Witmore," said Silvio. "Your time will be spent relaxing."

With a sigh Craig looked at the kit in his left hand. He carefully placed it on Silvio's desk. He looked at Silvio. "Sir, not even a coilspanner, in case the replicators fail?"

Silvio forced a very stern look upon his face and shook his head.

Craig frowned as he stepped back and turned towards the door again. "Two weeks Chief?" he asked again. Two weeks of doing nothing, he knew it would drive him crazy.

"Not nothing! Two weeks of relaxing Witmore," replied Silvio. "Try a holonovel, or the gym. Relax..."