Post 372: Informal Introduction

Stardate:70810.0230
Title: Informal Introduction
Author: Commander Salvek
Scene: Main Engineering, Independence
Time: after "Driven to Distraction"

"Greetings." Salvek said simply, inclining his head towards Rada Dengar. Dengar straightened up into a position of attention, having not expected to see the acting first officer standing behind him.

"At ease ensign. Orders." Salvek extended his hand, indicating he wanted to see Dengar's transfer orders. It was Salvek's custom to review each transfer order, even if they were just a formality.

"I'm sorry Commander, I already turned them in back at the shuttlebay when I came aboard." *Great, blew it with him too already!* Thought Rada.

In atypical fashion, Salvek waved him off. "No matter. I'm sure the orders are official. Welcome aboard mister....?"

"Dengar sir, Rada Dengar. It is a pleasure to be aboard."

Salvek extended his hand and shook Dengar's. *Was that a smile?* Thought Rada.

"My wife, is everything under control?"

"Of course Salvek, it's me." Kellyn said, holding her hands up in the air. "I'm surprised to see you out, I thought you were still recovering from all the, events, of the last few days." Kellyn chose her words carefully, not wanting to terrify the new Ensign with details of everything she and Salvek had been through recently, from Pon Farr to finding out Salvek had been a guinea pig in Vulcan medical experiments. It was probably too much to hear from your commanding officers during the first day on the job.

"I am currently still off duty, but can a husband not take a moment from the day to check in on his wife?" Salvek asked, with all sincerity. "Besides I have had little time in engineering since my promotion to acting first officer. It is good for me to keep in touch and make sure I still know who works for me." Salvek said, motioning towards Rada.

"You know I'd always rather be where you are Salvek." Her words meant more to Salvek now then ever. In his frustration and stress under current events, Salvek had found himself doubting her commitment for just a moment. Kellyn had very quickly reminded him where her loyalties were.

"If you're lonely Salvek," Kellyn said, sticking her lower lip out "you can assist Xhian, he's wrapping up repairs from this whole virus fiasco. We are reinforcing the firewalls for the holodeck systems. He should be here any moment. But you SHOULD be resting."

"I am resting," declared Salvek. Out of the corner of his eyes, Salvek spied Xhian entering engineering. "It has been a pleasure Mister Dengar. We will speak again soon I'm sure, upon my return to engineering."

"For me as well, sir."

"You do not need to call me, sir."

"Salvek then?" Rada asked, wondering if he was as informal as his wife.

"Commander Salvek will do. Or just Commander."

"Oh I see, very well Commander Salvek."

"Rada," Kellyn began again, "K'Pajek was down here for the fourth time this morning just before you came in. I don't know what the night shift did, but they seem to have taken all the weapons systems we just got back online, back offline. Would you check into it and I'll be there to assist you shortly?"

"Of course, Kellyn. I'll see you soon."

Salvek raised his eyebrow at the young man, who immediately cleared his throat. "She, she told me to call her that."

Kellyn laughed as Rada quickly made himself scarce. "I think you just scared five years off of that poor kid's life."

"He's young." Salvek replied. "He can spare them."

Salvek excused himself from the office, and met up with Xhian. The two of them worked on the computer for about an hour. Xhian explained his plans for upgrading the firewalls.

"I'm going to increase the current password protocols from a 7 digit sequence to a 143 digit fractal code. The Borg have great trouble deciphering such codes so I'm sure it will keep anyone else out as well. We will also log all requests for access to the holodeck grid and set an alarm if an unauthorized attempt is made to access the system."

Salvek examined Xhian's worked and was impressed. It was likely what he would have done himself. The upgraded firewalls would not be as strong as the protocols protecting the most sensitive systems, but still a great deal more difficult to penetrate then the current system.

"Proceed, Ensign."

"Do you have any thing to add, Sir?"

"No, the plan is thorough. I will assist you in reprogramming the computer."

As the work progressed, Salvek was interrupted by a com badge signal.

[Salvek, this is Zanh.]

"Yes, Captain?"

[I have a request from planet side. Are you alone?]

"I am now," Salvek said, stepping into the now empty engineering office.

[Sorry to interrupt your mini vacation, but Gilmore wants us to send the Captain's Yacht down to the Embassy district, immediately and quietly.]

"Understood, may I ask why?"

[He didn't say, but he wants someone to pick them up and do it discreetly. I can think of no one better suited for the job. I've already arranged to have equipment he requested loaded onto the ship.]

"I will depart immediately." Salvek closed the channel, and as he strode passed Kellyn, whispered in her ear. "I will not be gone long."

"Where are you going?" She asked, concerned for his health.

"Captain Gilmore has requested assistance on the planet. I don't know why yet, but he asked that it be handled discreetly. Please tell no one."

"Very well, but I still think you should be resting." Kellyn said, giving him a leery eye.

"I will keep this as short as possible." Salvek squeezed her hand, and made his way to the Captain's Yacht.

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Commander Salvek
Acting First Officer
USS Independence