Johnson Kenyon

Personal Log Lieutenant Junior Grade Johnson Kenyon 30 April 2388 - Stardate 2388.121 All I have got to say is that Skyharbor Aegis lives up to its name. It feels like I have only been here a day, but then I realize I arrived on the 27th. I have been here for four days and have been busy learning the ropes of engineering and have inadvertently fumbled on a highly advanced species. This species is presently engaged in First Contact. Frankly, I am relieved to not be involved in First Contact. Not that I am against First Contact. I just need to have some time to get used to my surroundings. It hasn’t even been a week for pete sakes and I feel like I have been trying to keep up with everything engineering has to do. I’m grateful to the Chief Engineer Nijil. He seems to take things in stride. Of course, I have to wonder if spending time watching the repair cycles on the station hologram is best when an alien species comes knocking on our door. Perhaps he isn’t the explorer type. Me? I thought I was. Until…. Well… Meeting the alien species, having them look around and use telepathy. Well, it kind of freaked me out. I have to remember this when I am involved in any sort of First Contact situation. We have to expect… Well, we have to expect they will not like learning they are flies in the speck of the universe. There’s a whole expanse of space out there and I think it important that we remember we are in the middle of our evolution. Even as we meet others who are learning and growing as a civilization, we must continue to push ourselves to grow. To that extent, I think I will choose to not be freaked out again. Really though, what have I seen in this time-diluted station? I have seen Main Engineering, CnC, the Commerce deck and the top of the station where the primary sensors work. I have seen the insides of the Operations console, medical, the Perfume shop and Drankum’s bar. That is to say, amazingly, I have seen a lot. I shouldn’t be surprised really, Captain Kirk was one of the most highly decorated and fastest advancing officers in Star Fleet history. Not that I would put myself in Captain Kirk’s shoes, but 2 promotions in less than a week. Well – it ought to be a record. Still. Some of the people have only been here for a few years and are sporting ranks of Commander. There is something about this place that encourages and brings out the best in Star Fleet officers. Those that survive the Fire and Turmoil of Skyharbor Aegis are the best in their ranks. I count myself worthy to be among them.

Johnson grabbed his tools and walked the short distance to the TL. It opened and he entered. As it closed he said, “Main Engineering.” He was pooped. Confused. Awestruck. It all applied. An alien race had appeared in Medical right before him and he didn’t have a clue how to interact with them. Yet he had been involved in creating the theories of how to communicate. Sometimes the riddle of life was more confusing than anything a mystery could supply. By his count, he couldn’t have been out of the Academy more than 10 days and he was already dismantling consoles, coming up with innovative communication techniques, attending senior staff meetings and making first contact. Did that about cover it? His classmates at the Academy were sure to be jealous. Aegis was no idle station. Johnson entered the Main Engineering and returned his tool bag to its place. He didn’t see Subcommander Nijil and he felt a sudden urge to get some shut eye. He exited Main Engineering and couldn’t think where his quarters were. To his memory, he had only slept on his bed two nights and had lost more sleep recently trying to keep up with the 3 shifts. He didn’t remember the last time he’d eaten. He leaned against the wall and said, “Computer, show me to my…” From behind his medical console, Johnson linked the output of Dr. Sandero’s brain to the medical tricorder borrowed from Dr. Pavilion. Dr. Sandero seemed to be figuring out the Psionic Verbalizer. “A couple more tests and I’ll be able to see how this works,” Johnson spoke as he tapped on the console. “Dr. Pavilion, are you ready to take medical scans of Dr. Sandero’s brain?” “Of course, Doctor Kenyon, but I take them routinely during her annual physical. Shall I put them on your console?” Johnson’s medical console changed and he pulled up the brain scans. “Yes, these should do nicely.” His eyes moved across the screen and he absorbed the information. “Dr. Sandero, are you ready to proceed?” “Well, I’m not certain I understand how this works, but I will try.” Johnson smiled at Dacia and she smiled back. “I’m sure you’ll be great.” “Okay. Here goes.” A Being appeared in the room. Johnson thought she was supposed to try to reach someone on the station, but this outcome was better. He stared momentarily in awe of the Being, who looked back. The being turned and addressed Johnson. “Dr. Kenyon, I am here to show you… Ensign Kenyon. Ensign Kenyon!” Johnson opened his eyes and blinked groggily. Slowly the imagine of a security officer appeared. “Are you alright? I found you slumped over in the hall. I was going to call medical...” “NO”, Johnson said firmly. “I can manage.” He focused and grabbed the security officer’s hand. Fully upright, he thanked the security officer. “I need to get some sleep.”

Ensign Johnson Kenyon took apart the OPS console. There’s nothing like Captain Ramson asking to know what the blinking red light is to bring on the adrenalin, he thought. He looked over the console and performed a cursory diagnostic. There’s nothing wrong with this thing. Why do they think it’s wrong? They just don’t like the blinking light? What’s the thing trying to say and why don’t they understand it? Johnson began to sweat. He wasn’t about to tell the Captain there was nothing wrong with the console, but this was putting him in quite a pickle. It appeared to be working normally, but were he to insist it was good and later proven to be wrong, he’d look like a buffoon. That’s not something he could live with. If only the Romulan engineer were here. He’d know what to do. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, but slowly. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself. The second-deep breath had the intended calming effect and, so far as he knew, no one noticed. He was able to focus again. Reaching back into his memories of the academy, he remembered Professor Ergstrom lecturing on diagnostics. Level 1 diagnostics was an extremely detailed search through every nook and cranny. Level 5 diagnostics was a cursory sweep, like what he did to reestablish communications with the task force. Back then, he was told there was a ship at the location of the blinking red light. Now, he was told the blinking red light meant something. Between level 1 and level 5, there was a vast difference in time, energy and resources. Then, there was level 2. Level 2 was a systematic process of cutting the problem in half. The process of isolation and reintegration of each system one by one to locate the problem. This seemed like the best way to approach the problem. Professor Ergstrom would be proud he remembered at least some of the lecture. He reached into the tool bag and pulled out an isolinear spanner. With the console up, he would systematically shut off inputs into the panel, until he located how the blinking light was appearing on the screen.