Change of Plans

[MisterSmith 0]

Assistant Operations Officer's Log

Utopia Planetia Shipyards

------

 

Lieutenant Benjamin Smith sat at the Utopia Planetia Operations Center's main computer console. As a shipyard, Utopia Planetia was staffed by very few starfleet officers. Most of the crew were members of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers or were Non-Com. officers who served mostly construction functions.

 

As the Assistant Operations Officer of the shipyard, Smith was the closest thing to an Executive Officer. He was in charge of making sure that all the foremen were doing their jobs, and that all ships were progressing well. From his console in the main operations center, he could keep tabs on all the construction crews.

 

Smith was sitting at his console when he got an urgent message. Ben tapped the comm console next to him, and saw a blue skinned man sitting behind a very lavish desk.

 

"Commander Grench," started Smith. "I was just about to call you myself. It seems the Topeka is going to be a little late for their shakedown. Apparently their CMO was caught in a wormhole on his way in from Delta Prime, and they'll have to wait a few days to see if he can find his way out. Why they let the poor man fly a shuttle on his own is anyone's guess. Anyways, what can I do for you?"

 

"I've got a special assignment for you. But you're not gonna like it." Grench replied dryly.

 

"Oh? It can't possibly be that bad."

 

"I'm assigning you as foreman to the USS Chalenger construction. With the Enterprise-B out of comission for a few weeks, Starfleet is pushing Challenger up a bit, and we need someone with experience to lead the construction team."

 

"I'm sorry, sir." Smith began. "But isn't that...a...demotion."

 

"Don't look at it that way, Benjamin. You're not losing your rank of Lieutenant, I just need someone with your kind of experience working on your project. Besides, Lieutenant Huang is going to have her baby just after Challenger launches, so the position will be open just in time for you to return to it."

 

Smith frowned. He had worked hard to get to where he was. He had been the foreman for nearly 20 ships in just 10 years on the job.

 

"You are reassigned immediately. I suggest you meet with Captain Sieben. Rolf, is a friend of mine, and a good man. You'll enjoy working with him. Gretch out."

 

Before Benjamin could reply the picture of the Andorian had moved and was replaced by the standard Federation logo.

 

Ben stood up and walked to the nearest turbolift. He hoped that, at the very least, he could still keep his office.