Emerald Flight: “Past Imperfect” – Chapter 2 (continued)

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Hawkes surreptitiously watched as Devereux assisted the young technician. Her name, Hawkes had determined, was Ensign Renee Ashton. He had verified her identity the moment she had entered the bridge. Although the guard stationed outside had transmitted her credentials before allowing her to enter, Hawkes considered it well within his duties—particularly considering the increased security arrangements—to ensure that they did indeed match.

He kept his disapproval masked. It seemed apparent that the ensign did not possess the necessary skills required for the task that she had been assigned. That she had been dispatched there, though, came as no particular surprise to Hawkes. As far as he had been able to determine, the Chief Engineer often seemed to select his crew assignments using little other criteria than which of them happened within shouting range when they were needed. If such was truly the Chief Engineer’s approach (and Hawkes had little evidence to convince him that it was not) then it was hardly the ensign’s fault that she seemed unable to complete—or even begin—the requested repairs without assistance.

From what he could see, though, the captain did not appear to share his dissatisfaction over the incident. She smiled, even seeming to enjoy her interaction with Ashton. The captain appeared to be performing a majority of the work. At least, Hawkes noted, she seemed to be using the occasion to also educate the ensign on the task at the same time.

An alert indicator on his console chimed for his attention. He glanced down, seeing that the inspection of the main and auxiliary airlocks had been completed, as well as the hatches that led to the twin cargo bays in the aft of the ship. There had been evidence of either damage or tampering. Hawkes had suspected that such would be the report, but regulations required such an examination and now it had been completed.