Niomo's Rush

So all I need to do is reset this capacitor and sync it to the left conducer...

Niomo had been working on one of his warp cores for about 7 hours now. When theAlsea docked he ran straight to his new warp cores. The main warp core required little maintence, so he left it to his still nameless assistants. He took the more difficult task: the core from the secondary hull had received stress fractures in it's bracing and needed to be repaired. He didn't know who the last Chief was, be it looks like he didn't monitor the Dextrim stress levels of every hull. Deciding that the job was mostly complete, and that the ship would not have a warp core crashing down a few decks, he slid out from the 'Tube he was working in and sighed. His coveralls were blue and black with exhaust and grime, his face.....was no better. But it wasn't like he had anywhere to go.

Niomo returned to the main section of engineering and surveyed his new home. He had all of his crews on call working, he recalled his conversation with the Andorian Captain and knew that the Alsea would not be having an extended R&R. Niomo didn't mind that so much, he had a few years of vacation to make up for. He stretched and nodded; most of his teams had been working for 10 hours straight. It was time for a break. He tapped the closest terminal and activated the engineering room's wide range intercom. "Attention Engineering teams A, B and C. We are taking a 5 hour break. Report back around 1200. Teams D and E, keep going for another 5 hours and then we will switch off. Thanks for your hard work. Section chiefs, shoot me a status update on the work you've done before you hit the sack. Dismissed."

Niomo started to walk out the door when a female ensign with a flushed face ran up to him and started to shout. "SIR! You're still here?! We thought you left for your conference a half hour ago!"

Niomo cocked his head and put his finger to his temple. "Conference? I'm sorry ensign, I'm...not sure I know what you are talking about. Calm down and tell me what you mean."

She swallowed and took a deep breath. "A call came in from the Starbase about 3 hours ago, at 0300. It requested all senior staff to report for a conference at 0700! We all assumed you heard it. When you disappeared, we just assumed that you had left early for the meeting..." The ensign looked down at the ground.

Is...that guilt on her face? Oh well, no time to worry! Niomo nodded in thanks. "Thank you for letting me know Ensign. Enjoy your break." Niomo turned and hurriedly walked out the door. "Computer, time."

The computer bleeped and responded "The current time is 0650."

Niomo sighed and started jogging down the hallway to the turbolift. No time to change, I'll have to tie the top of my coveralls around my waist. At least I kept my uniform on under it. Upon walking out of the turbolift, he proceeded to the transporter room. He smiled to the chief and walked into the pad.

"Starbase 10, please. Close as you can get to this "conference" everyone is talking about."

The chief stared at him for a moment before responding, "Sir, you do know your face......"

"Yeah...Hazard of the job. I'll fix it on the way. Energize." Niomo was already unzipping his one piece coverall to reveal his clean Uniform.

"Yessir. The conference is on Deck 7. I'll transport you right outside the room. Give you some time to 'Freshen up'" The chief was hitting buttons, grinning.

Moments later, Niomo was back on Starbase 10, amidst the hustle and bustle of busy crewmen. A few gave him strange looks, apparently surprised to see an officer with smudges on his face. Niomo stepped aside to take a sleeve of his coverall and turn it inside out. He then used it to wipe off his face. He saw the sleeve become dirty, so he assumed it worked. He returned the sleeve to it's original position in a knot around his waist and gave his face and hair a quick rub to make sure they were somewhat presentable. At least he didn't smell.

Niomo took a deep breath and walked into the conference room. By his estimation, it was still before 0700. It had been a while since he had been in a briefing but he was glad to be back. It was then that he realized that everyone was holding a PADD...except Niomo. He spotted a replicator in the far corner of the room and made a beeline for it. He responded to the nods and greetings of other officers as he made his way to his goal. Upon arriving, he replicated a PADD and then a cup of coffee.

He took a sip and breathed a sigh of relief. When it was time, he found a seat and prepared to receive his mission.