Chief's Job

Lieutenant MacLeod was at the Ops station with Ensign Gordon a newly transferred crew member. They were running a series of test on the internal sensor grid and some other test on the ship's status.

"Excuse me Lieutenant. I was wondering if Captain Devore would mind if I did some re-routing of the flight controls to Ops and tactical. In case of emergency situations. Say if the conn blew up in my face and killed me and the controls of my station were useless." Chief Shale asked MacLeod. MacLeod had no say so in the matter and redirected him.

"Well it's not my place to say yes or no. You should ask the Captain not me."

[Chief Shale report to my ready room.] Devore said.

"Aye sir on my way." Shale said as tapped his combadge, and walked to door of the Captain's ready room. He entered when he was called and saw the Captain reading a PADD, a cadet was standing in front of the Captain's desk.

"Sir, you called for me ?" Shale asked wondering why the cadet was even here.

" Yes come in and take a seat. I wanted to speak with you and you should know this too." Shale walked to the front of Devore's desk and took a seat. . "Cadet McCaffee this is Chief Shale, he was a fighter pilot and has been involved in numerous battles. I want the chief to more or less tutor you. The Chief will not only instruct you in flying but how to react and think in the heat of battle or through an ion storm. Any questions Cadet ?"

"No Sir." Cadet McCaffee said.

"Very well you're dismissed and wait outside for the Chief. I need to speak with him." The cadet walked out side and and Devore pulled out another PADD and read it. He then redirected his attentions to the chief. "So Chief Shale why do you think you came onboard for ?"

He thought for a minute and didn't have an answer and just shrugged his shoulders.

"Well you have a good flight record and earned several Distinguished Flying Cross medals not to mention several unit citations. I figure that it is safe to say you're an ace and are very much qualified to hold more then a Chief's rating. According to this you were class of 2371 at Starfleet Academy, but in 2372 you put in your resignation. Why ?"

Shale hated to speak with anyone about that incident, but he knew a commanding officer must have know everything he can about his crew for if this secret was kept then the Captain could / would lose everything to include creditability in the new chief. "Sir. Let's say that if I ever saw another Ferengie again. It would be to soon."

"Then, you aided the Marquis for a year and then came back to Starfleet but as enlisted man this time ?" Devore looked at Shale who just sat there. "Let me get this straight. In 2374, you turned down a field promotion to a Lieutenant and after the War you were offered it again and turned it down once more."

"Yes sir. I don't feel as if I'm officer material anymore I've been around too much. I feel and love my job better as a Chief then a Lieutenant or Commander."

"Very well, if that's how you feel then so be it" Devore put the PADD down and looked Shale directly in his eyes. "Mr. Shale. I don't want no problems here. You have a distinguished but troubled service record. I want you to add to the ship and not work against it. So by helping young McCaffee, I think you may be able to redeem yourself and be proud of your service background. However, I don't want you to be soft on him even though his mother is Admiral McCaffee."

Shale gave a smile then said, "Trust me sir I'll be the boy's father and mother put together sir." Devore shot a look at Shale. *Whoops said the wrong thing!*

"Dismissed Chief." Devore said coldly peering away.

"Aye Aye Sir." Shale shot up and to attention and walked out. As he crossed the threshold he looked at the Cadet standing a little too comfortable. "Snapped to Cadet who in God's right gave you the right to slouch!!!" Shale said in a loud voice grabbing everyone's attention on the Bridge.