I am surprised, though, that those posts haven't been filled as yet. I made a passing enquiry to T'Roc and her response was vague. She said it was 'in hand', but she wouldn't say anything more.
Instead then, I'll tell you about our science and engineering departments, neither of which are short of staff.
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Do you remember Icarus Blaney? He was a crewman who served with me aboard the Drakonia. Like myself, he was part of the maintenance team, but that wasn't his area of expertise. At the time, though, it was the best assignment he could secure within Starfleet.
When the Earhart was reactivated, he saw an opportunity. His qualifications in science are second to none, so when he applied for a transfer, requesting a post in the science department, T'Roc snatched him up. Since then, T'Roc has encouraged him, even sponsoring him, to undertake his officer training through the Academy's new Distance Learning Unit. It's another aspect of the Professional Development Program that allows qualified and experienced NCOs to up their game. In the meantime, he's made Petty Officer, Third Class and heads the Science Department.
On a personal note, Icarus is human, twenty-four years old and rather quiet, never saying very much but always listening. He's a member of the Games Club, which means he knows Al. I'm hoping that as there are two stations on the bridge, he might give her the opportunity to spend some time up there. I think it will do her some good and she could learn a lot from Icarus.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Our Chief of Engineering is Lieutenant Commander Logan, I've not had an awful lot to do with him, but Beastie rather likes him. When she was able to escape my quarters, she could often be found down in Engineering, curled up in his office. Ensign Ketterick jokes that she likes his aftershave, which he claims, smells like catnip!
Lt Cdr Logan doesn't spend much time on the bridge, though. He prefers to delegate the engineering station to Luke—Lieutenant Junior Grade Luke Brightman that is, or Crewman Midas Yarrow.
To remind you, Luke is human. He has a condition known as 'dwarfism', but that made him an ideal choice for my welcoming party for the Dirrian delegation when we were aboard the Drakonia. I only mention that as it's how we got to know each other.
His parents were colonists on a small outpost near the Cardassian border and when the Cardassian Wars came along, the outpost was taken and his parents imprisoned. Against all the odds and despite his genetic flaw, he survived infanthood in the camps. After the liberation of the outpost, he worked on transport ships hauling cargo across the sector for three years before joining the Academy and Starfleet.
Midas Yarrow, on the other hand, is human with Vulcan ancestry that gives him a slightly impish appearance. He has a devilish sense of humour and is quite charming. He is also a PDP cadet with the rank of Acting Ensign like Al and I.
On the Drakonia, he was in Jarrod's maintenance department for similar reasons to Icarus, namely that it was his only way into Starfleet. Unlike Icarus, though, he had no formal training in his field, which is engineering. Being born on board his family's cargo ship, he spent most of his youth in the engine room with his brothers, keeping the ship moving. He was very fortunate to have spent his first three months PDP training at the Luna Shipyards under the guidance of the legendary Doctor Leah Brahms studying warp technology and propulsion. He did very well apparently and has had his course fast-tracked.
Most of the time, it's one of these two that you'll find at the Engineering Station on the bridge.
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