This is the next instalment in the adventures of Space Engineer Jonathan Selby and his android Billy. This an original work and completely fictitious and a product of my imagination. All similarities to past, current or future persons are pure accidental. This story is protected by all International copyright laws without prejudice.
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QNN - 0000001. A new hybrid android combining utility, homemaker and a little bit of soldier androids in a brand new package. One that apparently is supposed to be the prototype of a specific next generation androids that (a) me and Billy inspired and (b) I am supposed to "test-drive". Yeah, I know. That sounds bad. Very bad. All it means is that I have to be even more vigilant around two, yes two, bloody female androids. One of which is already, apparently according to homemaker android rules, my wife. At my bloody age and dodging countless human females who wanted to get their hooks into me, and a wedding ring on the finger, I get snagged by an android. Not that I am complaining too much, Billy occupies a big part of my life. And my sex life is better than it was when I was a young man. And now I have another one. An android that I call Quinn.
We reported to the Battlecruiser ECS Novus Prime, my first time serving on one and here I am the chief engineer, and I am a little nervous. Three set of propulsion units comprising of eight engines each, which can detach individually if needed and having not only designation as a unit but also as individual units, with a lot of power. But overriding my nervousness is the excitement to be able to lay my hands on such an exquisite piece of machinery, and fine tuning it my abilities. By the time I am through with them, they will be humming like the insect life on the moons of Velvanus. But first I must introduce myself to Rear Admiral Le Fleur. I have never met her but her reputation as a no-nonsense tough fighting commander precedes her. I leave the two androids at the hatch, Quinn taking my duffle from me, and follow the sailor that was waiting for us through the labyrinth of the ship to the admiral's office. I was surprised to find her bulkhead open, and when we appeared in the opening I got a first look at my new commander and at a glance I was immediately reassured. This is a skipper I can work with. Her skeletal build and insanely blue eyes mark her as a Cerulean, but her eyes are clear and as sharp as a hawk. This is further enhanced by a slight bend in her nose, obviously from a broken nose at some stage, and her black hair is fastened in her neck with a leather band, the sign of a warrior on Cerulea. Her fatigues are slightly crumpled and the overall impression that I get is that this is a tough but fair commander, the kind I like working with. When she addresses me in the raspy voice Ceruleans are known for, my initial impressions are confirmed.
"Good morning Captain, or may I call you Jonathan? Welcome to the big boys. With your years and reputation it's about time too I think."
"Good morning Skipper, thank you. I am looking forward to this posting."
She smiles at me wryly. "Only until you see the state the propulsion units are in. Your predecessor wasn't quite as efficient, why do you think you asked for you specifically?"
Taken aback at that, I am starting to be intrigued. Seeing my facial expression she gives me a feral smile.
"Your reputation precedes you Jonathan. And if you can keep up with Jan Condiode in the canteen you are okay in my book."
I must have had that "deer-in-the-headlights" look on my face because she burst out laughing.
"Don't worry, she was out of commission for three days after that evening."
It made me feel better knowing that, but I said nothing about Billy's special cure. The Admiral's facial expression turned fierce and she waved her hand over her console and makes her bulkhead door close and lock.
"Now, you are wondering why I asked for you. Starfleet is assembling an exploration fleet, based on this battlecruiser. We are being fully stocked for extensive deployment, possible up to a year. I not only need you to be my propulsion engineer, I need you to be my fleet propulsion engineer. You will not have a bridge watch, but you will be a major part of my command council. The fact that you are a Captain does not hurt at all. Accompanying us will be three cruisers, five frigates, five destroyers and four provision ships. We are going to be bulky and possibly slow. So, what are your thoughts?"
I sit back and think for a minute or two before saying thoughtfully: "I will have to evaluate what needs to be done on the ship Skipper, and let Billy and Quinn carry on. I trust Billy completely. Then I will go from ship to ship, do evaluations and report back. What is our timeline?"
The Admiral sits back and laugh.
"So Ensign Selby and QNN-000001 I take it is Billy and Quinn! Nice, I will remember that! And still with the Skipper! I haven't been called that in a while, you are definitely old school and just what I need. Well done Captain." She becomes serious as I sit there blushing.
"You haven't asked where we are going yet, so let me enlighten you. We will be exploring the Omega Quadrant. I would like to be away in four standard Earth weeks."
Omega Quadrant. Deep space, possibly hostile. Exploration means at least 12 to 18 months. That explains the size of the fleet. I think a minute or two, running lists through my head. I look her in the eye and drop a bombshell in her lap.
"We need a proper stocktake of all the engine spares in all the ships Skipper. Only then will I know what additional spares we need to include on the provisioning lists. Depending on the quantity needed we might need an extra provisioning ship. Or the parts must be divided between the eleven ships. It will not be a good thing if we are six months journey away at half speed because of a ship with a limping engine. We need to be self-efficient. I will also take a look at the personnel files of the engineers on all the ships, it will give an idea of the skill levels available. Believe me Skipper, I will recommend that an engineer be swapped out if they don't have the skill levels that we need."
The Admiral smiles again. "My faith in you was justified," she says softly "all I ask is to keep me in the loop. I will send out the order immediately."
Knowing that the interview is over, I get to my feet and salute the Admiral. Smiling at me she waves me off, and I turn around to the opening bulkhead door and step through into the corridor.
The same sailor that brought me to the Admiral's office is waiting for me and I follow him through the unfamiliar corridors, knowing that in a few months' time I will be able to navigate the said same corridors like I was born and raised on the ship. Even as big as it is. When I step through into the main engine room I close my eyes and take a deep sniff of the all too familiar smells of artificial grease, enhanced kerosene and ozone that permeates all engine rooms and I smile in relief. I hear Billy chuckle and I open my eyes.
"Don't worry Boss, I did the same thing. Smells like home doesn't it?"