Meeting a fellow engineer
Posted on Sun Feb 8th, 2026 @ 5:05am by Staff Warrant Officer Madelyn Steele & Chief Petty Officer Ferguson
1,658 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Preservation Instinct
Location: Engineering
Timeline: During the trip to Eden
Madelyn was getting to know the people who were part of the engineering team. It had been busy, not only getting to know them but also doing her duties of taking care of the ship. The next person and maybe last but not least was Ferguson.
She looked at the roster to see where the Tellarite was at. If he were in the middle of working on a project, Madelyn didn't want to interrupt him.
Ferguson was looking for a hyper spanner, but it seemed someone had removed them from every engineering kit he checked. "Damn Ensigns." He grumbled. "Didn't anyone teach them to return things to their proper place after using them." He opened another kit and swore in broken Tellarite. This one didn't have a hyper spanner or a phase coupler.
"What appears to be the problem?" Madelyn hearing his colorful metaphors, guessing anyway at what could be translated. "Ferguson I presume?" walking up near the Tellarite. "I'm Staff Warrant Steele, the new Chief of Engineering."
"Ensigns, they can't seem to put things back when they're done." Ferguson said. "Welcome, Warrant."
"Then perhaps we need to get a sign out sheet and see who has been taking them out and misplacing them. Its not like they grow on trees." Madelyn giving a nod. "Time to call for an inventory to be done. What do you think?" the redhead looking at Ferguson. "I definitely would like to have that happen."
"I like you, Warrant, you appear to have a good head on your shoulders. Something that is rare among Ensigns these days." Ferguson said.
"Well now, lets get them whipped back into shape. Also I do have a question. Who was the Chief Engineer before I arrived? I have been curious about this." Madelyn raising an eyebrow. "Also, thank you."
"Agreed." Ferguson said. "As for the former Chief Engineer, she was an impish creature that skirted Starfleet rules and seemed to have an eversion to using doors." He paused a moment. "Also her social skills made me look like Emily Post."
That caused both of Madelyn's eyebrows to raise. "That sounds rather problematic. And rather rude. I wouldn't have accepted that sort of behaviour at all." Her voice coming out with a slight growl.
"Unfortunately, I didn't have a choice, she outranked me." Ferguson uttered in his gruff way.
"Yes that is a problem, but you could have put in a complaint or voicing a concern to the Captain or XO. And that would possibly taken care of the situation." Madelyn responded.
"They were already aware of the problem." Ferguson replied. "I like to argue, but I know when it is a waste of time."
Madelyn sucked in some air through her clenched teeth, giving a grimace.
"That is bad if you do not wish to argue. I am sorry that you had to deal with something like that." Madelyn giving an understanding look. "Okay lets get our people to start taking inventory and make a list as to what we will need to replace. And they are going to have to do sign out sheets to keep track of our tools."
"I'm glad we agree, Boss." Ferguson said. "I'll get it started now."
"Good, and I think I need to go start making my presence known and we do need to work out the duty rosters. Someone does need to be available in case something, heaven forbid, goes wrong when I am sort of off duty having dinner with my daughter." Madelyn stated.
"I envy you, I have no family." Ferguson said. "I will be glad to keep an eye on things, while you share time with yours."
"I do have a question, would you be willing to share in a meal with us at some point? And we can assign someone to keep watch over engineering and there can also be set up an alert to let us know if there is a problem. What do you think?" Madelyn having a warm smile towards Ferguson.
"I would be most honored, Ma'am." Ferguson said.
"Okay now lets get to work." Madelyn remarked as she moved from that area.
A few hours later, after Madelyn took stock of things, she looked at Ferguson. "It looks like we've got the tools categorized and put in their proper places. Don't know about you, but I'm hungry, why don't you get changed and I'll get supper prepped. And you can have dinner with my daughter and me sound good?"
Thank you, Ma'am, I would love too." Ferguson said.
"All right, come to my quarters in a half an hour. Hopefully you like pizza." Madelyn giving a smile.
"See you, then, Warrant, I will bring a bottle felk root soda." He said.
"That sounds lovely." Madelyn smiling.
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Half an hour later
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Madelyn had the pizza ready, along with dessert.
Crystal was curious as to who was coming to dinner.
"Mama who will be our guest?" as she set the glasses upon the table.
"One of my engineers, his name is Ferguson. A Tellerite."
"Oh? Well I am looking forward to meeting him. I'm sure he's nice otherwise he wouldn't be asked to come to dinner."
Madelyn had a slight smile, when she thought of Ferguson, "Well you'll get to know him, he's not given me any trouble, in fact he helped me get engineering organized."
"Really! That sounds good." Crystal being eager.
Ferguson arrived Chief Steele's quarters. He was dressed in what he believed to be professional casual. Grey slacks and a mauve polo. In his hand he carried a large bottle of felk root soda.
He activated the door chime and awaited an answer.
The door opened, revealing Madelyn, and just to her side was Crystal.
"C'mon in Ferguson" Madelyn leading the way to the table. "You look great."
Crystal was carefully examining Ferguson. "Tellarite? Are you one?"
"Yes, and no, my father was a Tellarite, but my mother was human." Ferguson explained.
"Ah okay interesting, did your parents need special medical care for you to be conceived?" Crystal asked.
Madelyn's eyes widened when she heard the question her daughter asked. She wasn't quite certain how Ferguson was going to respond to her daughter's question.
"Not that I know of." Ferguson said. "But, my mother did say that that birthing me was difficult and painful for her." He added. Not mentioning that she used to beat him everyday.
Crystal had a woeful expression, when she heard about Ferguson's birth. "I am sorry about that. Didn't she have anything to take care of the pain?" she knew that there were ways to make certain that there wasn't pain involved.
"Maybe not, the medical facilities there weren't as good or well stocked as here on the Ontario. Ferguson said. "My homeworld Eden was not at all like the one in the Bible."
"Oh, like Iceland and Greenland not being truly what they sound like? Iceland being more green than what Greenland is.' Crystal replied with a nod, then picked up a slice of pizza to eat it, enjoying the stringy cheese which strung down her chin like a faint few whiskers. She giggled and wrapped the string of cheese around her finger before putting it into her mouth.
Madelyn took a bite of her own pizza as she contemplated what Ferguson had said.
"Yes, Like that." Ferguson said. "Actually, I believe Greenland was an early property scam." He added taking a large bite of his pizza.
Madelyn paused in her chewing and spoke around the bite in her mouth. "I hadn't realized that, I just thought that Greenland and Iceland had been named such, to protect the fertile land."
"That too." Ferguson agreed. "This pizza is tasty." He added.
"Glad you like it. " Madelyn answered once she swallowed her bite.
Crystal finished her pizza, and drank part of her soda. "Mama, can I have dessert?"
Madelyn smiled. "yes you may"
Crystal looked at Fergusen with a smile. "Mama made berry pie for dessert. Hope you like it!" Crystal then heading over to the counter where she cut a slice of pie placing it on a plate. "If you don't mind may i be excused? I'd like to eat my dessert and go talk to my classmates." having a hopeful look in her eyes.
"Go on, enjoy"
Crystal looked towards Ferguson, "it was lovely seeing you, sorry to leave but I do need to talk with my classmates, we've got a school project we need to talk about."
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Crystal." Ferguson said. "I am glad you find your education important, it is a fine trait in one so young." He smiled. "If you need any help with geology or chemistry, I am glad to help, I have studied these subjects intensely."
Crystal nodded, "Okay thank you. I will make certain to do so." giving a smile she headed into her room.
Madelyn watched her leave with a fond smile then she turned towards Ferguson.
"She is a good student. I don't quite know what she wants to do when she gets older. The best thing i can do is be supportive and be her mome." Madelyn giving a smile.
Just then there was the whir and then the sound of a quiet gong and then cuckoo cuckoo. Madelyn looked up towards the clock on the wall. A black forest cuckoo clock, an antique. It was 7 pm. Madelyn giving out a slight start. "Good Heavens, its almost time for me to contact my parents." giving an expression of regret. "Time flies when having a good meal with a new friend. If you'd like to take the rest of the pizza home as well as some dessert, you may."
"Thank you, Ma'am." Ferguson said. "I enjoyed this."
END
SWO Madelyn Steele
Chief Engineer
USS Ontario
Crystal Steele (NPC)
Daughter of Madelyn
USS Ontario
Chief Petty Officer Ferguson
Engineer
U.S.S. Ontario
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