A Deep Understanding

Posted on Sat May 3rd, 2025 @ 10:39pm by Staff Warrant Officer Madelyn Steele & Crystal Steele & Lieutenant Xavier

1,103 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Main Engineering

ON:

Xavier couldn't sleep. It wasn't later per se but it was late enough. He'd left his quarters and had wandered the new ship for a time until his feet took him in front of engineering. He sighed. "Well, I might as well get to know the ship." He entered engineering and removed his shoes and socks carrying them in his hand as he walked on the carpeted floor.

The walk started slow and he meandered around a bit after checking in with one of the duty managers.

It didn't take long for him to come to the conduit that fed into the flight system. It was sealed and reinforced but he knew from experience that if you put your hand on it you would still feel the hum of power and it was here that he seemed to sense the soul of the ship.

From his earlier walk with Percy he'd learned the name of this ship. While it was the USS Ontario the soul was Kian. "Hello friend. I have come to introduce myself." He placed a hand on the conduit letting the hum run through him. He was lost and he didn't sense anyone near him.

The door to engineering opened up, and two people one a woman and the other was a twelve year old girl stepping inside, both redheads.

"Well my daughter here we are, where I will be working, Engineering. I am still amazed at the fact I am in charge of maintaining the heart of this ship." Her voice having a reverent tone to it. The two people that had entered in Engineering were Madelyn Steele and her daughter Crystal.

Madelyn walked over to the master systems display running her hand along its beveled edges. "Hello beautiful." she uttered softly.

"That looks like a pool table" Crystal looking at the console in the middle of things.

"That is what it has been called from time to time, the pool table." Madelyn giving a chuckle. "Lets go see the warp engine."

Xavier sighed as he opened his eyes again feeling at peace. He decided that a sneak peek at the engines might be warranted and he headed that way. He was getting some stares being barefoot but this was the heart of the ship and he would honor it by not using dirty shoes here. It was a way for him to connect with everything.

The thrum of the warp engine was music to Madelyn's ears. And she termed it like music, her ears taking in the notes the sounds seeing if there were some dissonance. So far there were none, well as far as she could tell. Madelyn was planning on getting that checked even further When she started officially working. Right now it was the tour for Crystal.

Crystal was enchanted by the warp core,it was rather pretty, she also knew it was dangerous from what her mother had spoken to her about. Her attention though was caught by someone approaching where they were at, and became rather aware of the person had no shoes on their feet. "Uh-Mom? Someone is coming this way and they're not wearing any shoes." Her grayish purple eyes keenly watching the man.

Madelyn looked in the direction Crystal was, observing the approach. "Hello there, can I help you? I am the chief engineer Staff Warrant Officer Madelyn Steele."

He gave a slight now. "I am Lieutenant Xavier, Chief Flight Officer. My apologies for intruding but I came to meet the ship I shall be flying." He bowed to the young lady at her side. "And you are?"

"I am Crystal, and she's my mom." the red head pre teen girl stated. "You are going to be piloting this ship? Just make certain you don't scratch the paint." giggling.

Madelyn gave a mental face palm. "It is okay, I don't mind that you came to make a connection with the ship. I might have to make my way up to the bridge so that I can connect there."

He gave a nod. "Indeed." He turned to Crystal. "It's lovely to meet you. I promise not to scratch the paint." He looked around. "You are new to the ship?"

"Yes I am, I had just come onboard and came down to check out engineering just to connect as well. You are more than welcome to come down and visit." Madelyn giving a smile. "What do you think so far?"

He looked around. "He is a powerful ship. An alpha soul. Vibrant and energetic. A bit of a rebel."

"Ah the ship is a he to you, I had been calling Ontario a she. Is that what you are getting from the Ontario as being masculine? Not that I mind, it is very interesting to hear the ship being referred to as a he." Madelyn looking about her.

"Indeed. I know it sounds... peculiar but.... please follow me to the Helm and Engineering port." He motioned for them to follow.

Madelyn and Crystal followed Xavier both curious and interested in what was happening

He led them to the small conduit and placed his hand on it. "Place your hand on the conduit and close your eyes. When I first did this It may not be scientific but I heard Kian respond. It was as if the power flow was speaking to me."

Madelyn and Crystal looked at each other, Crystal giving a slight shrug, doing as what Xavier had mentioned. Madelyn closed her eyes went into meditative breathing, concentrating on the pulse and the humming sound. The tone of it reminded her of notes of a masculine singer, a tenor or was it a baritone. A tenor... Madelyn opened her eyes. "You are right, Ontario is male. Fascinating."

"It can be." He paused. "Chief Engineer Steele. May I ask if it is alright if I visit engineering some times? I find it very meditative to walk through this space."

"You have my permission, yes." Madelyn responded with a smile.

Crystal, thought it was interesting about someone liking to be in engineering, though it seemed that the man was finding peace here.

He gave a slight bow. "Thank you." He looked around. "Well I have imposed on you long enough. With your permission I shall take my leave."

"No imposition at all, it was lovely meeting you as well." Madelyn giving a smile.

"I am glad to have met you as well." Crystal giving a happy smile.


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Staff Warrant Officer Madelyn Steele
Chief Engineer
USS Ontario

&

Crystal Steele (NPC)
Daughter of Madelyn
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

 

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