Main Engineering, Alert Status: Auvray, Part II
Posted on Sat May 9th, 2026 @ 12:23pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Enam Nemec & Lieutenant Commander Nash Winters & Lieutenant Commander Eirly Andersen & Ensign Scout & Captain Philippe Auvray
Edited on on Sat May 9th, 2026 @ 12:25pm
1,845 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Peril at the Unification Accords
Location: Main Engineering
Timeline: MD 11, 1325 Hours, [After Main Engineering, Alert Status: Auvray]
Continued from: Alert Status: Auvray
Nash led Auvray to his sprawling office, a large, private workspace. He enjoyed spending time here, doing his research and the mountains of paperwork that came with his position.
He approached his replicator and ordered. “Computer, three orders of Nash Java Alpha-1 baker.” Three cups of the steaming hot bitter drink materialized. “Here…try this. My own special blend I programmed.”
Auvray accepted the cup with a courteous inclination of his head, turning the cup in his fingers as though it were something that required appraising rather than to be consumed. The heat carried into his palm and the bitter scent found its way into his nostrils a moment later.
"Merci, Commander."
He brought it to his lips and drank carefully, permitting the hot beverage to pass onto his tongue. When he lowered the cup several moments later, his expression had become sharp.
"You know," he said, his tone shifting to conversational, "this endroit reminds me why Starfleet functions at all. It is not the bridge nor the conference rooms. It is here." He gestured faintly with the coffee cup. "Because here, hierarchy is not a matter of etiquette. It is a matter of survival. One follows the chain of command, or one very quickly learns what it is to become plasma."
“That is true. I have also been lucky enough to work with a dedicated and talented group here. Everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. The Captain has given me the opportunity to run the department how I see fit. And as you can see, it works.”
His gaze returned to Nash and the Frenchman offered a thin-lipped smile.
"I have been... indulgent," Auvray continued. "In the briefing the day before. And just now, outside." He motioned again with his coffee cup to the open area near the warp core where several members of the Engineering department were assembled along with Lieutenant Commander Andersen. He paused a moment and another smile touched his mouth. "You have a manner about you, Commander. It is familiar. Direct. It plays very well with your people--I can see that."
“Like I said, my staff knows what their jobs are. And it’s all about trust. I trust them and they trust me. Chain of command is important, as you mentioned before. At the same time, I’ve instilled a sense of informality. I believe it allows my team to be themselves while fulfilling their potential,” Nash emphasized.
Nash swallowed a sip of his coffee. “Let me tell you about me, Captain. If it seems I’m a bit overprotective of Captain Johansen, it’s because I am. Believe me, she is a very capable woman and can handle herself in any situation. I probably should not speak on her behalf. But your implications about her actions regarding the Romulans really pissed me off. You know nothing about her or this crew. I took exception to your remarks.”
Auvray took another small sip, then lowered the cup. He held it loosely at his waist.
Eirly listened as Nash spoke his defense and couldn't agree more with what he'd said, unintentionally nodding her head as she sipped the coffee now in her hands. In her opinion, replicator coffee was usually terrible but this one was an exception for some reason - it must've been an Engineering thing. She too was defensive of Remy and owed a lot to the woman.
While the two senior officers conversed, Scout walked up and wordlessly handed the Chief Engineer the PADD with his diagnostic results for approval, as if to emphasize how busy they were down here.
“Thanks, Scout,” Nash said approvingly. “You’re on the right track. Carry on.”
Something had caught Philippe's attention: the slight figure standing just off Lieutenant Commander Winters' shoulder. It was the suit that captured his eye at first--functional and sealed. Then he saw the glowing eyes of the engineer. They were strange to him, like a pair of distant beacons forcing themselves through a dense fog.
He lifted one hand slightly, as if he were pausing an orchestra.
"Un instant," he murmured, to nobody.
He stepped closer, circling a half pace to study Ensign Scout. It wasn't entirely invasive but it certainly pushed the bounds of accepted politeness.
"Mon Dieu..." Auvray breathed. "Tell me I am not mistaken."
He looked to Nash briefly and then returned his gaze to Scout.
"You are from Arae Octanos V, yes?" he asked, the delight in his voice now uncontained.
Scout stiffened visibly. Though he obviously stuck out more than the usual ensign, he was used to a comfortable level of anonymity, being a relative nobody in the ranks. Nash had never given him a second look, and so he had expected this visiting captain to do the same.
"Yes...yes, sir?" Scout answered. The universal translator did an outstanding job of converting his vocal clicks and pulses into a humanoid voice filled with trepidation.
Auvray leaned in just enough to catch the faint halo from Scout's oculi, watching with rapt attention to see if the colour might change. "Such delicate physiology allowing you to survive in this atmosphere," he said with wonder. "And yet here you stand--contained and composed--contributing to the very machinery that keeps us all alive."
The French captain smiled warmly at the Arae Octan engineer.
"There is something profoundly reassuring in that, do you not think, Commander?" he said lightly, glancing at Nash.
“He’s actually quite versatile, Captain. He only has to employ his specially equipped suit in an M-class environment. His quarters have been adapted to provide the unique atmospheric conditions necessary for his survival. It should also be noted that Scout is an important member of my team. He’s a contributing member of this family and it’s remarkable how he’s fit in with the crew. Believe me, Captain, he commands everyone’s respect.”
"I take solace in this light," Scout said with a nod, feeling flustered by the unexpected praise from two senior officers. For once he felt lucky to be in the suit, or else everyone would see his skin rippling with bright yellow light. The Arae Octan equivalent to blushing. "Everyone on the Astrea has been kind and supportive," he added. "I'm glad to serve here." He took his PADD back and returned to the master systems table.
Nash gestured to Scout in an exaggerated fashion for Captain Auvray. “See? Crystallized my thoughts perfectly, eh, Captain? Now should we get down to business, here? I can show what we’ve come up with so far.”
Auvray bowed his head to Scout. "Yes, please. I don't wish to keep you from your current task, Ensign. It was a pleasure to meet you." Without waiting for a reply from the Arae Octan engineer, he turned to face Lieutenant Commander Winters. "Oui, montre-moi le bidule." ("Yes, show me the thing.")
As Auvray spoke, yellow alert lights flashed warnings throughout engineering, but before Nash had a moment to acknowledge the change, or to acquiesce to Auvray's demands the shrill sound of the red alert klaxons filled engineering, followed by the flashing red lights.
“Alright, Phil, I’m gonna have to ask you to take a seat somewhere. And with all due respect, try and stay out of the way and let my people do their thing,” Nash ordered.
“Nash to bridge,” he said above the klaxon. “What’s happening, Captain?”
The red alert lights washed over Main Engineering in violent pulses, the colour reflected in almost everyone's eyes intermittently.
Captain Auvray simply stood there, coffee still in hand, watching the room react to the change in ship's status. Several engineers snapped to their stations and were now prepared for anything.
"Commander Winters."
Auvray turned his head sharply to Nash, his expression now severe--the skin across his jaw taut. "I will remind you once more," he said, his tone completely stripped of its earlier playfulness, "that I carry the rank of Captain. That is not a visiting inconvenience or an honourary title." He paused for a moment, waiting to see the Chief Engineer's reaction.
"And I am to be addressed as such." The French captain set the coffee down away from the console without his eyes leaving Nash's. "You may find that in moments such as this, habits reveal themselves. And habits have a way of becoming entries into service records... in the form of a formal written reprimand."
Nash bit his tongue and internalized his utter contempt for the “blow hard” Auvray. Despite his personal feelings, he was still a superior officer. Nash was annoyed by the Frenchman since their introduction in the conference room. “Understood, Captain. I….apologize for my lack of etiquette. It’s been something I’m working on.”
He puffed out his chest slightly, lifted his nose a fraction.
"By all means, Commander," Auvray said, motioning to the rest of the engineering department. "Attend to your ship. That is what you are here for."
He turned his head toward where Scout and Moxx were now busy at nearby stations before snapping his head back toward Nash. "And I will do you the courtesy of not interfering. But do not mistake courtesy for absence of authority."
“Of course not, sir,” Nash replied with his fists clenched at his side. He’d much rather deal with this pending emergency to keep his mind as far from thoughts of Auvray as possible.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be on the lower level. Feel free to use my office to make yourself as comfortable as possible.”
Auvray gave a shallow, perfunctory bow. "Thank you, Commander."
Before Nash left Auvray's presence, he heard his response from the Bridge, [Petty Officer Enam, Sir. Engineering is on lockdown, Marine and Security Contingent being dispatched to your location.]
‘Oh, terrific’ Nash said, almost inaudible to anyone but himself. He turned his attention to Auvray. “I’m going to have to ask you to stay out, Captain. More security personnel are on their way and you’ll be safe.”
~tbc~
Lt. Commander Eirly Andersen
Second Officer
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Nash Winters
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Astrea
Petty Officer 1st Class Enam Nemec
Tactical Officer
USS Astrea
(NPC of Remy Johansen)
Ensign Scout
Engineering Officer
USS Astrea
(NPC of Sakkar)
Captain Philippe Auvray
Senior Starfleet Security Liaison
Starfleet Security
(NPC of JB Dorsainvil)
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