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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mission: Prelude<br>Day: 1<br>Stardate: 2446.03.23<br><br>(USS Illuminar - Deck 1 – Bridge - Ensign Scott Matrix - 1410)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Scott listened intently as the commander outlined his first tasks as an operations officer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"Mr. Matrix, I am sure your first inclination will be to do the work yourself. I know, I have had the same desires. However, as Operations, we oversee and direct the process. We validate the work done, first at the sensors, then the integration into the ships systems. I don't mind you getting your hands dirty, but make sure to direct more than do. Does that make sense?" instructed the commander.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><br>Now he was to work with Ms. Morganthall and hoped he would fit in. First time he would be basically supervising and directing the work of others. He loved getting involved directly, hands on, doing the work. ~This will be interesting.~ he thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><br>“Aye sir…and yes, I’m used to doing the work, but I’ll adapt.” Replied Scott. “Should I find my direction requires some hands on demonstrating, I’ll do my best to let the engineering team do the heavy lifting.” He continued.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>(Reply Gregory, Morganthall, IYW)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>“Very well sir. Thank you.” Replied Scott.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><br>He and Morganthall left the commanders office in an awkward silence. “So...you’ll have to keep me honest as I learn operations. The commander is right, I’ve been in engineering since I left the academy, so hands on is all I know. How do, I as a lowly ensign, direct someone who outranks me?” He asked moving toward the turbolift.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>(Reply Morganthall)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>“True, but most officers I’ve dealt with tend to look down at the operations crew. I do…I mean I did.” Blushed Scott.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>(Reply Morganthall, IYW)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>“…no I meant that as and engineering or…former engineer we didn’t really pay that much attention to the operations OOD. Kind of got in the way of the real work. Kind of like an architect telling an engineer how to construct something…ship building for example. They want it to look a certain way but looks don’t make things run.” Continued Scott.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>(Reply Morganthall)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Scott smiled. “Okay, please lead the way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>(Reply Gregory, Morganthall)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>(Posted by Steve)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div></body></html>