Thoughts of a Rambling Old Man

Posted on Mon Aug 15th, 2011 @ 4:47pm by Master Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Killian

Holding a tablet pad on his lap, the quiet sound of the small shuttle was soothing. Not even the two pilots up front were randomly conversing. Looking down at the pad, Jonathan tapped the console next to him and the rear compartment closed off from the "cockpit" area.

"Computer, begin log."

Waiting for the short chirp from the computer a small window appeared on the tablet with a blinking cursor in the top right corner.

"Where to begin? It's been quite some time since my last log. A lot of things have happened. But, those are all part of official reports. I was once told that a personal log was meant for the person writing it to relax and get things off their chest that they would otherwise not have an opportunity to. If that's the case then what is the need for counselor's? Really, if you can talk to a computer and record your thoughts, couldn't those same recordings be sent off somewhere else for someone to analyze if you've gone crazy? Of course, someone reading through a personal log may think the person is crazy just because the writer is basically talking to himself.

"Oh when times were easier and people would just talk to eachother and work out their own problems. Which brings to the enlisted personnel. Most of them have been scattered throughout Federation space just for the opportunity of shoreleave. Only problem is now, we have to start recalling them back. It's never easy to contact someone and tell them that shoreleave is over, get your ass back to work. Do it the wrong way and you've got disorderly little kids who want to do what they want to do and not what they have to do. Guess that's where I come in. Must be nice for the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer to have someone to call in and be the gently hand.

"What they don't realize is that I'm acting more like the high school principal in this situation. It's almost like these men and women are back in High School and the teacher sent them to speak with the principal because they spoke back to the teacher. I've trained just about every Starfleet Cadet that came through the academy during my time there on how to do this themselves to build a better relationship with the enlisted under their command and they still revert to someone else doing it for them. Nine times out of ten, it always falls back to the Chief of the Boat. I'll have to remember to speak with Diaz, I know I taught him this little trick years ago.

"Oh, why bother, I guess it's their way to keep my busy and feeling useful still. Wonder what I would do if I was no longer needed to be the principal to so many young and old professional workers. I know what a certain someone would say.

"And can you believe that he wants me to come and advise him how to advise another man? Why? Just so I could make him look good. If it came to that I'd do the job myself. And yet he tried convincing me to run for election for Council Representative. I haven't even finally left Starfleet and they want me to continue on. When will I finally relax in life?"

Just then a beep broke the COB's train of thought. "I'm sorry Master Chief to disturb you, but we've arrived. We'll be in the shuttle bay in two minutes."

Nodding his head. "Computer end log." Tapping on the console next to him the rear compartment began to open to once again reveal the "cockpit" area. Walking up he leaned on the headrests of the two front seats and peared out the front of the shuttle. "Can we take a quick pass by shipyards? I'll take the heat if you do it and you're not supposed to." WIthout another word the shuttle veared off and headed away from the Starbase towards the shipyards.