Havora Engineering
As First Officer of the Havora, and well known for her organization, T'Ring made it a point to regularly
go over every inch of the Havora, particularly before a launch. And ever since Mareesa had been a small
child it been her long standing habit to accompany her. Their first stop was Engineering.
One of the things Mareesa loved most about engineering was that it was always busy and never still.
(Those who knew her said that it fit her personality perfectly.) The Havora was one of the larger ships
and thus even more busy. And just before a launch was when it was always busiest as crewmembers
went over it for last minute checks.
As she watched her mother going over various details with the engineers Mareesa thought of something
else that she enjoyed about Engineering. It was the fact that it controlled and powered the ship that she
called home. Oh decisions about where to pilot the ship might be made on the bridge, but it was from
down here that the Havora was truly run. On the bridge her father decided how and where they would go,
but Engineering was able to make the ship go.
She spotted the ship's Chief Engineer, Zan Pa'lal approaching and recalled his favorite quote.
"The bridge is the head of a ship. Engineering is its heart."
Pa'lal had served as Chief Engineer for the Havora for nearly seven years and was known for his meticulousness
attention to detail, as well as his skill with machines and engines. No matter what the problem might be
with a machine or a system, he had an instinctual sense for what might be wrong and what needed to be
done to fix or improve it.
He sensed Mareesa's eyes on him and gave her a broad grin which she returned. He was friendly and gregarious,
with a robust sense of humor that could make a crewman laugh whatever the situation. He was popular
with the entire crew and had formed a special rapport with Mareesa. The spirited young busybody had
a hard time keeping still and he, for his part, was happiest when his hands were occupied. When she was
a child he had often kept her enthralled for hours by having her act as his 'assistant', helping him make
'repairs' on various machines.
Pa'lal came up and gave Mareesa a friendly pat on the shoulder. "And how's my assistant?" he asked.
"I'm fine."
"How's that special project that I put you on coming?"
T'Ring raised an amused eyebrow. Pa'lal was well known for giving Mareesa and other young 'assistants',
special 'projects' over the years. Each time he would select a project specifically tailored to their interests
and skills and he always made it seem like their project was one of the most important in the galaxy.
"And what special project is it this time?"
Mareesa looked at her mother. "It's a surprise!" she grinned.