Again now, for the 5th time in the past few months, Traan was just starting to settle into a new role or assignment. Since the Deputy Director of SO had appointed him as the alpha shift leader a few days before, he had learned that their was a cadence and rhythm to the crew schedules for each 2 weeks period. He would need to be in or near the ‘well’ for his entire shift only on mondays, as that is when they broke in new SOO’s customarily. He would also need to attend weekly staff meetings on tuesdays, and shipyard safety meetings every wednesday.

Traan had gotten to know some of his peoples strengths and weaknesses by now, and was starting to know who specialized in each different facet of the job. By nature the Deputy Director always tried to slot in experienced ShipOpsO’s to serve at the ‘internal comms’ station in the well. This was very much appreciated by Traan, as he preferred to be out in ‘the yard’ with his crews anyway. Ensign Horvath was almost always assigned as the general support crew leader on his shift. And Chief Zunghy had proven himself to be a veteran workers who was always safe to place in charge of the ‘material and equipment movement crew’.

Currently he was in Bay 8, hovering 50 feet above the deck in his workbee. Traan was observing his people as they worked. They were disassembling scaffolds and grantries and preparing to move some of the crane hoverbarges back to the heavy equipment yard. It was routine work, but they were in a bit of a rush, as the new Reliant class vessel in the bay was complete and was scheduled to depart on her shakedown cruise the next evening.

Traan had been keeping a close eye on one of young Petty Officers on Ensign Horvaths crew(the bravo team lead for this shift) for over an hour. To say the man was dragging his butt was an understatement, he appeared totally exhausted. Being a Dockyard vet Traan knew every trick, scam, and swindle in the business. So when he saw the slacker wave at Horvath and then jump in his own workbee and fly off to the far corner of the bay, Traan realized an unscheduled nap break was likely occurring.

To give the man the benefit the doubt, he waited for several minutes before flying over to the corner behind the Reliant class ship where he had saw the workers pod go and land.

Just as he expected, when Traan hovered over to the man’s workbee with his headlights off, he found the Petty officer, in the cabin, fast asleep. Traan then maneuvered his workbee gently into position right infront of the other, nose to nose. And hooked his horn.

The Petty officer awoke, startled. He realized he was likely in a lot of trouble as he saw Traans tight lipped blue face in the other cockpit.

Instead of flaming the kid on open comms, Traan simply open his cockpit windshield door, as did the Petty officer.

‘Fairlure to operate mechinery with due care and attention…insubordination…sleeping on the job? Are you looking to catch a court martial or what Petty officer?’ Traan said to the frightened looking kid across from him.

‘Oh, je…tsh…Im sorry sir…its just with the shoreleave mandate, and these rookie crews they sent us… I’ve been on double shifts for 3 days straight now sir…I figured lunch was in 10 minutes…I just thought I could catch a power nap to get me through the day sir…I’m really sorry, I’ll make up the time, I promise sir.’ The panicked Petty officer managed to blurt out.

‘Wait…regs say you can only work 2 double shifts in a row unless a state of emergency has bnen declared. Command dropped that weeks ago…whats going on? Was their a mix up on your schedule?’ Traan softened his attitude and demeanor and became more curious as to how this happened more then giving the kid grief.

‘Yeah, it was still within the regs I think sir…I was always scheduled for a double yesterday and today with the Reliant launch and the laying down of the new Gagarin keel, were just so busy…I had volunteered to cover Brimy’s(another workers) shift 2 days ago, his kid was sick and his wife couldnt get the day off, so I said Ill cover for him….its not an excuse sir, I’ll grab a stiff raktejino at lunch sir, Im sorry.’ The Petty officer admitted.

Traan half smiled. How could he punish the guy or get angry hearing that? Sure he screwed up a bit and tried to take a nap, but he was also the exact type of helpful and devoted kinf of shipyard worker that he(and starfleet as a whole) needed.

‘No, dont get a coffee kid. I appreciate your honesty. And thats an honorable thing you did for Brimy too. Listen up, just go park your workbee at the hive and head home and get some sleep. Ill cover for you here. But in the future, if you’re this bagged when you get to work, just talk to me or your crew lead. Its not safe to have a zonked out worker flying been around the yard. Sounds good?’

The Petty officer wasnt sure ‘Uh. Wha…I dont understand sir, are you relieving me of duty sir?’ Genuinely concerned that this might get out on his record.

‘No, not at all Petty Officer. Its the opposite. Im giving you the afternoon off to reward you for your hard work.’ Traan smiled and nodded. The Petty officer then visibly relaxed with a sense of relief.