Def’leor pulled up the maintenance records for the Gam’trosha. There were a number of entries understandably. She had the computer pull down the records locally so she could run additional queries. After a few minutes a pattern emerged. The maintenance actions that had been completed and were not now being taken care of by the crew were handled by a different work shift.
She opened a channel to the Maintenance office, “Repair Chief, X'Muyeia Dem’archel what can I do for you?”
“X'Muyeia Dem’archel, I am A'Fuereb Vail'ant of the NSV Gam’trosha. I have some questions regarding some of the work orders that were done from your section.” She said into the come.
“Well, A’Fuereb Vail’ant, I am a very busy man. Too busy to talk to an uppity A’Fuereb about the work my people do. My people do what I tell them, and if I said your ship was mission ready. Then it is. Perhaps the problem is with your crew.” Was the response from the chief, followed by a click as he disconnected the channel.
Def’leor’s ears went flat, and she swore to herself, “That Me'erde hung up on me.”
She heard the Ship Mistress ask about the repairs.
She looked over her shoulder, “I am already working on it U'Cetrinal, but it seems the chief does not want to talk. I am going to be a bit more persuasive. “
She set up a query in the ship’s main system, and set it to pull all repair records on the Gam’trosha, ones done by the Chief’s shifts and their logs.
She opened the channel again, and once it was connected at the other end, “X'Muyeia Dem’archel, this is A’fuereb Vail’lant, Lexicon of the NSV Gam’trosha. So when I call saying I have questions. I expect answers from the chief who signed off that my ship was ready for departure. And then we find that critical updates were not complied with. If you are too busy to talk to me, perhaps you would prefer I refer this matter to my Squadron leader and you can explain to her why the Gam’trosha is being delayed from launching.
Now are you ready to talk to me about the work orders you signed off on?”
“Srisa,” came from the other end but it was apparent that he was not meaning to have it heard. “Lexicon, my apologies, things have been extremely hectic what with all the work, the terrorists attacking our ships. Give me a moment to pull up the records.”
Def’leor could hear the sound of keys being tapped, and she activated the subroutine. The ship’s computer started streaming data down, and onto her IDT.
She heard several mutterings and then the chief’s voice returned. “Lexicon, I have the records here. Seems one of my subordinates closed the work orders saying they were done. Because of being short handed, I had instructed him to inspect your systems and if they were serviceable. He was supposed to put the upgrade parts there and annotate in your engineers queue perform them at your earliest convenience.
I will see to it that he is reprimanded; after all falsifying repair documentation is a criminal offense.
His name is C'Baruce Ter’villo. “
“Now was that so difficult Chief. I thank you for your cooperation X'Muyeia Dem’archel. I will make sure my Ship Mistress is aware of your diligence. This is the Gam’trosha out.”
Def’leor started scanning the data, her fingers flying across her console starting multiple search algorithms.
Several of the upgrades that the crew was doing had been signed off as completed. Others were deferred due supply shortfalls, yet others were signed off with replaced new components. However several of the new serial numbers were shown to have come from damaged ships, but when she looked at the costs for those, the fees rendered were the same. More troubling was that when she performed part number serial number queries. There were indications of the same data being used on multiple vessels, and at other repair facilities. She pulled up the X’Muyeia’s service record it showed he was an exemplary maintenance chief with high ratings from his superiors. She did a search for this C’Baruce Ter’villo. She found a service record for a Daur under that name. At first glance it seemed proper, but when she tried pulling up training records for the individual she kept getting errors.
Something is not adding up, she thought to herself.
She stood up and walked over to Sa’kira.
“Ma’am, I believe we have a serious issue with the repair dock. I am finding a wide range of discrepancies in the local records, as well as indications of the same discrepancies at other sites.
There are discrepancies in repair costs, refurbished parts installed at new part costs, the same part supposed installed in multiple systems. At least one or more personnel showing up on his work roster and payroll, that I cannot find corroborating records at command. Which could be financial fraud. And more curious is that this Chief has very high performance ratings. I can not help but wonder if someone higher up is also involved.
I believe this matter is something we should refer to Or’ion for full investigation.”