Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
:enters the room and finds he is alone:: 
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
::nods to the speaker::
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo: Good evening Ensign.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  It is agreeable to see you again.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: Good evening to you Ma’am.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: I have much to learn
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
:: walks over to the replicator to get herself a glass of water ::
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  We all have much to learn Ensign.  But, it is to your credit that you know that you do.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Computer:  Water, 10 degrees Celsius
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: Socrates, Ma'am, true knowledge is knowing that we don't know.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Indeed, you are well versed.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: I try Captain, the mind is a wonderful thing that needs to be nourished, but don't tell it to my crewmates who think I am the funny bone. ::smiles::
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
:: lifts her eyebrow :: Polo:  Indeed.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  It would seem you are the only one to attend this session.  Is there anything in particular you wish to discuss?
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: I have been wondering since yesterday about a part of our job we did not discuss about, which is scrounging for materials when needed. Can you tell me more about it?
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Indeed I can Ensign.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: Thank you Ma'am.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  You are referring to Procurement.............
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  There are instances when you need materials and are unable to receive them from the proper channels.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: Correct.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Every Starbase and station has a supply depot. Plus there are supply runs continuously throughout the quadrant. Anything that is Starfleet issued and not replicatable can be obtained from these supply depots and supply drops.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Many times extra parts can be found on a sister ship. Every OPS officer should be aware of who is in the area and where they are. Disasters can often be prevented by the quick procurement of parts.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: By sister ship you mean a ship of the same class?
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Not necessarily.  What I mean is ships in the same fleet.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  There are many items that are required for a ship or station due to the diverse amount of species. Although many of these items can be found in Starfleet stores…personal icons, exotic foods and even some custom furniture may need to be gotten from elsewhere. There are several resources available
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Civilian shops along the promenades of most stations and starbases. Even on various planets. But the biggest resource is the independent trader.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: do we have a treasury in Latinum?
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  A good OPS will build a network of traders with their territory. Although latinum is the currency most used in the quadrant….there is a large bartering system in place.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  So, no we do not have a treasury in Latinum.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Older OPS often mentor newer OPS in the ways and means of bartering, although Starfleet ‘unofficially’ looks for those qualities in their OPS candidates.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  A good OPS officer will be aware of what system of bartering is used in which system.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: So the means of exchange are mostly left to us. Good, Ma'am my family have been merchants for more than 1000 years, I have no problems related to that.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo: That is correct.  As long as it will not compromise your ship.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Does that answer you question?
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: Of course, ship comes first. Yes ma'am, very explicative.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Is there anything else you wish to discuss?
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: another question: How much do you use your department to run most errands and how much do you do it in person? I am new to the job, so sometimes I tend to micromanage.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Most OPS Chiefs have their own specialty.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: What do you mean?
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  If it regards your specialty, then you do it.  If there is someone in your department who is better than you are at a task, you allow you people to do their jobs.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  For example, my specialty is Languages and First Contact.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: Very wise thank you.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  If I needed an encryption specialist, I would call on one of my subordinates.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Encryption in not my specialty.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: Ops is really a jack of all trades
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Indeed it is Ensign.  And is one of the most important jobs on the ship.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: so many specialties and things to know at the same time. But I must tell you it is never routine.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  With ship operations, it is never routine.  You would be surprised at what an OPS officer considers routine though.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: For how long have you been an operation manager?
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Next to your own brain, the computer is you most important piece of equipment.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  I have been doing it for 10.4 years.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: The computer is our baby,
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  It would be impossible for either you to father or I to give birth to a machine.  I am assuming your statement is a human vernacular.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: Yes ma'am, I am sorry. What I mean is that the computer is our most priced possession.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Yes Ensign, it is.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: And I was glad last night to know I had such a large access to it as I had some problems in regard.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  You are the keeper of all the information on a starship.  You must have the access to do you job.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  No one should have higher access than you do other than the CO and XO.  Also, Admirals and above have higher access as well.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: It is also my job to equip an away team. When they need weapon do I ask the CTO for access to the weapons room?
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  But, there are certain times when you have authority even over the CO and XO.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: More than the CO and the XO? When?
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  You job is resources.  What you do is inform the CTO which weapons are needed and he or she will provide them.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  There are certain species in the universe who can control other species minds.  If your CO were to fall victim to that, you would have to lock him out of the computer.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  The same applies to the XO.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
::nods: Serok: Understood
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Good.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Anything else?
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: In case the CSO is absent do you do their duties too?
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
OPS:  Only if you are requested to.  Your secondary function on a starship is Flight Control, but, should the CO request it, you would of course double on science.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: Thank you ma'am this is all for me. Very informative if I may add.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: Do you have any last advice?
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Yes.  Do not try to "micromanage" as you say.  Let your people do their jobs.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: I will Ma'am.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Polo:  Then you are dismissed Ensign.  Thank you for attending.
Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Serok: Thank you again:: Turns and leaves the room.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
:: puts her empty glass back in the replicator for recycle and leaves the room ::