"Frustrations and… Success?"
[Previous Post: Mark's "Keeping Both Eyes Open"
~~~~~
Stardate: 61036.1650
The Vulcan FCO had retired to his small office soon after leaving his big Hirogen friend on deck 8 at the Security Center . The reflected light in the corridors was beginning to fade by the time he reached his office. Sitting in front of his dead computer his mind was replaying all they had so far tried.
The engineering crew had already made almost all the necessary adjustments to the power grid to allow for broadcast power operations from within the hanger deck. Unfortunately the first attempt using the shuttle MAMBA was a total failure not a hint of usable power. After a few adjustments they had tried again using the shuttle ANACONDA. All they managed with that one was barely three seconds of measurable power. It was at this point they agreed to not try again until they agreed the odds were better.
So Derek had decided to use his office as a quiet place to think. Even though Vulcan's can multi task their thought processes he was finding it difficult to do so. He kept thinking of Lieutenant Mei off with the indigenous people on an antique sailing vessel.
He knew that having and allowing these thoughts was detrimental to the new person he was trying to create, his true Vulcan self. He really was not sure why he maintained the thoughts of her; after all she barely spoke to him at all since IRRAJ.
Suddenly a thought hit him … how had the Captain talked to the Caitian? With all power out even the universal translators should have been out. Derek quickly searched his drawers for a spare translator. Slowly and efficiently he began to take it apart, studying each circuit as he went.
~~~~~
Derek was onboard the shuttle COBRA. He had the auxiliary control panel torn apart and was carefully soldering individual circuit boards together. In his study of the universal translator he had noticed that there was a point of diminishing return. Meaning that as long as the power threshold did not cross a certain point self sustaining power generation on the lower frequency bands was possible. But having failed twice he had not told anyone of his latest idea, preferring to be alone should he fail again.
The FCO's decision to make the attempt on board the COBRA was based on the fact that it was berthed right next to the DRAGONSEYE. If it worked he could use the COBRA to cover the DRAGONSEYE and possibly increase available power. He was almost ready to test his theory and the new circuits.
~~~~~
Captain Rikar was holding a progress meeting from her command chair. Everyone was tired, frustrated, and in some respects worried about those who had been sent off on board the BLACK PANTHER.
Looking around the group the red haired woman immediately noticed the missing FCO, "Where is Lieutenant Stormwind?" she asked with not a little hint of anger in her voice.
Uxtar looking as sheepish as a Hirogen could, answered her. "Last I saw of him he was headed for the FCO Office."
If looks could kill, the one that crossed the Captain's face was deadly. "He was aware of this meeting was he not?"
Those around her kept silent as their commander looked at each of them in turn. When she spoke again, they all knew that Stormwind was in very deep, "I expect all my officers to…"
=^=Stormwind to Ensign Thomas standby for minimal power distributionfiltered=^=
Everyone on the bridge froze in place, except Elliott who quickly and without question went to his station surprised to see it just barely lit up tapping his comm. Badge "Elliott to Stormwind ready for power up."
=^=Bring life support online at minimal level, disconnect all exterior lighting circuits,=^= Derek spoke in a low and slightly distorted voice.
Ensign Thomas' fingers flew over his board as he quickly did as the FCO suggested.
=^=Bring Primary Planetary Sensor Array online with 5% power, and the Line of sight Long Range Sensors online also at 5% power level.=^=
The Bridge lights began to flicker and glow, slowly they came up to a dull even glow but no where near their normal brightness. Everyone looked around trying to see what was working and what wasn't.
They all turned as the turbo lift doors opened slowly. Their normal fast sound replaced by a slow steady hiss. The Vulcan FCO entered the bridge. Ignoring the looks he went straight to Ensign Thomas and spoke firmly "Ensign we have at most 35% power, make sure anything that is used uses no more than 5%. If we exceed 5% whatever is dampening our power will notice and attempt to drain the power."
"Lieutenant Stormwind!" Captain Rikar's clear voice rang out, "Report!"
Derek turned and faced the red headed female in the center chair; the tone of her voice was not lost on him. He spoke quickly "Captain, using part of the circuitry of the universal translator I managed to succeed in generating a self sustaining power generating field. Experimentation showed that at anything over 5% power the dampening field tried to drain the power. The shuttle COBRA is currently supplying a protective shield to the DRAGONSEYE which is operating at 75% power giving a usable 35% power generation."
Anyone else stating these facts would have had pride in their voice, yet the half Vulcan spoke without any hint of emotion, he was simply stating facts.
Captain Rikar eyed the FCO speculatively than asked… "May I ask why you chose the systems that you did to activate?"
The half human knew that once again he had placed himself into a very tenuous position with his Commander, but he was Vulcan and that is how he answered. "Life support was a given it had to be online, the sensor array's are the only ones currently above the waterline, and it was by your suggestion that the exterior lights be kept off. You told the Captain of the BLACK PANTHER that this was an island; it would be hard to keep that pretense up if the outer hull was lit up like a… Christmas tree."
Sabrina almost smiled, but she caught herself knowing that the Vulcan had not intentionally tried to make a joke; still she let herself relax just a little. Looking up at the tall Lieutenant she slipped back into command mode. "What about tricorders and phasers, do we have power for them?" she asked.
Derek answered firmly… "We can charge tricorders and they will work on low power, their range will be limited to less than 15 feet however. As for phasers, sorry Captain even at low power they would be totally useless even on contact. It might be possible to power one phaser bank but at 5% the range would be extremely limited and its power would be … minimal at best."
"Very well, at least we have more options now. I suggest everyone get some sleep. We will be busy at first light. Pravat maintain a watch on this hatch and have all others secured for the night. Lieutenant Stormwind if you would remain, the rest of you are dismissed."
As the FCO took a parade rest stance to await his Captains wishes. His mind went to the real reason for the sensor arrays… he would be able to maintain a watch on those aboard the BLACK PANTHER. That it might be the last time he saw Susan as a member of this crew did not escape his thoughts.
~~~~~
As
Lieutenant Derek Stormwind 2006 post #258
Setting: Deck 3, FCO Office
Stardate: 61036.1830
Setting: Deck 4 Shuttle bay 2
Stardate: 61036.2000
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Brian Matthews (dragonsslayer@excite.com)
FCO
USS ANUBIS NCC-18501
