08-14-2024, 07:31 PM
== Engineering ==
When the console did not initially respond, Niels began the work of troubleshooting. There was a slight tightness in his chest as if his breaths weren’t bringing in enough air. It was one of the tell-tale warning signs he remembered from the Academy. Taking a knee, he flung open his engineering kit and pulled out a laser torch. They didn’t have enough time to search for a tool that could handle Cardassians access hatch fasteners. A laser torch would do the job just as well, without discretion.
Within seconds the access hatch fell to the floor and Niels swapped out his torch for his tricorder. He studied the power distribution node for the console and the tricorder readouts. The console wasn’t getting any power at the moment and the distribution system didn’t appear to be running at peak efficiency. He could manually override the node to make it pull power from another system, but would have to be careful that he wasn’t affecting the stability of the ship. Most nonessential systems were likely already shut down due to the power shortage, leaving few options.
“This’ll just take a second,” Niels said aloud to Cindy, “I’m going to try rerouting some power from the gravity generator, since those appear to be powered. You might feel a miniscule amount lighter, but the console should pull enough power to be detrimental to our movement through the ship.”
Pulling more tools from his kit, Niels began making the necessary modifications both to reroute power and to install the isolinear chip Kalli had given him. His work was methodical and efficient. His tools, when used, were returned to their designated spot in the kit. Spare parts were arranged neatly to the side, close enough for easy access. It took a minute to get the console power rerouted, but soon the glow of the screen joined their illuminated headbands.
“Now we’re cooking,” Niels exclaimed as he rose from the floor.
Niels took a second to familiarize himself with the console. The translation program appeared to work well enough. He used the console to double check his power reroute. In the meanwhile, Cindy reported in with her observations.
“As you suspect, it looks like their ship isn’t producing much power on its own. Most of it is being routed to life support, structural integrity, force field generators, and…”
Niels narrowed his eyes and tilted his head, studying the readings. “There’s something drawing power that I can’t identify or access from this console.”
Fingers dancing across the screen, Niels pulled up the ship’s internal sensors, but the power currently available only gave him a limited look at the ship. It wasn’t enough to identify the source of the power draw, but what little bit of the ship he could see did not give him a good feeling.
“67% damage to hull integrity,” Niels said, reading out data from the screen.
The heaviness in Niels’ chest was slowly increasing. It was very clear that they would need to leave soon. At the same time, the First Officer notified him of a potential incoming power transfer from the Aquila. The extra power would be helpful, but Niels had a bit of reluctance given that there was an unknown system drawing power. It could be something completely innocuous. Or, not.
“Cindy, take over at this console,” Niels said as he stepped aside. “Find me the nearest location with life support still powered, in case we need to make a quick exit.”
[Hoekstra to Velaul,] Niels said in reply to the Commander’s message, [A power transfer should help, but given the level of damage to the Cardassian ship, it will need to be performed in a slow and measured manner to prevent any further damage to their power distribution network. I’ll contact Lieutenant Thorn and her team back on the Aquila to coordinate the transfer.]
Niels opened a new channel to engineering.
“Lieutenant Hoekstra to Lieutenant Thorn, please coordinate with the bridge to initiate a power transfer to the Cardassian ship. We’ll need to start slow at first and then increase the transfer rate once we can verify that their power distribution systems can handle the load in their current state. I’ll handle routing and distribution on this end.”
== Tags ==
When the console did not initially respond, Niels began the work of troubleshooting. There was a slight tightness in his chest as if his breaths weren’t bringing in enough air. It was one of the tell-tale warning signs he remembered from the Academy. Taking a knee, he flung open his engineering kit and pulled out a laser torch. They didn’t have enough time to search for a tool that could handle Cardassians access hatch fasteners. A laser torch would do the job just as well, without discretion.
Within seconds the access hatch fell to the floor and Niels swapped out his torch for his tricorder. He studied the power distribution node for the console and the tricorder readouts. The console wasn’t getting any power at the moment and the distribution system didn’t appear to be running at peak efficiency. He could manually override the node to make it pull power from another system, but would have to be careful that he wasn’t affecting the stability of the ship. Most nonessential systems were likely already shut down due to the power shortage, leaving few options.
“This’ll just take a second,” Niels said aloud to Cindy, “I’m going to try rerouting some power from the gravity generator, since those appear to be powered. You might feel a miniscule amount lighter, but the console should pull enough power to be detrimental to our movement through the ship.”
Pulling more tools from his kit, Niels began making the necessary modifications both to reroute power and to install the isolinear chip Kalli had given him. His work was methodical and efficient. His tools, when used, were returned to their designated spot in the kit. Spare parts were arranged neatly to the side, close enough for easy access. It took a minute to get the console power rerouted, but soon the glow of the screen joined their illuminated headbands.
“Now we’re cooking,” Niels exclaimed as he rose from the floor.
Niels took a second to familiarize himself with the console. The translation program appeared to work well enough. He used the console to double check his power reroute. In the meanwhile, Cindy reported in with her observations.
“As you suspect, it looks like their ship isn’t producing much power on its own. Most of it is being routed to life support, structural integrity, force field generators, and…”
Niels narrowed his eyes and tilted his head, studying the readings. “There’s something drawing power that I can’t identify or access from this console.”
Fingers dancing across the screen, Niels pulled up the ship’s internal sensors, but the power currently available only gave him a limited look at the ship. It wasn’t enough to identify the source of the power draw, but what little bit of the ship he could see did not give him a good feeling.
“67% damage to hull integrity,” Niels said, reading out data from the screen.
The heaviness in Niels’ chest was slowly increasing. It was very clear that they would need to leave soon. At the same time, the First Officer notified him of a potential incoming power transfer from the Aquila. The extra power would be helpful, but Niels had a bit of reluctance given that there was an unknown system drawing power. It could be something completely innocuous. Or, not.
“Cindy, take over at this console,” Niels said as he stepped aside. “Find me the nearest location with life support still powered, in case we need to make a quick exit.”
[Hoekstra to Velaul,] Niels said in reply to the Commander’s message, [A power transfer should help, but given the level of damage to the Cardassian ship, it will need to be performed in a slow and measured manner to prevent any further damage to their power distribution network. I’ll contact Lieutenant Thorn and her team back on the Aquila to coordinate the transfer.]
Niels opened a new channel to engineering.
“Lieutenant Hoekstra to Lieutenant Thorn, please coordinate with the bridge to initiate a power transfer to the Cardassian ship. We’ll need to start slow at first and then increase the transfer rate once we can verify that their power distribution systems can handle the load in their current state. I’ll handle routing and distribution on this end.”
== Tags ==