Designs and Progress

Posted on Wednesday 4 January 2023 @ 20:43 by Captain Melody Jones & Lieutenant Nir’anyar

Mission: Revelations
Location: Captains ready room, USS Merlin
Timeline: MD21 1800
1676 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Merlin had started to come back to life over the last few days, bit by bit, slowly but surely. Life support had been restored to all decks rather than just bridge, engineering and other key areas. Many of the new systems were coming online also along with the newly refit systems. She had a huge laundry list of things to test and correct in flight. A couple of big ticket items that needed to be looked at again before launch and a mystery system that she did not have access to. She had it all laid out before her ready for Mathias and Melody's arrival.

In preparation for that, she had used her access to the bridge and the Captain's ready room and laid out a small spread of food items. They had a lot to cover and not long to do it, she also knew that neither one would have had a solid meal all day in favour of a quick cup of coffee or something similar when time allowed through the day.

Melody was the next to arrive. She had managed to get herself, Draxx and the boys back into their quarters on the Merlin last night. She had spent today wandering the corridors on something of an informal tour herself, reacquainting herself with the ship.

"Good evening lieutenant. Well, I must say you've outdone yourself." She said as she looked at the spread of food on the table. "Gunning for a promotion already are we?" she asked with a smile.

"If ones on offer but I would prefer you see it as Doctors Orders!" she joked, allowing a modicum of mirth into her voice. Something a little new for her given her usual gruff exterior.

Mathias arrived just a small amount of time together, a lock of unruly hair deciding to stick up and he was trying to smooth it back down. "Zounds, blasted hair, I feel like a bovine snuck in and licked a lock of it to make me look a bit zany." he paused when he noticed the food that was there. "This looks wonderful."

"I figured the pair of you would have skipped any form of food today given how busy you're going to be!" extended her arm and pointed at the food as if ordering them both to fill a plate and start eating. "Once you are both sat and eating I can run through the report!"

"As you wish, Doctor." Mathias got a plate of food and then sat down to await her report. "This is indeed really good." he complimented Anya, after taking a few bites. He was definitely famished.

Melody had poured coffee for the three of them and now had now put a plate together for herself and sat down next to Mathias. "This is your show Lieutenant. Proceed."

"Where to start!" she said, pondering. "Sensors have been upgraded to the most up to date pallets giving up a boost of forty eight percent to the overall effectiveness of the grid. Bioneural gel packs have been replaced with the newest generation which will increase our interface lag by seven percent, transporters, replicators, waste disposal have all had some love as well. EPS grid, power distribution and the Plasma conduits have all been replaced with the newest versions across the entire ship. Exterior hull plating has been enhanced around critical areas with a view to finishing the rest of the hull next time we put into dock. Shielding systems have been upgraded to type fourteen regenerative emitters... something to do with a newly adapted Borg technology... and that's just the start!"
Anya slid two pads across the table, one for each of Melody and Mathias to look over, but she knew the systems were the basics and she was waiting for questions from the pair around the rest of the refit.

As Anya was going through each system, Melody was making notes on her own PADD. "The science department should be please with the new sensor array." she mused. "Sorry to interrupt carry on," she said to Anya.

"Something to note... This flying city is now a flying continent. They've added another twelve decks... Two of which are currently sealed along with this file that is marked as Captain's Eye's Only!"
Anya slipped an additional PADD across to Melody with the file ready and waiting. "No idea what it's about and Starfleet have disregarded my requests for further information... Even Commodore Haistro's office has ignored my questions about it!"

Melody frowned. "That's news to me. Starfleet didn't tell me about any classified files." She pondered for a moment. "Anyway moving on." She said, quickly changing the subject. "Our chief engineer will be bringing a comprehensive report on the engineering systems but I take it the new slipstream drive was installed without incident? Are there any other modifications in engineering?"

"Yes sir!" Anya took a moment to process the lack of substantial acknowledgement, glancing briefly at Mathias, who looked as confused as she. Still, she pressed on. "The slipstream drive has been installed... From a medical standpoint, I have concerns over the level of unknowns that exist in regard to this new tech. I trust testing will be undertaken before a true test flight?"

"I would recommend that, and good heavens having some extra decks for the Merlin? It seems like there has been a growth spurt where the ship is concerned. " Mathias replied after perusing the padd. "Honestly though I would like to know what those extra decks are for, Captain." peering sharply at Melody.

Melody nodded in agreement. "I want routine medical scans from a cross-section of the crew to monitor for any adverse reactions. This tech is currently being installed on the latest Vesta class starship, the first of which is due to be launched in a couple of years. We're being used as the test bed to iron out any problems. Now..." she added tapping in some commands on her PADD. "Let's see if we can work out what those new decks are for. After a moment the PADD beeped "Access denied!"

Melody frowned. "What? Why? I have the required clearance. Confirm my identity and clearance level"

The computer responded. "Identity confirmed. Clearance confirmed. Files and materials regarding Project Manhatten can only be accessed once USS Merlin is a minimum of 4000 lightyears outside of Federation space. The content of these files can be discussed with Senior staff only at the discretion of Captain Melody Jones."

"4000 lightyears?" Melody said in quiet disbelief. That would take just over a year to cover at maximum warp. Looks like Starfleet really want us to test this Quantum Slipstream drive well. What on Earth could we have onboard that needs us to be 4000 lightyears away from Federation space?"

Mathias was rather perplexed by what had just happened. "Well, another mystery has come up. Perhaps we should put on our thinking caps and do some thinking up on this? Ala Sherlock Holmes..." giving a smile after he made his comment.

Melody thought for a moment. "I'll make some... discreet inquires at Starfleet, see if I can get any information. In the meantime, would you continue with your report Lieutenant?"

"Yes sir!" Anya was as perplexed as Mathias and the pair shared another quick look before she readjusted and continued with the report. "Sickbay has received an entirely new upgrade. It's more like a computer centre than a medical facility but it should make it easier for large scale situations and coordination with the three smaller medical facilities across the ship... The new shuttles have arrived and some form of special design test model has arrived as well... Everything else is as one would expect for a refit. They even managed to get the smell of burnt hair from the food being produced by the bridge replicator!"

Mathias crinkled his nose at the reminder of that scent. "Oh, I am very glad that they managed to get rid of that scent. It wasn't doing Caroline much good in smelling that." he glanced over towards Anya, then back to Melody. "So we're going to get to know the ship once more."

Melody smiled. "I've been onboard for over 4 years now. I've come to think of the Merlin as home. As much as things change, they always stay the same. As long as they haven't changed the replicators coffee recipe." she added. She looked at Anya with a satisfied nod. "A very thorough and well put together report Lieutenant, thank you. Do you have any questions Number One?"

"I have no further questions at this time." He cast a glance towards Anya, a secretive smile on his face. "I agree that this has been a rather informative meeting. Well done." Mathias said, giving a nod of approval.

"Thank you sirs!" Anya smiled, feeling she had actually started to settle into her role of second officer even if she felt she lacked any real command experience. In fact, she felt a swell of self-pride, not something she would allow to show but for a change she felt like she was on top of things, becoming the person she had been destined to become despite her incarceration that seemed to have interrupted her life for far too long.

Melody thought for a moment then added to Anya. "I want you to stick around for a while. The Chief Engineer is coming in to give his report and I would like your input."

"Of course but I'm not sure what input I could offer!" Anya was about to stand t leave but aborted and returned to her seat.

Mathias quirked his head to one side, "Oh this should be interesting."

Just then, the door chime sounded.

OFF:

●●●● Captain Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin


○●● Lieutenant Commander Mathias McPhee
Executive Officer
USS Merlin


●● Lieutenant Nir’anyar
Chief Medical Officer
USS Merlin