All systems go!

Posted on Saturday 1 February 2020 @ 22:47 by Captain Melody Jones

Mission: Ghost Ship
Location: Main Engineering
Timeline: MD1 1130
1132 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Melody entered engineering to see the warp core still dark and powered down. The room, however, was a hive of activity with engineering staff rushing all over to make the Merlin ready for departure. Like an island of calm amidst the storm was the Chief Engineer.

Melody approached. "Lieutenant. How goes preparations?"

A nod was given to Doyle before he headed off to finish his testing of the main systems. Turning as she heard Melody, Bree offered that warm smile of her's. "It's going well Commander. The diagnostics on the updated main systems is going good and the warp drive is ready to rumble." One hand dropped to tap a few things on the computer that they where standing by and it brought up a few of the newer reports. "We have a few new things, a few upgraded things and a couple replaced replicators... so we've been busy making sure everything is running smoothly." With her luck though... something will go haywire as soon as they started it all up.

"They replaced some replicators?" Melody asked quizzically. "They better not have touched the one in our quarters. I just got my morning coffee perfect. I spent a long evening with a hypospanner and a flux router to get temperature a little lower than molten lava."

Melody looked over the engineering display readout. "It looks like R&D have chosen us to be the gunipigs for a lot of new systems. New navigational sensors, enhanced warp core overdrive and what's this?" She paused at the last item "They raised the Captain's chair by 1cm? Who's bright idea was that?"

"Maybe they thought you where just a little shorter then the last Captain?" Bree said with a light smile as she took just a moment to check on the replicators. "And it looks like just some on a few of the offices where replaced, not any in peoples personal quarters. And yes, they seemed to have fun updating this ship Commander." She as trying to keep the hint of worry out of her tone as she said that. With this many updates there was always a big chance something would go wrong, she just hadn't found out yet what it was going to be.

As they were talking, a young ensign came over and addressed the Chief. "Antimatter injectors are primed and the deuterium flow is warmed up. We can start the warp reaction chamber on your orders Lieutenant." He stopped as he suddenly realised that he hadn't acknowledged the ship's most senior officer. He blushed slightly and added."My apologies, Morning... Ma'am."

Melody realsied that he was rather nervous and waved off the apology. She even managed to overlook the ma'am... this once. "Carry on Ensign."

Well Crap... Rathburn thought as she eyed the Ensign, both because of the news he'd brought and because of his nervous mistakes. While she wouldn't get onto him for it, she had hoped that the timing of the news wouldn't had come with the Commander standing right here. After all, with her luck the warp would be the thing that messed up as they got it started... right in front of the Commanding officer. A mental prayer to the universe that everything would hopefully go good before she looked to Melody. "Well, shall we give it a test fire, Commander?"

"By all means Chief. This is your show." Melody said as she pulled up a chair and sat down and watched. Having had some engineering experience herself, she did enjoy watching as the great ship came to life. She was also aware that she didn't want to step on the Chief engineer's toes. "I'm sure everything will go smoothly, Right Chief?"

A slight nod of her head was given. "Smooth as silk Commander." Bree said as she turned to focus on the computer before her, a slide glance to Doyle and he moved over to the computer opposite of her. There were times the man just seemed to be able to read her mind and pick up on her nervousness.

"Preparation to start up the warp core." Rathburn said to Doyle. He nodded and started the sequences for it. Both were quiet for a few minutes before he spoke. "Temperature and Pressure are set and ready Ma'am."

A nod was given as she held lightly to her lower lip before she released it and spoke softly. "Releasing the antimatter now." Her gaze lifted to hole onto the slow trail of the antimatter as it made it's way up through the stream. Her fingers ready to make any adjustments that might be needed to make sure both streams of matter/antimatter met at the right moment in the chamber.

While it took a little bit of time, waiting for everything to mix and react, they soon felt the low rumble and sound of the ship coming back to life before she gave into a slow smile. After a nod from Doyle to let her know he'd keep watch a little longer, she turned towards the Commander.

Melody smiled satisfied. "It's a thing of beauty, is it not? This run out to Sector 715 doesn't need excessive speed so we can let her settle in nice and easy. Warp 5 should be sufficient for the time. It will give us plenty of time to iron out any problems. Let the sawdust settle eh? But, if those engineers at Starbase have done their job properly it should just be a case of fine-tuning."

With the warp core humming steadily in the background, Melody rose. "Very good Lieutenant. If you want to draw up a list of things we can test en route once we're underway then, we can keep Command happy by filling in mountains of paperwork. The worst of our problems should be my coffee not being the right temperature, "she added with a chuckle. "I'll be on the bridge if I'm needed. Carry on."

Rathburn have into a slow release of breath as the warm core stayed running without any issues. She really needed to work on her self confidence a little more it seemed. Smiling brightly now as she gave a nod to Melody. "I'll have that list up there as soon as I get it done up, Commander. And hopefully your coffee will be perfect still."

And with that, Melody took one last look around the room and headed out.

Relaxing now, Breana watched a moment a the commanding officer headed out before she turned to Doyle with a nod of thanks for his help. It was time to get moving on other things.


OFF:

●●● Commander Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin


●○ Lieutenant Breana Rathburn
Chief Engineer
USS Merlin