Bridge Training: Distress Call (Part VI)

Posted on Thu Oct 19th, 2023 @ 12:25pm by Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver & Cadet Senior Grade K’tarra Smythe & Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani & Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Todenhöfer & Cadet Junior Grade Renae Villanova
Edited on on Tue Jan 30th, 2024 @ 1:48am

1,315 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Cadet Cruise

[PREVIOUSLY]

"See if you can improve it in anyway. At best, stable it enough so we can receive and maybe send data through." Daniel said firmly. As the Ops Cadet nodded his head, he turned to Meghan and Shafin. "We're neglecting our best resource. The Avadora. That ship has all the information we need because they were studying this nebula before we got here. Their information might have already picked up something that we might only catch much later." He focused on Meghan. "What do you think? If we can get their scans and data, how fast do you think you and/or the computer would take to comb through it for something useful?"

[CONTINUED]


Shafin stiffened his posture. "I commend you on utilizing the Avadora and the information they have gathered," Shafin said to Daniel. "Though if systems are affected by the nebula, we may need to be prepared that any potential data we receive could be corrupted. Hopefully not, but worth noting."

"I agree. We've circle back to the same problem. We can't scan them for the same reason we can't get a clear comm channel. It will affect transporters and it will affect any data being transmitted. We need to cut through the static before we can do anything."

As K'tarra made subtle tweaks to the crystal configuration, she paid close attention to the readouts and diagnostic data streaming across the other viewscreens. She observed the power fluctuations, field stability, and warp field harmonics, looking for any signs of improvement or optimization.

With precision and concentration, Cadet Smythe continued her adjustments, striving to find the optimal crystal alignment that would enhance the warp field's efficiency. In some ways she felt isolated, tied down so deeply to this task of engine maintenance. Even a cadet like K'tarra could see that the crystals were in poor alignment and badly needed this.

Throughout the process, K'tarra utilized her training and knowledge of dilithium systems, constantly analyzing the data and adjusting her approach. Her keen eye and intuition guided her in finding the delicate balance necessary to maximize the engine's power output.

Meghan's console chirped and she looked down at it. "The computer finished the comparative analysis. This is our best bet for solving anything." She looked at Daniel. "Speaking frankly, you can't yell at us and you can't try to do a run around science. If you order communications to get you that data, then we may end up working at cross-purposes and it'll delay the process. or you'll get data, but it'll be corrupt and we'll be back to the beginning. Sometimes answers take time and I won't rush this for a simulation."

She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I know you're stressed. We all are. Let me work with ops and see what we can come up with together. I can do this--if you'll give me the chance." Her voice was mostly calm, although his impatience and raised voice had rattled her a bit. She knew about nebulae, but mostly how to scan them and what to look for. She also knew what types of radiation interfered with ships sensors and communications. She just didn't know how to get past that. Yet. But she was determined to try.

"I'm trying my best here, guys." Daniel stepped back and held his arms out, raising his voice slightly but not in an angry way. He was feeling like he was falling apart. Even his attempt to come up with a good idea seemed to get mixed results. He couldn't win. "I didn't ask to be in the Captain's chair, nor did I sign up for the Command Course, it was shoved in my face and I'm trying to make the best of it." He stopped and let out a deep breath, trying to relax before looking to Meghan. I know you can do it. That was never an issue. All I was thinking was that, if we can improve the commlink that maybe we can use their information, but clearly, that was a bad idea and it was taken out of context. I'm not trying to rush anything; I am trying to come up with something we may not have thought of. I'm sorry, Meghan. I didn't mean to lead you to believe I didn't have confidence in you because I have every confidence in you. More than I have in myself. I wish we could just Apollo 13 this situation and talk them through a fix and work together but it's not that simple. I wish it was."

The Klingon hybrid offered a look of support. She hoped her passion hadn't made the situation worse.

Shafin crossed his arms as he listened to Daniel. His emotions were not helping the situation and talking to Meghan was just taking her concentration off her station and time away from doing what she needed to do. Shafin placed a hand on Meghan's shoulder "We know you will come up with something. This is just a puzzle to solve, and you'll find the pieces we need."

She nodded. "I know. This isn't rocket science." She flashed them both a grin. "It's astrophysics."

She put a hand on Daniel's forearm. "This scenario is supposed to be tough." She met his eyes for a moment. "Of the cadets, you are the best person to take the center chair. Forget about your father and his expectations. You're doing this for us, not him."

Shafin Todenhöfer, taking his hand off of Meghan's shoulder gave a look in Daniel’s direction. "Let's let our science officer work," stated Shafin. "And if I may, I would prefer to speak with you in the Ready Room or wherever we can do so in private, Captain Weaver."

Daniel looked around the Bridge, his eyes focusing on Meghan for a bit, before looking back to Shafin. He nodded his head and headed to the Ready Room doors. This scenario was probably on its way to being a failure with Daniel in the center chair.

Dain had watched the scene unfold in front of him, all he could think about was the condition of the crew in relation to the nebula. "Is the nebula harmful?" he asked. "Any radiation I need to know about? If need be to protect us as well as the crew of the Avadora." No-one had yet reported any injuries on board the Bajoran vessel.

K’tarra studied the instrument readouts. The Cavalier appeared to be running within normal parameters, except for the internal dampeners seeming to be wound a little too tightly. She looked up as Dain spoke.

Emma simply observed everyone else. She knew that the Cavalier only had a limited amount of probes and torpedoes, something she would point out before launching or firing any. She wasn't a scientist, so she thought it best leaving the others to this.

After Meghan was called to the Ready Room, Renae walked onto the bridge. She felt totally unprepared to be here. In fact, she was happy to let Meghan be on the bridge and under fire while she stayed in the science department.

She was about to log in to the station when she noticed that a database search was running. Nebulae? she thought. Not something she was familiar with, so she watched the data scroll across one side of the screen. It was clearly something Meghan was doing. Babysitting the operation was definitely something Renae could do.

"There would likely be an increase in ionization and radiation", K'tarra said to Dain. "Some nebulae are more dangerous than others. This one would appear quite treacherous, indeed."

(To be continued...)

Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver
Captain Command Cadet

Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Todenhöfer
Counseling Cadet

Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani
Science Cadet

Cadet Senior Grade K'tarra Smythe
Engineering Cadet

Cadet Junior Grade Renae Villanova
Science Cadet

 

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