Out of Gas

Posted on Fri Apr 15th, 2022 @ 7:13pm by Executive Officer Jake Ford & Laurier Cami & Chief Engineer Michael Burnstein & Jeassaho Kea (*) & Liha t'Ehhelih

Mission: Mission 15: Adrift
Location: Engineering
Timeline: MD01 - 2115
1067 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Jake had hurtled down to Engineering as fast as he could manage, with the fluctuating power and groaning of several automated systems fritzing; he figured Burnie and the crew were doing their level best, but their time pressure was going to be tight.

Things looked chaotic and flustered as he arrived, Cami giving him a look as if to warn him from speaking as soon as he arrived, which was particularly disconcerting as he'd expected that from Liha, not the easy-going Bajoran.

"What's our situation?" he asked cautiously, trying to aim his request at Burnie.

"We're busy trying to keep the ship going!" Liha snapped. "If you're not here to help, stay out of the way."

Seeing where this was going Burnie quickly stepped in. "I'll deal with it. Just stay on task," he said, pressing open hands slowly downward in a keep calm gesture, before turning to Jake. "She's not wrong. We've reinforced the anti-matter containment so at least the ship won't have to eject the pods. Yet. But we're down to battery back-up for power. No engines, no shields, minimal thrusters. We've shut down power to unmanned areas, but we may need to clear other decks to conserve power until we can get to the verterium we need for repairs."

“My advice is get everyone in one area and close the ship down.” Jeassaho called from underneath a console that was was trying to get back online so they could have more control. She looked slightly singed and the clothes she had been wearing were covered in marks. “Less strain on systems and us not having to explain to Reuben that his ship is dead.” It was not a you will have to explain she was fully involved in telling him as a team.

Jake's brow furrowed. "Fvadt is it that bad?" he murmured. "All right. Emergency lockdown. Somewhere near the middle of the ship with access to supplies. Maybe one of the cargo bays." His brain was already working overtime on the logistical mess that would be. "Give us whatever time you can. I'll get Nollel to figure out a shelter point." He looked at Burnie. "You're sure we'll be okay?"

"We'll try to stretch things out. I'm working on an idea to use shuttle power to help, but right now all I can say is we won't blow up because the anti-matter containers rupture," Burnie replied tiredly. "Of course, an hour ago I'd have said all systems were nominal, so take that with a 'If the weather holds', as my grandmother would say."

"Shuttle power? Like hooking the batteries up to the ship or something?" Jake wondered.

"Towing," Burnie replied flatly. "I was going to use it as a back-up battery, but that was before we took a closer look at the sensor data from the scan for verterium." He brought up the data stored on his PaDD. "There's an ion storm heading right for us and we have no chance whatsoever of out-running it now. Best we can do is try towing to get the ship through it faster and extend the shuttle's shields to protect us. This is where the weather refence comes in - if the storm stays at a level 4 and current speed, we can get a bit of a head start and there's a good chance this all works out. If it either goes higher... well, we may be in for quite a bumpy ride."

“Alexander?” Jeassaho grunted the question as she pushed herself out from under the console. “Might as well do something with it. It’s taking up space and no longer has an owner.” Jeassaho could not feel sorry for its former occupant right then and there when they had to focus on themselves and weathering an ion storm with very little power. Dixoho would understand if she ever woke up and the dead did not care.

Burnie nodded. He kind of hated to do it without being able to ask Dixoho, but he was sure she'd have volunteered it if she was awake and aware of what they faced. "It has the power we need and an autopilot so no one has to risk flying it ...in case we have to drive it to failure in the middle of an ion storm."

"Of course there's a storm..." Jake sighed, rubbing his forehead. "If sacrificing a shuttle or two gets us out of this mess then you'll hear no complaints from me.

“It works. The logic is sound.” Jeassaho approved looking at Liha. “I am sure Liha can set up the shuttle and save us some time.” The woman suggested as time was precious to them.

Liha's head lifted from her work, then dipped it in acknowledgment - a gesture part 'yes I can and will', and part 'I see you what did there'. She had no real issue with an excuse to avoid Jake though and she had more experience working on small craft than most of the rest. "Shouldn't take too long - the main thing will be balancing energy draw between tractor beam and extending its shields around Rosie." She glanced at Burnie as she turned to go. "I'll let you know when it's ready to launch."

"Thanks." Burnie replied with a quick nod. "I can send Kali down too if you want another pilot to help," he added almost hopefully.

The Romulan frowned at him. Kali might be responsible for some of what had made Burnie a person willing to travel with a Romulan, but that did not mean she felt any need to bond with her. "That will not be necessary."

"Fine," Burnie sighed. "The rest of us need to get engineering locked down. Jake, the sooner you start moving people and supplies, the better."

“Call if you need help.” Jeassaho called after the woman knowing she would not but she offered neither less. She clipped several tools onto her built. “I’ll started starboard.” The woman said with a nod as she knew the process and what to do

"Reconvene on Deck Six. It has immediate access to water storage and food supplies," Jake nodded, already halfway to the exit, en route to round up whoever was close by and get them on emergency sheltering.

“Did not even get to try some of the cake.” Jeassaho said sadly as she disappeared to start her work.