Can I play operations

Posted on Mon Jul 24th, 2023 @ 11:23am by Maras (*) & Chief Operations Trades

Mission: Fractures
Location: Bridge
Timeline: MD -02 16:00
1250 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Things were quiet, which was good. Mostly the ship was running itself and while it was doing that Trades was at the Bridge's main Operations terminal watching it all. It was almost meditative in a way as the computer tracked billions of micro-transactions that it made with itself. Trades' eyes flickered from one reading to the next; analyzing, tracking, re-analysing.

The flow of power from the engines, through the different systems that regulated that and channelled it through every other system from there. He watched the balance of resources, making minor adjustments where he felt they were needed. Not a lot was needed. The retrofit had done a good job and the ship was running smoothly.

Maras had never been on the bridge before and she was sure that she would get into trouble for it but she knew Gregnol and Ford were busy elsewhere and no one else would judge her. Nollel raised an eyebrow as the young hybrid passed her working on the newest cargo inventory but said nothing. "Hi..." Maras said to the man who she had seen around the ship over the last three months but had not really settled down to have a discussion with.

"Greetings," Trades responded lifting his head up long enough to acknowledge her presence. He looked back at the screen in front of him. The girl wasn't someone he'd had anything to do with and frankly wasn't sure what the rules were around her. "Are you allowed up to be here?"

"Not entirely sure but the computer allowed me here." Maras had been pushing her luck but it seemed to be the only way to track him down to ask about working in Operations. "I like to think if I was not it would have denied me access." She added just as quietly.

"A reasonable assessment," Trades responded. In truth he didn't have enough knowledge to know if it was a correct assessment. As a senior officer he should probably have an idea about who was allowed where, but then again it was not his department. "The next question would be, why are you here?"

Maras had not thought that the question would be so quickly asked not quite as abruptly. She glanced to Nollel who offered a smile and looked away. “I was wondering if you have any positions in operations for a beginner.” She wondered finally.

"There is always room for people in Operations, you can lend assistance. I need to readjust the power flow to internal sensors without effecting the external sensors." Yes they ran on different systems but there was a fine line between where one stopped and the other started. The hull, that was line, and all the little electronic pathways hidden in it. If the internal sensors were too high they would start detecting both sides of the hull as a matter of recourse. "I need to lower the internal sensor rate by 0.9 percent, without dropping more than 1.6 percent." With a flick he sent the corresponding details to the screen nearest Maras.

"A second set of eyes would be useful."

“Ah… I have never done anything like that before.” Maras commented as Nollel raised an eyebrow at the approach that was being taken.

“I could assist.” Nollel offered from her seat. She had been sidelined recently by everything but she was more than happy to assist in trying to boost Mara’s morale.

Trades nodded, "it is a simple task, all you need to do is watch the numbers on the right side of the screen. I have already set the parameters, so all I need you to do is tell me if the numbers turn red and if they do, what they are." Trades tried to be reassuring but it had been decades since he done anything like this and even then Cardassians had a very straight forward path to training. There were no percentages as other species used. It was pass or fail. "I will do all the adjustments, you to simply watch the numbers. If the number change to red I will make the needed changes. There are no short term issues with the setting being out of sync, it just means they need to be changed. There will be no long term consequences or problems caused. I will start the process in a moment when you let me know you are comfortable with the screen layout."

Maras looked to Nollel and offered a smile to her and her offer of assistance. "I will be okay. But please stay." Maras asked and Nollel nodded sliding up to where the woman was moving to the console. "Ready when you are Trades," Maras offered as confirmation that she understood what the request was and what she had to do and see.

"Very well," Trades focused on the screen in front of him. "Starting now." Trades disengned both sets of sensors from the main computer and placed the external sensors into diagnostic mode. It would do more than keep the sensors occupied and out of the way while he worked on the internal sensors. He doubled checked the parameters set and then lowered the power to the internal sensors. Not hard to do but picky work if you weren't paying attention.

Trades let the power drop too far, for a split second, then brought it up to a better level. Out of the corner of his eye, he observed Maras to see if she had spotted it. It was all completely unnecessary but this had become a training session after all and he needed an idea of who he was working with. Maras obviously lack confidence; the question was did she lack it due to inability or lack of experience, or both. To that end, he let the power drop again.

"Red," Maras commented quietly as she watched the numbers turn red in front of her. Nollel smiled as she watched Maras. She had not missed one change in the power flow to internal sensors without affecting the external sensors.

"What were your instructions?", Trades prompted.

"And the number is 2.445." She added without giving the instructions. Nollel offered a smile as she watched the numbers flash green. "Green 1.222."

"Good," Trades replied. He made a few more minor adjustments but the task was pretty much finished. "Re-engaging sensor arrays. You've completed your first Operations task."

The woman nodded and stepped back from the console. She was not sure she had enjoyed that pressure at all but it was something to consider. Nollel offered a smile almost sensing the woman's feelings. "You did good." She offered quickly trying to rein it back in.

Trades picked up a padd he had on this side of his console; something he had prepared while the operation was in place. "Should you wish to continue this padd contains basic Operation's duties for you to consider. Your help today was much appreciated."

“I will give it plenty of thought.” The woman confirmed taking the PADD to look over later. It was lots of information but she was used to research and other things so it would be no different. “Thank you.”

“If you have any questions and Trades is not around few free to ask me or anyone else on the team.” Nollel offered politely before returning to her station and role.

“I will. This has been enlightening.” Maras assured. It very much had but for now she could not decide if that was good or bad, it was just something different.