Captain Wil Ukinix - Sympathy For The Devil (Part 2)
Wil Ukinix
((Engineering R&D Department – Amity Outpost))
Moore: Please, take a phaser. ::looking towards Wil and Bec.:: I would like all of you to get a handle for the Mantis.
Wil decided to leave it to the experts and not hold a hand weapon when the circumstances didn’t call for it.
Ukinix: ::quick hand wave:: I’ll just watch for now.
Saavei: The room is ready for test firing.
Hopper: Bec, as the Chief of Security and Tactical, why don’t you show us how it’s done first?
As Bec shrugged and took aim, Wil stood back a metre or so, and watched her hit the holographic target. oO Mental note - don’t annoy Bec. Oo
He briefly wondered how Annamae hadn’t been phasered yet.
He crossed his arms as Bec took a few more shots.
Iko: Like that, I reckon.
Ukinix: I reckon you reckoned accurately.
Then Hopper took her turn. She wasn’t as accurate as Bec at first, missing by a few centimetres, but got her eyes in with her next shots. And she looked pleased with herself.
Hopper: Well, that was at the low end. No kickback on it. Not even a gentle whirr in my hand. Seems like it’d work fine… What do you two think of the power?
Iko: It is quite gentle.
Wil stood silently, still just listening.
Hopper: Wil, what’s your Engineering perspective on it? Any concerns?
Ukinix: Not from an Engineering perspective. And this is fine work, ::turning to Kaito and Saavei:: both of you, you should be proud.
He took several steps forward, and finally picked up one of the devices from the case, rotating his hand around to look at it from different angles.
Ukinix: But I know what Starfleet and the FDC are going to say. Even a melted, dead version is something we shouldn’t leave behind.
Iko: That seems pretty fair.
Kaito and Saavei approached the command trio again.
Moore: ::He gave them a warm smile:: So, what do we think, and what other questions do you have?
Iko: It looks like you’ve been rather thorough in developing these guys. Have you added an aim assistance or anything?
Wil held off for a moment. The “melted device left behind” issue was going to need to be addressed.
Hopper: Well you’ve ticked the boxes, Kaito, Saavei. ::Tilting her head to the side:: But I’m curious – we’ve only had a few minutes to try them out. Did you run into any problems during the design or build process? Any lingering issues that you’re still working on?
Moore: ::Shaking head.:: No major issues. Prolonged use can cause the Mantis to heat up, but not to dangerous or even uncomfortable levels; it just might feel warm in your hand. Overheating was an issue at first, but we’ve solved that issue by integrating microheat sinks into the phaser’s casing and reworking the internal circuitry.
Saavei: These models are the complete, final versions of an extensive prototype testing process.
Wil nodded.
Hopper: What about possible features that couldn’t be implemented, or for that matter, is there anything you two think might still be achievable within this iteration that we didn’t bring up here? Any concerns you want us to help test?
Moore: There are quite a few more features we could have implemented, and still could, but that adds complexity, and these are essentially survival phasers. The more complex we make them, the more likely they could fail in the field. Personally, I think they are about as feature-complete as possible without compromising an already complex design.
Saavei: They perform the function for which they were designed superbly. A covert defensive weapon with an extremely low probability of misuse by unintended wielders.
Wil put the device back in the case.
Saavei: Though due to its limited settings, its frequencies are also limited. I doubt it would be effective against a rapidly adapting enemy like the Borg. If one is confronting the Borg, however, I am inclined to believe it is not a situation where one would be relying on the Mantis for protection to begin with.
Iko: Would the mantis be enough for you to run to the armoury and grab out something a little more helpful?
Robin handed hers back. Bec had another look over hers before holding it out to do the same.
Hopper: I’m sufficiently impressed to consider bringing these along on our next away mission to a less-advanced world as a trial. Bit of a stress test. See how they hold up in the field. ::To Wil and Bec:: Thoughts?
Iko: I’ll still want to take some “normie” phasers, in case we run into any problems, but I do know shooting at holographic targets is never quite going to get you the full picture, and having your mate act as the target also seems wrong…
Iko: And I’m assuming these aren’t the kind of phasers to immediately give you chronic migraines if you’re shot too many times?
Ukinix: Migraines?
Hopper: Response
Moore: We can get a couple dozen ready in a day, and more by the end of the week. Plus, once we know this is the design that works best, we’ll get the schematics into the replication database for faster acquisition.
Saavei: Ultimately, while the design process was more complex, there should be no difficulties in mass-producing them with the appropriate replicator template.
Iko: A couple dozen sounds like more than enough. At least for a first run.
Ukinix: I’m going to have to run this all past Starfleet and the FDC though. And I think I know what they’re going to say.
Hopper: Response
Moore: We can get to work on it right away. I, too, would like to see it field-tested. ::Glancing at Saavei:: Maybe we could set up a subroutine on the away team’s tricorders to keep track of the phaser and how it performs.
Saavei: That would be easily accomplished, Lieutenant. ::Nodding to Kaito:: Passive scans from a tricorder would monitor it appropriately.
Iko: So long as it wouldn’t detract from the tricorders performance. I know that while we do need to test these, I don’t want to do so as part of a surprise.
Ukinix: Yeah. There’s nothing like a good field test, for sure, but we have holodecks we can test in.
Hopper: Response
Saavei: Is there a world currently being surveilled surreptitiously which the phasers could be tested as part of that process?
Bec furrowed her brow as she thought for a second.
Iko: Not yet? Though I think Nath’s crew is gonna go for another loop around and look soon.
Ukinix: I’ll have to follow up on that, I can ask Keehani.
Hopper/Moore: Response
Saavei: The devices will be ready for whenever they are next needed. Perhaps if any crew members are set to undergo survival training, as well?
Ukinix: Good idea. ::he warily touched one of the devices again:: And once again, fine work, both of you. But I’m going to have to hit you with another requirement, I’m sorry, because I have an idea of what the FDC are going to say. ::Looking up to Kaito and Saavei:: Can we make it disintegrate? Like... dust. Powder. In time for some holodeck field tests?
Hopper/Moore: Response
Bec nodded.
Iko: I just finished up with getting phaser recerts up to date. Some survival stuff couldn’t go amiss either.
Saavei: Thank you all for your input.
Iko: And thank you for putting together these prototypes. They certainly seem promising. And honestly I can’t wait to try them out properly.
Ukinix: ::Playfully, to Bec:: Not surprised. ::To Moore and Saavei:: And yes, thank you. These devices have my approval to continue, but I’d like you to look into complete disintegration if it can be managed. Makes this an easier sell to the powers that be.
Hopper/Moore: Response
Bec glanced toward Wil and Robin.
Iko: Did we want to give out the things now?
Ukinix: ::Smiling:: Yes, we can do the things now. Bec, you can do the things!
Hopper: Response
Moore/Saavei: Response?
Bec headed over to the replicator. Wil just simply smiled and raised his eyebrows once at Saavei and Moore, as Bec returned with a stack of wooden boxes.
Wil gestured to Bec for her to lead proceedings.
Hopper/Moore/Saavei: Response
Iko: First off, ::handing two boxes to each:: Explorers for each of you for dealing with underspace, and Peacekeepers for each of you for not letting Amity fall into a massive conflict.
Wil simply applauded.
Hopper/Moore/Saavei: Response
Iko: Second is the Spliced Mainbrace Distinction Ribbon for Saavei and repairing torpedo tubes while also having the universe thrash you about.
Saavei: Response
Wil applauded Saavei again, then offered his hand in congratulations.
Iko: And you get a silver star for the defence against the Vaadwar.
After the ribbon was awarded, he also offered his hand to Kaito to congratulate him.
Moore/Saavei: Response
Hopper: Response
Ukinix: They’re not the only ones, Bec.
He moved over to the replicator, and ensured two more wooden boxes were created.
Ukinix: I’ve got something for you and Hops. Admin error. Another ribbon for both of you.
He returned to see Bec all pouty with arms crossed.
Iko: What do you mean I get one too?
Ukinix: Suck it up, princess, you secretly love it.
He wasn’t sure that was true. But there was nothing like a bit of banter with his continental neighbour.
Hopper: Response
Moore/Saavei: Response
The *look* that Bec gave Wil made him smirk a little, and proudly too.
Iko: Fine. But as a Captain now, you can do the last ribbon.
Wil held one of the boxes to his chin, and pondered...
Ukinix: You know what? No, commander, I’m not going to do that.
He walked over to Kaito and Saavei, and handed each of them one box.
Ukinix: Please pin the ribbon in that box on either of Hops or Bec, your choice.
Moore/Saavei: Response
Hopper/Iko: Response
Ukinix: Commander Hopper and Commander Iko, for defending Amity and stopping an elongated conflict with the Vaadwaur, you both also receive the Peacekeeper Service ribbon, on top of the ribbons you’ve both already received - in fact, so does the whole crew. Congratulations. ::playfully:: And say thank you to the nice officers that just awarded them to you, especially you Bec.
Moore/Saavei/Hopper/Iko: Response
Ukinix: ::rubbing hands together:: Right then, anything else?
Moore/Saavei/Hopper/Iko: Response
Tags/TBC!
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Captain Wil Ukinix
Starfleet attache and Commanding Officer
Amity Outpost
V239511WU0