LtCmdr Salkath - Engineering an Unsavory Solution

[Salkath]

((Conference Room, Deck 1 - USS Artemis))

It was a necessary evil, laying out the damage to the ship to its command crew. Salkath did not relish the opportunity to document all the major ills that befell the ship, but neither did he shy away from it. Like all aboard the ship, he could ascertain that Captain MacKenzie and Commander Dakora were exhausted and preoccupied with the absolutely overwhelming amount of responsibility thrust upon them as senior officers in a decimated fleet. As such, he tried to keep it as brief as possible.

Salkath: Yes, sir. ::flicking through the reports::  Ahem. The primary comms array junction still needs a complete rebuild. As does the secondary sensor control room in the pod. The port ventral phaser array is still inoperable, and there are various small hull breaches along the array on deck 17. The main shuttlebay needs extensive maintenance after explosive decompression and a crashed shuttle across the deck plating. Somehow, the upper computer core sustained blast damage. ::this one was particularly irksome to Salkath, and it likely showed on his face::  We are fortunate that critical systems were not irreparably disrupted by that. Numerous consoles, panels, and hatches throughout the ship. Shipwide EPS issues. Oh. And one more... a hull breach on deck one...

MacKenzie: You don’t say?

Dakora: Ahem… I imagine we aren't the only ship needing parts right now. How badly is that going to complicate our efforts?

Salkath: As is to be expected, we are far down the list for access to space dock facilities throughout the Sol sector. All considering the state of the fleet, we were fortunate. Whatever repairs we can effect ourselves, we will have to do. It will take time.

MacKenzie: I’m wondering how long you think it might take if we try to sort out the bulk of the repairs ourselves? We fared far better than most, thankfully.

Salkath: ::an uncharacteristic shrug:: We cannot hazard a guess. Proportionate to the crew, the engineering department is suffering from widespread physical and emotional trauma, not to mention sheer exhaustion. Those of us who remain on active duty are stretched thin.

It was irksome to not be able to provide the requested information, but the engineering department was in triage mode. Save the patient first, as the doctors would say. 

Dakora: I understand, they've been through a lot. The whole crew has. What are your next steps and how can we help?

Salkath: Compile a priority list, and we will ensure that repair crews tackle them as efficiently as they can. ::pause:: However, if I may be so bold, I would suggest you entreat Command to place the Artemis on an extended break from active duty. We need time. And I would not be surprised if my department wasn't the first to suggest this need.

MacKenzie: I’m going to be honest, we’re not going anywhere for a while. Certainly not out of the system, let alone out of the quadrant and back to the Borderlands. I think we should also rotate small leave opportunities for the crew… Commander?

Though it would not show on his visage, Salkath nevertheless felt great relief at the captain's admission. The engineering department's greatest fear is that they would need to perform some sort of miracle to get the Artemis up and operational in an unrealistic amount of time, and confirmation that they had that most precious of resources - time - was a boon.

Dakora: I agree completely. That gives us time to patch things up and our crew time to process… everything.

Salkath: I will ensure the lieutenant is aware that we need to manage our departmental personnel effectively through targeted leave assignments.

The chief engineering officer as well needed leave, as much as anyone else. She was leading by example with increased workload, again as evidenced by Salkath giving this report rather than her.

MacKenzie: Great, let’s do that. How does that potentially impact our repair time, assuming we won’t get any help from Starfleet?

He shuffled through his PADDs, thoughtfully arranging them in an order decipherable only by him.

Salkath: If I must estimate, and will not be beholden to those estimates... Considering meaningful rest periods for the technicians... Just under two weeks for basic operational readiness. Just under four for complete nominal efficiency on all primary and secondary systems. Less if we can dock for repairs or can secure a reliable source of materials.

Dakora: It is what it is. We can try and sweeten the deal for anyone who is willing to stay and work extended shifts. More leave days for the next deployment? Additional holodeck hours?

MacKenzie: I’m wondering if there are other ships in the vicinity with whom we could pool resources – both personnel and technical – to see if we can all get up and running a little faster…

Dakora: Maybe we can reach out to Fleet Captain Ranier on DS224? She could possibly loan us some parts and personnel.

Salkath: If you mean parts and personnel delivered to us here, rather than us returning to the Borderlands, then perhaps. If we need to leave Sector 001 to effect repairs, then there are more advantageous locations to report to.

Though perhaps the first officer was onto something. The easier, more advantageous locales were undoubtedly already besieged by other ships in the same or worse shape than themselves. Still, just to be space worthy enough to travel back to the Borderlands would take time.

MacKenzie: response

Dakora: The faster we are repaired the sooner we can get back to keeping the peace in her backyard. It's worth an ask. That's all I'm saying….

MacKenzie: response

Salkath: I am loath to make this suggestion.  ::pause, then a sigh::  We need material and supplies. Our industrial replicators are non-functioning, and we only have so many spare parts in cargo storage. However, we are surrounded by material and supplies... if we are willing to scavenge.

MacKenzie/Dakora: response

Salkath pushed aside the array of PADDs before him, and leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. His exhaustion had to be apparent, but he needed to find a way to express himself effectively on this topic.

Salkath: It is an unsavory suggestion, I cannot deny that. There are debris and sections of the spacedock and vessels that are undoubtedly tombs. I am not suggesting wanton harvesting, but eventually the debris will need to be collected and reclaimed, if for no other reason than to make safe travel through the sector feasible again. If we judiciously collect needed components from the wreckage beforehand, we benefit ourselves and the system as a whole.

Damn his Vulcan logic. He knew it was a tough sell, and that was even to himself.

MacKenzie/Dakora: response

Salkath: ::slowly collecting the smattering of PADDs before him:: By your orders, sir. I can assure we will get the Artemis operational again, whatever it takes.

TAGS/TBC

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Lieutenant Commander Salkath

Engineer, USS Artemis-A

A239111MT0