Ensign Tho’Bi - DUM dum DUM da-da DUM dumDUM Ice, Ice, Jefferies Tube

[Tobi]

(( Holodeck 3, Deck 222, DS 224 ))

Corners in Jefferies Tubes were at right angles. Something tweaked his antennae as he righted the angle, something impossible, ice.

Tho'Bi: =/\= Hold up =/\=

The Andorian extracted the Engineering Tricorder from its snug. It chirped and beeped at him as his blue fingers danced over the controls. 

oO Thullex! Oo

The access hatch to the junction was frozen solid. Where heat met cold, blistering clouds of hot water vapor blossomed outwards filling the Jefferies Tube. Water droplets clung to the railings beneath his hands, knees and feet.

Tho'Bi: ::to Storm:: =/\= ::coms static:: -atch is fro- ::coms static:: -eat. The hatch is frozen. The coo- ::coms static:: leaked in- ::coms static:: -tion. Re- ::coms static:: coolant ::coms static:: into the junction. =/\=

Storm: =/\= I copy you, Lieutenant. Let’s see if we can find another way in. =/\=

The Engineer ran through schematics in his head. There was a way, but it was a tight squeeze. Too tight for him.

Tho'Bi: =/\= Two meters back th- ::coms static:: vent system ::coms static:: -eat Emergency Coolant ::coms static:: access pan- ::coms static:: -lant chamber shou- ::coms static:: -ty. Repeat coolant cha- ::coms static:: empty. =/\=

This was not an easy procedure on clean coms. The Andorian had no idea if Lieutenant Storm could follow him or not, but still he pressed on.

Tho'Bi: =/\= At the ::coms static:: chamber there is a sec- ::coms static:: Engineering. Repe- ::coms static:: top of th- ::coms static:: second access pan- ::coms static:: directly to Engin- ::coms static:: =/\=

Golden sparks blew across his face as a secondary power relay fried in the steam and the damp. A thin jagged crack spidered out across his visor. The visor held up, for now.

Tho'Bi: =/\= It’s a ti- ::coms static:: Meris could? Re- ::coms static:: -ight fit, but maybe Ensig- ::coms static:: Copy?

Through the heft of his helmet, his antennae sensed movement immediately behind him. Sure enough, Ensign Bancroft reached forward and tapped the engineer’s leg, then slapped the side of his helmet and gave a thumbs-down. No comms.

The Andorian nodded and mirrored the action to show he understood.   

More movement, further back, behind the medical Ensign. 

Meris: ::pushing on Roy's hip to move him aside:: =/\= I'm looking ::coms static:: ...looking for... ::coms static:: ...move Doctor! =/\=

Bancroft: Response.

What the Andorian could not see, his antennae could sense. Ensigns Meris and Bancroft maneuvered until the Helms Officer could reach the Emergency Coolant Tank Access Panel. 

Storm: ::to Tho’Bi:: =/\= We’re ::coms static:: -king on - ::coms static:: -ly way through? ::coms static:: =/\=

Tho'Bi: ::coms static:: 

A red icon shaped like a microphone flashed on his heads-up display. The secondary power relay damaged more than his visor, it must have severed the power line to the mic.  

He tapped his foot to get Ensign Bancroft’s attention, nearly battering his fingers in the process. He then gave Bancroft the thumbs-up and indicated for him to pass it down the chain to Lieutenant Storm. 

Bancroft: Response 

The Andorian’s antennae sensed the movement of the nearly arrived Helms Officer. They loosened the panel slowly, then removed it fully and handed it to Storm.

Meris: =/\= I'm ::coms static:: in. =/\=

Tho’Bi: ::thumbs up to Bancroft:: ::indicates pass it down the line::

Bancroft: Response

The five foot six inch Ensign hoisted themself into the coolant tank. Their they climbed the ladder within the two-meter chamber.  

Storm: =/\= We ::coms static:: -d time upda- ::coms static:: =/\=

Tho'Bi: ::to Bancroft:: ::Holds up eight fingers no thumbs::

Bancroft: Response 

His antennae were struggling to sense Ensign Meris with all bulkheads and heavy shielding, but he grasped snatches of movement. Meris was at the second panel. With the second attempt, the panel gave way. Meris shoved the panel out and the Andorian could no longer sense him. 

Storm: =/\= Is ther- ::coms static:: -ay around? =/\=

Seconds passed.

 

Storm: =/\= Meris, we- ::coms static:: able to dis- ::coms static:: panel? Or did yo- ::coms static:: coolant vent- ::coms static::? =/\=

Fizz and crackle of Secondary Power Relays.  

Meris: =/\= I'm ::coms static:: -ough. =/\=

Bancroft: Response.

The Andorian's Engineering Tricorder chirped. Phase-based energy. Set to cut.

 

Meris: =/\= You should be ::coms static:: more ice. =/\=

The Andorian wanted for confirmation from Lieutenant Storm.

Storm: Response 

The thick chunk of his gloves gripped the release lever. The Andorian began to apply pressure in increments. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Lever flexed. Hatch Shuddered. Craaaank, the lever bent. Kurrr-klunk. Hatch shunted open.

Woooooooooosh!

A blast of ice cold air rode roughshod down the Jefferies Tube and across the three officers. The sudden violent change in temperature, strangle-contorted conduit and bulkhead alike. One by one, along the length of the Tube, Secondary Power Relays exploded in diffused blooms of golden sparks. The cooped up line of Starfleet Officers were showered in fiery shards and heat.

A jagged fissure tore down the center of the Jefferies Tube decking. The decking began to snap inwards on itself, threatening to trap the three crewmembers. 

The Andorian hauled himself through the hatch and dropped down in the junction room. He managed to halt himself on his hands, before visor smashed into deck.

Ensign Tho’Bi looked up and saw Ensign Meris, phaser in hand, through the open hatch at the top of the Junction Room ladder. The Andorian breathed a sigh of relief.

One second later… the Andorian sensed movement at the mouth of the Jefferies Tube. He had no time to move. If Ensign Bancroft did as the Andorian had done, and dropped straight into the junction room, Doc Crashcart was about to make good on his name.

Tho'Bi: ::dead comms:: Crashcart! Wait! ::no one could hear him::

Bancroft: Response 

One second later… The Andorian sensed more movement at the mouth of the Jefferies Tube. 

Tho'Bi: ::dead comms:: Lieutenant! Wait One! ::no one could hear him::

Storm: Response

Meris/Bancroft: Response.

TAG/TBC

———————————

Ensign Tho’Bi

Engineering

USS Artemis-A

A240203T11