Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Nearly Out of Time

[Addison MacKenzie]

((Computer Core Upper Level - Deck 5 - USS Karnack))

Though the Artemis crew had been reunited on the Karnack, they were hardly out of danger. With MacKenzie's team down in the computer core, they had the task of simultaneously trying to restore ship systems while also securing the area. Outside, they could hear the sounds of the dark things scratching on the duranium... The hull was no doubt compromised from the impact, but MacKenzie hadn't had the time to ascertain exactly how bad. But now, they were about to find out who would be faster: the team to restore power to the computer, or the dark things to board the ship.

MacKenzie: Is there any way to get more power from the warp core to actually get this thing up and running without frying it? We cook this computer and we're all toast...

Brexis: Can we get power from non-essential systems and re-route them here?

One of the Karnack scientists by the name of Breys was rifling around under the lowest access terminal in the computer core.

Breys: I think that’s the right idea, but instead of rerouting what if we closed off existing junctions between here and the warp core, forcing the plasma into a known path. It should concentrate our power while limiting throughput to the conduit’s capacity. I’ll need an extra hand to reorient the junctions. ::her breathing quickened, she pivoted on her heels:: If you support that decision sirs!

Munro: :: impressed :: I support it :: looks to MacKenzie :: It's the most efficient way to direct the plasma flow. It also means we could shut down any systems we don't need between the core and engineering and hopefully keep us insulated from the effects of the Maelstrom. 

Bergmen: Response

MacKenzie shrugged, taking the advice of her first officer.

MacKenzie: Then let's proceed.

Munro proceeded to help Breys with the task when the lights started to flicker around them. It was only another moment further that the lights stabilized above them. MacKenzie nodded satisfactorily.

Brexis: Do you think there are stored batteries somewhere? Or possibly a redundant fusion generator?

Breys: The ship’s batteries have probably been drained by the Maelstrom. There is probably a generator somewhere on the ship, I don’t know where though.

Munro: Good thinking, Lieutenant. Bergmen, take Brexis and find a generator. There should be one in the lower section. Don't wander too far, keep within eye contact with us. If you can't see us or hear us you've gone too far. 

Bergmen: Response

Brexis: We can do this. We have to. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we are ready to get the hells of this planet.

Bergmen and Brexis started their search.

Munro: You might be able to kickstart the generator and recharge the batteries that way. I think we're gonna need them. 

Brexis/Bergmen: Response

The lights got suddenly brighter above them. MacKenzie looked to Breys, who seemed to be just as surprised by the development as the rest of them.

Breys: ::pointing to the lights:: I think the warp core just got turned on, we just don’t have enough power to access anything. We need to find a way to insulate the room from the effects of the Maelstrom.

Munro: Well, we know from the Faraday Rooms that certain metals and alloys insulate systems from the effects of the Maelstrom :: points to the lights :: The fact that we have lights tell us that the warp core harmonics must cause a similar effect :: to Mackenzie :: Captain, this means that our theory about the shield emitters could work. 

MacKenzie: That's the best news I've heard all day.

Bergmen/Brexis: Response

Breys: What if we use every bit of juice we have to remodulate a force field around the computer core. When it passes the right frequency everything should flicker on for a moment, and we can narrow the range of the search with each pass until we’re close enough to block off a notable amount of the maelstrom. It should only take a couple minutes, and we'll at least have a weak force field while we're looking. We can even stop at an adjacent frequency so we don’t overload the systems. That should lead to a power feedback loop where increased force field strength blocks out the Maelstrom, which increases force field strength till we reach equilibrium.

Munro: :: energised by the suggestion :: We'll need to compensate for the electromagnetic flux, as it's likely to destabilise the field harmonics :: thinks :: If we remodulated the deflector by reversing the shield polarity using the graviton emitters on this deck. It would act as a buffer? 

MacKenzie: Sounds like now we're getting somewhere. Let's do it.

Bergmen/Brexis: Response

Breys opened the panel in a manner that didn't offer confidence, then looked around for a moment before making an omission.

Breys: Does anyone know how to manually remodulate a force field?

Munro: I guess that's me - 

Munro went to move into position when they were all stopped dead in their tracks at the sound of an extremely close scream from one of the dark things accompanied by the sound of claws against metal. It wasn't in their immediate area, but came from the direction of engineering. The commanding officer resisted the urge to find a weapons locker.

MacKenzie: ::narrowing her eyes as she listened to the sound:: I believe they've breached the hull...

Breys/Bergmen/Brexis: Response

Munro: I think that's our cue to get a move on :: shouts down to Bergmen and Brexis :: We'll definitely need those batteries for the graviton emitters! 

Breys/Bergmen/Brexis: Response

They started the work of remodulating the forcefields, though there were sudden blackouts of power. 

Munro: :: sighs :: The power flow isn't consistent enough. One of the conduits must have failed. We're gonna have to restore that first.

MacKenzie moved to the panel next to the first officer and started inputting commands of her own.

MacKenzie: I'm going to see what I can do about trying to shunt power. You keep working on the forcefields.

Munro/Breys/Bergmen/Brexis: Response

It didn't seem to be much use. As soon as she'd bypass one area, the power would drop from another and she'd have to shunt power just to keep up with each cascading failure.

MacKenzie: ::shaking her head:: I don't know why this isn't working. ::shouting:: Any luck with a generator?

Munro/Breys/Bergmen/Brexis: Response

The commanding officer's eyes once again darted around the space triggered by the sounds of quadrupedal claws on deck plating. They were almost out of time.

MacKenzie: Whatever we're going to do, we'd better do it fast.

Munro/Breys/Bergmen/Brexis: Response

Tag, and TBC!

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Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A

Executive Council Member

V239601AM0