Ensign Tho’Bi - NSync Try Try Try

[Tobi]

((OOC: 48 hours is up so I simmed. I started this Sim at this point so it would include all un-responded Dariell Tags, so Thomas can just work forward from this Sim.))

((Computer Core - Onboard Unknown Vessel))

At the centre of the room stood four hexagonal columns of equal size and height. The columns were positioned so a humanoid could stand comfortably at the centre of them. Each column appeared to have a control console, which sloped inwards around the centre point.

The Andorian stood at the centre point and examined the sloped control consoles.  

Each of the four sloped consoles were made up of 61 tiny transparent hexagons. The 61 transparent hexagons appeared able to light up in any of the metallic colours. Each tiny hexagon formed a “mechanical pixel”, allowing each panel to have a resolution of 61 mechanical pixels.

Dark blue eyes looked down at the four consoles and then at the four arms of their reluctant tour guide, and finally his gaze returned to the four columns. 

Tho'Bi: ::to Silveira:: it appears I need an additional pair of hands.

Dariell: That’s true, Engineer Tho’Bi. As you can see, our systems were designed without consideration for... alternative physiology. I sincerely apologize for any issues this oversight may create.

The Chief smiled warmly at Dariell.

Silveira: There is nothing to be apologetic for. This is your ship, not ours, and I would guess it’s been designed like this for a very long time.

As the conversation evolved around him, the Andorian Engineer set to the task of deciphering the coding language of the ship's systems.  

Clunk. Black Engineering Rucksack was set upon the deck.  

Rasp! PADD extracted from a flat sleeve on the front of the rucksack.  

Piiiing! Engineering Tricorder and PADD synced.

Cole: ::to Dariell:: Are these controls designed to be used in unison or are they individually specialized?

Pale blue symbols rained down the flat screen of the PADD. Each individual symbol tumbling through possible permutations. First, one permutation stuck and switched from pale blue to a crisp yellow, then a second and a third.

Dariell: If it will be any help, I can share any necessary working instructions or maintenance manuals. They can help you better understand how things might differ from your experience.

The Chief nodded.

Silveira: We are very thankful for that Dariell.

The Andorian looked up from his PADD to the Boraxian Engineer and bowed.

Dariell: Or you can instruct me on what to do, that may be quicker?

Cole: That admittedly might be quicker. ::looking to Silveira and Tho’Bi::

Gradually, the pale blue symbols rain evolved into crisp yellow symbols stardust.

Silveira: I think that’s a brilliant idea. ::Vitor politely gestured for Dariell to take the console as he stepped to Tho’Bi’s side.:: I trust you can both coordinate and work together. Why don’t we try and get those cores in sync? That might be a good starting point.

The Andorian stepped back from the center of the four hexagonal control columns and held a paler than usual blue hand out towards the vacated space.

Tho'Bi: ::to Dariell:: I grew up on the edge of Federation Space ::bows slightly:: the technology of other civilisations has always been a source of fascination and inspiration.

As the Chief and the two Engineers talked, Security Ensign Cole stepped off to the side, bracing herself against the hulking bulkhead that wrapped around the entrance to the Computer Core.

Dariell: Response

Vitor smiled and turned to Cole.

Silveira: Well neither me nor Ensign Cole beamed down just for the pleasure of the conversation. If we can be of use we will help of course. ::he turned to Cole:: We might not be Engineers but we can press buttons and plug or unplug stuff. After all, we are a team… ::He smiled and opened his arms:: You know a team… Not A-Team…

oO A team, but not a team… humans Oo

Dariell: Response

The Chief shrugged and clasped his hands together.

Silveira: Never mind… Really silly joke… Now shall we get our hands to work?

Ping! It appeared the Andorian’s Engineering Tricorder and PADD agreed with the Chief, a crisp yellow screen of stardust symbols indicated the decoding was done.

Tho'Bi: ::to Silveira:: With your permission Lieutenant Commander ::holds up PADD:: I shall transmit this information back to Artemis ::beat:: so other teams might make us of it.

Silveira: ::Nodding:: Of course Ensign, proceed.

The Andorian nodded.

Tho'Bi: ::to Silveira:: Aye, Aye. Sir.

A paler than usual blue finger tapped the PADD screen. Fractions of microseconds later, a tight beam subspace signal routed via the Ensign's Combadge, and zipped across the vacuum between the two great space vessels, where upon it was augmented by the subspace transceivers embedded into hull of the Artemis, and received by the great silver bird's coms.

Cole: ::to Dariell:: Have you experienced any other system failures recently?

Dariell: Response 

Dark blue eyes studied the stardust data feed from the two computer cores. The synchronisation misalignment was increasing exponentially.  

Tho'Bi: ::quiet deliberate:: The core misalignment is increasing exponentially. ::beat:: This suggests a perpetual problem.

Silveira: You mean the unalignment is self-sustaining?

Dariell: Response

Cole: ::to Dariell:: Are there traditions or customs aboard we should be mindful of while assisting?

Dariell: Response 

The Andorian Engineer rolled back the data feed and had the PADD run the feed from when the Boraxian Engineers had cleared the system's registers and achieved a successful sync, to when, two hours later, the sync had been lost.

With the PADD display split into two on the vertical axis, two sets of crisp yellow symbols streamed down either half of the PADD in what appeared to be perfectly synchronicity. Incrementally, symbols one half to the other, began to stream differently. Variations grew and grew until the PADD was a wash of two different synchronisations. 

Cole: ::to Dariell:: What led you to request assistance from Starfleet, if I may ask?

Dariell: Response 

The Andorian Engineer squinted and rolled the feed back to the register reset. With two paler than usual fingers, he dragged open the PADD resolution to its maximum and restarted the stardust datafeed.

There. Synchronisation variation. Infinitesimal. Mere Yoctoseconds. Like cosmic drift.

Tho'Bi: ::to himself:: Cosmic drift. ::to Dariell:: This ship is old. And… the Boraxian people come from the Gamma Quadrant.  

Dariell: Response (if required)

Paler than usual blue fingers chased across the PADD input, computing gravitational field density gradient. Calculations flashed across the screen like sunlight strobing through clouds.  

Tho'Bi: Because Starfleet vessels travel vast distances, our computer cores are isolated from variations in gravitational density. 

As he talked, his paler than usual blue fingers continued to work the PADD. Establishing gradient differential as relates to galactic position, a pale blue line swept around a crisp yellow centre point, then a purple dot popped up at the end of the crisp yellow arc, finally around the start of the crisp yellow arc, a three dimensional crisscross of purple shimmered into life.

Tho'Bi: Older and short range spacecraft do not ::beat:: they compensate through algorithmic adjustment set to their region of space.

Emulate core synchronisation accounting for present position relative to gradient. The two halves of stardust symbols fell as one, and continued to fall as one.

Tho'Bi: ::holding up PADD:: Dariell, if you enter this new value into the gravitational field density compensation algorithm of your two computer cores, I believe we will achieve a stable synchronisation ::holds out PADD and bows slightly::

Silveira: Good job Ensign. It’s your turn Dariell.

Dariell: Response

The Chief looked at the Boraxian Engineer quizzically.    

Silveira: I am sure Tho’Bi can translate that for you. ::He looked hopeful to Tho’Bi:: Right Ensign?

The Andorian Engineer nodded. Paler than usual blue fingers danced across the PADD. The Boraxian system code had been decoded into Starfleet Operational Base Code; now he needed the PADD to reverse the process, specifically for the gravitational field density compensation algorithm, with sufficient accuracy that the Boraxian Engineer would recognise the relevant parameters.  

Ping! The PADD returned a set of Boraxian Symbols the Andorian hoped would make sense to the Boraxian Engineer. Paler than usual blue fingers flipped the PADD around so the Boraxian could read it with ease.

Tho'Bi: ::respectfully:: The computer has identified these symbols as the Boraxian equivalent of our gravitational field density compensation algorithm ::bows slightly::

Dariell: Response

From the doorway, the Security Ensign interjected. 

Cole: If you need any extra help just let us know.

The Chief made his way quietly to Ensign Cole's position beside the door.

Though still fuzzy around the edges, the Andorian’s spatial perception allowed him to intuit what was being said.

Silveira: This is the part where we let the Engineers do the work and watch Ensign Cole.

Cole: ::nodding:: Can we chat for a second? ::stepping more to the side.

Silveira: Response

The ever-shifting colours of the two computer cores entered an apparent state of flux, the full range of metallic tones expressed, from gold to bronze, copper to silver, platinum to brass, in an ever-rotating circular pattern.

Dariell: Response?

As the two Engineers worked to synchronise the computer cores, the Andorian could sense an exchange of views moving between Ensign and Lieutenant Commander. 

Cole: ::quietly to Silveira:: Call it a gut feeling, but something about this feels like we’re only getting a partial picture of what’s going on here..

 

Silveira: Response

Cole: ::raising her hand to her chin:: What I mean is, it’s like they're hesitant to trust us with the whole picture. I don’t want to presume their purposely lying to us, but more omitting information.

Silveira: Response

The colors of the computer cores began to dab across the cores in invisible brushstrokes.

The Andorian’s dark blue eyes tracked the changing colours with a deep fascination, until within short moments the two sets of colours shifted in sync with each other.

Dariell: Response

Tho'Bi: ::to Silveira:: Confirmed, Lieutenant Commander. Computer Cores are synced.

Silveira: Response 

Cole: Response 

The Andorian’s attention turned to the ship schematic crafted into the wall between the two computer cores, around half the lights, situated on the top part of the ship, continued to pulse as one, but the other half now resembled a mix of metallic tones. Moreover, lines of light began slinking their way across the bottom half of the schematic; as they did so, they pulsed in varying degrees of consistency. In places the lines of shimmering light were entirely broken, a great gap of nothing interrupting their progress. 

Tho'Bi: ::to Silveira:: We appear to have the Master System Display for this part of the ship ::gestures with PADD in hand:: but not for the decks above us.

Silveira: Response 

Dariell: Response 

Cole: Response 

With Tricorder in one hand and PADD in the other, the Andorian Engineer swept the paired instruments across the functioning section of the Master System Display. He turned to The Chief and pointed with his PADD. 

Tho'Bi: ::to Silveira:: I believe I have located Engineering ::turns to Dariell:: my skills will be of most use to you there. ::bows slightly::

Silveira: Response 

Dariell: Response 

Cole: Response 

TAGs/TBC

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Ensign Tho’Bi

Engineering

USS Artemis-A

A240203T11