Ensign Tho’Bi - Andorian Interrupted

[Tobi]

((Bridge - Boraxian Ship ‘New Hope’))

A series of chimes resonated from the wand-like device; the chimes were too high frequency for the young Andorian to hear, but his antennae sensed the tight columns of shuddering waves emanating from the wand-like device; as the chimes drew closer to harmonising, so the optical relay he was working on came closer to synchronicity; he couldn't help but marvel at the elegance and simplicity of Boraxian ingenuity, as though their tools and technology were indistinguishable from their art.

With the last of the optical relays synchronised, the shimmering sphere of Warp Navigational Matrix went from a mess of unclear, muddy tones, to an ever-changing symphony of rich metallic colours, chasing each other in expanding and contracting circles.  

The ancient craft was propelled to faster than light travel by four warp field emitters, that unfurled from the four corners of the massive hull; each emitters was framed and unfurled by six telescopic beams, set at right angles to the hull, and positioned to drag the emitters outwards and away from the main bulk of the ship; the emitters themselves were made of a highly conductive metallic fabric, capable of maintaining a rigid shape when braced by the telescopic beams; once fully expanded, the fabric emitters worked upon similar principles of that of the warp wings of a Klingon Bird of Prey; deuterium plasma was pumped into the hexagonal space created by the expanded emitter fabric, generating a critical mass of highly dense energy; this highly dense energy in turn radiated through and away from the emitter fabric, resulting in waves of Subspace disturbance, pulsing outwards from the four emitters; these subspace waves then collided and merged, forming a warp bubble around the vessel.

Each of the four emitters were controlled by a separate control console, each consisting of a collection of glistening transparent hexagonal inputs; by routing varying amounts of plasma to each of the four emitters, the Boraxian were able to navigate along any trajectory in the three dimensional environment of space; but in order for this design to work, a ‘give and take’ balance had to be synchronised across the four emitters; this was achieved by the Warp Navigational Matrix, otherwise instabilities in the Warp bubble could and would trigger wormholes.  

Unlike Klingon Birds of Prey, where a proportion of the plasma is channelled beyond the warp wings, in order to power the Bird of Prey's wingtip disrupted weapons, a proportion of the Boraxian plasma energy was routed back down through the telescopic beams, and along the hull, by way of radiating alloys, to a hexagonal collection hub at the bow of the ship; this hub, and the alloy network, formed the basis the ship's Deflector Array; now distributed along a network of radiating alloys, thereby defusing the density of plasma energy, rather than generating subspace disruptions, the diffused plasma energy generated a mesh of gravitational wakes, projecting outwards from the ship's hull; these gravitational wakes served to deflect any astrology objects the ship might encounter.

When not travelling at warp, additional plasma energy could be routed through the network of radiating alloys, augmenting the standard Deflector effect, resulting in a repulsion field capable of withstanding impacts from larger objects, high yield explosive projectiles, and energy-based weapons; in this way, the ship projected a protective shield around itself, when called upon in emergencies. 

The only downside of this elegant and efficient design was that all three critical systems of propulsion, Deflector Array, and shields, were dependent on the synchronicity of the Warp Navigational Matrix in order to guarantee optimal functionality. 

Dark blue eyes studied the graceful movements of metallic colours around the glistening and fully synchronised sphere. The young Andorian Engineer let out a slow exhale of satisfaction at a job well done. He glanced down at the iridescent wand, nestled in the blue of his hand. Quite without him realising it, a smile had crept across his face. For the first time in a long time, he sat back and took in the simple pleasure of a job well done.

The young Andorian's moment basking in the sunshine of ‘job done’ was cut short by a somewhat bemused and befuddled looking Boraxian. 

Bemused and Befuddled Boraxian: There is a communication from the Cityship …it is …for Ensign Tho’Bi. 

The young Andorian did not know anyone on the Cityship. He threw a confused look at his Engineering counterpart, Dariell. 

Dariell: Response 

The fingers of the four hands of the four arms of the bemused and befuddled Boraxian darted across the four hexagonal communication consoles in front of them.

Bemused and Befuddled Boraxian: ::to Dariell:: Forgive the confusion ::beat:: the communication is only being routed via the Cityship. ::turning to Tho’Bi, but still addressing Dariell:: the communication originates from the Starfleet Ship.

An all too familiar sinking feeling took hold of the young Andorian, but he beat it back as best he could. He had permission, right? They would not have routed Dariell's message to his Combadge, if he didn't have permission, right? ….right?

Tho'Bi: ::to Dariell:: It must be a ….misunderstanding with Artemis Comms ::shrugs::

 

A new recruit on Comms, a rookie error, right? …right?

 

Dariell: Response 

Bemused and Befuddled Boraxian: ::to Dariell:: Yes Dariell, I will reroute to Ensign's Tho’Bi's Starfleet Communication Device.

Flex and flash of the fingers of four hands of four arms of the Bemused and Befuddled Boraxian.  

The young Andorian's combadge chirped.

Tho'Bi: ::to the Bemused and Befuddled Boraxian:: Thank You ::bows slightly::

The Andorian Engineer then turned to Dariell. 

Tho'Bi: ::smiling:: Probably an over eager Ensign… looking for a promotion 

Dariell: Response?

Probably an over eager Ensign, right? ….right?

Blue fingertip tapped gold and silver combadge.

Munro: =/\= Ensign Tho'Bi this is the Captain. What are you doing? =/\= 

The young Andorian looked back at the ever-shifting metallic colours of the Warp Navigational Matrix sphere, and then down to the ingenious musical wand nestled in the blue of his hand, but he could no longer find the joy, he had felt in his heart but moments ago, instead he felt only the dull numbing ache of the absence of hope and reason.

When he spoke, his voice felt foreign to himself; as though it were an emulation of him, rendered at an extremely limited emotional byterate.

Tho'Bi: =/\= Aiding the Boraxians in the overhaul of their bridge systems, Captain =/\=

Static crackle. Routing delay.

Munro: =/\= Last I checked all Starfleet personnel were ordered off that Cityship, and you were explicitly told we weren't providing resources or helping them in that way. It's not in our remit. I want you back on this ship and in my office within the next ten minutes. =/\=

Static crackle. Communication ended.

An odd silence filled the bridge of ‘New Hope’; like that felt by children when one is met with the ire of a parent.  

The young Andorian's shoulders slumped, his arms lifeless to his sides.

Tho'Bi: ::to no one in particular:: I'd better go.

Though his dark blue eyes were now rendered darker still and lifeless, a distant star burst for the briefest of moments. He turned to Dariell. 

Tho'Bi: Thank You. Thank You for the opportunity to ….to make a difference. ::bows::

Dariell: Response 

The young Andorian picked up his unused Starfleet Engineering Rucksack and slung it over his shoulders. He then picked up his utility belt of equally unused Starfleet Engineering tools and snapped it into place around his waist.

Tho'Bi: ::to Dariell:: I hope you find your way.

Dariell: Response 

The young Andorian turned to the assortment of Boraxians stationed around the bridge. 

Tho'Bi: I hope you all find your way ::bows::

A long heavy sigh escaped the Ensign, before he was even aware enough to stop it. With blank expression and eyes lost to the middle distance, he tapped his combadge. 

Tho'Bi: =/\= Artemis, one to beam up. =/\=

((The Darkness Between ‘New Hope’ and Artemis))

Particles slung. Cascade dematerial. Life, suspended in astrological motion. A leap of technological trickery, in defiance of the void, the vacuum, the zero kelvin freeze. Absurdity harnessed in pursuit of giant leaps, unshackled by the need to first make small steps.

((Ready Room - Deck 1 - USS Artemis-A)) 

His mother would tell him, the first time he beamed as a six month old baby, upon arrival, he emptied his bladder all over the transporter room. His mother would tell him and she would laugh; that raucous laugh that echoed off bulkheads like a punch up, ever louder with a larger audience. He never minded; telling her only, he reserved the right to do so again, once he got older; this was met with even louder raucous laughter.

This time, there was no urination; though the young Ensign was not without reason to lose bladder control.

The Acting-Captain stood upon his arrival.

Munro: Nice of you to join us. I hope we didn't interrupt your excursion? 

Sarcasm directed at junior officers who could not reply in kind was a delicacy enjoyed by many senior officers. It was his friend Zee that had once told him, sincerity was the best response to sarcasm.

Tho'Bi: ::monotone:: No, Captain. I had finished assisting in the overhaul of ‘New Hope's’ bridge systems. It was an honor and privilege to learn more about their technology and to ::hesitates:: …make a difference. I am grateful to Dariell for asking me to help.

Evidently, Acting-Captain Munro took issue with Zee's recommendation. 

Munro: :: mock shock :: Ooh if Dariell asked you! Then of course we should delay an entire ship and hop over - on your own - to a politically volatile Cityship. It doesn't matter that it has the capability to mask lifesigns and block your communications and several of our crew were seriously hurt trying to stop a terroristic insurgency. Are you even aware of the implications of your actions, politically? More than that, how dangerous it was? :: gentler :: What's going on Tho'Bi? 

The young Andorian stood for a moment in silence, digesting the trade of castigation.  

Tho'Bi: ::quiet uneven tone:: I assumed Dariell's request had been …approved by command. It was …routed to my combadge, not my terminal. There was nothing to indicate it was a personal message. 

The young Ensign shuffled his feet without purpose. 

Tho'Bi: The request to beam over to the CityShip was …strange. I was uncomfortable with the location …but …I thought I was under orders, so …so I went.

Dark blue eyes lightened for a moment. 

Tho'Bi: Darriel wished to demonstrate their Passive Launch Shuttle ::unbidden smile:: It was… very cool.

Apparently, ‘very cool’ was not a ‘very cool’ reason to break protocol. 

Munro: Response

Tho'Bi: I was mistaken in believing I was following orders. ::direct, simple:: I apologise, Captain. I should have confirmed the order.

Munro: Response 

Tho'Bi: Permission to speak freely, Captain?

Munro: Response 

Tho'Bi: I was careful to make use of only Boraxian tools and …and all technology and technical knowledge was Boraxian. I may have unknowingly disobeyed your orders …but I …I knowingly honoured the spirit of them.

Dry swallow.

Tho'Bi: The Boraxian ship was dangerous in its condition. Navigation, Warp Drive, Deflector Array, and Shields ::shakes head:: all dangerously out of alignment …not just to the Boraxians, but to other ships and space stations …and even planets.  

The young Andorian was taken aback by the force of his own tone; his next words were more fitting of an Ensign in trouble.

Tho'Bi: Don’t we have a moral duty …to …to ensure spacecraft we encounter are …are fit for purpose? 

Munro: Response 

TAGS/TBC

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Ensign Tho’Bi

Engineering

USS Artemis-A

A240203T11