Ensign Kovar - A Most Curious Noise
Kovar
((Engineering Annex, Gibaria Outpost))
The team continued with their task to provide sufficient technological support and solutions for the Gorkon’s mission. So far it was proving to be increasingly complex.
Kovar: Now, the question is whether we have any functioning replicators here that could produce sufficient protective equipment.
zh’Tisav: Behind the shelves in the northwest corner. It’s a Class 4 industrial model, so it’ll handle most small to medium components. Whether it works or not is up to you.
Marshall: Fenn, keep going through those PADDs. Anything referencing field tests on that coil, I want it flagged. Kovar. ::She tilted her head toward the northwest corner.:: With me.
Fenn: Yes, Commander.
Kovar nodded and followed Marshall over to the industrial replicator. She stopped and considered the state of the device, with hands on her hips. Suffice it to say, it was not in an optimal state and evidence suggested that it had not functioned in some time. Perhaps whether or not it functioned was entirely up to them, but time would tell.
The commander took out her tricorder and handed it to Kovar. He noticed that she had already helpfully set it to scan.
Marshall: Run a full diagnostic. Tell me what you find.
Kovar: Aye, Commander.
As he began to scan the replicator for any issues, the team began to troubleshoot the subspace coil’s function from their various positions across the annex.
zh'Tisav: Hmm, it looks like they never got around to adding power. Anyone see any power cells?
Marshall: There's a rack of them along the back wall.
As he continued the scan, the lieutenant brought the power cell which landed on the workbench with a solid thud. She then connected it to the device, and as Kovar looked up he noticed her looking at the vine, which disturbingly seemed to be following her movements. That did not seem like a promising development.
zh’Tisav: Is it just me, or is that thing watching me?
Marshall: It's not just you. Don't make eye contact. ::She paused, then called across the annex without looking.:: Fenn, how are you getting on? Found anything?
Fenn: Fenn: ::moving to Lieutenant zh’Tisav:: Actually yes, I think so. You might want to come and see this when you have a second Commander.
Kovar: The initial scan suggests that the replicator should function as intended. However, the only way we will know for certain is to power it on.
Marshall: Good. ::She meant it, whichever way it went.:: What's next? Talk me through what you're seeing.
Fenn: ::handing the PADD to zh’Tisav and
speaking loud enough for the Commander to hear too:: They got round
to adding power but it seems they couldn’t keep it
powered for some reason. The engineering team here were experimenting with
sub-space coils to make a harmonic resonance device but they
never got it working properly. The logs show issues with power cells burning
out from overload and it sounds like they never found the right
frequency to repel these vines.
Kovar: Replicator is coming online and I should be ready to test its functionality within a few moments.
zh’Tisav: Response
The replicator came online and Kovar instructed the device to produce something simple at a test of functionality. It seemed to him that a self-sealing stem bolt would be a reasonable choice. It attempted to initiate the cycle, and then the replicator made a curious noise. It was unlike anything that he had heard before, and then…nothing.
Marshall: That sounds like there's a template in its fabrication matrix and it's struggling with it.
Fenn: It could be parts for the device.
Kovar: I believe that is correct. ::He gazed at Marshall’s
tricorder display.:: It appears that the unknown template has priority
manufacturing status. It may not allow us to initiate any new production until
we fulfill the previous instructions.
Marshall / zh’Tisav: Response
Fenn: ::looking at Lieutenant zh’Tisav:: What do you think
Lieutenant? Can you recreate it?
Kovar: Under normal circumstances, I would not consider this course of action
to be advisable. Given the state of this installation, it would be logical to
say that the engineering crew here were not engaged in work consonant with either
the ethical or technical standards of Starfleet. However, I cannot think of any
way we can proceed in procuring the materials we need for our mission.
Marshall / zh’Tisav: Response
Kovar: It appears that we can now complete the replicator's programmed task. According to what information I was able to glean from its settings, I am unsure of what it contained within its fabrication matrix, other than it is of unknown composition and function. We may need to be prepared for anything.
Marshall / zh’Tisav / Fenn: Response
Kovar: Indeed, I either anticipate success, or a highly educational failure.
Marshall / zh'Tisav / Fenn: Response
Engineering Officer
USS Gorkon, NCC-82293
G240302K13