Ensign Lera Michaels - Heluva Weapon

[steve...@yahoo.com]

((Proximity of the probe))

Michaels: =/\= Michaels to Dewitt and T'Dara. I am at the probe now. This is an impressive bit of engineering. I might be able to figure this out on my own, but that could take a considerable amount of time. If I am going to check its status and deactivate it within a reasonable timeframe, I will require detailed instructions. =/\=

Lera's fear and certainty of impending doom had vanished at this point. Her engineering curiosity had kicked in as she studied the design of the probe. This was a carefully designed unit, not something thrown together for a test and then ultimately discarded once the test was completed. Many of the functions were obvious from the design and placement of the sensors and devices. Why had such care been taken for a device like this? Perhaps it was the hubris of the SCE.

T’Dara: =/\= This is T’Dara. I will join Commander Dewitt momentarily. For now, locate the primary internal system hatch, and enter code 87734 on the computer interface directly to the right of it. =/\=

Dewitt: =/\= Response =/\=

Michaels: =/\= I am moving toward the left side of the probe... There is a large dish, similar in design to a deflector dish, which I assume is the principal projection device. It appears to be pointing directly at Khitomer. No obvious damage to that. There are five positioning thrusters, which appear to be in good condition. I see three modified Starfleet standard emitter/receiver pairs mounted at right angles on the probe.  I assume there are more that I can not see. I am continuing my transit around the probe. Impressive. Your probe can reposition itself from any position to fire on Khitomer from almost any initial orientation. Moving toward the back side, opposite the projector dish. There is a trichannel antenna to maintain communications with Khitomer. Everything appears to be in good condition. The fact that the probe is maintaining its position and aiming at Khitomer implies that the onboard computer systems are functioning properly. And there is your hatch. =/\=

Lera powered her suit to within a few decimeters of the hatch. A few more shots from the suit's thrusters brought the hatch to face level. Hesitantly, she touched the handhold next to the hatch handles. The probe responded with its own positioning thrusters and corrected its position. Steadying herself, Lera opened the hatch, and there, as promised, was the computer interface.

Michaels: =/\= 8-7-7-3-4. :: She tapped the keys. :: The lights inside have changed their behaviour. =/\=

T’Dara: =/\= Inside you should see a pair of bioneural gel packs aligned against a small reactor, and below it you will find three rows of isolinear chips. Avoid the far left chip on any level; if we cannot be sure the probe will remain powerless, each will carry a plasma charge sufficient to vaporize your hand. =/\=

Michaels: =/\= Not touching the isolinear chips sounds like an exceptionally fine idea. =/\=

Lera twisted herself around so that she could see the interior of the probe better.

Michaels: =/\= The interior of the probe appears to be as pristine as it was when it left the laboratory. There are the bio-neural gel packs. Color can be deceiving in this lighting. My immediate reaction is that they appear to be light blue. =/\=

Lera furrowed her forehead as she continued to examine both the interior and the exterior of the probe.

Michaels: =/\= Everything appears to be as designed. There is a high probability that the probe is operating as intended. ::beat:: I must say I am surprised at how much power this reactor must generate to test Khitomer's new shield system. Imagine what it could do if connected to ... =/\=

Lera's words drifted off. Right, wrong or indifferent, she knew she understood what was going on here. This exercise was not just for a new defensive system, but something much more than that. Her mouth went dry as she struggled to deal with the implications of her revelation.

T'Dara: =/\= Response =/\=

Michaels: =/\= I apologize. I was struck by a thought. What do you need when developing bulletproof armor? =/\=

T'Dara: =/\= Response =/\=

Michaels: =/\= You need a gun capable of firing the projectiles you are trying to stop. What do you need if you are going to test a shielding system's ability to resist a Sencha weapon's fire? You need a weapon robust enough to challenge the defense. This probe was not developed just for this test. The probe itself is a prototype, is it not? Or you mount a couple of these bad boys on a starship, power them with a warp core, and you have yourself one heluva weapon. =/\=

T'Dara: =/\= Response =/\=

Tag/TBC


Ensign Lera Michaels

Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2