LtJg Michaels - The Root Problem

[steve...@yahoo.com]

(( OOC: Sorry about the delay but I wanted to make sure that Amelia and Lera where in sync. And, yes. I know. This is too long.))

((Main Engineering, Deck 12, USS Khitomer, en route))

Michaels: Beyond what you said in the briefing, we know only what we could logically conclude from our prior experience in the nebula. Some gel packs are more susceptible to the radiation than others. None of the gel packs involved in our battle at the space station were damaged. Ergo, the older gel packs are better suited for critical services. You mentioned "foreign DNA" at the briefing, and that seems to be a plausible source for the susceptibility of the gel packs.

Semara: We don't know - for certain - why the packs weren't damaged in the battle, but that's the hypothesis. Older packs might not be as vulnerable, but there could'a been other factors at play durin' the battle. :: Beat :: Also, "foreign" is an odd term. Just... different DNA from the pre-refit packs.

oO Fair enough. Oo

Lacy: Response

R. Matthews: K, while docked, we were retrofitted with replacement gel packs. Unfortunately, the bulk of the new gel packs installed on the Khitomer have a flaw that makes them susceptible to Sencha radiation. We’ve traced the abnormality in packs through their batch numbers. :: He pulled out his tricorder :: I’ll send you the details, check your PADDs.

Michaels: I have the details.

Lacy : Response

R. Matthews: The highlighted packs on decks 18, 15, and 9 are the only ones that are safe for use from what was installed on Deep Space 33. All the packs on Deck 6 were safe, and the highlighted packs on decks 12 and 15 are safe. Anything marked in blue is safe, don’t touch, the others we need to switch out with the packs we have in storage. That means the original gel packs the Khitomer had before its last big upgrade.

Lacy: Response

Michaels: I understand. :: Succinct. To the point. ::

Semara: Alright. :: To Matthews :: Conclusion, Ensign?

R. Matthews: Any questions? If not, we should divide up the decks between us and get to work. Semara can take decks 18 through 15, I’ll grab 14 through 11, Michaels — 10 though 7 and you :: He pointed at the other ensign because he was still blanking on their name :: can get 6 through 3. I’ll message El’Heem to do 2 and 1 on his way back from sickbay.

Michaels: I have one comment and one question. My comment first. As my father might say, Richard, you are a day late and a dollar short. We have individuals already switching out gel-packs. Individuals who have the training and the experience to know what they are doing. Your information will save us some time. I thank you for that. And I am certain we will be able to find a place where your assistance will be helpful.

Lera noted, with some satisfaction, the reactions of the two science officers. There were times when she wished she could read minds like Amelia. Now, there was no need. Both seemed to be stunned, and, with some difficulty, Lera was coming to believe that they were both oblivious to the root problem here.

Semara: :: Clearing throat. :: 'Scuse me? I thought we were lookin' to make a protocol to stop cascades and quickly swap packs after takin' damage. Not swappin' 'em now. Someone care to explain?

R. Matthews: Sorry, what? No, no, the packs were already replaced. We did that before leaving Deep Space 33. I reported that at the briefing, what do you mean you have people switching out the gel packs?

oO Ah. So Amelia is surprised as well. Oo

Lacy: Response

Michaels: My questions. Are you suggesting that the gel pack manufacturer did not properly vett their source of the Vulcan DNA they used? And given that Mr. V'Lak is also a Vulcan, is it your recommendation that I pull him off the assignment?

Lera noted Amelia's muted gestures, which Lera instantly took as confirmation that the "foreign" DNA was, in fact, Vulcan. That still left the question of why they were trying to keep that a secret from her or Engineering.

Semara: :: Holding up a "please wait" hand. :: Ensign Matthews, verify our orders, please? No one should be re-replacin' any packs right now...

R. Matthews: =/\= Blue to El’Heem, I mean Matthews, dang it, to El’Heem. Sir, we got an issue. Engineering is going through and replacing the bio neural gel packs we’ve already switched out. Can you get them to cancel that order and put back whatever they might have already switched out? =/\=

El’Heem: Response

R. Matthews: =/\= Thanks, I’ll go over the redundant systems plan with the individuals who have the training and experience here, to make sure they know what they’re doing. Get us back some time we’ve lost, before we get to the nebula. =/\=

El’Heem: Response

Semara: Great. Now tell me we're on the same page? Please?

Michaels: Unfortunately, no. I, at least, am still confused.

Lacy: Response

R. Matthews: Okay, El’ Heem will take care of that. Now to answer your questions. No, and no. Any packs from the batches with Vulcan DNA added to the synthetic neurons are black listed currently, when it comes to dealing with the Sencha radiation threat. And yourself and any other Vulcan crew member are not going to be moved off any projects.

oO Vulcan DNA. He said Vulcan DNA. ... Why keep that secret from us? Oo

Semara: Stop. ::she held her hand up to silence any random conversation. :: This ain't the place to discuss details of classified, ongoin' research. 'Til the Captain allows wider conversation, whatever you know :: To Michaels :: Or think you know :: Beat :: 'bout the variance in gel-pack construction - besides its existence - ain't to be shared with unauthorized individuals. :: To Richard :: And they haven't been authorized, last I checked. Clear?

oO Classified? That implies that it is Engineering that they do not trust. Or perhaps an unknown individual in Engineering, Who? Why? What in Heaven's name is going on? ... I hope Amelia can read that thought. Oo

Semara: Good. Continue.

Michaels: Please continue and, if permissible, shed some light on what is happening.

Lacy: Response

R. Matthews: So! Let’s quickly go over what redundant systems are, why we want them set up in these key areas. And then get to work on doing that. Should be quick and easy and doable in time before we get back to the nebula. To quickly coin a phrase or something, we'll be on time and there'll be a sale! So no one is short on cash.

Lera allowed herself a nod and a slight smile at Richards return to her phrase.

Semara: Looks like there's already a proposal for rapid pack failover and restart from Miss Banks... :: beat :: Maybe that's a good place to start for cascade prevention?

Michaels: Unfortunately, no. Miss Banks' proposal has merit and, with sufficient development, could be made to work. There are a myriad of details that have to be worked out first. It will take time. Perhaps a great deal of time.

Lacy: Response

R. Matthews: We’ll just see if it’s the same game plan as originally, or if Ras is going to need us to do something different now.

Semara: The Lieutenant's orders were clear enough. :: Beat :: If Banks' algorithm works, that's a good start. If we implement that, seems our main remainin' concern is detectin' individual pack faults, and havin' a protocol for quick replacement.

Michaels: There is a great deal more to it than a simple algorithm. There is also the engineering of the installation of the additional gel packs that the Banks design would require. And the modifications to the support units to house the additional gel packs, regardless of whose design we follow. I do not believe we have the necessary time.

Lacy / R. Matthews: Response

Semara: Whatever we do, let's keep it simple. I think we can all agree there's been enough mis-communicatin' for one day, so how 'bout we try for one simple set a' instructions even the greenest cadet can understand? If we learned one thing from the last mission, it's this: we don't know who's gonna be tasked with damage control in any particular sector of the ship in an emergency.

oO 'Miscommunicating' scarcely seems adequate. Keeping secrets from the responsible individuals is closer. Oo

Michaels: Simplicity is, without doubt, optimal.

van der Waals: =/\= Crewman van der Waals to Lieutenant Michaels. =/\=

Lera held up her hand to the others and tapped her communicator.

Michaels: =/\= Michaels here. Go ahead van der Waals. =/\=

van der Waals: =/\= Ma'am. There are several disagreements between what our database shows and the actual gel packs. And we have found one that was incorrectly installed. :: There was an unintelligible sound in the background. :: Sorry, Ma'am. We found a second one. =/\=

Michaels: oO Of course. Oo =/\= Unfortunate. New orders. Stop switching the gel packs and replace the ones that have been switched. Have your team verify the proper installation of every gel pack that has a discrepancy with the database. The most important thing is to get every gel pack correctly installed. Update the database with the actual serial numbers. We can handle the manufacturer's data later. Have your people enter their own names for every gel pack they have to reinstall. =/\=

van der Waals: =/\= Understood. van der Waals out. =/\=

Lera took a deep breath as she surveyed the others. Perhaps the scientists did not understand the problem.

Michaels: oO speak in the flatest tone you can manage, Lera. Oo Engineering is responsible for the maintenance of essentially all ship's systems and components. Part of how we do that is with trained and certified technicians. Engineering also uses a database containing essentially everything we know about every significant component. We know when it was manufactured by what supplier. We know when and where it was installed, who installed it, when it was last tested, and the test results. We know when it was removed from service, who removed it, and where it is currently located. We do this for several reasons, not the least of which is that it is required by Starfleet regulations. It also prevents the situation we find ourselves in now.

Lera glanced down at the deck while holding up her hand to indicate that she was not finished. Lera stopped for a moment. She glanced at Richards. Was this simply a matter of semantics? Some of the words Richard had used could have multiple meanings and nuances.

oO Do not leave them hanging. Finish the thought, Lera. Oo

Michaels: Keeping our database accurate is essential. No one should make significant changes to any system without updating the database. Emergencies are the only exception. In non-emergency cases, no one should make significant changes to any critical system without Engineering being aware. And no, Mr. Matthews, I do not consider overhearing your report to the Captain as proper notification.

Semara / Lacy / R. Matthews: Response

Michaels: One moment, everyone. We need to ensure that we are using the same words to mean the same thing.

Semara/Matthews/Lacy: Response

Michaels: Mr. Matthews said, and please correct me if necessary, that “Engineering is going through and replacing the bio neural gel packs we’ve already switched out.“

Semara/Matthews/Lacy: Response

Michaels: By that, do you mean that Science department members switched out the gel packs, or do you mean that the Science department had the DS33 staff switch them out? If the DS33 staff did the work incorrectly in some cases and failed to document their work, then we have one type of problem. If Science department staff did the work incorrectly in some cases and failed to document their work, then we have a different type of problem.

Semara/Matthews/Lacy: Response

Michaels: I see. I hope that you understand how this creates difficulties for Engineering. Those difficulties are maintenance problems that can quickly become safety issues for the ship. The safety and functionality of the ship are our primary concerns.

Semara/Matthews/Lacy: Response

Michaels: Very well. Engineering is going to continue to verify and, where necessary, correct the installation of all the switched-out gel packs. ::beat:: Now tell me exactly what you intend to do and convince me that you have thought through this revised design. It must, at a minimum, be both safe and functional.

Tags/TBC

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LtJg Lera Michaels

Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2