LtJg Lera Michaels - What Would The Prudent Engineer Do?

[steve...@yahoo.com]

((Main Engineering, Deck 12, USS Khitomer, en route to Lagoon Nebula))

Michaels: That was the good news and the bad news. The "worse" news is that we are heading back to the Lagoon Nebula. You both recall how much fun we had there. Even that is not the worst of it.

Lacy: Well… that shouldn't be a problem, right? I mean, if there aren't any Sencha emitters left—

Michaels: Starfleet has detected Sencha Waves coming from the nebula. Their assumption is that means at least one ship from the Lattice Alliance is now operating in the area. If they are correct, that means we may be entering a combat situation. In that event, I foresee a high probability that Command will want the Dispersion Array to be operational.

Lacy: Of course.

Sparks: ::unusually somber:: Well? Unless y'all have anythin' else I best get to gettin...you two be real careful, yeah?

Ginny looked to Sparks with sympathy. In truth, she felt the woman got the easiest job of the lot, but none of them were truly easy.

Lacy: Yeah, go ahead. I'll call you if we need anything.

Michaels: Keep us apprised of your progress and if you require assistance.

Sparks nodded, saluted with her spanner, and headed off into the bowels of Engineering.

Lacy: We should look at which systems we want to pull from. Low priority systems can make do with infrastructure spread thin, if we can borrow that infrastructure for power. Like we did on the Eridani.

Michaels: I spent most of that encounter on the Bridge. Still, your reasoning is sound. Which systems do you anticipate would have the least impact on the crew?

They moved to the main console. After Lera started the series of system diagnostics, Ginny called up a series of overlays. She pointed out the Holodecks and distributed replicators.

Michaels: Yes. Those systems are among the low-priority power users. We want to leave the Holodecks running as long as possible. Security is running training exercises. ::beat:: If we look at this problem by zone. :: tapping the console, Lera brought up the diagrams of the lower decks. :: The arboretum is pleasant but not essential. As is the gymnasium and the VIP Conference Lounge. Those are all non-essential, low-power consumption areas. Mr. El'Heem has placed some variety of high-energy containment field around apartment 147. :: She shook her head and looked at Ginny.:: Do not ask. I have no idea why that is necessary. We should consider that a high priority for the moment.

Lacy: Can I ask you a question, sir?

Michaels: Yes, but first off, when it is just you and me, sir is my father. When we are alone, you can call me Lera. Or you can call me Michaels. Or you can call me Lera Michaels. But you do not have to call me sir... When we are alone.

Lacy: What exactly is a “bushel?”

Michaels: A 'bushel?' ::Lera shook her head and closed her eyes. :: Why? ::beat:: A bushel is a type of basket :: gesturing with her hands:: approximately this big in diameter and this deep. What brought that to mind? :: Ginny nodded in the general direction of Sparks.:: Of course. No doubt a vaguely amusing anecdote.

Lacy: Response

Lera glanced up and saw Ensign Banks entering Engineering. Lera signaled for her to join them.

Banks: Response.

Michaels: Ensign Ginny Lacy. This is the latest addition to our team, Ensign Juliet Banks. Ensign Banks. This is the engineer I mentioned, Ensign Ginny Lacy. Ginny has extensive experience on Khitomer. She has probably forgotten more about how the ship works than I know. :: beat :: Your resume indicates that you minored in Engineering. You will soon learn that there are differences between academic engineering and shipboard engineering. There is no one better to help you with that than Ginny.

Banks/Lacy: Response

Michaels: I noted you were involved in a discussion with the science officers. Did you learn something useful?

Banks: Response

Michaels: That is good. I recall Mr. Matthews mentioning that foreign DNA was related to the failure of the gel packs. Did they say anything about that?

Banks: Response

Michaels: There are too many variables and too few equations. :: She paused for a moment before looking up with a smile. :: It does suggest an engineering answer.

Banks/Lacy: Response

Michaels: Suppose this proposition is true. There are components with identical technical specifications but with a slight difference in manufacturing. One group, which I will refer to as Type O for old standard, and another, which I will refer to as Type V for variant standard. Posit that Type V is more likely to fail in a specific condition than Type O. What would the prudent engineer do if they wished to avoid the failure, even if they did not know the cause?

Banks/Lacy: Response

Michaels: The prudent engineer would remove the Type V components, especially from critical services, and replace them with the Type O. If the prudent engineer lacked a sufficient number of Type O components, she would place the Type V components in services with a lower criticality rating.

Banks/Lacy: Response

Michaels: That is what I want you to do. Find out which ones have this foreign DNA contamination and which ones do not. The Captain said we had, I believe his phrase was 'a vast surplus' of gel packs. If, and I recognise that 'if' is a large word here. we find enough foreign DNA free ones, place them in the most critical services. ::to a passing crewman:: Mr. van der Waals.

The young human came quickly to where the three women were talking.

van der Waals: Yes, ma'am.

Michaels: Crewman van der Waals. I need you to assist Ensign Banks :: turning and pointing to Juliet.::  with analysing and replacing gel packs.

Banks: Response

Tags/TBC

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LtJg Lera Michaels

Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2