LtCmdr Connor Dewitt - Holding the Line
Tim
((Bridge, Deck 1, USS Khitomer))
Connor took another deep breath. The faint blue shimmer of the force-fields around each station was almost reassuring, if he did not think too hard about what they were supposed to protect against. He looked once around the bridge, station by station, making sure he had everyone’s attention before he spoke.
C. Dewitt: Ensign Morda, go ahead with exciting the invisible strings and try to make them visible. Everyone, keep an eye out and report any strings you can see.
There was a certain kind of patience required now. He did not like to wait. But he needed to learn not to interfere with work he had already handed off. His grandpa used to call it the ‘long minute’. It was the time between deciding and knowing. Connor had not liked it in engineering. He even liked it less on the bridge when it might end in a thin, vibrating wire slicing through one of his officers.
Valeris: Aye, sir.
Korras: Response
Connor stayed close to the security station, within arm’s reach of its railing. He was close enough to see Morda’s display out of the corner of his eye. The Ensign had earned that spot tonight.
Morda: Here goes nothing, Commander.
It began almost as nothing. A thickness in the air as if the bridge itself had held its breath. Then a low throb that was more felt than heard. The force fields filtered the worst of it, but enough leaked through to remind the first officer that whatever was out there in the air was reacting to them now.
Valeris: ::Somewhat pained:: No noticeable effect on the filaments over here, so far.
Morda: Computer says it’s still cycling through plausible wavelengths and frequencies to resonate with the tendrils. Standby.
C. Dewitt: Take your time, Ensign. I’d rather get it right than fast.
Korras: Response
The ache started behind his eyes first. Then along the hinge of his jaw as though he had been grinding his teeth for hours without noticing. A hum that was not a sound was settling into the bones of his skull. Connor pressed his knuckles briefly against his temple as if to remind himself that it was still there.
Valeris: The honeycomb structure of the filament’s adhesion is destabilizing!
C. Dewitt: ::sharper than he meant:: Keep eyes on it, Commander. If it starts to come apart, I want to know where the pieces go.
Korras: Response
The probe at the center of the bridge chose that moment to give its opinion. A handful of tendrils lashed outward, fast and thin and bright, striking equipment and snapping against the force fields with vicious flashes. Connor’s shoulders tightened. He lifted his hand halfway toward a phaser that was not on his hip.
Valeris: ::Somewhat groggy:: Looks like we pissed off the crystal spaghetti.
Even now, Valeris? Connor almost smiled. He was grateful for the joke. It reminded him of why he loved his wife. A tired joke at the right moment was as much a command function as any order he could give.
C. Dewitt: Then let’s not be rude for nothing. Mr Morda, once we have enough to map with, start easing the resonance down. I don’t want to keep poking it if we already have what we need.
Korras: Response
Morda: Yeah, but look: ::Pointing at the ethereal blue lines on the deck:: It’s working. We’ve got a “do not tread here” map on the deck to avoid the ones we can’t see. ::Shifting his eyes to the “crystal spaghetti.”:: Commander, I know I was late to the party, but I’ve gotta ask: have we tried slapping that thing in its own confinement field?
Connor let out a breath he had not realized he was holding. He looked down at the nearest glowing arc on the deck. It was just a centimeter from his right boot. Then the first officer slowly looked up at the center of the bridge. The tendrils were still moving. He kept his voice low.
C. Dewitt: No, Ensign, we have not. Commander, try to establish a level 10 containment field around the center mass. Layer it. Make it as tight as we can hold it without cutting anything that’s still anchored into our systems. I want it isolated, not angry… for now.
Korras/Morda/Valeris: Response
Connor glanced back at Morda and then at the blue map on the deck.
C. Dewitt: Good work with the light show, Mr Morda. Tie that pattern into the bridge’s regular lighting the moment you can spare the cycles. I want everyone to see where they can adn can’t step without having to stare at a console for it.
Korras/Morda/Valeris: Response
C. Dewitt: Alright… Can we do this on every deck of the ship and automate that process?
Korras/Morda/Valeris: Response
TAG/TBCFirst Officer
USS Khitomer
A239901CD3