PNPC Lieutenant T'liss - A Magnitude of a Problem.
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solarismclaren
Feb 7, 2026, 8:32:54 AM (4 days ago) Feb 7
to StarBase 118 Ops a Star Trek PBEM RPG
((Engineering Labs – StarBase 118 Ops))
T'liss: You've lived through one of the major downsides... when they are overtaxed they can fail in a very destructive manner. This one merely caused some systems damage. Had it been larger, or had you taken more damage first... your shuttle could have been destroyed. Or worse.
Zel: Well, I suppose the Prophets have to look after their favorite punching bag. ::he fiddled with his Bajoran earring for a moment::
T'liss raised an eye brow and simply nodded for a moment.
T’liss: What else can you tell me about this?
Zel: As I said, the Temurians had power cores of all types. But I think they were all the same internal system. ::He started to pat himself down, realizing he had changed clothing:: Crap. I have a disruptor power cell from them, too, if you wanted to compare. Gimmie a moment.
She nodded.
T’liss: I can check it, if you wish.
While Zel searched for the disruptor power core, T'liss turned to check on the scanner. It was still progressing in its scan and would take a few more minutes to complete. As she turned back, Zel was handing what appeared to be a brand new, much smaller power cell, which emitted a faint glow from within.
She retrieved her tricorder and scanned the device, studying it under a careful gaze.
Zel: That is new and unused – or at least unused by me.
The tricorder chirped.
T’liss: And it already exhibits signs of stress. :: She paused. :: And there was no indication anything was amiss?
A core so small would have probably been like a small novelty firecracker if it failed. Certainly not enjoyable if it was in your pockket, but not catastrophic either.
Zel: That’s the thing, the parts fit perfectly. The shield generator was easy to install and powered up immediately. So they were selling fast.
She could see Zel's gears turning. She did appreciate when others got to the end result without her having to explain things. It was certainly the most efficient way.
T’liss: Selling fast. Indeed. :: She set the disruptor core on the work bench next to the scanner, which had nearly finished, though it was almost certainly a formality at this moment. :: Even the false promise of limitless power would be very enticing... especially in such... grey areas.
Zel: Response?
T'liss: There's a reason the Federation hasnt attempted to harness this technology... it is difficult to do so correctly. A core large enough to power this starbase would be larger than one of its four fusion cores, more energy dense than all four combined... and if it failed it would be orders of magnitude more destructive. :: She paused. :: Even the Borg haven't attempted to perfect it.
The power cores of a Trojan-II resided in the lower engineering sections. Each was capable of powering the base by itself for a short period of time, and working in conjunction could do so without refueling for several decades, and a runaway overload would have resulted in the bases destruction for sure. Just one large zero-point energy core could have powered the station for centuries before reaching entropy, but its overload would have been disastrous for the sector.
Zel: Response?
The scanner chirped, having finally completed its scan. It had come back confirming what she had believed.
T'liss: If these cores were selling as well as you say...
T'liss: You've lived through one of the major downsides... when they are overtaxed they can fail in a very destructive manner. This one merely caused some systems damage. Had it been larger, or had you taken more damage first... your shuttle could have been destroyed. Or worse.
Zel: Well, I suppose the Prophets have to look after their favorite punching bag. ::he fiddled with his Bajoran earring for a moment::
T'liss raised an eye brow and simply nodded for a moment.
T’liss: What else can you tell me about this?
Zel: As I said, the Temurians had power cores of all types. But I think they were all the same internal system. ::He started to pat himself down, realizing he had changed clothing:: Crap. I have a disruptor power cell from them, too, if you wanted to compare. Gimmie a moment.
She nodded.
T’liss: I can check it, if you wish.
While Zel searched for the disruptor power core, T'liss turned to check on the scanner. It was still progressing in its scan and would take a few more minutes to complete. As she turned back, Zel was handing what appeared to be a brand new, much smaller power cell, which emitted a faint glow from within.
She retrieved her tricorder and scanned the device, studying it under a careful gaze.
Zel: That is new and unused – or at least unused by me.
The tricorder chirped.
T’liss: And it already exhibits signs of stress. :: She paused. :: And there was no indication anything was amiss?
A core so small would have probably been like a small novelty firecracker if it failed. Certainly not enjoyable if it was in your pockket, but not catastrophic either.
Zel: That’s the thing, the parts fit perfectly. The shield generator was easy to install and powered up immediately. So they were selling fast.
She could see Zel's gears turning. She did appreciate when others got to the end result without her having to explain things. It was certainly the most efficient way.
T’liss: Selling fast. Indeed. :: She set the disruptor core on the work bench next to the scanner, which had nearly finished, though it was almost certainly a formality at this moment. :: Even the false promise of limitless power would be very enticing... especially in such... grey areas.
Zel: Response?
T'liss: There's a reason the Federation hasnt attempted to harness this technology... it is difficult to do so correctly. A core large enough to power this starbase would be larger than one of its four fusion cores, more energy dense than all four combined... and if it failed it would be orders of magnitude more destructive. :: She paused. :: Even the Borg haven't attempted to perfect it.
The power cores of a Trojan-II resided in the lower engineering sections. Each was capable of powering the base by itself for a short period of time, and working in conjunction could do so without refueling for several decades, and a runaway overload would have resulted in the bases destruction for sure. Just one large zero-point energy core could have powered the station for centuries before reaching entropy, but its overload would have been disastrous for the sector.
Zel: Response?
The scanner chirped, having finally completed its scan. It had come back confirming what she had believed.
T'liss: If these cores were selling as well as you say...
She paused, knowing Zel had already reached that conclusion.
Zel: Response?
Zel: Response?
~~~
Lieutenant T'liss
Systems Engineer
Starbase 118 Ops
as simmed by
Lt. Commander Solaris McLaren
Director of Intelligence and Second Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
C239210SM0
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