[PNPC] Ensign T'Ashaya- Phase Variance
EmpressKitsune
((USS Valkyrie-A, Deck 12, Main Engineering, Chief’s Office))
T’Ashaya: It would be logical to inform you that my specialization is in warp field theory. I am aware that the Chin’toka, an Akira-class vessel, was not equipped with a quantum slipstream drive. I have participated in multiple QSD installations across several ships. Should you determine it to be necessary, I am prepared to provide my expertise to you or to members of the department who may be less familiar with the system, in order to improve operational efficiency.
Xiron: I would greatly appreciate it. We have some very reliable people here, they just need a change to get up to speed. Alpha shift is about to go through an alignment and variance test of the drive/deflector interface. Join me, I could use some notes.
T’Ashaya stepped aside to allow Xiron to pass and follow them out into main engineering again.
T’Ashaya: Very well, Lieutenant.
Xiron: So far it is baby steps but the crew will be ready for the next mission. What do you think Ensign.:: Her antennae moved up and down trying to read the new officer’s thoughts.::
T’Ashaya kept her usual vulcan composure as she looked over the data set. All seemed within normal parameters. T’Ashaya had seen these data sets many times when working on Utopia Planitia.
T’Ashaya: Phase variance must remain below 0.42. Exceeding this threshold will result in the vessel being ejected from the graviton stream, with a high probability of structural damage, such an outcome is undesirable. Accordingly, fail-safes are programmed to force an exit if phase variance exceeds 0.38. Under standard operating conditions, variance should be maintained below 0.32. Current readings indicate a variance of 0.30, which remains within acceptable parameters.
T’Ashaya turned to the chief to review the data as well. She had already completed the necessary calculations mentally, but it was logical to have them reviewed regardless. This was, after all, Xiron’s department.
Xiron: Response
T’Ashaya: It is within acceptable parameters, and typical values for newly installed systems. If I may suggest, Lieutenant, newer engines and recently installed benamite crystals often require what humans refer to as a “breaking-in” period. I recommend that, during initial startup, power input to the quantum matrix initiator be increased by 3.7%. By my calculations, this adjustment should reduce phase variance to approximately 0.28, which aligns with the operational average observed on comparable vessels.
Xiron: Response
T’Ashaya: It will require additional monitoring of the benamite crystals due to the increased thermal load. However, after three to four quantum slipstream transits, initial start-up power may be reduced to standard parameters. Has the department been informed that increased hull monitoring and maintenance will be required during QSD operations?
From T’Ashaya’s experience, one of the most significant adjustments for crews new to quantum slipstream drives was hull monitoring. Quantum tunnels placed intense stress on a ship’s hull. Fortunately, Achilles-class vessels had been designed with this in mind. Even so, the available data remained incomplete, and crews were expected to manage the increased maintenance demands while carefully recording structural effects for ongoing QSD studies.
Xiron: Response
Ensign T’Ashaya
Engineer Officer (Warpfield specialist)
U.S.S. Valkyrie-A
C240202SK1