Correcting Mistakes

[Cptn Elias Moore 0]

"We have a problem." Loask said to Rubik as he released the Force Shackles from his three comrades. Rubik, still recovering his senses from the interphasic transfer, merely waited for Loask to continue. "I've managed to pinpoint the last of the ISS Challenger's officers... but the technicians have reported a computer malfunction back on our Rubikon."

 

"Malfunction?!" Bellowed Kinton, whose younger body could better handle the transfer. "We had precautionary diagnostics run on those systems at least five times!"

 

"Yes," Loask replied. "But the interphasic calculations take a toll on the hardware. A system failure was almost inevitable."

 

"What are we facing," Rubik asked. "And how long before the system is repaired?"

 

"Right now, they can't transfer anyone." Loask answered gravely. "There are six officers yet to be transferred, including their commander. The technicians can not indicate with any accuracy how long it will take to correct the malfunction."

 

Rubik stepped over to the center of the Dimension 13 Rubikon's Bridge and gave it a lookover. It looked nearly the same as his own Rubikon, but there were subtle differences immediately noticeable to anyone as intimately familiar with the ship as he was. There were flaws all around--mostly of the 'cut-corner' variety, easily missed by an untrained eye, but indicating that the ship was constructed more quickly and with more urgency. It was a ship constructed for survival against a ruthless empire. For Rubik, whose knowledge of starship design was extensive, it was a profile of the Dimension 13 Tholians. They were a people cornered. Cornered creatures tended to fight with more ferocity, it was said... but they also tended to make more costly mistakes.

 

Rubik looked at the external viewer at the top of the Bridge. The ISS Challenger was displayed, the stars in the background streaking past. "So we are delayed... and we get closer to Imperial space." He sighed.

 

"There is another problem." Loask said. "The remaining officers are aware that humans from another dimension are on their ship. There has been extensive violence between the two sides, and each has barricaded itself in a separate part of the ship. There could be many lives lost before we are able to complete the transfers."

 

"That would be a serious setback." Rubik agreed.

 

"Shall we intervene?" Kinton asked.

 

Rubik considered this option silently, but he was fuming inwardly. Humans were simply insufferable. Plans could be outlined with every angle covered, mechanical problems along the way could be resolved, but to have to involve the Humans... the volatile, unpredictable, hot-headed Humans... was the real difficulty of the project. "We will not. Our presence could only serve to excite these hostilities further."

 

"We wait for the technicians to repair the computer, then?" Kinton asked.

 

Rubik nodded. "And hope that the Humans can resolve their differences... with a minimum of bloodshed..."