Bringing Science Together

[Savros 0]

Arcane numbers and forbidden units of measurement bubbled and boiled on the console before Anastasia as the computer ran its pattern-matching analysis. It was child's play, really: index the sensor readings from both the Columbia and the Cepheus, strip out the noise, and look for matching warp trails or energy signatures. But that's all the computer was, really: an EPS-powered child with a massive library database. And it loved playing "Which of these warp signatures is like the others?"

 

"I hate it," said Anastasia, swivelling her chair around to face her colleagues. "I hate it all. The intrigue, the manipulation--using entire civilizations in some interstellar long game." She paused, surprised by the vehemence in her voice, and looked around to see if anyone else on the bridge had heard her little rant. After a moment, she continued, "First the Klingons use the Elasians to get to the Federation, and now there are Romulans involved?" Verging now on exasperation, Anastasia sighed and changed the subject. "Nitara, how are those sensor modifications coming along?"

 

Nitara responded to Anastasia's question without looking up the screen. "The sensors are about ready to be calibrated to the energy readings, but I'll need your data first, you know." There was a moment of silence while she tapped away at the buttons. The energy readings were fluctuating too far up, then seconds later dropped to almost insensitivity. Nitara dealt with these problems almost mechanically. No use getting frustrated with a machine. If the sensors ignored anything it was the passionate emotions of a ticked off scientist.

 

The console behind her beeped. Anastasia surveyed the results. "Here we go. The Cepheus and the Columbia detected three common warp signatures. Two were Federation, and the other one is--ah-hah! The computer's stumped. Sending it to your station now."

 

Nitara studied the data readouts. "Yeah... this is our man..." She flipped up a new screen. "We've done it. The sensors now detect a warp trail exiting the system." She spun around towards Poldara, almost bouncing with elation at the new find. "The computer has been updated and has tracked their course out. Sending you the results."

 

"As soon as this crisis is over," Commander Ba'alyo spoke as he walked down the ramp from the conference room into the bridge, " I'm certain we'll be able to honor your leave request."

 

Lieutenant Savros followed down the ramp and nodded in agreement. He had said what he could without delving too much into personal matters. With as much as he knew about other cultures, he was certain there would be a way to present the matter that would not deny tradition. He just couldn't focus enough to draw it from his memory.

 

Ba'alyo took his ususal seat to the left of the CO and swiveled to face the Vulcan now stepping between them. For a moment it looked as if Savros were to speak, but he continued towards the steps leading to the science stations.

 

Lieutenant Poldara seemed excited. It was the sort of excited the Vulcan had not seen in her while she was the Department chief. Whatever she had done during her leave, it did the trick. She was a new person. He wondered for a moment if her improved demeanor had anything to do with her mate being assigned to the station.

 

This caused him to reflect on his recent dinner with the Vulcan ambassador. He had explained that his parents were research scientists that had died in an accident. Years later, his arranged marriage had ended when his betrothed contracted a rare disease that affected her ability to conceive. Her parents concluded that the family line of their cherished friends should not pass away so easily. Thus, Savros was left without a future mate.

 

"You were successful?" the Vulcan stated to Lieutenant Poldara.

 

Anastasia turned to Savros, her face flushed with success. She had begun her week finding subspace mines and was finishing it finding a hidden Romulan ships. At the end of this, Challenger's science department would be experts in cloaking technology. "We've got a fix on their last heading...."