An Interlude

[T'Prise 0]

Exiting the turbolift, T’Prise set off at a brisk pace down the corridor, heading towards deflector control. They were running out of both time and options, which boded ill for the success of the Manticore being able to return to its own universe via the combination of slipstream technology and their original method of entry, the dust storm. Their initial attempt to project a slipstream portal using this methodology had failed and they did not have time to run another test before the dust storm dissipated, removing a vital component in their route home.

 

Turning sharply at a junction, T’Prise continued walking at a fast clip. The failed test revealed that they had not been routing enough power to the main deflector dish, thus hampering its ability to create a stable portal. Commander Syndrx was in the process of allocating more power to the system, but the increased power capacity would also increase the risk of using the dish. If their journey back was to be successful, it would require a highly coordinated effort between departments.

 

A science officer on the bridge would need to work closely with navigation, making precise calculations to move the ship safely through the slipstream corridor. In turn, those calculations would need to be relayed to the scientists and engineers controlling the main deflector dish, at least two science officers would need to be on hand in order to rapidly make the adjustments to the deflector so it maintained a stable field. This would all need to be done in conjunction with someone monitoring sensors and alerting the entire team to any changes, so that those changes could be swiftly compensated for and would not cause a catastrophic end to their journey.

 

While the deflector dish was operational, it would be the most vulnerable area of the Manticore, the quantum fluctuations surrounding it making it highly vulnerable to time/space distortions and structural integrity failure. Given all of the multitude of possible permutations for this entire scenario and the critical nature of their situation, the likelihood of failure was exceedingly high. Although they had taken precautionary measures and evacuated all non-essential personnel to the center of the ship, in all probability the ship hull’s structural integrity would fail. Minimizing the risks in this case was all they could do.

 

Turning another corner, T’Prise saw the doors leading into the main deflector dish control room. Right as she was about to enter them, however, her comm badge came to life.

 

“Escher to T’Prise.”

 

Without breaking her stride tapped her badge to respond. “T’Prise here.”

 

Escher finalized the bridge deflector control input as he talked to his scientific subordinate. “I want you on the bridge when we activate the quantum slipstream for real. Your expertise is invaluable, and we need you to steer this thing. I’ll assist Syndrx in deflector control.”

 

A short silence followed before she answered. “Commander, it is critical that we maintain a stable portal if we wish to return to our own universe. Given my expertise, I would suggest that my time would be better served in deflector control with Commander Syndrx.”

 

“My decision is final, Lieutenant Commander. Escher out.”

 

The dust cloud shrank as Manticore prepared its departure.

Edited September 27, 2010 by T'Prise