Docking At Starbase 184

[John Randall 0]

OFFICIAL LOG

LIEUTENANT JOHN RANDALL

USS CHALLENGER

 

(Personal Log Stardate 11308.01)

 

 

John sat at his station at the main console, or the "pool table," as it was

known in engineering. The chief was absent at the present, so Randall

was supervising the crew as they got closer to Starbase 184 to receive

orders for the ship's next mission. John was scrolling through the reports

on his monitor, and everything was running routinely, as far as he could

see. The ship was cruising at warp 5, and as far as Randall could tell, the

engines were rumbling nicely.

 

A few minutes later, the engine whine decreased noticeably, and John

knew Challenger was now setting up for the final approach to the starbase

dock. He punched the 'comm at his station. "Randall to Davis," he said.

Ensign Steve Davis answered almost immediately. "Davis here," he

responded. "Steve, assemble a team, and give the warp engines a good

check as soon as we dock," ordered Randall. "Aye, Lieutenant, will do,"

replied the ensign. "Davis out."

 

John then thought of something else, got up, and went to the head of the

console, punching the department 'comm. "This is Randall," he said, his

voice echoing throughout engineering. "As soon as we dock, implement

normal maintenance duties. If any workers from the starbase come aboard,

show them where they're needed. That is all. Randall out."

 

John then got a call from ensign Jeff Michaels for a little help at the coolant

flow station. He went to his locker, grabbed his toolkit, and headed to assist

his friend. They were working at the station when the shipcom sounded.

"Now hear this," came the voice of the communications officer, ensign Dvokr

chim Hok. "All senior staff are to report to the starbase observation lounge in

fifteen minutes. Bridge out."

 

John frowned as he heard the announcement, and sighed as he turned to his

friend. "Here we go again," he said resignedly. "Every time we dock, seems I

have to go to a freakin' meeting." Michaels assumed an innocent look, and

said, "All part of being in charge, Lieutenant," laughing as he dodged a punch

aimed at his shoulder from Randall. John grinned back at him, then went to

his locker to deposit his toolkit. He then took a quick turn around engineering,

making sure everything was going the way it should go, then headed for the

engineering doors, whipping out his communicator as he neared them.

 

"Randall to Davis," he said. "Davis here," the ensign replied. "You have the conn

while I'm gone, Steve. Randall out." He waited for Davis' acknowledgment,

slapped the communicator closed, and went out into the corridor as the doors

opened for him. He went along the corridor to the turbolift, and stood waiting

patiently for a car to arrive. Some three minutes later, he was still waiting, and

thought to himself, 'Everyone must be using the lift at the same time.' Just then,

his communicator beeped, and he pulled it out. "Randall here," he said.

 

Steve Davis' voice said, "Hey, Lieutenant, you left the ship yet?" "No, I haven't,"

said John. "What's up?" "We've got trouble with a warp coil, sir," replied Davis,

and Randall's eyebrows went straight up. "We didn't know it was this bad," the

ensign continued. "We're lucky we got here, you need to see this for yourself.

We need you, sir." "Acknowledged," John answered crisply, his adrenaline

starting to flow at the sound of a major problem. "I'll inform the captain; have you

assembled a repair crew?" "Affirmative, sir, they're on the way," replied Davis.

"Good deal," John said. "I'll be right there, Randall out." He started back toward

engineering, turning a dial on his communicator as he walked. "Randall to Ja'lale,"

he said.

 

A few seconds later, the voice of the Challenger captain came over the communicator.

"Ja'Lale here, go ahead, Lieutenant," it said. "Captain, we've got a warp coil gone

bad, sir," reported Randall. "I think you might have to excuse me from the meeting.

Ensign Davis said we're lucky we got here in one piece." "I see," the captain replied.

"A bad coil is not a good thing. You are excused, Lieutenant. Fix my ship." "Aye, sir,"

John said as he reached the engineering doors, which parted for him, and he walked

inside. "We're on it, sir. Randall out." He slapped the communicator shut as he

reached his locker. He grabbed his toolkit, and made his way back to the warp core.

 

The repair team had just arrived as well, and John gave orders to implement the

repair procedure. He supervised as the team began their task. 'Hopefully, the chief,

wherever he is, heard the announcement, and will make it to the meeting,' he

thought, then concentrated on the task at hand.

 

 

END LOG