Impulse and Fusion

[Sorehl 0]

In the waning moments of the Dominion threat, deep in the bowels of Starbase Camelot...

 

Sorehl stepped away from Xavier as the force field snapped into existence on Deck 87. If the device was of sufficient yield, those fields would do little more than channel the explosion away from the upper bulk of the station, but they could prove decisive in avoiding further catastrophe. The fields might even prevent remote detonation by whoever had planted it.

 

For his part, Sorehl had already throttled back six of the eight fusion generators and ejected the single antimatter pod from the deck below them. If he’d been willing to risk being defenseless, he’d have shut them down entirely. Such a risk seemed inadvisable, the Vulcan reasoned, with an known enemy prowling the system. There were still other precautions to invoke, he realized.

 

Beside him, Ensign Zachary Yuuko-Chen observed Xavier’s progress, looking ready to provide advice as needed. Sorehl stepped away from the science officer and toward the nearest access panel. The isolation field and bulkheads were still in place, forming an additional barrier. The three Starfleet officers and the Klingon security teams with them were essentially cut off from the rest of the station.

 

Sorehl glanced back toward the two junior officers. Xavier continued to work in isolation, taking his life and the lives of all the others in this section in his hands. It was another example of the lieutenant’s impulsive approach. It was as if he didn’t value his own life. If they survived the encounter, Sorehl considered assigning the engineer to some counseling.

 

The remainder of his consciousness branched through the threat network that had been carefully engrained through meditation. “Computer, prime self-destruct charges on Deck 82 for explosive separation. Authorization Sorehl, chief engineer, alpha two clearance.”

 

“Charges primed,” the computer’s male voice responded.

 

“Detonate upon detection of field failure on this deck or on my mark,” he instructed. He glanced back at the two officers. The computer would require manual oversight to prepare the fusion reactors for jettisoning. Without a word, Sorehl turned his back on the Dominion-planted device and walked away, bound for the station’s reactor complex.

Edited September 5, 2004 by Sorehl