"Shock Absorption"

[Cptn Elias Moore 0]

"Shock Absorption"

Commander Elias Moore

Challenger Project

Foreman's Starlog: September 4, 2154

 

The warp core purred like a kitten, even under the tremendous stress being exerted upon it. The catwalk beneath Elias' feet barely stirred as Challenger's heart pulsed below. It was the third of what would be ten Warp 4 tests on the core itself, each test increasing the energy output one step toward Warp 5, the core's maximum stress level. The field coils would not be energized until Challenger actually left drydock, but the ability of the warp core and the EPS network to handle this sort of output was the ultimate test of an NX ship's construction. So far, General Electric's work was earning top grades.

 

Elias smiled, recalling the stress tests on the NX-01 engine. Three years ago he had stood, beside his father, at this very spot in Enterprise's engine room, as the same tests were performed prior to her launch. He recalled the vibration of the engine room as Warp 4.6 was exceeded, the loud hum which prevented conversation at anything below a light yell, his apprehension at the possibility that the gangways would all collapse under the structural pounding. In the three years since, warp drive technology had advanced a great deal.

 

Even with the core humming along at Warp 4.3, Elias could hear approaching footsteps on the catwalk. He looked over at his secretary, Albert Shrippert. Albert had settled into the secretary position very nicely over the last three months, his filing skills proving to be an invaluable asset. He was still not too fond of Elias, however. "Your 0930 coffee, Commander." He held out the cup.

 

"Wonderful. I think it's been two months, exactly, since you were even a minute late with one of my coffees Albert." Elias grabbed the cup, smirking at the grimace on Albert's face. "So what's the latest?"

 

Albert got right underway with his hourly status report. "Notable cargo pickups today include the shuttle pods and the science probes, scheduled for delivery at 1130 hours and 1440 hours respectively. You will need to inspect them before Challenger takes them on. Additionally, the Challenger quartermaster will be arriving today, some time from 1100 hours to 1300 hours. He will be bringing the first wave of uniforms and equipment for crew assignment."

 

Elias gulped at this. He knew that the crew assignment phase was underway, but to know that several people had already been assigned troubled him. Perhaps his letter had gotten lost in the mail. "I'll see to the cargo shipments, you meet up with the quartermaster and escort him to his quarters. Anything else?"

 

"Yes. Admiral Forrest is here and wishes to meet with you at your earliest convenience."

 

"Here, now, on the ship?" Elias' brow furrowed. "Why didn't you say so already? I'll see him now, bring him here."

 

Elias felt a surge as he looked down at the engine, thrilled that it was running so smoothly. Gunter Seiben and his GE workers had, indeed, done a fine job. But they were civilians and not eligible for active duty on Challenger. Who else could have his sort of shot at the chief engineer's position?

 

"Commander, how go the tests?" The Admiral approached with an amiable expression but a purposeful stride, all the poise of someone coming to deliver a much welcomed assignment notice.

 

"Superbly, Admiral." Elias grinned confidently. "It seems that I may have been exaggerating when I anticipated that problems would arise after the launch. As I told you, a little Martian help can go a long way. We haven't pushed her to the limit just yet, but I'm sure she'll perform beyond our expectations."

 

"I don't doubt it." Forrest looked down at the workers scurrying around the engine. "But I've been reviewing your status reports and I agree with many of your points. We don't want to take any chances. The engineering chief will need some familiarity with the construction."

 

Elias could have done a jig at that moment, if it wasn't unbecoming of an officer in the presence of an Admiral. "Sorry if I sounded overbearing in my reports, Admiral, but you know how protective I am of my engines. I can't tell you how glad I was when the NX-01 was put in Charles Tucker's capable hands." He fought a wave of nausea.

 

"Indeed. Rest assured, this engine will be under the best care available." Forrest smiled at Elias, then looked back down at the engine. "We assigned a capable chief just this weekend in fact. Just to make sure he's prepared, though, I'll want to you to give him a thorough tour of the ship, not to mention all the construction schematics you've compiled through each stage of the project. He's going to be arriving before the 8th, along with the rest of the crew."

 

Elias stared blankly at the Admiral, belying the fact that his insides were crashing down. It took him more than a moment to compose himself enough to speak. "Oh, you've assigned someone already, then? I suppose I'll have plenty of time to brief him since you'll again be offering me a position on the engineering staff?" Elias masked his sarcasm well, an art he'd managed to perfect.

 

"Oh, goodness no. You've graduated from the command training, Elias. In fact, that's why I'm really here." The Admiral looked up and turned to face Elias, who immediately put on a contented face. "I have a proposal for you, Commander. It might seem a little strange, but these are strange times we find ourselves in. The Vulcans, you see, are balking on any further involvement in the NX project, for the time being at least. I can't exactly say that this upsets me, but more important is that their withdrawal from the project may be the only thing keeping the Andorians off of our backs. And, believe me, we do *not* want the Andorians on our backs."

 

Elias shook his head, conflicts between alien races holding little interest to him, especially in his current state of mind. "What could any of this possibly have to do with me?"

 

"We need a First Officer, Commander. And, I'm somewhat glad to say, we're no longer under pressure to select one from a pool of Vulcans. Last I checked, your qualifications check out."

 

Elias was visibly taken aback by this. "Wait a minute... you want *me* to be the First Officer?"

 

"Try not to look so shocked, Commander." The Admiral frowned. "If you're as confident about it as you are about your engines, you may just be able to excel in this role. And you've come a long way from the Elias Moore who scorned anything resembling brass. So do you want the position or not? I do have other options to fall back on, but I'd like to have a name on the roster tonight."

 

Elias looked at the engine, considering this turn of events. He wasn't exactly sure how he felt about the added responsibility that accepting such a role would bring upon him. But it was a ticket aboard Challenger, and an opportunity to see this vessel, that's construction he had nurtured, out of the star system. He had no idea how terribly he'd perform, but it was a chance he couldn't pass up. "I'll take it."

 

"Excellent. Congratulations, Commander." The Admiral extended his hand to shake Elias'. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to head to Madrid. There are worries that the Tactical officer is going to party himself late for the launch." He nodded and walked off.

 

"Admiral..." Elias said. Forrest stopped and turned at the lift. "Those other options you mentioned. There must have been a few who've turned down the position already. I mean, I can't believe that I'm the most qualified candidate for this assignment."

 

Forrest shrugged. "Frankly, you could be right. There are others with far more experience... who requested the position, no less. But this wasn't my call. You were requested."

 

Elias blinked. "By whom?"

 

"The same person who requested you as foreman." Forrest stepped into the lift and closed the gate. "You have a benefactor, Commander. Or an oppressor, depending on how you view positions of authority. Either way, you're right where you should be, and you can trust in that." He tapped the control panel and the lift descended out of view.

 

Elias stood on the catwalk in half-shock, wondering what he'd just gotten himself into, when an EPS manifold on C Deck finally protested the stress by overloading and rupturing. The entire ship rumbled, the lights on C Deck flickered, alarms blared throughout the corridors, and Elias was pulled back into the reality of a hastily constructed ship that still needed plenty of tweaking and testing... a curse against GE muttered under his breath, of course...