skills and learning curves as we work on the more complicated systems.”
“Once we’re in hyperspace, we’ll be there for about twenty-three days. By the time we get to the next system, I’d like to see that the life support systems and a good part of the power systems are overhauled.” The engineers all exchanged looks, clearly indicating that they didn’t think it was possible.
“I hope you slept well,” the Chief spoke up. “Because for the next three weeks, none of us will be sleeping much.” A chorus of groans. “Oh, knock it off. We can get a nap or two once we get out of hyper.” Though the look he and Tamara shared broadcast the same thought, not likely . “All right. I’ve assigned teams. Company A,” he gestured with one of his hands to a group of the techs, “You’re going to be working on life support in the aft sections. Company B, you’ve got the forward sections. Companies C and D,” he indicated the rest, “You’re on the power grid. I’ll be working on fixing up the EPS grid, the stars know we’ve just sat and lived with it for long enough.”
“But Chief,” one of the women spoke up. “Like you say, we’ve had to live with it for a long time. How can we fix it now?”
“We’re going to replace broken components where things have either burned out or ruptured…” Tamara began.
“But how ?” the other woman demanded. “We don’t have replacements.”
“Well, Sirra, you’re only half right,” Quesh told her. “We didn’t have any replacement EPS conduits and junctions until this morning. But thanks to Tamara here,” he gestured with two of his hands, “we now do. Cargo bay three is being loaded up with replacements straight from the replicator and we’re getting rid of a lot of the excess junk we’ve accumulated in there for the last decade.” There were looks exchanged. Apparently, not everyone had heard that the replicators were on line and running. Which was odd, really, since this was such a small population.
“So,” Quesh went on. “We’re going to start tearing out ruptured conduits, recycle them into the replicator, and then plug in new ones. I don’t care if there are pinhole leaks or full-blown ruptures. I’d like to start getting a handle on this. Now, we’re not going to interrupt the current power flow. We’re going to replace parts that are close to max impedance, by rerouting power, pulling parts, putting in new parts and then restoring flow. When we’re done, I want the power distribution system to be just… thrumming!” That got smiles from everyone, some of which were more of the long-suffering variety. “The old girl has had leaky pipes and a busted up circulatory system for far too long. I want her to feel young again. Let’s get to it.” And with that, the meeting was over.
Ka’Xarian moved over to them, Tamara and Quesh, while everyone else was getting together into their proper companies. “Do you think this we can actually do this?” he asked, tentatively.
Tamara clapped him gently on the shoulder. “Xar, you and I put together a Perdition fighter in a matter of a few days,” she reminded him, smiling. “We’re not rebuilding the whole ship, but we’ve got forty technicians, well, forty-one with me. You don’t think we can rebuild the life support and power control systems?”
The zheen made a buzzing noise, the equivalent of a deep sigh. “You’re an optimist.”
She nudged him with one elbow. “If you and the Chief here can keep people moving, I think we can get both systems overhauled and even make some decent progress on the
“Once we’re in hyperspace, we’ll be there for about twenty-three days. By the time we get to the next system, I’d like to see that the life support systems and a good part of the power systems are overhauled.” The engineers all exchanged looks, clearly indicating that they didn’t think it was possible.
“I hope you slept well,” the Chief spoke up. “Because for the next three weeks, none of us will be sleeping much.” A chorus of groans. “Oh, knock it off. We can get a nap or two once we get out of hyper.” Though the look he and Tamara shared broadcast the same thought, not likely . “All right. I’ve assigned teams. Company A,” he gestured with one of his hands to a group of the techs, “You’re going to be working on life support in the aft sections. Company B, you’ve got the forward sections. Companies C and D,” he indicated the rest, “You’re on the power grid. I’ll be working on fixing up the EPS grid, the stars know we’ve just sat and lived with it for long enough.”
“But Chief,” one of the women spoke up. “Like you say, we’ve had to live with it for a long time. How can we fix it now?”
“We’re going to replace broken components where things have either burned out or ruptured…” Tamara began.
“But how ?” the other woman demanded. “We don’t have replacements.”
“Well, Sirra, you’re only half right,” Quesh told her. “We didn’t have any replacement EPS conduits and junctions until this morning. But thanks to Tamara here,” he gestured with two of his hands, “we now do. Cargo bay three is being loaded up with replacements straight from the replicator and we’re getting rid of a lot of the excess junk we’ve accumulated in there for the last decade.” There were looks exchanged. Apparently, not everyone had heard that the replicators were on line and running. Which was odd, really, since this was such a small population.
“So,” Quesh went on. “We’re going to start tearing out ruptured conduits, recycle them into the replicator, and then plug in new ones. I don’t care if there are pinhole leaks or full-blown ruptures. I’d like to start getting a handle on this. Now, we’re not going to interrupt the current power flow. We’re going to replace parts that are close to max impedance, by rerouting power, pulling parts, putting in new parts and then restoring flow. When we’re done, I want the power distribution system to be just… thrumming!” That got smiles from everyone, some of which were more of the long-suffering variety. “The old girl has had leaky pipes and a busted up circulatory system for far too long. I want her to feel young again. Let’s get to it.” And with that, the meeting was over.
Ka’Xarian moved over to them, Tamara and Quesh, while everyone else was getting together into their proper companies. “Do you think this we can actually do this?” he asked, tentatively.
Tamara clapped him gently on the shoulder. “Xar, you and I put together a Perdition fighter in a matter of a few days,” she reminded him, smiling. “We’re not rebuilding the whole ship, but we’ve got forty technicians, well, forty-one with me. You don’t think we can rebuild the life support and power control systems?”
The zheen made a buzzing noise, the equivalent of a deep sigh. “You’re an optimist.”
She nudged him with one elbow. “If you and the Chief here can keep people moving, I think we can get both systems overhauled and even make some decent progress on the
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