Shock to the System

Posted on Fri Jul 30th, 2021 @ 2:27pm by Captain Henry Crow & Patricia Crow

Mission: Knock Knock
Location: Main Engineering

Henry hadn't gotten three steps into Main Engineering before Patricia was on his heels.

"What...the hell...was that?"

He stopped and turned around. "He's got the same rank as I do but doesn't use it, he's going down to give that son of a bitch a surprise, and I'm down here to try and give main power a jump so we can get out of here before the thing they stole from Moro's quarters eats us."

"Well....when you put it like that."

He shook his head and walked over to the main consol, directing engineeers on what to do. "When this reboots we should be in business."

"And if we're not?"

"Your optimisim is enthralling."

She folded her arms with a smirk. "Seriously, if it doesn't work?"

"Then we're probably in a lot of trouble because it means the whole system is down for good. That's why this little trick isn't widely known."

She bit her tongue as they continued their preparations, every minute feeling like an hour.

"Here goes nothing." The engineer entered the code and the entire ship went dark for ten seconds. Suddenly emergency lighting and power returned.

The lead engineer sighed with relief. "Life support is fully powered....transporters...and now coms."

Henry tapped his combadge. +Joustra+ You're cleared to head down. Good luck." He then looked to the engineer. "How long till we have shields, weapons and main power to the engines?"

"I believe we'll have them within five to seven minutes."

Henry tapped his badge again. +Brie+ You guys ought to have green lights in about five minutes. As soon as weapons are a-go, fire a full torpedo spread down there." He then turned to Patricia. "Let's go." They both exited Main Engineering into the turbolift.

She hesitated then asked what was on her mind. "Why did you not go down there?"

"You think I'm yellow?"

"No, I don't think that but I don't see why you'd let him go in your place."

"Two reasons. First it's an element of surprise when the other guy has the upper hand. Second, I am not confidant I would have come back and that means our resident-secretely-a-Captain could have assumed command. I read all the reports on how he ran the Security Department and I didn't want him calling shots around the whole ship."

She nodded in acceptance. "Edruj thought it was an dishonest act."

"She's right, but I'll have to handle that if we can make it through the next...four minutes."

The doors to the lift opened and they stepped onto the Bridge.

---------------------------


Aboard the Bird of Prey they awaited word from K'tlah. He and the two Gorn leaders had left to ambush the Federation Captain. Dog or no dog, it was not an honorable plan. The Science officer was also smart enough not to voice that to his Captain's face or loud enough for anyone to hear.

"Come see this!" Shouted an engineer. The Science officer looked at the display which showed their dilithium chamber giving off readings he'd never seen.

"What is it doing?"

"It has absorbed the dilithium and is expanding."

"Can you stop it?"

"No."

"How long until a breech?"

"At it's current rate, less than five minutes."

"Heghlu’meH QaQ jajvam"






Captain Henry Crow
Commanding Officer, USS Mercutio



Patricia Crow
Chief Intelligence Officer, USS Mercutio