Adverse Weather; Thread the Needle
Posted on Wed Nov 23rd, 2022 @ 3:38pm by Lieutenant Rufus Marocain & Rear Admiral Yoshi Minawara
Mission:
Between Realities
Location: Bridge
1699 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure
Having caught the last half of the conversation, Yoshi appeared behind Ewan a moment later and nodded. "Whatever it is you have my blessing. Rufus, I need to talk to you," he said nodding to the helmsmen. "I might have worked out a fallback plan, should we have issues with yours. It's not as refined, but it's an option, inspired by our transdimentional guest here," he added nodding to Jack. "But let's get going, we are running short on time."
Watching the others depart from the bridge, various sections needing their direct attention in other locations. This left the bridge fairly empty, only a couple members of the core operations, and Ensign Marocain at the helm. Leaving the helm unattended was a fool's move, something many Captain's fell for in their Command training. "Rufus," Yoshi's voice carried over the silence, as he stood at the pool table to the rear. "I have a question for you," he said, turning his attention to a build in console to begin keying in data to start the simulation correctly for him to see. He didn't look up, but assumed the helmsman was listening. "Our predicament ensures that we have a certain selection of outcomes. Most of these are stable, reliable, and even probably safe. However, they have the unforeseen side-effect of being far less effective than other methods at our disposal. I need to run something by you."
His species was known for their ability for single-minded focus, but that was largely illusion. Yes, they could be relentless with a goal or object to pursue, but the ancient prey-drive that was at the base of that wasn't the whole story; even large predators had to be able to multi-task, to both watch prey and simultaneously take in and analyze everything else least they become prey themselves. Thus Rufus remained at the helm but cocked an ear and split his attention between the nebula and his CO. "Go ahead, sir. What do you have in mind?"
"I have an idea, it's a bit trickier and a lot more aggressive than the other plans - should they fail. Using the QSD and some engineering tomfoolery, we can probably beat our way through the instabilities we are encountering. Effectively detach ourselves from the instability and punch away." He pushed the data towards the helm so that Rufus could see exactly what he was talking about. "With some minor modifications to the field attunement matrix, and the chroniton relay, we can probably completely separate ourselves from this localized phenomenon. The issue we run into is we can't do it at a standstill. Currently we are running the entire drive system in a pseudo-active state. It keeps the worst of the issues at bay, while allowing us time to repair the systems. But we are kept in place by two forces. We can cut one of those tethers, but then we are going to have motion at play, forward quantum slipstream motion to be precise." Yoshi stopped, his eyes looking up and to the pilot. The man had gotten them through some of the roughest patches so far, and there was no doubt in Yoshi's mind he could do more.
Still, he hesitated, just a moment, and then let out a low breath. "I need a skilled pilot to be able to navigate the chaos that will be created. There will be limited computer navigational aid, it will all be hand-on-stick flying, to borrow an old phrase. I can do it, I have flown these conditions in the Quantum Slipstream test ships. However, I think you'd be better suited. You're damn well the best pilot on the ship. But, it's not going to be easy, and this is one of those fate of the ship on your shoulders moments. I could order you, but study the conditions, give me your feed back, and see if you're interested."
'Fate of the ship on your shoulders' - no pressure there, Rufus thought as he studied the data. He wasn't daunted by hand-on-stick flying; he'd started as a fighter pilot, so he had plenty of experience flying without a nav computer. Doing it in Quantum Slipstream however was something he'd only ever tried in holosimulation. 'Not easy' was a massive understatement, but no one knew the helm of Vesta as well as he did, and that Yoshi, who had flown it on test ships, deemed him best qualified was an equally massive vote of confidence and one he would not refuse. More importantly, he believed he could do it. (Honestly, he was having a difficult time keeping his tail still as a mix if nervous energy and excitement rose at the prospect). "I can do it, sir. Under these conditions, we'll also need someone running active control of the Chroniton Regulator. I assume that will be you?"
A smile creased Yoshi's face, thin and a ghost of a proper one, but there nonetheless. "You know the helm, I know the engine," the Commodore said simply. He routed the engineering controls to the operations controls next to Rufus, sitting himself down. "We have a thirty minute window before the other crews are done what they need, and if they work we won't have to do this. But," he noted as he began keying in a quick series of protocols, "if we need it, it will go something like this. We'll first disable to Quantum Slipstream Autopiloting Systems. This will cause a motion check between the drive and the helm. Once it realized we aren't actually moving, we're going to be shunted forward and into the Slipstream. It won't be smooth, this is going to be rough and hard." He nodded as the simulation pushed the numbers to Rufus to read. It was all technically within spec of the ship's hull handling it, but he knew somewhere Ewan was going to be rather upset.
"Once we start moving there is going to be no stabilization. I can run the field controller and regulator at the same time. But we're going to have to work together. You call heading changes, and I'll adjust. As we move further from the point we became conjoined with the phenomenon, we should be able to separate, basically punching away from this space. From there it's all you."
An ear cocked back, then Rufus nodded. It wasn't just that Yoshi needed to be running the engineering side - this required split second reaction time and as a true son of Kaina that was an ability he definitely had. "I'll be ready. But if there's a 30 minute window, I suggest we use it to let everyone know to batten down. I don't relish being the focus of our Doctor's glare if patients go flying."
Hands froze above the console for a moment, as Yoshi stopped. The pilot was right, there was a chance to ensure people were prepared - something they didn't have last time. It also came with it a series of notes about what they were doing, the fact there was no guarantee they would stay tethered to their actual reality, or their correct time. Slowly he placed his hands on the console again, and let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "You're probably right," he finally said before standing.
"Computer, holographic communication, all decks." There was a pause as sensors in the room whirred to life and set about projecting the image to all major locations across the ship, and carrying his voice to the rest. Yoshi ran his hand across his face, the unkepmt nature of his beard catching up to him. "All hands this- no. That won't do." He took a couple steps, and then resumed his speech. "Everyone. This is Yoshi Minawara. As we speak members of the crew are attempting to solve the issue of the current displacement we find ourselves in. We have been hastily repairing the Vesta getting her ready to face whatever there is around us. Alongside those efforts, members of our crew are working to find a solution to push off the current effects and return us to normal space without issue. Should they succeed there should be a fairly peaceful transition back to normalacy, and we will be able to head back to Esquimalt Station without issue. However." Another few steps and he looked around the bridge, at the faces still there. "However, if that solution should not bear fruit we have an alternative solution. It won't be pleasant. Far from it. We are going to plan to use the Quantum Slipstream Drive to pilot it through the chaotic intersection of time and space we find ourselves in, and back to normal space. Inertial dampeners will deal with most of the stress, and should keep most of the forces at bay, but not all of them. It will shake you about something fierce. As such, all civilian personnel are to relocate to emergency shelters on the interior of the ship. If you are able, head to the arboretum, and failing that move away from the external hull. Avoid the cargobays and shuttle bays, and move towards interior spaces."
It wasn't certain their would be hull sheering, but when one was going to be stretching the laws of physics so roughly, it made sense to take percautions. "To the members of Starfleet. If you are able to assist with repairs and reenforcements, do so now. If you find yourself unable to do so, please seek shelter with the civilians and help keep them calm. And Doctor Sorenson," he said, that same whisper of a smile returning, "I am sorry in advance. We have thirty minutes until we will know what the status of the other attempts are, and should we need to transition to our other plan, we will let you know then. Stay safe, hunker down, and we'll be out of this soon. Minawara out." The comms went dead, leaving the Commodore standing on the bridge for a second to make sure the holoprojection completed.
"Now that I have grand standed enough for one day Rufus, let's run the numbers."
