Chapter Eight: Shakedown (Part II)

The captain then switched gears a bit.

"But first Commander Rogers, do you have any information regarding what stage of implementation the Quantum Slipstream Drive currently exists? I realize that this is not your assigned responsibility, but as chief engineer, I would presume that you are monitoring this project rather... inquisitively."   

There was a heavy sigh that came then from the other end of the table.

"Well, I'm sure you all heard this before, but I will say it nevertheless; I'm a doctor, not an engineer."

With a friendly smile he made a pause before continuing with another shorter sigh.

"Obviously I don't have the proper terminology to make my point across. But please let me try again. "

The Deltan looked straight at the chief engineer of the Phoenix, still smiling, but with definite seriousness in his otherwise pleasant tone of voice.

"Commander Rogers; what I am proposing has ab-so-lu-te-ly nothing to do with site-to-site transport... or any transporter operation proper. The last thing I want is to have people popping up in sickbay every time they have a sneeze!"

Letting his deliberate jibe alleviate the atmosphere before the engineer could perceive his words as any kind of patronizing or insult, Elliago took a moment to explain further.

"What I am talking about, dear Chief, is thorough and constant medical monitoring, and through the ship-wide hologrid, bringing sickbay to the patient, not the other way around. By connecting transporter scanners and ship sensors to the medical systems, the epidemic allergy to doctors in Starfleet can be resolved by nullifying the need to go to sickbay except of course for serious treatment; through the transporter, everyone coming and going would be scanned, not whisked around the ship through the ship's internal sensor grid, everyone 's health aboard could also be kept under watch and every medical emergency instantly detected, identified and responded to by the EMH on the spot, or in other words,  with no need to move the patient. And through the communication network and the combadges, this could be further extended to external sensors for away missions, at least the monitoring part."

The Deltan then winked at Rogers.

"I'm only talking about scanning and monitoring, Commander. I would be the last person to agree, let alone recommend, beaming people all around. After all, you know how most of us doctors, are allergic to transporters in the first place."

Thinking abstractly, Rogers went over the past few minutes of dialog before responding.

“My apologies doctor. I may have misinterpreted your intended use of the transporters. In this case, the dermal sensors within the badge’s can be modified to transmit to the sensors. The only difference added will be roughly halving the sarium krellide battery life. Since they presently have a 14 day life, this will pose no consequence to their functions. I will have my crew start on a rotational replacement for all badges. Shouldn’t take more than three or four days for the ship’s crew complement.”

Hoping his misunderstanding could be bypassed, David then turned to face captain Syntron and respond to his last question.

“Captain, the drive is nearly complete. The benamite crystal articulation frame is installed within the main chamber. As you are aware, we have to drop out of warp to disengage the dilithium frame and engage the benamite frame. Once engaged, we force the energies through the main deflector and generate the change in local space curvature. This quantum level manipulation of the space-time continuum will propel us at about twenty light years per minute.”

Pausing shortly to collect his thoughts, David then continued with the main problem of quantum slipstream technology.

“That is the easy part sir. The pertinent task is monitoring and adjusting the field’s phase variance during flight. Coincidentally, we have a boost with this in the new nanotech installed, as the percentage boost in sensor and transmission speed for reading and adjusting the variance has increased exponentially with the nanite implementation. However, despite this boost, flight navigation is still heavily tied to the main computer for phase variance changes. We mere humanoids cannot react nearly fast enough to keep the field and ship in phase within the drive field.”

Taking a small breath David then continued, glancing around the table at the senior staff.

“With these modifications in place, I foresee that slipstream drive will be fully operable within seventy two hours. The team is still running holographic tests on the phase variance adjustment response time’s and navigational steerage within the field.”

Hoping he had covered the captain’s question adequately, David sat back in his seat and awaited further developments.

Analyzing the range of information covered by his chief engineer, the captain addressed the last portion of his presentation first.

"That would be an extraordinary accomplishment Commander Rogers."

Then pondering the concern raised by the chief engineer, the captain suggested "Perhaps you could coordinate the flight navigation issue with our CSO and her team of nanotechnologists and computer specialists.  Conceivably additional nanites could be designed to assist in the reaction of phase variance within the field so that the quantum slipstream would not rely on humanoid reactions as much as currently required. If this seems practical Commander,  coordinate your teams to begin to develop a prototype that we can test after our initial trial run of the slipstream drive. This way we will also have a baseline to compare the results to once the drive is initially engaged and tested."   

Stephanie nodded, listening to the exchange about the quantum slipstream drive. “Sir, I’m no warp-theorist, but as I understand it, the issue is reaction times to keep the warp-field in phase with the ship…or vice-versa. I’ll get with my team and see what options we can give you to enhance those reaction times within the isolated system. Honestly; we may need to work from scratch on a modified nanite for just that purpose.” She glanced for a split second at the chief of security and his implants and then back to the captain, “Since nanites are usually very specialized, unlike borg nanoprobes we can’t just replicate the same ones…in fact, the ones we have in the BNDN and the ODN are each unique, as are the Nanites in the Computer Core and in the Sensor pallets. Each does a very specific part of the job…this is no different. A different tool for a different job…unless we want to risk igniting an actual intelligence or evolution of the nanties.” She felt somewhat bad feeling like there was an elephant in the room that everyone, including her was ignoring. And hoped that he wouldn’t think badly of her.

"Precisely what I was implying Lieutenant," the captain responded, with what appeared as almost a subtle smirk present on his expression. "A combined effort of both the science and engineering teams to develop specialized prototypes designed for this purpose only. You will have the opportunity to simulate a series of tests before any of these nanites are actually released into the system Lieutenant, so extensive research, collaboration and experimentation are highly encouraged throughout this endeavor."

Stephanie nodded, feeling silly. Of course he would have known exactly what it would entail….he was a science officer before he was a captain. She looked down at her PADD and tried to recover, already feeling the pressure of the still-too-new position she was thrust into. She realized at that moment for the first time that her position meant she’d miss out on her favorite part of being a science officer….she was going to have to delegate most of the project to people other than herself. Time constraints meant that there was no way she could do it all herself…something she simply wasn’t familiar with. She knew T’mur would always do quality work…but in her mind, the rest of the science department was untested; and she was responsible for the quality of their work…and the risks involved.

Returning a subtle nod to the CSO the captain then addressed both of these officers simultaneously.

"Commander Rogers, work out an itinerary with you and your team for these upcoming collaborations with Lieutenant Decatur and her science team following this meeting."

He then turned his attention to his chief operations officer who had sat extremely quiet during the meeting thus far since her somewhat delayed arrival.

"Lieutenant Decatur" Syntron spoke directly to the Klingon female so as to not create any confusion with the trill CSO with the same name and rank that he had just previously addressed. "You may need to follow what goes on between these two departments in terms of additional allocations that may be required for their upcoming joint projects. Meanwhile Lieutenant, could you enlighten us with the current status of the operations department?" 

B'Zinga Decatur looked down at her PADD and scrolled up to the part where she put her notes of what she planned to say at the meeting. Despite all the stereotypes about Klingons being willing to loudly voice their own opinions, B'Zinga didn't like giving formal presentations to a group of people - especially a group of people that included people who were much smarter than her and people who were higher ranking than her. Luckily in Klingon culture, it was acceptable for a woman to let her man do all the talking, and B'Zinga was all too happy to have Jocelyn speak for her when it came with dealing with authority figures. Of course, she couldn't turn to Jocelyn here. She took a deep breath and then began speaking.

"The status of the operations department is rather satisfactory," said B'Zinga. She secretly hoped that she used the right verbiage. "For the most part, the enlisted personnel assigned to each shift have been bonding pretty well. Repair requests for all of our shuttles have been completed. Diagnostic reports are satisfactory. The transporter personnel were able to get the transporters to peak efficiency. The Strategic Ops chief has been running training simulations in the holodeck for his team."

"We already have a roommate problem that required mediation. I'm keeping tabs on both roommates and making sure that the situation doesn't escalate."

"Acknowledged" the captain responded to the Klingon's brief Ops report.

"Additionally Lieutenant, prepare alternate schedules for personnel in engineering and science that may be collaborating on several projects. We want to ensure that neither department is short of qualified personnel during any shift over the next four weeks."

Syntron then turned his attention to the augmented chief tactical and security officer. 

Using the PADD in his hand Lieutenant Argyle began his security presentation.  As he entered information a list of names scrolled past and a schedule appeared.

"As you can see Captain security is fully staffed and we already have a regulated schedule of security checks, internal scans, and training drills.  All weapon lockers have been inventoried and are accounted for and regulations about equipment and clothing replication are in place ship wide."

Leaning in slightly Commander Riker spoke up.

"Is that all?  Not much from security?"

"Of course sir.  The best I can do is follow regulations and implement controls.  By definition what I do is reactive and only after something happens will I have more to report."

"So no meat and potatoes today eh?"

The food pun was clearly lost on the mechanical Lieutenant.

"Nevermind.  I want gravity increased on all respective decks during the conducting of security drills and training exercises.  Also I will want a security alpha roster with an assistant chief of security for times of away missions as you will be accompanying me on most of them."

Nodding the security chief made a note in his PADD.

"Aye sir".

Then the room became quiet for a moment as PADDs around the table were being amended and updated with the information discussed. The captain gazed around the room at each of the senior officers once more before he inquired.

"At this point in time, is there anything else that needs to be addressed from your departments?"

David noisily tapped his PADD on the table in front of him to draw the attention of the Captain to him as he brought up a last note upon it to bring to the discussion.

"Sir, yes I do. Have you given any scheduled time to a shakedown on the Firebird? The twenty one shuttles were all given level one diagnostics and small shakedown cruises before Phoenix launched, but I would like to have a proper shake down done on the Captain's yacht to, how would you say, get the kinks out? She passed the diagnostic's before launch, but she never got a shakedown.

After a brief moment of reflection and then checking the information on his command PADD to confirm, the Vulcan captain answered his chief engineer.

"There is no such test flight scheduled for the Firebird Commander. Perhaps once we are in a more stationary position, such as following the first launch of the probes, would be an appropriate time for this craft to be fully tested in space."

Then after eyeing the chief engineer for a moment, Syntron continued. "I believe that our chief flight control officer Lieutenant JG Grexx Aulder would be the logical choice to conduct this procedure... that is unless you have someone else in mind for this job Commander Rogers."  

"No one Sir. I would merely require a few specialist's on board to monitor the systems during the shake down captain."

"Well then Commander," the captain confirmed " Since we would not want to discover any anomalies existing within this craft in the midst of a critical juncture, put in order your specialists and make all necessary preparations for the shakedown of the Firebird to occur."

Syntron then gazed around and with no other comments arising, he slowly stood up and looked directly at each officer as he addressed them.

"Number One, give our new coordinates to helm; maximum speed. Science and Engineering, prepare our first round of probes. Commander Rogers assign a team to work on the combadge reconfigurations before you begin working with our CSO... and keep me posted on the progress of the quantum slipstream drive. Doctor Nasaro-Myth, confirm that our chief engineer has all medical information required to make the combadge modifications. Lieutenant B'Zinga Decatur, assist these departments with any resources and personnel required to accomplish these goals. Lieutenant Argyle, ensure that our security teams are prepared for any eventuality as we enter into this unfamiliar region of space, and have you tactical teams run through methodical exercises and drills with our ships weapon systems."

The captain then simply stated "dismissed" as he headed out of the briefing room and head back toward his ready room nearby.

As soon as the meeting was over and orders given, Elliago went to the bridge and sat in his medical command chair. By the time the chief engineer also came through the command center of the Phoenix on his way to his duties, thanks to the invaluable benefit of this new station now standard throughout Lotus Fleet,  the Deltan doctor already had the main computer correlate all medical data and systems with Engineering.

"There you go, Mister Rogers Sir. All necessary data and connections from Medical are available from your engineering stations. Please let me know when things will be done so that we may test the whole thing."

 "Alright Doctor, I'll have this input as soon as I get down to main engineering. Shouldn't take more than a half hour to see that the code's will transfer properly into the dermal sensors. Then, once anyone uses their comm badge for any reason, the main computer will tie their sensor to the medical main frame and real time scanning will continue on from there. Then it is just a matter of time, as the crew use their badge's and get registered into your main frame."

" Thank you, Sir. I am sure that, with your love of mandatory medical examinations and Starfleet health protocols, all of you will work diligently to make this work. "

His charming smile was both sincere and teasing, a mix of good-natured feelings only a Deltan could so easily express.

After Syntron entered the Ready Room he sat down and engaged his computer terminal. After it was activated, he transferred his notes from the meeting into his command file. He then began to confirm their initial plans and prepared contingencies for their upcoming destination. Warping parallel to Romulan space was not a situation to proceed with any element of recklessness or neglect.  

Later on as the captain was finalizing aspects of their journey and upcoming tests of various ship systems, a signal sounded from his private communication terminal.  

The screen on his terminal displayed the insignia of Starfleet Command for a brief moment before an olive-skinned woman with graying hair tied-back in a pony-tail appeared wearing the insignia of a rear-admiral upper half.

"Captain Syntron, Good to see you again." Said Admiral Vega as she began with pleasantries. In truth, she had only ever met Captain Syntron once, when he was still a commander. But it was always a good practice to be polite.

Syntron, recognizing the Rear Admiral from an introduction some time back, formally acknowledged the greeting; although he had no idea as to why she was contacting him at this moment.

"Admiral Vega," he began curiously. "How may I be of assistance to you?"

She sighed slightly, reminding herself that he was a Vulcan, and Vulcans were intelligent and would not be distracted. "Starfleet command is sending the USS Belize to rendezvous with you along your current course. This minor change shouldn't interfere with your current orders." She said taking a breath, "We're adding a civilian member to your crew." She paused, waiting for the inevitable questions every ship captain would likely have.

Genuinely surprised, the captain inquired "Not to question the authority of Starfleet Admiral, but perhaps you could elaborate on the rationale of sending a civilian along on our maiden voyage. We are in the process of implementing numerous new systems and equipment at this time and it may not be the optimal time to have a civilian..." Syntron reflected for a moment on the Terran expression until it came to him, "tag-along as we are going through this process. In addition, we are currently headed toward a relatively uncharted region of space. Under these circumstances Admiral, I am unable to guarantee the overall safety of this individual."

The admiral nodded, "She's been made aware of all of this Captain. Her name is Ashlyn Scott and she's with the Federation news service." The Rear Admiral stated, knowing this would not put him at ease. "We're sending her to you because for far too long Starfleet has been seen as a purely military organization. You and I know that Starfleet is much more than that. We're explorers first and foremost. Yours is one of the most advanced ships in the fleet and your mission is the first in many years that is purely scientific." She paused again sighing, "Captain, you're following in the footsteps of deep space assignments like Kirk's five-year mission. The people of the Federation, our allies, and even our enemies all need to know that we aren't simply Earth's military might. She's going to 'tag along' as you put it to report just that."

"Her role then Admiral is basically to serve as a public relations advocate for Starfleet by reporting what we are doing during our mission?" Syntron questioned in an attempt to clarify this civilian's role.

But before the Admiral could respond, the captain continued.

"You do realize that there are restricted areas of this ship forbidden to only those with the appropriate credentials and rank? What level of access is this... reporter to be granted by Starfleet aboard this ship?"

"We've cleared her with Starfleet Intelligence, Captain, according to official records she's been given clearance." The admiral paused and looked a bit thoughtful as she continued, "However, I leave that judgment call up to you. It's your ship and I won't order you to give her classified access if your gut tells you something is wrong."

She adjusted in her seat slightly. "That said, she's to be given every courtesy. And Captain, don't worry about classified secrets coming out. All of her reports are going first through your desk, then through Starfleet Command. After we've both cleared the report, then it's delivered to the masses." She said trying to comfort him. The Admiral had opposed the posting, but being a good officer, when Starfleet Command backed a proposition like this it was her duty to see it through.

"Acknowledged Admiral. Perhaps you could forward the files on starship protocol to her... including rules established of non-interference with crew members while on duty, especially during emergencies."

After a moment he added "I understand the intended rationale involved with this decision Admiral. The rest of this we will determine once we have her aboard this vessel and I have the opportunity to discuss the details of expectations and goals with her. Meanwhile, I will forward an encrypted itinerary of our planned route along with potential meeting points in which a rendezvous can occur between her transport and our ship over the course of the next two weeks."          

The admiral nodded, "I've already given her a good run-down of protocol, Captain. And I would appreciate your prep for the rendezvous..." She paused and sighed once more, "Between us, I don't really like having a civilian aboard your ship any more than you do for this mission. But Starfleet needs this." She added the last line as if trying to convince herself. "Thank you Captain, and if any issues come up over this, don't hesitate to send me a priority-one message."

"Understood Admiral. We are here to serve." the Vulcan responded formally. He then added "You are now in my contact list Admiral, however... let us anticipate that activation of this option will not be deemed necessary for any reason."

Concluding, he stated "Syntron out" as he disengaged the viewing screen.

Another factor to now consider in this ever expanding equation, the Vulcan captain thought to himself as he refocused his attention back to his work prior to the incoming call from Starfleet.