Impulse Burn

Posted on 22 Dec 2014 @ 3:50am by Petty Officer 2nd Class Eva Kovalev & Petty Officer 3rd Class Vermeer Talbot
Edited on on 22 Dec 2014 @ 4:29am

1,020 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 02, Aft Section - Impulse reactor
Timeline: MD 36: 0100

ON:

[USS Galileo]
[Main Engineering]

Looking over the last of the lockouts, Eva coded in her own security key, locking out the starboard impulse manifold from an accidental restart. Safety was key amongst members of the maintenance teams swarming the Galieo during her stay in dock. Satisifed, she just had to wait for a fellow Engineer, Vermeer Talbot to key in his lockouts then they could begin the repair work.

Vermeer gave a small smile to Eva as he saw her, taking a breath before keying in his own security key, humming to himself. "Well, that's something..." he looked at her, giving her another smile, this time warmer. "Ready for this?"

"Let's do it." Eva wasn't the fondest of diving inside a impulse reactor but with the tribbles having gotten everywhere, even the reactors, cleanup and repair of any damaged parts was top priority.

As they made their way up from Engineering on Deck Six to the Impulse engines on Deck Three, Eva mentally ran through procedures. "Ever had to scrub a reactor before?"

"Yep, had that pleasure," he said as he smiled gently. "Helps not being...that big." He got to do fun things like that because he was short...and therefor could also squeeze into smaller places. But it was good because he was a hands on sort of man.

"I've got four inches and forty pounds on you so I guess I'm going into this one today." Eva noted as they reached the impulse reactor room. "Not that I'd object if you wanted to volunteer. Been feeling a bit queezy of late."

"I'll volunteer," he said, watching her with a frown. "Could be something you've been eating. I've heard that different ships have different concentrations in their replicators. They want everything standard but you know how people are; prone to making mistakes. Honestly, doesn't bother me, I only taste salt anyway nowadays."

"Haven't changed my diet recently, and last I checked the replicators haven't been touched by anyone." Eva shrugged. "It's probably nothing, maybe just the change from deep space to the microgravity of the station."

"Even so," he said, with a frown as he nodded. "Could have it checked out by the docs? Being poked can be fun and Wylde is nice."

"I try to avoid doctor's when I can." Eva chuckled. "Especially the Bolian. That guy creeps me out a little."

"Mott? Never talked to him but he seems...friendly. Wylde's really good. Makes me smile anyway," Vermeer said with a grin. "Anyway, I can do the crawling and you can do the directing?"

"Mott's freindly enough, but I don't know, he just creeps me out. Haven't met Wylde in a professional capacity, tho I'll admit he's kinda cute for someone who's over 200 years old."

Eva keyed in the codes to enter the control area. Noting the lockouts displayed on the status screen in the room, Eva went over to a control console to begin the process. "If you start the inside inspection, I'll start the outside. First things first, we need to disconnect the impulse manifold and blank off the connecting orifice. Backup in case the force field over the manifold collapses."

He nodded as he watched her for a moment before rubbing his hands together. "Oh, all fun and games this. Sure, let's get this show on the road. And let's make sure I don't get all vaporised either!"

"Agreed."

He nodded, going to help her disconnect. Only then did he attempt to open it and go inside to inspect.

The inspection process itself took close to 20min for each fusion reactor and with six inches of a special duranium composite material designed to contain and channel the output of a miniature star, conversation was very difficult so the pair worked together quietly, looking over their readings as the inspection progressed.

Eventually the pair reached the end of the inspection. Poking her head into the aft end of the reactor, Eva smiled at Vermere. "This one looks good from the outside. Any tribble residue inside?"

"Nope..." he said and smiled warmly, shaking his head as he got out, taking a deeper breath. "Which is a good thing in my book!"

"Bodes well for the second reactor then. I'll do the second if that's okay? Only fair we split the job."

"fair enough," he agreed, with a quick and warm smile. "It'll either be good news or not so good news, all depending. I hope they didn't get...in that one."

Cracking the seal on the second reactor, Eva crawled inside, her scanner running as she inspected the reactor vessel. Initial indications looked good as she made her way deeper into the assembly.

Finally the second reactor inspection was complete and Eva could climb out. That was a good thing as no sooner had she crawled out of the reactor then a sudden wave of nausea washed over her body. The nearest head was too far away and very quickly, Eva found herself kneeling on all fours near the reactor, dry heaving as she fought the waves of nausea washing through her body.

"You okay?" he asked, frowning as he moved to her, frowning as he reached to touch her back, rubbing it soothingly as he swallowed with the confusion he felt. Had it been something in there?

It took Eva a few more heaves and a quiet few seconds before she could answer. "I'm not sure. Maybe I should see a doctor about this."

"I think you should," he said and frowned, shaking his head. "Let me get you to sickbay...or quarters, or somewhere where you can be more comfortable."

"Quarters would be fine. Just need to rest I think." Eva slowly picked herself up. "I probably should see a doctor in the morning though."

"Yes...good idea, I am like all for it," he said and moved to her side, offering his arm to help her. "Just saying, you look peaky. Pretty, but peaky."

END:

JP By:

PO2 Eva Kovalev
Engineer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Min Zhao]

&

Petty Officer 3rd Class Vermeer Talbot
Engineer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Devin]

RSS Feed