A 'Logical' Plan

Posted on 21 Jun 2024 @ 9:51am by Ensign S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor & Lieutenant JG Serran

1,585 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 19 - Tomorrow's Galileo
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 3, Operations Manager's Office
Timeline: MD04 - 1800

[ON]

Sera had been given and hour to determine power availability versus power consumption. In order to make those two numbers skew into values that were sustainable, ships’ systems had to be carefully scrutinized and needs versus wants prioritized. The shortfall was rather…significant.

Objectively power consumption needed to be reduced. Following Reduced Power Mode protocols, environment systems were to operate at no more than 50% of normal levels. With the captain’s specific requirements necessitating continued power to defensive systems—which were rather necessary considering their current situation—power usage was going to need to be further reduced.

An hour also wasn’t a lot of time to make thoughtful determinations, but she could only work within the constraints of what Commander Tarin outlined. They would have to work together to determine if the overall energy budget would be viable to enact, and to have his assistance in planning how these power allocations would be engaged in a manner that would minimize operational compromises.

She quickly performed a Level 5 systems analysis, and compiled the results and quickly created a ‘plan’ that would bring those numbers closer to equilibrium. Her numbers suitably ‘crunched,’ Sera downloaded her plan on a data padd and moved onto the next step – making the results available to the Chief of Operations…Lt. Serran.

The responsibility of Hollenday’s death weighed heavily upon her…and now this? Although Vulcan, Sera hoped that her final determination on resource allocation did not cause sentiments to turn completely against her. She was, potentially, about to make a lot of crew members rather uncomfortable.

Kaiddth. It couldn’t be helped.

~~

Deck 3 - Operations Manager's Office

The Chief Engineer entered the space with the energy of a cat unsure of her new surroundings. Her eyes darted about, taking in those within and how the space was laid out in an assessing manner.

Her eyes laid upon another Vulcan...a male. His physical appearance aligned with the Operations Chief, Serran. Unconsciously swallowing a sudden sense of uncertainty, Sera stepped forward and introduced herself and her purpose for being here.

"Lieutenant Serran. I am Ensign S'Ers-a..." She paused, deciding now was not the time to bring in her clan name and make things more complicated than they needed to be. "I have been tasked by the captain with a plan for effective energy consumption. I have done so, however, my purview ends beyond the proposal for power reconfiguration. I was...Your assistance in executing this plan would be...agreeable."

There was a reason Serran had chosen operations over science. Not only did it not appeal to him as a career choice, or even avocation, he just wasn't good at it.

He was, however, good with math. He'd run through a series of tests and projections on the Galiello's very powerful and very accurate computers. They had provided several options.

He sat back in his chair, closed his eyes, and began to evaluate those options, while simultaneously re-running those calculations in his head.

Therefore, he was surprised to hear a voice pulling him out of his reverie.

It took a moment for it to register that he was being addressed. "That is agreeable," he replied.

"I apologize. Could you repeat your statement for clarification?"

Sera raised a brow and tilted her head slightly - all micro-expressions that conveyed a multitude of things to another Vulcan. She was...surprised. He obviously was distracted by something to have not heard her entry or purpose for being here. Nonetheless, he had requested for her to repeat her statement to him, and it was logical to do so.

"Yes. I am Ensign S'Ers-a. I have been tasked by Commander Tarin to develop a plan for effective energy consumption given the loss of our warp core. I have done so, however, I will require assistance in executing this plan. As you are the Chief of Operations, it is logical to approach you for your expertise and assistance in implementing these reductions."

"My apologies again. I have been working on ideas of my own That is what I was doing when you arrived. I was creating some algorithms in my mind."

"Before we discuss what I have done, I'd like to hear your hypothesis."

Sera extended a padd she held in her hand to Serran, careful to ensure that he wouldn't accidentally make contact with her fingers in the exchange. Vulcans were considerate like that.

"Less of a hypothesis, sir. More of a technical proposal. With the loss of the warp core, our power production is reduced by 70%. I am looking for further operational efficiencies to ensure critical ships' systems have sufficient power."

"I have been reviewing our options, and all of them have consequences. One of those consequences is neither us nor the members of our departments are going to be popular."

"We're going to have to make serious sacrifices to preserve what power we have left. I estimate our reserves at 29.463%.

"This is Starfleet, so the crew should be willing to deal constructively with the situation. However, many, no matter how disciplined are governed by their emotions. So whatever we do we need to be cognizant of that."

"Obviously we will eliminate such things as holodeck use. It must go beyond that."

"My first suggestion is that we move the entire crew, including senior staff to three decks. That would allow us to run the barest minimum of life support to non-essential areas and crew quarters that we are no longer using."

"What is your opinion? What other ideas do you have?"

Sera looked introspective for a moment as she contemplated. "Crew consolidation is an option I had not yet considered but may be required. We could utilize the Jefferies tubes connecting the decks for crew movement as turbolifts should also be taken off-line unless critically necessary."

"Reduced power protocols dictate power reduction to environmental controls to 50%. That will mean temperatures near freezing throughout the ship. We will have to ensure that the crew has appropriate gear for maintaining normothermia."

"Galileo has emergency rations, correct?" Sera inquired, knowing the Chief of Operations would know the answer to this, and given he was Vulcan would probably know it down to the correct count of condiments.

"Yes, we do. Verifying that was one of the first things I did after boarding this vessel. At the time, it was just another exercise in redundancy. I even requisitioned some additional supplies, which may help.

Our supply as I am sure you could logically surmise is, however, not endless. We have enough supplies to last three weeks, four days, and 7.3 hours. We could almost double that time if we ration to the minimum sustainable nutrition levels."

"Efficient." Sera said in response. She expected nothing less from a fellow Vulcan.

"Although further rationing would be logical, Lieutenant Serran, the reduction in ambient temperature along with the other privations necessary to reduce power consumption might reduce morale and efficiency. That may be something that might need to be revisited in the future if our current difficulties do not improve."

"Turning to Quartermaster supplies, do we have enough cold-weather gear for the crew or will replication be necessary? I have made my calculations based on a need for item replication. However, if it is not necessary the power consumption I have 'earmarked' for this task can be utilized in other areas - or 'saved' for contingency."

Serran turned away from her and reached for a PADD behind him. There were at least a dozen PADDs on his desk in a seemingly haphazard arrangement. He found the one he was looking for without hesitation on his first try.

"Unfortunately, some replication will be necessary. However, I believe we should be able to keep that to a minimum. He looked down at the device he was holding a second time.

"1.43 hours of replicator time should suffice."

Sera dipped her head in assent. "That will be acceptable. I would recommend immediate mobilization to replicate the still required items."

"If you have a formalized plan for consolidating the crew - it should be provided to the captain for final approval - however, your suggestion would allow for the power usage to be utilized elsewhere."

"Disabling life support in the non-inhabited areas should not prove to be a problem for my team, but the consolidation will need to be coordinated by your department. I will require the approved areas for life support termination but that can be performed without much difficulty."

Serran nodded. His brow furrowed momentarily before he reached out. He picked up two PADDs from a precariously balanced stack and set them aside. He then handed the one that had just become visible to her.

"That should have everything you need on it. Ensign."

Sera's brows rose at the other Vulcan's rather unorthodox organization methods, but she took the PADD and began to review the data. Serran appeared to be quite thorough in his research. "It does appear to be quite...comprehensive." She kept scrolling.

"My thanks, Lieutenant." Sera finally responded after completing the meticulously detailed data.

"It was agreeable to meet you, though the circumstances were less than ideal. Perhaps after this situation is resolved we could speak again."

Sera dipped her head "Indeed, Lieutenant. As this ship is small, the odds of us speaking again is quite high. Good day."

[OFF]

--

Ensign S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor
Acting Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo-A

&

LTJG Serran
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galileo-A

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