Out Damned Spot

Posted on Sat Jun 26th, 2021 @ 4:27am by Willian Targaryen & Lieutenant Commander Sawbones & Captain Ryan Walsh

1,119 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Saucer Sickbay, Starfleet One
Timeline: 0000-00-01, 01:45

Admiral Willian Targaryen adjusted the scan ratio on the Engineering Tricorder he was using, trying to locate the source of the power drain to the systems. With the amount of damage that the ship experienced in its transition to - well wherever they were he had ordered the dwindling engineers and droids to focus on the primary systems. He himself decided to focus on the Saucer Sickbay as the main one near Engineering was a near lost cause.

The Saucer Sickbay was a quarter the size of the main one, but it was better than nothing. It still featured accommodations that most Doctors could only dream of though and he needed to get them back into place. Still, he'd been staring at these screens for over an hour now looking for the interrupt that was keeping it powered down. Slamming the Engineering Tricorder shut he sighed and just stared at the circuit housing. "Where the Hell are you?" He asked the malfunction knowing that it would never answer him.

Adjusting the magnetic probe he started to look at the next circuit junction when he heard someone nearby. Reaching into the circuits he pulled a positronic chip and studied it carefully as he heard the nearby steps. Sliding it into the housing he spoke, "If you're here to put me out of my misery get it over with so I can get away from these circuit boards."

"I come in peace," Ryan said with a slight smile at his words. "It was you I was looking for, Captain."It looks like you have your hands full at the moment."

He smirked, "It's still Admiral, but with the number of Captains and Admirals that we have on this boat I'm sure my wife will start demoting some of us before all it said and done." He paused, thinking about her. Gathering his inner fortitude, "Provided she wakes up from the coma."

"My apologies, Admiral." Ryan shook his head. "It's been a bit chaotic around here." He smiled at him then. "I actually came to find out what our situation is and where the president is. High Commissioner Haynes sent me to speak with you."

Willian pulled himself back into the circuit housing and started moving positronic chips through the housings, "So far we have been unable to reach the Federation nor Starfleet. Something is wrong with subspace in this era, we're extremely limited with communications, engines, everything. Must be something with that Burn the Andorian kept going on about."

Ryan's eyes widened. "So we don't know where the president is." Jasmine was not going to like that one bit and it didn't sit well with him either. "In this era?" He felt like he was missing something here. "What are you saying?" He felt he knew but he wanted confirmation.

He ran his tricorder over a positronic chip as he spoke, "We have encountered a civilian captain - an Andorian - who claims we are in the 32nd Century during a period in which the United Federation of Planets has fallen. A galactic disaster called 'The Burn' caused dilithium to go inert, which devastated subspace and has prevented Warp travel on almost a galactic scale. Many galactic powers fell in the interim." He ran the multi-tool over the chip this time, adjusting its settings. He slid the chip back in with a smile, hoping it would restore the Sickbay.

It failed. Frustrated, he extracted a second chip and started scanning it. "We have all indications that he's being truthful."

Ryan took a moment to take in what the Admiral had said to him. "And those that are missing....?" He shook his head. "We have no way of knowing what happened to them?"

Activating the sequence he slid the chip into its slot. Immediately the lights throughout the Secondary Sickbay came alive and the consoles rose from their slumber. Smiling, Willian pulled himself out from the circuitry bay only to be confronted by Captain Walsh's question. His smile instantly faded to nothingness. "We have no idea what happened, where or even when they are, Captain. They're just gone."

The Commanding Officer walked over to the central workstation. Entering a control sequence on the diagnostic table he spoke, "Computer, activate Long-Term Medical Holographic Program."

In the corner of the room the holographic replica of Leonard McCoy shimmered into view, its matrix flickering as the computer struggled to bring it online. The LMH was ghostly in appearance, but maintained its traditionally friendly visage, "How can I help?"

"I'm starting to think you're my good luck charm, Captain," Willian said looking at Walsh.

Ryan smiled at his words for a moment. “Anything I can do to help out.” He paused for a moment. “Speaking of which. We’re both kind of at loose ends with our assignments so put me in where you need me most.”

Willian thought for a few moments as he looked at the young Captain. He smirked, "This may sound a bit atypical but I'm afraid I am not overly familiar with your history, Captain. Is there anything that you can do?"

“I worked in security mostly.” Ryan informed him. “But as on any ship, you pick things up along the way. I took some minor medical training and I’ve been known to help out with some emergency fixes on consoles.”

"Deactivate LMH," he crossed his arms, "Normally, someone with your experience I would assign as Strategic Operations of an Intelligence Coordinator. Problem is that you're in the same boat as the rest of us as your information is a couple centuries out of date. We have no idea who anyone is and that brings me over to a more challenging concern."

Willian considered for a moment. "I would prefer to keep as much security as I can around with Mister Biss aboard. Unfortunately that division was hit hardest with our transferrence and Commander O'Sullivan barely has enough team members to adequately defend the ship. Mister Biss has played nice for a short while, but that doesn't mean he will in the long run. We are a very tempting target and he may be the one sending out the invitation. I would like you to work with our Security to keep the ship as safe as possible."

“Understood.” Ryan nodded. “I’ll report to the commander and see where I can help best.”

"Excellent," he answered as he returned to his circuit bay. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

“No Sir.” Ryan replied. “I will report back to the Commissioner and then catch up with the security chief.”

"Carry on then," he acknowledged as he started maneuvering the hyperspanner through the relays as Walsh left the room.

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