|
(3.18) Command Decisions
Command Decisions
Coruscant Space
ISA Ka-riss-ah
The engineering decks are the heart and soul of the ship. It is from this labyrinth of pipes and equipment that the ship derives its power. Normally nearly half of the crew would be stationed and quartered in this large section of the ship. Thanks to Carissa's extremely advanced artificial intelligence, the normal engineering crew of over six hundred for a ship this size was cut down to just under four hundred engineers. However for Carissa, the days of a complete crew are long past. Today she is having to make do with the very small number of crew she has available. While she is grateful for them, never before had she had to take on so many tasks that would normally be handled by her crew. It was an incredible strain on her own automated systems.
“Its not going to hold” Carissa said as she watched the red nine inch pipe that ran between her reactors and transferred coolant between the massive reactors. Carissa and Oktra had been working on this particular line for nearly sixteen hours hours. The endeavor had started out to be a simple task of cleaning the valves and resetting cooling valves before the Captain and his staff returned to the ship. However it turned out to be a major rebuild project for each of the elven, nine inch valves. The need to rebuild the valves came to light when the first one was discovered badly corroded and none functional. It was only by a matter of luck that the reactors were running at such a low level or else they could have gone critical. Now the three of them have been working hard in to the night to get the coolant flow issues for the reactors back under control. This was the final valve to be tested.
Oktra smiled, “It'll hold. You wait and see. She'll hold.” Oktra stood their leaning on a five foot pipe wrench as if it was a large cane. Just by looking at her, no one would guess that she was a runaway navy brat. Strong willed and determined to make sure that her Captain has a working ship when he return was only part of her driving force. She loved this ship and all that came with it. Never before had she ever come across anything like it. Putting it back together was as much a mater of pride as it was well, a challenge for her. She watched as the read out on her data pad told her that the test was beginning. Running actual reactor coolant through the line at this point was simply too dangerous. Instead she came up with a means of pressure testing the line under steam before placing it back in to service. It was a clever idea that had rewarded her with a bit of praise from Carissa. The long day was clearly seen on her face as she stood there watching the valve take more pressure with each passing moment.
The sounds of the coolant system coming to life started to fill the large spaces around the reactors. It was extremely important to ensure that the system was able to hold at over one hundred twenty five percent. These tests were designed by Oktra to prove this. Though, being a perfectionist she insisted on pushing the tests to one hundred thirty percent to, as she put it, 'Account for combat conditions.' The voice of her beloved man echoed through the area, “Okay Ladies, we are now passing fifty percent on the line. You Ladies might want to stand back. You know just in case it doesn't hold.” He was the first man that she met after she ran away from home. He took her under his wing and showed her the ropes of being a scraper. It was her pure knack as an engineer that really carried them both from job to job. Out in the fringes, she was known by name for being able to repair any ship, or fighter.
Oktra spun towards the camera that she knew he was watching them through, “I SAID IT WILL HOLD!” She snapped then turned back to the valve, 'I know it will hold' she reassured herself. However she knew better then to chance being burned by nearly five hundred degree steam blast. Oktra carefully took a step back with Carissa. She turned to Carissa and smiled, “It'll hold. You will see.” Carissa was really on top of things when it came to this engine room and Oktra really liked her. She couldn't understand why such a computer would ever be built but she really liked her. It was no wonder she was programmed a woman though. 'Woman are more logical and more intelligent than man are' she silently joked to herself.
Carissa continued watch the valve as the voice echoed throughout the area that the pressure was passing fifty five percent. “It won't hold passed sixty percent. There is a hair line crack along the wall of the valve, this one was simply too badly corroded.” Carissa pointed out softly as they continued to watch the valve. She turned to the Bothan engineer, “you really did a great job on the others.” Carissa could connect with the determination and skill of Oktra. However she knew that there was a problem with the Bothan. She could tell that there was an issue with addiction and her insane work hours. She would have brought it up to the First Officer, however they had too much on their hands at the time. Carissa opened up a medical log and continued to observe the situation.
Oktra smiled as the voice echoed sixty percent. “See, I told you she would hold” she said almost with a cocky snub to her voice. It wasn't more than a moment later when hot steam burst from the valve triggering alarms to sound in the area. Within seconds the entire area was filled with rapidly cooling steam as Oktra yelled out, “DAMNIT! Shut it down......SHUT IT DOWN!” Luckily for Oktra she had move back some. She managed to get soaked but not burned from the steam. Dropping her head she sighed deeply. The failure only meant more time spent on this valve and less on her next project. She was already running way behind on her own schedule.
It took only a moment for the steam and mist to dissipate from the area leaving Oktra looking more upset than wet. Her coat of hair was completely drenched with water as she looked at the valve which had failed on her. The alarms were still sounding as she looked to Carissa who seemed to open her mouth as to say something but Oktra cut her off with a finger between their faces, “It held pass sixty percent Ms. Know-It-All” she turned to the valve once more, “Turn these alarms off!” she snapped walking over to the edge of the catwalk.
Carissa followed closely behind, “Alarms are silenced and reset now.” Carissa ran through a large array of scans of the area to ensure that it was safe for them to still remain here. She determined the area safe. Oktra was an excellent engineer but she didn't show a mind for safety. Too many times she the young Bothan rush in to a situation only to realize that she placed herself in harms way for now reason.
Oktra placed the large wrench on the pipe and on the railing of the catwalk. She stepped up on the railing and kicked her leg over, “What was the level at before we lost the valve?” She was already setting her mind around what had to be done and how to make the valve work correctly. She knew about the hair line fracture but it was a calculated risk. Not all hair lines end in failure and this one could have held passed one hundred and forty percent. It was only luck of the draw that it failed.
“I put nearly sixty four percent on the line before we lost valve.” Nichos said calmly then paused as if almost unsure if he should continue, “I think that we might have to replace the entire valve assembly” Echoed the voice from high above in the engineering control room. He might not be a nature as Oktra was, but he understood when it was simply necessary replace a part instead of repairing it. He also knew her stubbornness to admit defeat when it came to her passion.
Oktra was nearly fully over the railing as she listened to the assessment. She looked down at the decks below. 'Wow its a long way down!' she thought as she stepped out over to the pipe. “That is all well and good but when you only have two replacement valves in stock, one can not just go about replacing every valve simply because we can. The truth is, we can't afford to replace them. We have to redo the welds again. That is the best way to get this fixed with what we have to work with” she said as she grunted while she lifted the large wrench and placed it on one of the large nuts that held the valve in place. “Its not like we can pull in to the nearest space dock, 'oh excuse me, can I get some parts?' You forget our situation.”
Carissa watched the actions that Oktra was taking with great concern. “Don't you think you should tie of with a safety line?” She was very concerned once more as she ran the calculations of Oktra falling. The pipe line was wet, Oktra was near exhausted and frustrated. These were very bad combinations and could very well lead to an accident. “I really think you need to stop what you are doing and rethink your plan, Oktra”
Oktra worked the first of the ten bolts free and tossed it over to the catwalk, “I got this. Make sure that that crane is ready to take this assembly back down to the repair shop” she said as she latched the wrench on the next large nut. “Nichos! Get your sweet ass down here lover!” She snapped as she heaved the large wrench as she started to loosen the next nut. Once she worked that nut loose she worked it out with her hands and tossed the bolt and nut back on the catwalk with the first one. The last time they did this, it took them nearly an hour just to set up a platform to work from. However nearly an thirty minutes in to the project, they found out on this one valve the platform prevent removing the last three bolts.
Carissa watched the Bothan engineer continued to work the next nut free and toss it along side the first two. She lined up the fourth nut on the wrench and started to pull with all her might against the wrench to break the nut free. Then without warning the wrench slipped from the nut slamming in to the Oktra's chest with such impact that she lost her footing. Oktra let out a scream as she let the wrench go in a futile effort to maintain her footing. The wrench fell as it hit and bounced off of pipes, the reactor housing and other metal objects as it worked its way down. Oktra fell backwards between the pipe and the railing of the catwalk with a scream of terror. Carissa attempted to reach out for Oktra but she was only a hair off from making contact with Oktra's arm as it slipped pass the edge of the railing.
Oktra hit a pipe which spun her about and flipped her over. She slammed belly and arm first on to the railing of the catwalk right below the level they were just working on. As her body folded over the railing there was a loud snapping and crushing sound. Her head hit first as she flopped down to the grated floor of the catwalk. Her legs sort of flopped over her body and landed as she laid face up looking up at the grating above her. She didn't even remember hitting the floor of the catwalk. She laid their looking up at the catwalk above, 'Those bolts and nuts are not in a line!' she thought as the pain from her body screamed out in her numb mind.
Carissa transferred her Avatar to the level belove just at the same time Oktra was landing. She looked over the Bothan's body as she scanned it for wounds. “Be careful, you have a compound fracture of your right arm. There are two broken a ribs, and a number of bruised ribs. I am also detecting signs of a soft tissue damage along your trunk and both shoulders.” Carissa said as she placed a hand over the Bothan's chest, “There are also near toxic levels of endorphins and adrenalins within your blood supply from the substance that you call glass.”
Nichos saw the fall from two levels up and was helpless to do anything about it. He flew down the ladders to reach her and ran the last leg as fast as he could while he rushed up to where they were, “Oh my god Oktra! Are you okay?” He said in a panicked voice as he slid next to her. He turned to Carissa, “Is she okay?” The concern in his voice was clear as was the love for her in his eyes. He seemed near panicked at the situation.
Carissa nodded as she accessed her medical database and started to plan out the next steps of tending to the wounded Bothan, “Move to her shoulder, am I going to attempt to reset her arm.” She took hold of the clearly broken arm as Oktra looked up trying to just breath. “Hold her shoulders steady and don't let go no matter what.” She positioned the arm as best as she could while looking at Oktra, “This WILL hurt allot” she calmly said.
Oktra was surprised that she hardly felt any pain. She knew it was there, but there simply wasn't anything for her to feel. She heard the crack of her arm as she noticed Carissa was working on her, then felt the wave of unimaginable pain. She let out a scream that echoed throughout the entire Engineering decks. She laid her head back as she closed her eyes. The pain was horrible now and she just wanted to go back to that moment when she was numb. She wasn't sure how much time had passed but she felt a bit better. She opened her eyes to see Carissa just finish tyeing two wide bits of metal to her broken arm. They were tied very tightly to her arm. The pain had once more subsided to near nothing again. She took a deep breath as she looked back up at the valve. She could easily see where it failed at now. “Okay so I guess we will have to replace the valve?”
Nichos nearly laughed at the comment, “you just took a fifteen foot free fall on to a railing. You need rest Oktra!” He placed his hand on her shoulder, “Baby, I know you want to get this done. But please babe, you need to get rest and medical attention.”
Carissa nodded, “I have to agree with Nichos, you need to spend time in the medical bay.” She said as she accessed her command files in relation to medical situations like this. There were lines were a crew member could be relieved of duty. The only problem was, she needed authorization from a member of the command staff to carry it out.
Oktra tried to get back up but Nichos held her down, “I have to get back to the maintenance schedule. Owwww” she said as she tried to move him from holding her down. “We are already behind by what three weeks.”
Carissa looked down at the wounded Bothan, “Actually you are more then four hundred hours behind the normal schedule.” She started to activate the communication systems in hopes of reacting Captain Ogon, however there was a command line already in place. 'No Out Going Transmissions!' She canceled her plan and just accepted the situation for what it was.
Oktra focused her effort and pushed her loving boyfriend aside and set up, “I KNOW!” she reached in to her pocket and pulled out a small auto injector. She looked at the clear liquid inside with a sigh. It was what she needed so much right now. It was glass, a highly addictive drug that would clear her mind and allow her to at least complete the work on the cooling valve.
Carissa cocked her head to the side and frowned, it also confused her why beings would waste their lives away poisoning themselves with chemicals. “You need help, Oktra.”
There was just so much that needed to be done and so little time. She tried to show her new commander that she was valuable and was an assist to the ship. But he just never gave her the help she needed. Sure the last crisis they all seemed to help out. But then they all left to go play around on Coruscant. 'Sure enjoying the night life and dancing' she thought ill of their partying while she was killing herself for their ship. She rolled the small little clear auto injector in her fingers, “What would you have me do” she asked looking up at Carissa.
Carissa smiled at the sign that she was finally getting through to Oktra about her addiction problem. While she had many files that covered addiction, she was never really qualified to render help with it. She would spend hours watching Dr. Kingston talk with those that had suffered from addiction issues. He was able to pick up on the slightest of signs that Carissa seemed to miss. “First and foremost, you need to get help. You can not do this alone” she said with a reassuring smile and continued, “no one could.”
Oktra snapped her head up so fast it nearly made her dizzy from the motion. She looked right in to Carissa's eyes and she knew the answer. “Your right” she said as she struggled to her feet with aide from her boyfriend. “What was I thinking, you are so completely right” she said then turned to her boyfriend with a smile. “Nichos, you recall that Republic military Intelligence guy from about two years ago” she asked as she motioned him to help her move to a near by data terminal.
Helping her reach the chair of the terminal he guided her in to the chair, “Yeah, I think his name was um...Colonel Ward or something like that” He said as he helped her sit down at the data terminal “I think he is still stationed out on Cuishnia”
Carissa followed with concern, “I think you miss understood what I meant by getting help.” Carissa said as she already realized that she had missed one of those signs that Dr. Kingston wouldn't have. She was not sure how to continue to get the conversation back on her addiction problem.
Oktra turned to her, “No, you were completely correct. We do need help and I know how to get it.”
“I do not believe the Captain would be very pleased with this choice of action.” Carissa said softly fearing what Ogon would say on his return to the ship. This was spinning out of control already.
Oktra turned to Nichos, “Go to our things and see if you can find my pink and black data pad. His contact information is listed there.”
Before she could address Carissa, Nichos spoke up, “Hey you said you got rid of that data pad!”
She smiled to him, “Oh but you love it when I bring the girls home to play. I have to have my play time too lover. Anyways, I always let you watch.” He nodded with a smile, “Now go get the data pad.” He turned and rushed off. This gave her the time she needed to speak with Carissa, “Did the Captain get my request?”
Carissa nodded, “Yes he did.” Carissa knew when it was time to start damage control. She had to be careful because their was a crew now and she didn't want to loss their trust because she betrayed the command structure that they had created.
“Did he deny that request?” She already knew the answer and knew that Carissa knew it as well.
“No he didn't. He actually said that he was planning to do what he could to get as much of your request as possible.” Carissa said softly knowing where this was going. Already she was calculating what needs to be said to put this to rest. “This action should be taken up with the Captain as soon as possible.” She knew that the order meant that this conversation would have to wait till the Captain returned.
Oktra smiled as she knew something about military structure. “Fine, I agree, lets speak to the Captain.”
Carissa shook her head, “We are on a communication black out. The Captain is unreachable.”
“The XO?”
“Unreachable”
Oktra smiled because she knew what Captain Ogon had done and what he had done to make her plan possible. It was all up to how Carissa was programmed now. “Who is third in command?”
Carissa was already seeing this run its course and she both didn't like it and was powerless to stop it, “That would be the Operation's Officer. That position has not been filled yet.”
“So which position that has been filled is next in line of Command?” Oktra said with a smile.
“The Chief Engineer, which would be you.” Carissa said in defeat. One of the problems in naming a Captain was that she now had to follow his orders. She trusted Ogon and his wisdom. She only hoped that his trust in his crew was as strong as her trust in him. “Fine, what is your plan?”
Oktra smiled with victory in her eyes, “Here” she said turning to face the terminal. “I found these schematics of everything we have on board a couple of weeks ago. Ship born weapons systems right down to these pulse rifles here, their all stored in these data bases. See, I know the value of these documents. They could easily fetch us more than enough to get the help we need to repair the engine room and than some.”
Carissa watched what Oktra was going over carefully, “I don't think that Captain Ogon would approve of you trading my weapon systems for this help you speak of.”
“Oh I agree” she said as she worked the station with her left hand it was slow but she knew what she was doing and need to get this down fast, “That is why I am thinking of these babies.” She said as she brought up detailed schematics of all of Carissa's fighters. “I know fighter designs like the back of my hand. My daddy built fighters for the Republic. He designed them and I learned all I know from him and more. These two will work nicely. They are both slightly superior to what I have seen from the Republic within their own categories. However, are not as advanced as the models you currently carry now.” Oktra continued to work her pitch as she turned to Carissa, “This Colonel Ward, he is so focused on his word. I know I can get him to agree to helping us and leave once the work is down.” Oktra looked down at her broken and bandaged arm, “Please trust me, Carissa, I will never place you in harm's way. You said so yourself that you were never designed to operate like this. We need this help. It's all a matter of knowing who you are dealing with.”
Carissa nodded at the plan as she heard it. It was actually a sound plan as long as the factor of this Colonel Ward could be trusted. “How are you going to keep them in the engineering sections” Carissa asked softly as she continued to review the files to make sure that she was not missing something.
“Well we have already cut off a number of the access points. But I think we need to really make this section completely isolated” she said as she turned back to the terminal and brought up the deck by deck plans of the engineering sections. “These life support systems will have to be repaired and brought online. While these access ports will have to be welded shut from the collar side.” Oktra explained.
Carissa nodded, “You should place motion sensors along the passages ways as well. My internal senors are still down in these areas. Also there is a passage way here” she said pointing to a bulkhead. “P39B”
Oktra looked at the deck plan and the door assignment. “What? There is no P39B? Are you sure?”
“Its a security access in the event that hostile aliens take over the engineering spaces” Carissa explained. “This way, Security will be able to move in to the engineering spaces through that corridor” she said pointing to a main corridor line, “which has access to all areas of engineering.”
Oktra looked up at Carissa, “Your people really disliked alien races, didn't they?” Carissa only nodded, “Fine we will have to seal this one as well. We can bring them aboard here at the number six cargo bay. It has direct access to only this section of the ship and I can watch them from the engineering control room as they move on and off the ship.” Oktra turned to Carissa, “so what do you think?”
Carissa nodded, “it is possible. The only factor I am having problems calculating is this Colonel Ward.”
“Don't worry about him, I have worked with him before. He owes me big time.” Oktra said as she got up, “I need those two files compressed and encrypted.” Carissa nodded as she moved toward the terminal and started to complete the request.
Nichos returned with the data pad “Here is your data pad” he said handing it to her.
Oktra smiled as she ran through it, “Here he is. Hows your lessons in piloting those new craft going?”
“pretty good I think. I can take off and land without rubbing against the walls on the flight deck.” He explained as Carissa just rolled her eyes.
“Good, I will need you to take this and fly away from the ship. Three hours out and send this message to Colonel Ward. Tell him that the meeting is here in Coruscant space and unless he wants the Hutts or the CSA to get the first crack on what I found he better hurry his ass up. Make sure that you include my demands as well as this personal message with it. It will tell him all he needs to know about what I want and expect from him” Oktra said smiling “Now get going.” She watched as her boyfriend ran off for the landing bay, “Well it looks like I have allot of welding to do. Luckily, I can do that one handed” she said laughing as she started to get up.
It was clear in Carissa's eyes that she was not completely sure about this course of action but she was really left without much choice in the matter. After all it was a command decision made by one of her Officers. She could go to the Captain about it once he returns but for the moment she was bound by his orders of command. Before Oktra turned she looked at Carissa, “I know I have a problem. Don't think I miss it.”
“It was a contribution to your accident that cost you your arm for the moment. It could have cost you your life.” Carissa pointed out surprised that the issue had come back up.
“I know” she said looking down, “But I need it to get through this. Once the repairs are done, I will stop taking them. Once I have a chance to get a break. I promise. For the moment, I really need them to keep going. Just..um...please don't tell anyone about it.” Oktra said in near humble voice.
Carissa looked at the Bothan in sadness. She could feel the shame and humbled state it took the admit the issue but she was still bound by Alliance Law. Captain Ogon didn't remove those protocols yet. “I can't Oktra, I am sorry. I am bound by Law to report anything that could place life or ship in danger to the Captain. Your accident has shown that it is a threat to your own life. So I must report it. However, I can ask him to speak to you privately about it. I can request that the file be sealed for your privacy. There is much that he can allow. But by law he must know.” Carissa explained softly.
Oktra knew that Carissa was right. She had always known she had a problem with Glass. But never before had she belonged to something so much larger than herself. Before it was merely jumping from one pirate ship to another. Never before even caring about the crew or their goals. For once she had reason to care. She looked at the large beautiful engine room with a smile. Never before had she seen such a beautiful piece of art. She wanted this to be her home. If it meant beating Glass once and for all, that is what she would have to do. “Ok, Carissa” she said as she motioned down the catwalk, “We have allot of work to do. Shall we?” Carissa nodded as the Bothan led the way.
|
