Meeting of the Minds (Part 2)

Posted on 12 Nov 2012 @ 12:43am by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Trisant Myrddin & Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeroen Adlar & Crewman Athlen & Petty Officer 3rd Class & Vincent Kramer Ph.D. & Bal Kenyal MSc & Corynn'tha M.D., Ph.D. & Ensign Karen Taylor

1,982 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo, Deck 2; Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD 03 1515 hours

Last time on Meeting of the Minds...

Maenad watched and listened to everyone as they spoke, careful not to interrupt any of them. The Pacifican she thought was an interesting team member, having never met or seen one in person. She was also perked by Bal's mentioning of being a former commanding officer, about which she made a mental note to address another time. The rest seemed to make a healthy group of scientists; everybody had their brand of reservedness, except for the rigelian Athlen, whom she found uniquely amusing. She entertained the idea of a science department Christmas party, imagining how uncomfortable they all would be.

"Very well," Maenad said after a few seconds' pause following Mister Adlar. "On to business," she nodded to Ensign Cho. "Miss Cho, would you please share with us your report?"

And now the conlusion...

[ON]

"Yes Sir," Standing up again Kiri tapped on the control for the projector. An image of the front end of the Galileo appeared, the hull was transparent to show a network of boxes, wires and lists of names coming from each one. Tucking her hands behind her back Kiri changed tone, just like the was giving a speech, "Due to the repairs taking place on the ship we have a chance to upgrade hour sensor systems. To this end I have been working with Master Chief Petty Officer Quinn and between us we have designed the new layout. Using brand new technological developments in zero point energy, nanites, memory banks and light sensors as well are new algorithms to help the computer detect anomalies. This also integrates a new power network concurrent with the existing one that means they will be running two levels giving us much more control." While she could go on and talk at great length about each detail given how few questions there where when she was merely updating the power grid before, it was better to attempt to be more interactive.

"This is something I will be putting to the First Officer later today, before that though I welcome any questions you may have as well as give you the chance to review the designs," Taking a deep breath she looked around, "It will provide more extensive readings for all departments, so it should help all of you." Feeling rather lost and tailing off now she added, "Are there any questions?"

Maenad wasn't aware that this project had not yet been approved by their superiors, which caught her by surprise. Not knowing the first officer, they still hadn't been acquainted, she was uncertain how this would be taken. The idea was sound, and Kiri's report had shown that it was more than a hope that it could work. But, working under the assumption that this had already been planned for at least a few days, Maenad wondered whether Kiri was going beyond the chain of command; normally such requests would be submitted to her, and she would be the one to take it higher. Not wanting to mention this now, she remained silent on the matter and decided to speak to Kiri afterward.

"Will there be new interfaces in order for us to use the new sensors, or will the interfaces remain the same, only the sensors being amplified?" Maenad asked, her index finger touching the tip of her nose.

Her voice slightly breathy Kiri answered quickly, "The interfaces will remain the same but with more options, being more accurate with a greater range information can be built up and confirmed much faster." Sucking on her lip for a second she waited for the next question, then it came.

"Do these updated algorithms apply to all stations, or merely the sensors?" Athlen asked curiously, raising his hand a little when a lull fell across the room. "That is, could we for example use the updated sensor algorithms to feed into the data banks to detect higher fluctuations within the information it is fed? For instance, one might utilize the Universal Translator to a higher degree, or solve a linguistic or cryptographic puzzle more promptly?"

"The algorithms were adapted from software release Theta Three Seven Six D that is planned to be patched to all vessels in the next few weeks. If you wish I can help adapt a new set of programs for other systems but the official Starfleet versions will be available in the next few months." There had been a few weeks at the Academy she had been given a chance to work on the newest release, she even had a working copy of her own that was used as a base for the start of these programs. "We could also make a request for new programs and assistance from Operations and Engineering Departments."

Nodding at what he was hearing, Tristant squinted as he puzzled through something Ensign Cho had mentioned earlier. He looked up and turned his head towards Cho. "This new power network," asked Trisant, "will it be exclusive to the sensor systems?"

"Yes, but the existing network will also remain in place for less sensitive sensor systems and backups, it shouldn't effect any other systems." It was a matter of providing power for the new systems that required the new feed. While they would create great sensor readings, they also required quite a lot of power from the powerplants and warpcore.

Satisfied with Kiri's presentation and its questioning, Maenad sat forward once all who had spoken were finished. "Thank you, ensign," she nodded to Kiri. "Over the next few days, your tasks will remain the same; I am not assigning anything new, and you will continue reporting your repair progress to Ensign Cho. Before I dismiss all of you, I would like to know the status of your individual departments, what you're doing toward getting them back online, and how much longer you anticipate repairs will take before they return to operational status."

"The sociology laboratory was hit fairly hard," Athlen said. "We are coordinating most of our efforts with diplomacy, as they are the primary users besides us. Fortunately, a few people in the Support department have been able to help on an as-needed basis," Athlen shrugged, "As I am particularly useless at engineering," and grinned, "With Support's assistance so far it mostly seems to be operational now, save for the larger databases which require," Athlen paused, recalling Liyar's words, "Eh, additional input from the ship's greater systems? We have no control over this, as far as I am aware, until the greater systems themselves are online."

Kenyal spoke up, satisfied that he was free to do so. He gazed across the table at Panne, his features relatively blank. "I'm satisfied that biology and exobiology systems are generally good to go, Doctor. I've noticed external damage to bulkheads in the PD lab and the botany lab - both of which could use a bit of a tidy up. Otherwise, we seem to be in working order."

Corynn'tha stood up and the Vulcan addressed the group. "Xenobiologgy suffered only minimal damage from the hard landing. We lost four specimen samples, and one of our data rods that held a large amount of information of several experiments. However, the data can be replaced...mostly. It would be illogical for me to complain, as it achieves nothing, but...regret," She sat back down and crossed her hands before her.

Nexia stood next and spoke to her fellow scientists. "The oceanology lab was completely lost during the Sienna Device incident. All the tanks either cracked so seriously that the water drained out or, the tanks critically failed and were destroyed. It will take a very long time to recollect the data that was lost."

"An engineering team has completed repairs on the Stellar Cartography lab," said Trisant Myrrdin without standing, and then he sighed faintly, "except for the holography equipment. I've been told they cannot spare a team for holography repairs for at least another three days. Our own databases are intact, but we haven't been able to connect with Starfleet's cartography databases."

Maenad fingered her notes into the PADD in her lap. Much of what was being said was in Kiri's report from this morning, but she wanted to hear it for herself and it gave the others the information for themselves. There were officers around the table that hadn't answered, but that was most likely because they were not involved in the repairs. Not all science officers were as versed in computer systems, ship operations, maintenance, and engineering as others.

"Thank you, everyone," Maenad said after a few seconds of writing in her PADD. "This has been a success; I look forward to working with you." Her green eyes shone in the natural light of the room and her smile was true. "If there aren't any questions, dismissed."

Standing up with everyone else Kiri cautiously skirted around the table towards Doctor Corynn'tha. Making sure she had caught the Vulcans attention she spoke very softly, "I would like the chance to review your data storage methods to prevent such a loss in the future, is that okay?"

Corynn'tha raised an eyebrow. "Indeed Lieutenant. That would be...agreeable. I am always available."

"Thank you," Kiri nodded and managed a small smile, "I'll message you a time shortly." She felt there was no reason for data to be lost at any point, so it required an investigation.

As everyone started getting up to leave, Maenad inclined her head somewhat. "Mister Kenyal, Miss Cho; could you remain behind for a minute, please?" It was more an order than a question, her tone cryptic.

Freezing in place for a moment Kiri turned, looking slightly confused. Swallowing her nerves she approached, taking a place a few steps away from her CO.

Athlen ducked out from behind Cho, exiting the room with a cheerful, 'See you later!' and a wave behind him to the rest of his colleagues.

Kenyal waited, as requested. Or ordered; he wasn't quite sure. Presumably, an order was the correct term for it. He used to give orders to non Starfleet staff members aboard the Voltaire. He wondered, precisely, how this was going to unfold. His impression of the science chief had led him to believe that she was formal, yet succinct. An old fashioned 'chewing out' was probably not on the cards. He stared blankly at the table, waiting on the others to leave.

As the others filed out of the room, Maenad formulated the questions that she had for Bal in her mind. He was a former commanding officer, which she wanted to ask him about. What kind of ship did he have, what were his specialties? By the sound of it, he was probably a good man to have on the team; she was disappointed by his late arrival, but people were late sometimes. She wasn't furious about it, though she would remind him about the importance of being punctual.

All in all, Maeand was pleased with the way everything had gone. She knew that she would be able to enjoy the days off to come, knowing her people were competent and experienced, and that the department was on track.

To be continued...


[OFF]

Lieutenant (JG) Maenad Panne
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Corynn'tha Dr., Ph.D
Xenobilogist
USS Galileo

Petty Officer 3rd Class Nexia Alona
Oceanography
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (JG) Kiri Cho
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Crewman Athlen
Sociologist, SCC
USS Galileo

Bal Kenyal MSc
Biologist
USS Galileo

Petty Officer 1st Class Trisant Myrddin (played by Kohl)
Stellar Cartographer
USS Galileo

Dr. Vincent Kramer
Science Officer
USS Galileo

Ensign Karen Taylor
Astrometrics Officer
USS Galileo

PO2 Jeroen Adlar
Geoengineer
USS Galileo

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