A route through engineering

Posted on Thu Jul 10th, 2025 @ 9:52pm by Lieutenant Commander Savin & Ensign Kateyo Fenn

Mission: Character Development
Location: Main engineering
1567 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Old:
"The warp core is as good as any," Teyo said, wondering how quickly he could bore the counsellor, so he gave up on this whole idea. "It's the heart of any starship, and it's right out there." He pointed to outside the office, knowing that Commander Keating was itching to get back to work. "After you, Sir."

"Emphasis on 'short' tour," Finn said as they walked towards the door. "I need Ensign Fenn back working on the plasma injectors before too long." She Teyo a look that said 'I owe you one' before crossing the distance back to her desk and digging back into her research.

New:

Savin preceded the Trill engineer out of the office and waited for him to catch up. "Just the basics will suffice for this time, though I do desire to learn more so I can better anticipate matters in case of an emergency," he explained patiently. "I understand we have three warp cores that can function independently when the ship modules split, but how do they work as one, when the ship is not?"

"That's a good question, Sir," Teyo said, sounding more surprised than he intended to. "The answer is simple, they don't. When the ship is in her normal form, only the main warp core is active, the other are inert. We can activate the smaller cores to help boost the ship's power, but we only do that in dire emergencies. Ideally, we want to be able to activate MVA mode at the drop of a hat and not worry about lower power or no warp capabilities in the Alpha or Beta sections. How much do you know about the core and its functions?"

"It powers the ship," Savin answered, "it is what enables us to travel beyond warp speed. How exactly, I do not know." He absorbed the information as it was given. "Could any of the modules provide power for the entire ship?"

"All but the Alpha module," Teyo answered as he walked the Counsellor over to the railing around the warp core. "Its nacelles are housed away until the ship enters MVA mode. In theory, it can still power the rest of the ship, but it would take a lot more modifications, and there's not always time to do that. If you don't mind me asking, what made you want to take the bridge exam?"

"Because I have a strong desire to be able to help." There was no pause before he answered as it was the honest answer. "I was left in command by chance a while ago, and I felt I was grasping at straws. I do not want that to happen again, so I am using my own time to acquaint myself with the departments and learn what I can to help make decisions that will save lives." He was staring at the mesmerising twirls of colours within the core as he answered, then turned his head to face the Trill again. "I want to be more than just a counselor," he added slowly, "this is not about rank, as I care not for that. This is about personal development and growth."

Teyo turned towards the Counsellor, his thigh resting against the railing. "Just a counsellor?" He repeated. There was an edge to his tone. Not judgmental exactly... surprise maybe. "Isn't being able to fix people just as rewarding as being able to fix the ship? I would imagine there's a lot of satisfaction in your work?"

"You seem surprised," the counselor notes. "I do not fix people, as you put it. I help them heal, but the patient does most of the work. I agree there is satisfaction in being able to help those that want and need it. I do not need to be able to fix the ship, but I do desire to learn how it runs. As I explained, I wish to be able to take command in case it is needed. And in such an event, I need to learn how to do so and not risk the ship and crew in the process."

Savin wasn't sure if he was getting his point across. "Do you have no goals for yourself? Do you not wish to learn and grow beyond your current duties?"

Teyo held up his hands defensively. "Though I do normally love to talk about myself," he smiled a little, knowing there were a few people on the ship that would claim that to be an understatement, "today is about you, Sir. Where would you like to see next?"

"You are the engineer," Savin answered, returning the smile, "you know better than me which locations are important. I do however, have a question... When engaged in combat and the ship has activated shields, how or does this affect the ship's ability to maneuver? Or fire weapons?"

"That would be a better question for Lieutenant Zade, but I can show you the basics," Teyo answered as he led the Counsellor across from the warp core. They stopped at a smaller console next to the master system display and after a few button presses, the screen came alive, showing a graphic of Athena with a blue dotted line around it. "The shields do not affect the ship's manoeuvrability. Think of them as more of an extension of the ship's hull. The shield grid on the hull plating projects the shield and can be manipulated to change shape, size, and density at the wish of the tactical officer, though the default setting is spherical. They draw power from the shield generators, which is one of the things ops will do in the heat of a battle, but is physically maintained by us engineers.

"When it comes to weapons well, that's more complicated," Teyo continued. "The weapons need to be modulated to the same frequency as the shields so that they can safely pass through them and hit their target. It's normally a straightforward process, but if we are rapidly changing the weapon frequency, like when we fight the Borg, the two systems need to be perfectly in sync."

Savin nodded in understanding, watching the screen with genuine interest but also taking note of what seemed like enthusiasm from his instructor. Not to mention knowledge. "I would think that the systems have safety measures in place, should shields and weapons not be in sync?" He mused, looking up at the Trill.

"It's Starfleet, there are safety measures for everything," Teyo mused as he turned the display back to its original function. "There are sixteen different protocols should the weapons and shield grid fall out of sync, most of which are handled by the central computer core. Which is why higher-functioning computer access is normally restricted during the heat of a battle, especially for junior officers like me."

Savin considered the explanation, which did make sense except for one thing. And it wasn't that he didn't understand the statement, it was more the way it was phrased. "Junior officers like you?" He queried curiously. "Please explain." Was it something about Fenn specifically and his behaviour, or was he just referring to his rank as a general.

"Everyone has computer access during a battle," Teyo said, thinking of the best way to simplify his meaning. "We have to be able to do our job for the good of the ship and crew. However, the computer is processing so much information in fractions of a second that I can't even comprehend, and it sometimes has to prioritise which requests are more essential. That prioritisation will normally go to officers with more pips on their collar,"-he pointed to the solo pip on his neck- "because usually they're making command level decisions that will ultimately save the ship."

"Perhaps," Savin mused. He could agree in the decisions making but it was the rest who did all the work. "But where are those with more pips on their collar without the people who depend on the decisions made? People like yourself who do all the work?" He offered a small smile in support. "Suppose I were to assist in engineering, where would I start as a beginner?"

"Well, I know that I'm the backbone of the ship, I'm just waiting for everyone else to catch up," Teyo smirked. He scratched at the stubble on his chin. "Engineering is a very practical department," he answered finally. "However, I think it would be best for you to brush up on the basics first. I'm sure there are some ENG101 classes available on the holodeck. They're pre-Academy level, but they build on the foundations pretty well."

"Thank you," the Romulan counselor answered sincerely, "would you be able to assist me with them? Not now, of course. I will clear it with Commander Finn first , assuming you are willing, of course." Yet the young man seemed quite capable of teaching, and Savin would encourage him to continue, if he could.

"Get me out of sanitation duty and it's a deal," Teyo replied. He could think of worse things to do than teach basic engineering to the Counsellor. "Sort it out with the Commander and I'm all yours."

"Deal," the counselor replied. "Thank you for your time ensign, you have been very helpful. It will not be forgotten." Savin smiled gratefully, as he turned and headed back to his own office.