Balancing priorities

Posted on Thu Aug 28th, 2025 @ 4:57pm by Lieutenant JG Astrja Kyan

Mission: Aeon's End
Location: Ops central and elsewhere
Timeline: MD1
509 words - 1 OF Standard Post Measure

Astrja leaned against the side of the turbolift, watching the readings on her datapad. The energy system was running so close to red it might as well be there. She had not seen a ship’s power system sustain this level of high amber, not even in emergency simulations, for so long. It was Ops’ job to balance the power load, cycling batteries, keeping everything working. For without power, no repairs were possible; the industrial replicators were churning out replacement parts as quickly as they were requested. Engineering, as was proper, had priority, then Medical, and then Ops. That was working as it should. The problem was non-replicatable elements, latinum for example, were being used up rapidly. it was not needed for much, but when it was needed, when, you could not replicate something to substitute.

She sent a request to Command, asking for anyone with latinum strips to turn them over to Ops. If they were not needed, they would be returned, and they were, then they would be replaced from the Federation treasury . . . when they got back. Not if, then, the idea that they would not return to their own time. It was unthinkable.

The turbolift stopped, again, Astrja had been oblivious to the people getting on and off while focused on the energy balancing. She looked up, it was the deck for the Ops officer. She pushed herself off the side of the lift and made her way to the Office.

She dodged past one of the Ops ensigns -Likas, she thought- who was carrying a box of isolinear chips. She slipped in and looked at the hologram of the Athena than was floating above the desk. So much of the ship was amber still , but much less of the crimson then . . . whenever it was she was here last. Their work was paying off. Just slowly. Ever so slowly.

Astrja mechanically ate the food the replicator provided, washing it down with the strongest mug of Andorian The she could manage, as she studied the reports, working out where she needed to go next. “Afor,” she asked, pointing to the hologram, “who is working on the forward launchers?”

“Tactical has some of their people assigned, I can get the names if needed,” replied the QAI.

“Why haven’t they finished?”

“Unknown,” replied Afor. “Shall I query?”

Astrja stood, rubbing her eyes. “No, I will just go and check on them. They probably have a technical problem and are too proud to ask for help.”

“You need sleep,” chided Afor. “You have been awake and working for twenty-three hours.”

“After this, we will need all of our weaponry to be operational if it comes to combat,” said Astrja.

“That is an admirable goal but do not push yourself too hard,” said Afor.

“I will do my best, Afor, but there is so much to be done,” said Astrja.

“You are not the only person working.”

“I know,” said Astrja with a smile. “But I am one of many who will get our dear Athena back in fighting shape.”