Finally, Some Good News

Posted on Thu Sep 1st, 2016 @ 9:52am by Captain Elijah Michaels & Lieutenant Valeria Mordin

Mission: Do Not Follow
Location: Officer's Mess

"Computer, location of Captain Elijah Michaels?" the rabbitess asked, and the computer returned that the Captain was currently in the officer's mess. Possibly one last drink before returning to bed. Valeria and Kevin made their way through the chaos of the Victory's post-battle scene to the Mess. With the Turbolifts repaired, or at the very least functional, the trip wasn't as harsh as it was on the way down to Medical or Intel. Though, the Victory had certainly seen better days, all the more reason to get this knowledge to the Captain as quickly as possible.

There was hardly anyone else in the Mess when the pair arrived. Valeria made her way up to the Captain's proximity, as quiet as a breeze in her usual fashion. "Captain. We've uncovered something tactically game changing about our enemy." a pause, "Enough that it couldn't wait until morning."

She motioned for Kevin to continue. This was technically his department's find.

"Sir, we've looked over the unknown ships firing data upon the Cee One probe, it's ok, I cleared Lt Mordin to see it, and also upon our ship" Kevin said, and as he handed the CO a PADD he added "please direct your viewing to that ships phaser ports just before it fires. Look carefully Sir, what do you see?"

Elijah watched intently for a second. "I don't Lieutenant what am I seeing?" He asked him.

Kevin wound back the time index on the PADD and said "Just before the mystery ship fires, there's a distortion at the phaser ports, as if shielding is dropped. If we work out a way to trigger the shielding again, before they fire, then that ship can't use it's weapons!"

"It's possible they need shielding that unique and that encompassing to protect their systems from the intense interference and hazardous environs of the Expanse. Once a means to consistently refresh their shields is met, we can speak with Engineering about making the requisite modifications either to a single phaser bank or, potentially, a proximity triggered torpedo." Valeria offered in support.

"Yes....yes" Kevin said thoughtfully "not only that, but if we can workout how to trigger their phaser shields, who's to say that the same principal can't be used to help lower their main shields, after all, I'd imagine they work on the same principal as the phaser shields!"

The Captain nodded, it was some good news at last considering the almost practical destruction of the Victory by this foe. "We need to ensure that our weapons are at a decent percentage if we are successful." He commented to them both. "Otherwise it'll be like shooting a pissed off bear with a water pistol."

"I'll make sure Tactical's ready Sir" Kevin said, "but if I may, a lot of the credit should go to Lt Mordin here. I would recommend it be she who works with Engineers to figure out the finer details of how we stop the phaser shields from being dropped by the enemy ship as it prepares to fire" he added.

"Nonsense, it was an honor to be called in to assist, but this is a credit to the Intel department Captain." Valeria continued after a pause, "Though, at Mr. Kilbane's recommendation I'll be more then pleased to assist Engineering."

Elijah nodded. "Either way it's a good job, both of you have worked hard to give us a fighting chance."

"Thank you Sir" Kevin said "If you don't mind, I'll go back to the Intel office to see if there's anything else we can use."

Valeria gave a nod to the Captain as well, "Thank you sir. With no disrespect to posture, I'm needed in Engineering. By your dismissal."

"Alright, dismissed." Elijah said with a nod towards the two officers.