The Smithsonian

Posted on Tue Jan 31st, 2017 @ 11:24am by Captain Elijah Michaels & Commander Bertrand Cuprum & Commander Cor Cordale & Lieutenant Ishan Satele & Lieutenant Sara'draphia T'eseri

Mission: All the Kings Men: Wargames
Location: SFI ship

Smith arrived ahead of the volunteers from the Victory. The transporter pad glowed a moment, but the cloaked transporter was designed to be much less obvious than the standard issue. Unlike most SF ships, this one was darker and tighter, with fewer curves and more angles. Even from the inside it gave the impression of sleek speed.

Smith nodded to the transporter chief, "Send them all to the bridge as they arrive, Molly."

He then made his own way up the tight corridor to the small bridge area. It was shaped in an arrow, with helm at the front and Science and Engineering either side. The Captains chair was flanked at each shoulder by the first officer and Tactical positions. Other stations lined a larger area at the back.

"Captain on deck!" came the call as Smith stepped up to his chair.

"Carry on, Dartanyon," Smith nodded. "What is our status?"

"Trilithium Jump drive is ready. Our Sensor ghosting is protecting us from detection by Starfleet Sensors. No one has seen us here. Even the Sutherland is looking straight through us."

"How far to the archives?"

"We will need two jumps, sir, and when we drop out we will be without Warp power for the five minute cooldown."

Smith sighed heavily, "We knew that would be an issue. We just have to make sure we have as much in reserve as we can pack."

Elijah arrived flanked by Keller and Tarlee and also Warrant Officer Kilvarn. The Captain looked around but could not see Agent Smith. "Permission to come aboard?"

"You are expected, Captain," the transporter officer responded. "Follow the corridor to the left and you will find Agent Smith on the Bridge."

As the small group arrived Smith turned to greet them, "Ah, Captain. Welcome aboard. I am afraid this ship is not on the registry for obvious reasons. It is 'bad luck' to fly a ship without a name, so each time she is named something new. Today she is the Smithsonian, in reference to her commander and the archive we are going to."

"Lt Tarlee, Operations is situated at the back of the Bridge. Lt Dartanyon will instruct you in some of the finer details of this vessel. Lt Keller, If you would be so good as to man communications in the same area? Captain, you can of course take command, but I suspect I understand the ship and her capabilities a little better, so if you don't mind acting as first officer until we reach the facility?"

"Aye.....Captain." Elijah said with a nod and a chuckle as he took his place in the Vacant XO position of this very unusual and unique Starship.

The next to materialize in the Transporter room was the resident Thux of the Victory, now the resident Thux of... whatever this ship was named. He missed the dedication, though honestly he felt the less he knew the better it'd be. Or at least, the less he'd have to drink after this mission was over.

"Cordale reporting for assignment." he said with a ghost of a smirk. Just treat this like any other transfer. Just treat this like any other transfer. Except you'll be hated when you get back. And arrested.

Nothing new, really.

He followed the path indicated to the bridge. Either this ship was tiny, or the transporter room was very close. It didn't feel tiny. Whatever was thrumming "Under the bonnet" felt like it could power a station.

"Ah, Commander Cordale," Smith said as he arrived. "If you would just join me at the engineering station for a moment, I think you will find this... intriguing."

He gestured to the station for the Thux to sit and then began pulling up situation displays.

"This is a brand new type of engine which runs of Trilithium. Yes, it is very unstable, far more than we like to think about. At Power equivalent to Warp 9 it suddenly jumps and it's output is... Well, we can reach warp 9.99 and higher for around ten minutes with power to spare. After that time however the core automatically shuts down to avoid a breach. It then takes another five to ten minutes to reset, during which time we are without Warp Power."

"Over long distances it makes us a much faster option, but it does have an unfortunate side effect that it can drop us in the middle of trouble without main power and without the ability to escape at Warp. Just make sure, when we initiate a jump, that the flow stays in the orange. And don't let us jump to early. Okay?"

"So you basically stuck a firecracker in the warp core to squeeze out that little bit extra?" Cor asked with what passed for a raised eyebrow. "So it's less a jump and more a spike in power? That's a bit easier to work with. I'd rather not do the math on what you'd need to transport a ship like we do people." The Engineer actually looked like he was doing a bit of math in his head, then shook his head, "I'd like to inspect the core before our first spike, and then after, to get a feel for how much damage it might do, but I kinda have a feeling that it's classified, need to know, all that."

He paused for a second, "If I'm the engineer on board, I kinda need to know. Though, you're pretty much right on the nose... I'm interested as hell. Last I heard about ships making quick pulses of extreme speed, the people in the cockpits had long ears." he eluded to the Ts'usugi by putting his hands up where their lengthy ears would be.

Smith smiled, "I anticipated your request. We have three trained Engineers who are used to working on the engine. They can give you the briefs. Not enough to build your own, but enough to stop you blowing us all up. Tom, can you give the Thux our quick tour?"

A young ensign standing nearby gave a quick nod and indicated Cor should follow him.

Back in the teleporter room the blue haze dissipated and Ensign Karadis stepped off the Pad. She asked for directions to the bridge and then made her way there.

Once on the bridge she looked around to see if Captain Michaels was already on board.

Smith nodded when Kardis stepped onto the bridge, "Ensign. I suspect you would like to work at operations so you can monitor personnel and be close to both the Captain and I? You will find you previous SFI security codes have been re-instated for the duration of the mission."

He glanced at Elijah, "Your security officer is to be commended. His paranoia should keep us all a little safer."

"If it's all the same, I'd rather take up position at Tactical, Agent Smith, and please don't flatter yourself, it's my duty to protect the Captain, that's why I'm here, it had nothing to do with Lt Kilbane. I have no requirement, nor would I wish to, protect you, you have your own...'people' to do that. As for my security codes being re-instated, thank you, it will help me fulfil my duties whilst I'm here," Karadis answered.

"Tactical?" Smith queried, but gestured for her to replace a Vulcan officer.

"Well, you always had a good eye for personnel, Captain," a familiar voice said from behind Elijah. Stepping into the bridge, Satele walked over to the Captain and smiled, "it's good to see you again sir" she said, offering a hand to him. She was wearing the uniform common with Starfleet Intellignce agents and even had her hair tied back for good measure.

"Now I know we are in safe hands." Elijah said as he shook Sateles hand pleasantly surprised that she was the Pilot.

The next to beam over, Sara was carrying several medical kits and a few small pieces of Nissari lab equipment that were surperior to Starfleet tech. Looking around the rather strange ship, she smiled at the transporter chief, "So where are the rest of my companions?"

"Everyone else is on the Bridge, sir," the transporter officer reported. You may find it easier to manage the limited medical facilities from their. Our Medbay is.... well it was never a priority for this ship."

Smith saw the indicator that all hands were now aboard and turned to his helm officer, "Ahead one quarter till we are clear the fleet, please, Sheila. Then prepare for our first jump. You know the destination."

He glanced over his shoulder at Elijah, "You shouldn't notice anything when we move to high Warp, but it can be disconcerting. Apparently the time dilation is observable at a subconscious level."

"Noted." Elijah then sat back and looked around the Ship. "Let's get this show on the Road."