In the Middle of Some Calibrations

In the Middle of Some Calibrations

Main Engineering
USS Portland
04:00h, After Mission 4
Authors: Sera Williams and Parker Hudson

"Damn!" grumbled Sera, mostly to herself, as the report came back. Their latest test run on a new dilithium conversion matrix was about .2% off their target mark. Sera gave a heavy sigh as she straightened a loose strand of hair with her hand. She looked at the PADD in her other hand as if it were the key to some new life's question.

Almost out of nowhere, Sera exclaimed, "There it is. Ha!" Immediately looking around at the faces of the other crew members, Sera simply shrugged and hoped they wouldn't notice her face slightly changing to a light shade of red. Shaking it off, Sera looked up at Ensign Brewer and said, "Brewer, I think I found the problem." Sera pointed at some projection information on the PADD, then continued, "If we were to make a slight adjustment, maybe 2 microns, to the plasma intake valve on the warp coils... that should do the trick.

Ensign Brewer nodded his head in agreement and took the PADD and responded, "I'll get right on it Ma'am."

Sera smiled as she watched the crewman enter the Jeffery's Tube to the warp nacelle control area. She was finally beginning to feel comfortable with being in charge of a team of people instead of always being the one to follow. She had to admit that the new responsibilities felt good. Just a year ago, Sera would have never pictured herself as an Assistant Chief of anything.

Parker turned his head to Sera who was immersed into the persistent problems of working with hybrid engineering on a federation workhorse vessel that's served faithfully over 80 years in the fleet. "that's it you have to feel the problem within the data quads! It's all in there." He smiled and then tapped at the side of his own head "and here."

"What is the millespectron field your running as the test. I should match it with the rest EPS taps." Sera was definitely proving her self an invaluable acquisition.

Lt Hudson coming behind her startled Sera for a moment, though she appreciated the compliment. "Thank you, Sir. We have aligned the matrix to a frequency of 3.69." Giving a moment's pause, Sera continued, "Sometimes the newer technology doesn't want to agree with the 80 year old ship, we just had to give it a nudge."


"Yeah, and she gets a bit more grumpier as the years go on." Not that Parker has had the time with vessel his self, he did however have informative talks with the previous Engineer.

"Going to need you to stay late and finish this up with Delgado, you think you can handle that Williams?" He asked in a non condescending tone.

"Yes Sir, staying late isn't a problem," Williams replied. It really wasn't like she had a big social life aboard, Sera's plans for the evening involved a trip to the mess and maybe a book when she got back to her quarters. This way she at least got to be around some people.

With that Parker nodded and turned to head back to his Engineering office to gather up some supplies and extra pads. Sera had full reign as Assistant Chief including access to the office.

Parker on his way out clutching some 'home work' he wanted to fall asleep to a hockey game. He saluted Sera lazily as he had left.

Sera returned the salute, with her Academy best. Before Parker could leave, Sera spoke to Delgado in a voice the leaving Chief Engineer could hear, "Delgado, we better get started... don't want to lose possession for a delay of game."

Smiling at the the officer, her tone got a bit more serious, "We are getting some reports of power fluctuations in the replicators on Deck 5. Better get Linus to check out the EPS conduit on the deck."