The Longest Year
Posted on Mon May 18th, 2020 @ 4:13am by Lieutenant Commander Angus Murphy & Commodore Jane Saulitis
Mission:
Cruel Meridian
Location: Engineering
Timeline: MD 6
576 words - 1.2 OF Standard Post Measure
Jane walked into engineering, not really wanting to bug Murphy with her presence but also wanting some answers as to why the warp core had shut down so abruptly. Lieutenant Sullivan had mentioned something about damage to one of the nacelles being the possible cause but she didn't see how as they had no hit anything nor been in any kind of battle. "Commander," Jane said when he looked up at her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you."
Murph was standing over the main system display. "You're not, Captain," he sighed, standing up straight and crossing his arms. "I initially thought we hit something, too, but there's no damage. It's a fuel supply problem. It ran out."
"You'll figure it out. I'm no engineer but I couldn't just sit on the bridge. Do you need help with anything at all? Running PADDS back and forth or a finger to hold the ribbon down while you tie the package," Jane sighed. "Anything."
"I'm sorry, Captain, I don't see what I could have you do down here. We'll have everything up and running just as soon as we can figure out where the drain is coming from," Murph said as he shrugged his shoulders.
"It's okay, I don't want to be in anyone's way. Just thought I would offer. I know you'll get back to me as soon as you know something."
"We're working as hard as we can. I assure you, it's priority number one," Murph assured her. "There's just a lot of things that aren't adding up. Fuel consumption is really off. There's something strange going on."
"Commander, I'm not trying to pressure you." Jane placed a hand on his back briefly, she didn't want her chef getting jealous. The thought amused her. "I . . .I haven't exactly told anyone, but have you experienced anything strange yourself lately? Seen something you thought might have been a trick of the light?"
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I haven't. It's about the third time someone's asked me that, though," Murph replied, crossing his arms and taking a careful look at the captain. "I take it you have as well. Patrick has, too. Do we know what it means?"
"No, I see myself, doing an earlier task or what could have been a task. With the engines suddenly shutting down I wonder . . . . have you gotten any messages from anyone lately? Min's mother or anyone at Starlfeet?" Jane asked, an idea forming in her mind.
"No," Murphy admitted, feeling guilty that he'd been unable to reach out to Haraain yet. "I think about calling her, she needs know what's happened, but then... other priorities pop up. I'll call her later today."
"Yes, do that. I'm going to try to reach Starfleet, generally I hate reporting in often but this is a special exception." Jane seemed to wander off before she walked back to Murphy again. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "For your discretion in this matter," it was a hint.
"I... I have no idea what you're talking about, Captain," Murphy said with a sharp nod and subtle wink.
"Yes," Jane huffed out a laugh. "Right. Well I'll see you later Commander, call me if you find out anything. Which of course you will." She turned on her heels again and hurried out as if she had ten places to be and didn't know where to go first.
Captain Jane Saulitis
Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Commander Angus Murphy
Chief Engineer
