=Outpost R-12=
=Tarangor Shipyards=
=Tarangor System=
Rick's transporter pattern appeared near a group of security personnel
from the Raptor, who had already secured the area. They all wore EVA
suits since the facility had no power, hence no life support or environmental
systems.
It was also dark, with only small portable lights being carried by the new
arrivals giving off any light.
"I hate wearing these things," Jo Weathersby said, standing to Rick.
"You not need to be here," Rick said. "Your place is on Qashqai."
"Yeah, well, I couldn't pass up this opportunity," she countered.
'I also need to keep an eye on you just in case,' she thought.
"Thought you believed better to use this place as target practice," Rick
said.
"True, and I still do. But I also find these old relics interesting. Now,
which way?"
Rick pointed his light to a darkened corridor, "This way."
Rick motioned as if he was going to lead the way, but one of the
security officers stepped in front of him.
"Sorry, sir, but we have no idea what could be down that way. One
of my people will take point," the security officer said.
"Fine ... Lieutenant ..."
"Sidda," the security officer said.
"Sidda. Well, lead the way," Rick said, not wanting an argument, even
though he had his own phaser and knew well enough how to use it.
One of Sidda's crewmen took point as the small team of security and
engineering personnel slowly made their way down the dark corridor.
After a few minutes, they arrived at a partially opened turbolift hatch.
"We need to go down a deck," Rick said. "Reactor down there."
Sidda nodded, having his people force the doors open. After shining a
light down the lift tube, he ordered a couple of his people to climb down.
The others waited for what seemed like an eternity until the two security
crewmen gave the all clear. They all climbed down, two at a time, which
took time. When they had all made it to the lower deck, Rick flashed his
light to his left.
"Reactor a few meters that way," Rick said.
They arrived at the reactor room a minute or so later. Several lights
shined in the direction of the large reactor.
"Time to get to work," Rick said, placing his tool kit on a small table next
to the reactor.
He scanned it with his tricorder and nodded.
"Not too bad. Offline for a few decades. Still good shape."
He looked back at the others.
"Jo, man reactor control console," he said, then pointed to one of the
Jameson's engineers. "You ... what you name?"
"Bullaoff," the engineer replied. "Ensign Bullaoff."
"Bullaoff, you assist me. Do as I say. Got it," Rick said.
Bullaoff just nodded.
Rick got to work. He smiled, hoping that the ensign didn't notice through
the head gear he was wearing. Rick was in his element, not just tinkering
with power relays or transporter emitters, but real engineering work. The
kind of thing that made engineers miracle workers.
Several minutes went by and Rick worked at a quick, but careful pace.
Almost an hour later, he and Bullaoff backed away from the reactor.
"Try it now, Jo," he said.
She nodded and worked the controls. After a couple of minutes of trying,
she shook her head.
"Nothing," she said.
Rick grunted something before returning to the reactor. Several minutes
went by with him looking it over in great detail.
"I see problem," Rick said as he went back to work.
When he backed away a few minutes later, he nodded to Jo.
She nodded back and again worked the controls. This time, lights in the
room began to flicker. When the flickering stopped and everything went
dark again, Rick felt as if he was going to scream.
Then, the lights returned, this time they no longer flickered. Rick smiled,
walking up to the control panel next to Jo.
"We should have power to most of the shipyard and station," Jo said.
"There seems to be considerable damage to the lower levels of the station.
Besides that, everything seems to check out. We should also have life
support, so we can take these damn things off."
Rick grinned, taking off his head gear and taking a deep breath.
+tap+ "Rodgers to Qashqai. Reactor online."
Commander Rick Rodgers
Engineering Officer
Starbase Unity
and
Chief Petty Officer Jo Weathersby (npc by Rick)
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Qashqai
and
other npcs by Rick
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