=U.S.S. Descartes=
=Columbia system=
Carrying his small carry-on bag, Rick made his way to transporter room one. After a couple of days after finding out that his wife was in labor, he had managed to secure passage on the J'Hock, a vulcan science ship that was helping observe and assist in the TechEx test.
Between the Columbia system and Vulcan system, the J'Hock's final destination, he would meed up with the freighter Norrison, which was meeting up with a convoy heading to Starbase UNITY. It was going to take Rick a few days to make it home, but he didn't have much of a choice.
As he stepped onto the turbolift, he was met by Trevor Wright.
"I'm glad I caught you before you left," Wright said.
Rick just stared at the lift doors as they closed.
"I wanted to give you this," Wright said.
The elder engineer/scientist handed Rick a small case.
"What is it?" Rick asked as he took the case.
"Are you still trying to figure out that Mendez Power Converter?" Wright asked.
"Uh ... yeah. Whenever I have time, which isn't that often."
The MPC was a device Rick came across years ago when one of the previous Chimera's crash landed on a remote planet. It was a failed project, but if it would work, it could provide a large amount of power to a planet. One little device could perhaps power an entire world. Rick had been working on it since as one of his pet side projects.
"Well, that should help," Wright said, nodding to the case.
Rick looked down at the case then back at Wright.
"I played around with Mendez's little toy a few years ago. But I've never been a fan of working on someone else's research. I prefer starting from scratch. Anyhow, I believe that should help you in your work."
"Thanks," Rick said putting the case in his bag as the lift stopped and both men walked out into the corridor.
The two stopped outside of the transporter room.
"Do you remember what I said about being smarter than the Romulans?" Wright asked. "Or anyone else for that matter?"
"Vaguely," Rick replied.
Wright nodded, "Good."
Rick motioned as if he was going to enter the transporter room. He then stopped and looked back at Wright.
"You old bastard," Rick said accusingly.
Wright allowed a slight grin.
"You have a means to counter the TechEx, don't you?"
Wright's grin grew.
"Now?" Rick asked.
Wright shook his head.
"When?"
"Soon," Wright replied. "I never build anything I can't defend against."
"How?"
"It's a little something I will be able to put in anything larger than a comm badge. A little tweaking here and there and I will be able to make it smaller."
Rick allowed himself to smile for the first time in weeks.
"You are an old bastard," Rick said.
Wright smiled for a moment longer before looking serious.
"Just give me a year or two and the TechEx will be obsolete," Wright said. "Now, you better get a move on. The Vulcans don't like to be kept waiting."
The two men shook hands as Rick walked into the transporter room while Wright remained in the corridor. It was of some relief to Rick, but it was likely that millions would still be killed when the weapons already produced were deployed.
Commander Rick Rodgers
Chief Engineering Officer
Starbase UNITY
Former temporary assignment
Deputy Developmental and Operations Coordinator
Project Los Alamos
and
Dr. Trevor Wright (npc by Rick)
Head of Development and Operations
Project Los Alamos
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