First Launching of the UEE Temerarious

The ship's engines groan slowly to life as they are fired up for the first time. Everything is running smoothly as the ship inches back and away from its docking moors, when suddenly yellow alert is signaled as the bridge lights flicker off and red emergency lights come on. The Temerarious seems dead in the water as all progress has stopped. The computers voice comes over the channel but is broken and choppy.

Im im im im impulse engines offlin line. Energy output is d d d d d distrupted.

The felines tail can be seen to have grown several sizes from the shock, but regaining control he spins over to his controls which are faintly lit but still working.

Sir, dock contol asking whats the problem? Also frantic communications all over the ship it seems as though the bridge is not the only one with this problem. I'll try to reach engineering and see if Vi is alright. Bridge calling engineering come in please.

The main screen flickered on as Vi'Roth-IX manually restored power to it. His face appeared next.

"We are currently locating the source of the problem. As of now I have reason to suspect that logic errors in the AI caused the malfunction. The power grid should be restored momentarily, and Engineering crew should be by shortly to check the bridge for anomalies."

*The tactical readout flickered as power fluxuated through the ship. Jonathan tried to keep the system from crashing as best he could. So near a starbase they probably would not need tactical but one could never be to cautious.*

Sir, I am going to put secuirty on a higher alert, and order security teams 1 and 2 to patrol the corridors.

*Looks around and replays the message Vi sent up over his station*

If I understand this correctly, trying to make the computer fly the ship caused a feedback along the power grid that shorted out the system, so Vi is going to rewrite the AI coding, and Sir I have flight experience should I take the ship out when we get power back; also what should I relay to command?

*The cat lets off a string in his native sharstrack to calm his nerves. It sounds more like a string of alternating hisses. He pauses and holds his hand up to his ear again. *

Captain we have slight injuries on decks 4 and 5 because of a eps relay explosion. Alerting medical.

*He forgets where he is other than he is talking to another furinthian on the other line and talks to her in the carnivors language.*

""Mackinaw to Minoko: Prepare to recieve injured, slight burns from EPS overloads.""

"Ok... Everyone just hang on I need to think for a minute... Bridge to Engineering. I just had an idea. VR-IX, since you're rewriting the AI anyway, how hard would it be for you take over Helm controls entirely from Engineering? If we have to fly by computer anyway, I would trust your processors infinitely more than anything the UEE "Engineers" could put together."

*Another thought strikes him as he curses quietly to himself*

"Med-bay. Status report."

*Checking on his injured crew should have been at the top of his priorities. No... it's not his fault. He was just responding to things in the order they came to his attention. No matter, he would have time to sort things out after this situation was resolved.*

"And also Mackinaw? Let's keep it to Common while you're on the bridge..."

*She replied in from the sick bay, her comm badge beeping in.*

Captain, the crew is receiving treatment now. None of it is serious, but it will require minor skin graphing to correct.

Vi'Roth-IX commandeered the main screen once again to speak with the captain.

"The damage reports are finished. Unfortunately the damages are more extensive than our original diagnostics showed. We won't be able to repair here either, necessary materials are on Mars. It will take a while to make the adjustments, and we will have to cut power to the areas of the grid that suffered the greatest damage so some areas of the ship will be offline until we arrive."

"I can pilot if you wish." He paused, as if to consider the idea, "I am not programmed with any combat algorithms. What should I do if we encounter enemies? The weapons systems aren't even online. I'm not sure I will be a successful pilot."

Sir, if I might offer a suggestion, Jonathan said from his station after dispatching the security teams. I am a respectable pilot, as well I am sure we could find others on board. That would free our chief engineer to work on the repairs. I would also contact the Command and see if there are any ship available to escort us to Mars since we would be very vulnerable in our current situation.

Works his fingers over his command boards rapidly.

The closest ship that we have available would be the Saratoga at Jupiter Station, but she is fully moored up. Mars station is awaiting us with parts for repairs. Command reads our situation and asks for an update on weather work bee crews should be apprised of our current situation.

His hands almost work faster than he can think as he routes more and more communictions through his ear piece.


Captain be advised that sector patrol reads no enemy activity anywhere along the neutral zones. That was a report sent less than an hour ago.

He also finishes by acknoledging the captains request for common.

The comm line crackles back to life.

"Sir, if we can move all biologicals from non-primary modules, to a central area, like the cafeteria, for the duration of the trip I can reroute power from life support to turn on the shields and bring weapons online. Then we should be able to move out."

Jonathan took the helmsman's seat and began the arduous task of trying to lay in a course with the ship systems so badly damaged. When the engineer made a recommendation over the comm system. Jonathan felt obliged to offer his opinion

Sir with the current intelligence we have I would say moving power from life support would not be required.

The commlink crackled to life.

"Engines online."

Qia's voice is fuzzy but understandable as it comes over the comm.

Science to Bridge, this is Qia. No one is hurt, and emergency power has just been restored. Orders?

"VR, that seems as good idea as any, and we could certainly use the extra power, whether we need it or not. Comm, send out a ship-wide transmission, all non-essentials are to convene in the mess hall and common area. Science and Medical, I want you working to restore your areas to at least 75% efficiency, more if you can get it. Engineering, once you see that non-essential areas are emptied you may begin rerouting power as you see necessary. Tactical, keep working on getting me best speed to Mars, as soon as the engines regain enough power to do so, I want us on our way."

Finally, he turns his attention to the subspace comm.

"Admiral Tacket, sorry to keep you waiting, but I had some important matters that needed my immediate attention. Currently we are on mission to Mars Station to receive the rest of our team, then we will be headed out of system to test this newfangled drive system of yours. No assistance is needed, but next time you give me a ship, could you at least let me get it out of spacedock before you try to blow it up? That would be great. Chesterfield, out."

He signals to Merlin to cut the subspace connection.

"Now, I'm headed to the mess to get some cake, and then I will be in my quarters. Call me on the comm if you need me."

And with that he is out the door.

*Jonathan began plating the course to Mars. It would be a short trip a puddle jump in galactic terms. When the wounded navcomputer finally spit out the course and estimated time it was going to take all of one hour. Not bad time for a ship so crippled he thought to himself. He had once had to spend a week in an escape pod doing roughly four times the distance they needed to traverse now. This would be easy. He opened the comm link to engineering just to make sure.*

Engineering this is tactical, I am just confirming that the computer is not lying to me and that we will make the sped and course it is telling me.

*Jonathan uploaded the course to the head engineers console hoping it was operating. It went through so no reason it should not have worked.*

The cat worked feverishly over the terminal.

Commander, Spacedock reads all moorings cleared, we can now use best possible speed to Mars station. When your ready for docking control please tell me and I will signal ahead.

He spins back around to his station and signals engineering.

Vi, I've got a problem. All of my comm channels are picking up a .5 decible spike can you do anything about that.

The tactical console lit up and a message came through.

"Engineering to Tactical: The data is accurate with in .00004%. Power is diverted to engines and systems necessary for travel."

With that the comm link crackled off and across the bridge came back on on the communications console.

"Engineering to Communications: The decibel spike is currently a negligible problem, but engineering will work on it as soon as we reach Mars."

*Jonathan slowly powered up the engines adding more thrust slowly. In case anything else went wrong. This had proved to be quite the shakedown cruise. Apparently they made better ships for black ops then for everyone else. This ship accelerated away from Starbase 001 and Earth. He had only been there two weeks. Two weeks and he had no idea when he would see it again. His families farm had been running well when he went there, but in a year who could say what would be happening.*

Lieutenant we are one hour away from mars.

*Jonathan set the mission clock just beneath the main view screen.*

In forty- five minutes signal Mars let them know we will be about fifteen minutes out.

The time passes quickly, many repairs have been made through Vi's diligence. Main power has been restored throughout the ship, and the crew seems to be going back to a semi-"normal" routine. With Mars station approaching fast, Commander Jonathan, orders for the signaling of the approach.

The spotted cat turns to the commander who has moved to the captains chair since he has taken the con. He nods before turning and pressing several buttons.

Mars Station this the Temerarious, we are on final approach requesting vectors to dock, over.

A male voice comes in over the speaker it is much clearer thanks to engineerings efforts and announces vectors to the approach.

Temerarious this is Mars station. Work crews standing by, sending final vector approach coordinats.

The cat looks over to the man at the helm waiting for a signal that coordinants have been recieved.

Walking onto the bridge, he gazes at the forward viewport and practically sits on Matheson as he fails to notice him in the command chair. After a brief awkward moment, Matheson stands up and Liam sits.

"Status reports, what's our situation gentlemen?"