Making a Manticore

Posted on Wed Aug 24th, 2011 @ 1:54pm by Lieutenant Jasad Broca

Mission: Tomorrow's Arizona
Location: Jeffries Tubes and Main Engineering
Timeline: Some time after Third Order of Business

Jasad watched the two female drones as they completed the final connections of their alien Borg technology to the standard ship systems via the 'Omnidaptor Boot.' The Engineering team had improvised the 'boot' to create a seamless transition between the Borg-enhanced plasma and the ship's systems which required a standard Federation plasma supply. The 'boot' had been Petty Officer Gordon's brain-child, and so far it had been working flawlessly. Jasad made a mental note to recommend Gordon for a commendation for creative thinking under pressure. Subject to Minamoto's approval, of course.

He tapped his badge, "Broca to Engineering. We are ready to test line 32-Alpha."

Momentarily, the boot lit up a bright violet to show that plasma was streaming through it. The Borg-enhanced plasma lines lit up green. The lines that fed the standard ship's systems were blue. The two colors were a result of the different energy levels and wavelengths of Borg versus Federation plasma technology. It made an easy visual indicator of the proverbial 'pale,' or division between the two systems.

Unfolding his tricorder, Jasad scanned the boot and the lines on either end. Everything seemed to be working like clockwork. That pleased him as much as it made him nervous. But then, the Borg had been doing this sort of thing for a long time. If they couldn't anticipate problems and compensate before they happened, they'd have never been able to assimilate so many diverse alien technologies.

He tapped his badge again, "Broca to Engineering. All systems read nominal here. What do things look like at your end?"

A moment later, Macy answered, "All our boards are green. I think you can come on home, Sir."

Macy and Jasad had developed a rapport over the past several days. He'd come to think of the man as his own assistant. Smiling a bit, he regarded the two drones on his 'team.' "Shall we return to Main Engineering, then?"

The drones said nothing, they simply replaced the EPS hatch and began crawling through the Jeffries' tube. Jasad followed them, gaining an excellent view of their backsides. Their races were not distinguishable through their pale, glistening skin and rubberized sadomasochistic cybernetic body coverings. However, whatever type of humanoid they had once been, their bums were in excellent shape.

Eventually, the trio made their way back to the Main Engine Room. Macy was waiting, looking somewhat less nervous than he had initially. The terrifying novelty of working alongside so many Borg was beginning to fade. "Any word from the Chief," he asked Macy.

"Not yet," Macy said, "but I think her team should be wrapping up the final connections soon. This has all gone through pretty quickly, and without a hitch. It makes me wonder when the other shoe will drop."

Jasad nodded, "Soon, I suspect. There is a delicious human expression... how does it go... Ah, yes. No plan survives contact with the enemy. Theoretically, these upgrades will greatly enhance our capabilities. We'll be able to sustain Warp 9.975 for a week. Our shields will be fully adaptive, adjusting automatically to the ideal frequencies and modulation to resist enemy energy weapons. And our EPS lines will be three times more robust and resistant to ruptures than before. This is all very exciting. But that is all an estimate of what these systems can do for us while we are parked safely, far from test, trial, or tribulation."

He turned to look at the Warp core. Its glow was tinged with green, now. It almost looked sick. "I am curious as to what these systems will actually deliver when it matters."



((Open tag to any Engineering personnel who may wish to interact))