Blinded by Science

Posted on Wed Apr 29th, 2026 @ 9:44pm by Commander Daynah Ral & Colonel Galen & Commander Rhupert Tyree & Lieutenant Commander Richard Dalziel

1,134 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Operation Kakori
Location: Main Engineering, USS Valiant
Timeline: After Into the Badlands

Rhu walked into the Valiant's main engineering compartment, comforted by the constant hum of the warp core at idle. Since the ship was using impulse drives, the core's intensity was at about it's lowest intensity. Amber lights flashed every fifteen seconds, reminding the crew that they were traveling under yellow alert while in the badlands, though he personally doubted that anyone was likely to forget about it, given that most of those off duty were watching the sensor enhanced light show of plasma and distortions.

The engineering ratings and crew were busy, mostly keeping an eye on the systems and catching up with whathadn't gotten buttoned up on the Valiant's abbreviated stay at the Dyson yards. Rhu hated to throw more on the plate, but that was the nature of command and a working Starship.

There was always something.

A large plasma surge struck the Valiant. The ablative armour dissipated most of the energy, but there was still enough to send an unsecured maintence hatch flying across the bay and imbedding itself into the far bulkhead. It missed Crewman Ripley's head by microns.

"Rolins remove that hatch and have it secured in its proper place." Richard ordered. "T'Zel check and secure all other maintence hatches, and take Ripley with you. We have enough going on, without having to play avoid the duranium hatch, that thinks it's a pinball."

Noticing Rhu enter Engineering, Richard made a beeline for his superior officer. "Captain, Welcome to Engineering, what can I do for you?" He said.

Galen followed Rhu into Main Engineering. He was one step behind and to the left of the Commander. As was tradition on a Romulan ship. The right hand was for the XO and that was exactly where Daynah was. Galen knew that the cloak was secure and holding it was something he checked before he left the Bridge. Additionally, he kept a portable device on his belt that gave him the readings from the cloak no matter where he was on the ship.

Daynah for her part stepped up and next to Rhu's shoulder. "Looks like you have your hand full down here Commander." She said to Richard with a smile.

Rhu took in the assembled officers for a moment, then said, "I've been going over the logs of the USS Defiant." As he spoke, he brought up a holo-display and indexed to a log entry. "In Twenty Three Seventy One, chronoton particles from using a cloaking device became lodged in the ablative armor matrix. As a result, there was a Temporal accident when members of the crew attempted to beam to Earth's surface. The sensors have been configured to account for that, but I think there should be a better solution. I've seen a couple of papers mentioning a theoretical Buffer that could collect and safely disburse the particles. The research stayed theoretical because once the Dominion war ended, the cloak was removed."

He let that hang for thirty seconds, then said, "I'd like to avoid Temporal problems and since we'll be under cloak for a few days I think it would benefit us to study what's happening." Turning to his executive officer, he said, "Exec, as our Science department, it falls to you to head this up. Once we know what's happening, Richard can hopefully help with engineering a solution if needed."

As he mentioned the Valiants Chief Engineer, he met Richards eyes before shifting them to Galen. "Colonel, your advice and thoughts would be invaluable. And since it's a by product affect of the Cloak, you need to be in this loop."

Daynah had read the studies and knew exactly what Rhu referred to. "I will take a look at the papers you mention. I have heard in passing of something like that. In theory it should work. Of course the Colonel's help would be appreciated. I can work something up and test it in simulation. Once the mission is over we can test it in real time." Daynah relished the chance to do some real science. But, she knew better than to risk the entire mission.

Galen stood there and listened to the two officers speak. He thought that if he helped here the knowledge would be invaluable to the Tal Shiar. It would shed light on how Romulan technology and Federation technology interacted. It could even lead to a way for them to best the Federation. Despite the interest Galen decided to say what was expected of him. "Of course Commander I will assist. However, I will bow out should your experiments compromise Romulan proprietary technology."

Rhu nodded, as the others expressed their interests and said, "I think you'll be fairly safe, Colonel. The chronitons are by products. What do you think, Richard?"

"As we all know, Chronitons in large enough concentrations can cause temporal anomalies." Richard began. "The normal procedure for eliminating them is an anyon sweep, but that's out of the question, as we don't know how the anyon particles will react with the cloak." He paused a moment. "I think our best bet is some kind of containment device."

Galen cocked his head and his eyes narrowed. "Containment is only one half of the equation. I can say that there has never been a problem such as this on a Romulan vessel. So, that means that there must be some issue with the way our technology interacts. I would suggest that while containment should be done, rooting out and solving the cause should be the main concentration of study."

Daynah nodded in agreement. She smiled briefly as she thought she would never say what she was about to say. "I have to agree with the Colonel. If the issue aboard the Defiant occurred with the ablative armor matrix, then that would be the best place to start. With your permission Captain I will take the Colonel to the control room and we can get started on figuring this all out."

Rhu rubbed at his chin, thinking. "Go ahead, Dayna. Read Richard in when you and the Colonel think you're at a point that science can meet hardware." Looking at his CEO, he said, "Richard. Continue to run with your containment idea. Keep the XO updated but I'd rather NOT end up tangling with Temporal Affairs. Or wind up back when the Universe sneezed."

He also had a thought he needed to have with Dayna in private, that this study might get them some intel and insight on Romulan cloaks that would benefit the Federation.

"You're all doing very well," Rhu breezed. "Keep me informed."

Commander Daynah Ral
Executive Officer
Chief Science Officer
USS Valiant

Colonel Galen
Romulan Cloak Operator
USS Valiant

Lieutenant Commander Richard Dalziel
Chief Engineer
USS Valiant

Commander Rhupert Tyree
Master and Commander
USS Valiant

 

RSS Feed