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A Few Years Out of Date

Posted on Mon May 28th, 2018 @ 9:41pm by Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant Commander Thex sh'Zoarhi

Mission: Curing the Black Blood
Location: Main Engineering
Timeline: 2395

With freedom granted to roam and acclimate to the mighty Hera, the anachronistic astronaut had chosen not to investigate the Bridge first. From what she'd managed to read, the systems were mostly automated these days, and with the overrides and customization possibilities that existed (at least according to her research thus far) the simulations seemed to point to her being able to pilot a starship easily.

Truth be told, she believed she would be quite superior to her modern contemporaries. Time would tell.

But not understanding the local technology and the advances of the past 127 years were definitely going to be a hindrance. Warp theory had completely changed- the scale by which was once the standard used to measure warp speed was no longer in use, and a new scale had to be invented so that it could encompass their warp nine point nine possibilities. Multiwarp was no longer a thing- now they had apparently passed through transwarp, and in 24th century warp theory, warp factor 10 had been redesignated to correspond with infinite velocity. Apparently a vessel traveling at warp 10 occupied all points in the universe simultaneously, so warp 9.999etcetera was as fast as warp could accomplish. Except of course for the odd natural FTL ability aliens and greater beings of record who could still break those rules casually as befit the mysteries of the universe).

With warp fields having changed dramatically- hell, she had been visible as a warp field ghost, that alone indicated significant change- Lieutenant Commander Rita Paris suspected that wasn't all that had changed simply yet so drastically. So now she was headed to the main engineering section of the USS Hera, to wander about, use the ship's computer to identify things and help her frame the questions she as yet didn't know to ask.

Thex was back to her usual business of taking care of her girl, giving her her daily checks to make sure everything was working properly. Currently, she was hanging upside down doing some repairs on the warp core support structure. Even still she noticed the stranger entering her domain. It wasn't hard to spot someone walking around in what she guessed was the old style of starfleet uniform. Judging by her dress, this was the woman they'd saved using the transporter who had been previously haunting her team.

Lowering herself on her harness the andorian observed the woman walk around, occasionally glancing down at the padd in her hand. Only when she got rather close to her did Thex speak up. " Hello there. Love the uniform. Need a hand with anything?" She said playfully.

The gold-clad commander looked up from her studies to greet the owner of the voice, looking first left then right, before glancing down, then up. Spotting the blue-skinned engineer dangling from another deck, the studious Starfleet officer started a bit in surprise. She’d been so intent on trying to grasp some rather scientifically outlandish concepts that were now science fact, Paris had been oblivious until the woman spoke to her. Regaining her composure, the human put a smile on her face and waved in greeting.

“My apologies, ah... Lieutenant?” Paris began, noting the two collar pips and managing to successfully address the officer by her proper rank. “I’m new aboard the Hera and I’m trying to gain some familiarity with what wasn’t covered at Starfleet Academy back in my day.” At that, the buxom blonde winced, having used a turn of phrase she knew made her sound like even more of a primitive than she was already. Extending a hand, she introduced herself.

“I’m Lieu-“ she started, then realized that her rank might or might not be valid a hundred and thirty years into the future. That was yet another depressing thought, so she shoved it aside and pressed on. “I’m Rita Paris. I’m the, ah, the new gal. The old new gal.”

There had been the momentary pause when she had cast about for what to call herself- a marooned accidental time traveler? A chronological castaway? An antique astronaut? ‘The old new gal’ seemed woefully inadequate, but it was the best she could come up with on the spot without unduly complicating the conversation.

" Nice to meet you, Rita Paris. Well, in the flesh at least. You didn't half give a few of my personal a fright when you started appearing in here, especially with what's going on recently. " Thex said as she pushed her harness release and with a few flips that would make an Olympic athlete jealous landed on her feet. Only stopping to flip her ponytail back over her head the andorian offered her hand. " Want some help? I know this girl better than anyone. I'm sure I can help you find what you're looking for."

Admiring the acrobatic skill which she so thoroughly lacked, Paris took the cerulean blue hand in her own and shook it professionally, making eye contact with a smile. "That would be grand, actually. And sorry about spooking your shipmates- the last time I got stuck like that, no one could perceive me. Apparently your dilithium chamber- wait, you've renamed it these days, it's a... warp core? It produces quite a bit stronger field than it did the last time I did this dance of energy and matter. So you are..." Paris looked down to tap at her tablet for a few seconds before trying to pronounce the alien name. "Let's see, I'm going to guess Lieutenant Thex sh'Zoarhi, the chief engineer?"

" The one and only, and don't worry about spooking my team. Everyone's been on edge with what's happened recently. " The andorian said glancing around at her team who were busily working. " So you were in a failed transporter accident and ended up getting pulled into are warp field. That sounds rather unpleasant. This can't be easy for you." She said her voice showing concern.

An expression of genuine gratitude for the empathy passed over Paris' face before she replied. "Thanks for asking. It's not my first time something like this has happened to me, so a few years of counseling goes a long ways," Paris chuckled darkly. "It's... not ideal. It certainly isn't anything I would have chosen nor would I prefer. But I'm here, and... well, I've no real options, so making the best of it seems to be all I can really do. Soldier on, chin up, chest out and all of that." It was clear that the leggy lieutenant was unhappy but doing her best to put on a brave face and do what would be expected of an officer in such circumstances, particularly if she were setting an example.

"So of everything that's changed since my day, engineering seems to be the area that has advanced and changed the most," the tall human female observed. "Your power transfer seems much more efficient, and you seem to use plasma for a whole lot more than we used to on the Constitution class. Care to give the cavewoman a lesson or two?"

" Sure. Things have changed from your time, but not by much. We use the same basics- the warp engines are fueled by the reaction of matter and antimatter, mediated through the assembly of dilithium crystals. This reaction produced the highly energetic plasma which we then channel by plasma conduits through the electro-plasma system that power the ship and it's it systems. " Thex said pointing to each part of the system that she knew as if it was her own child.

" For propulsion, the electro-plasma is funneled by plasma injectors into a series of warp field coils, located in the warp nacelles. These coils are composed of verterium cortenide and generated the warp field, " The andorian said, finishing her quick explanation.

“Not as different as I might have imagined,” Paris admitted. “So how is it that you go so much faster now, and how do you not tear the ship apart in the process?”

" A load of advancements to the engines, hull and nacelles. I would need several long hours and a few bottles of andorain ale to describe them all. Tech has advanced quite a bit from your time, though we have sort of become stuck for a while. The maximum speed we can reach is 9.90, though we mostly keep the girl at 9.25. Though if the egg heads fix the quantum slipstream drive we may not need to break warp ten." Thex said fondly, knowing what she was talking about. She did keep up to date with the latest thing being developed by the fleet.

"Quantum slipstream... like those warp tunnel shortcuts from the NX days, but deliberately inciting and controlling the quantum navigation? That's.... that's incredible." Paris was genuinely floored by the revelation as the implications sank in. Then she wagged her finger at the shorter officer. "The warp scale is an entirely different set of calculations, by the way. I haven't had time to look it up yet, but what the hey? Zephram Cochran's calculations not good enough for you in the future?"

" Zephram Cochran's calculations were found to have a few errors when we started getting above warp seven. " Thex explained. " When we get some free time I could get some time on the holodeck and better explain it than I could in here. "

That elicited a peal musical laughter from the comely chrononaut. "Okay, good, I was having a little trouble grasping it myself, truth be told. If the chief engineer can't explain it easily standing in Engineering then I don't feel quite as much like the slow kid in class. Definitely a new scale to adapt to, just like impulse power seems to be a whole lot faster now. But I'll get it, I will." Paris paused, held up her index finger and cocked her head slightly. "Except- ah, what's a holodeck? Commander Xustos mentioned that for flight sims, too...""

" The holodeck is the greatest educational/recreational tool ever built. I won't spoil it for you, but I can guarantee you love it, " Thex replied with a cheeky grin.

A smirk settled in on the face of the gold mini-dressed anachronism, and she shifted her weight to cock one hip out to drape her hand on it. "I just found out gold got relegated to engineering and security this morning, that warp theory is now on a completely different scale and that dubstep is still in style after another century. Spoilers aren't exactly something I worry about. C'mon, give, Blue... what's a holodeck?"

Time to find out of that's a racist comment in the future, Paris thought, hoping she was actually establishing a bond of friendship with the cheerful engineer. While there had been a few Andorians at the Academy when she had been there, she'd never served with one. Starfleet Academy mad sure she knew the basics of their world and culture, but this was far and away the longest conversation she'd ever had with a member of the blue-skinned alien race. On a ship where the humans were here but not in key positions, Paris was still adapting to being the exception. The Exeter had been 430 souls of 98% human crew with a few standout exceptions. On the Hera it seemed as though Starfleet had most certainly made good on its promise of inclusion to other races of the Federation in Starfleet.

But as she was no bigot and did not discriminate against anyone for their race, species, genders or coloration, Rita was still hoping a little sense of humor and camaraderie here with her little icebreaker.

" Imagine if with a word you could load a program and be anywhere in the galaxy. Go from standing on this ship to feeling the sand of California under your feet, go from there to an Orion dancing club on Theta Jordani III. Go from that to any historical or fantasy event you can imagine. " Thex responded, not showing any signs of being offended by anything the time traveler had said.

“All done with holograms... and I guess the replicators and what, force fields? That’s... incredible," Paris admitted. “So I could virtually visit Malibu even though I’d still be on the Hera? Is this on every starship in the future?”

" Correct on all counts- we have them on almost all of the federation. Along with most colonies and stations. The smaller federation ships don't have them due to size." Thex responded grinning.

“Wow, here’s to the future,” Paris grinned back. Pausing to consider, the pretty pilot went for broke. “Look, brutal honesty here. I am literally a stranger in a strange land, and you are by far the friendliest officer I’ve met on this boat. I’ve got nobody- no friends, relatives, shipmates, old Academy pals. I am literally alone in the universe in a way I honestly doubt you can imagine. I know it might sound odd, and if I am overstepping a boundary I apologize, but I could seriously use a friend around here. Think you could be pals with a throwback who’s going to forever be a little behind the curve?” Paris shrugged broadly.

" You don't need to ask, Paris. We're already friends. In fact, I have one of the holodeck 7 booked for after my shift ends- would you like to come along and you can see it for yourself?" The andorian said a smile on her face.

The smile that broke out on Rita Paris’ face was broad and genuine, the first real smile had graced her face since arriving aboard the Hera. “That would be... that would be great. Thank you! It really means a lot to me. So off duty I call you... Thex?”

" Sure you can, Paris. I'll call you using the computer when I've finished taking care of this girl. I get off in around three hours. " The andorian replied as she tapped the ships warp core.

"That sounds great, Lieutenant sh'Zoarhi. And please, call me Rita," Paris added with a smile as she strode away, off to investigate yet another wonder of the future.

" Okay, Rita... I'll see you later." The andorian responded smiling as she returned to work.


 

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