Preserving The Future - Part 1

Posted on Mon May 12th, 2025 @ 4:42pm by Captain Daegan Baas & Lieutenant Liam O'Riley & Lieutenant Urushi Yaotome

1,669 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Sole Survivor
Location: Bio-Lab
Timeline: MD 15 - 0900

The Embryo's that the Away Team had discovered had been stored in the medical freezer since they had been beamed aboard. However that was only a temporary measure. The 'capsules' that they were originally stored in were alien technology specifically designed to keep them alive. However with the capsules now on board the Valkyrie, they were mot compatible with the Federation ships power systems.

It was 0900 hours and Urushi had requested that both Lieutenant Ramsay and O'Riley join her in the bio lab. She was hoping that they could assist in either hooking up the capsules to the Valkyries power, or assist in building a new compatible capsule.

Lieutenant O'Riley was on his way to the bio lab at Urushi's request; not sure for what reason but Liam was happy to help other departments when needed. Walking in he inquired "Lieutenant Yaotome, how can I be of assistance."

The sudden appearance of the Chief Engineer made Urushi jump. "Oh...hi there. Yeah, I need some help with the capsules that the Embryos are stored in. I was hoping Lieutenant Ramsey can join us too."

"So how exactly can I help; an engineering type problem perhaps" Liam inquired with a smile.

"These capsules use a totally different power configuration to anything that I've seen before," Urushi explained. "In order to save the embryos we need to find a way to provide power to the capsules or build a new container vessel for them all." She indicated with a hand to the capsules which were still sat in the freezer. "They're in cryo stasis right now. If they defrost they'll die."

Walking over to the capsules Liam looked over one of the units then turning to Urushi "Given the age of their ship I can't say I'm not surprised" then he thought for a moment "Let me go to engineering; I'm going to have come up with a converter to add between the Valkyrie's power and the capsules" he explained still thinking how to go about make the connection.

"Need me to come with you? I can send the scans I took down to your station?" Urushi asked.

"Actually that's a good idea; that way you can assist me in getting it right the first time" Liam replied with a grin "And please bring the scans with you as well."

Urushi nodded. "Computer, please leave a .essafw for Lieutenant Ramsey upon arrival. Inform her that we are working from Main Engineering." The computer beeped acknowledging her command. The Trill then turned to the Emgineer. "Lead the way."

[ Main Engineering ]

The two officers arrived with Liam going to the large replicator. which sat on the floor, being large enough to replicate large pieces of equipment. Thinking back to his academy days Liam remembered and old style convertor which would be perfect for this application "Computer replicate a CV-799 convertor" he requested." "CV-799 convertor is not in the Federation database" came the reply. This was not what Liam wanted to hear thinking he would try another approach. "Computer replicate a CV-899 convertor" he requested. Moments later "CV-899 convertor is in the Federation database....time until completion thirty minutes." "Proceed" Liam replied.

Turning to his guest "Lieutenant looks like we have some time to kill before the replicator is finished" then he paused "Would you like the nickel tour of engineering while we wait" he inquired,

Urushi smiled. "Sure, it's been a while since I've had a tour of a Starships engine room." She told him. "My previous host spent a lot of time in Engineering before he made Captain." She explained.

After hearing that Liam knew he could go into much more detail about engineering, since she had her host's memories, but decided to keep things simple since they really didn't have that much time. Walking around the area Liam gave Urushi a 'thumbnail sketch ' and also an explanation of the Quantum Slipstream Drive "So what do think of my little slice of the ship" he inquired returning her smile.

"I find it fascinating. Especially the Quantum Slipstream Drive. The science of literally breaking through the Quantum barrier fascinates me. Plus using the deflector to actually do it is impressive." She replied. "I remember reading about Voyager and how they tried to use Quantum Slipstream. I never thought I'd see it as a standard drive on any Federation ship... How do you compensate for phase variants? Does the computer do it? Or does helm have to manage that?" She asked each question getting more enthusiastic than the one before. "Oh sorry... I didn't mean to ramble on..."

Liam had to grin at the science chief "That's quite alright, and I'm quite impressed with your knowledge of the QSD; maybe you should consider coming over to engineering" he replied then continued "To answer your question the phase variants are handled by the computer since changes need to be made in micro seconds which of course only a computer can handle" then he paused hearing the replicator timer go off "Looks like your equipment is ready" as the two officers walked back over to that area.

Taking the new convertor Liam opened it up before grabbing his tools. Looking at Urushi "I have to make a couple of adjustments to the power supply then it should be able to handle the power between the ship and the embryos" he explained. Several minutes later "There all set. Let's get back to your lab and hook it up."

"Sounds like a plan. So you think this'll work?" She asked as she began to walk. "I thought we might have to build them a whole new container."

"To be honest I can't be certain at this point until we hook it up; if the embryos aren't holding then we may have to design a new container as you have suggested to go along with the convertor" then Liam paused "It's just the technology is so damn old; but I will need your input since the science part of it is your specialty" he commented.

The Trill Science Officer smirked. It felt nice to be needed in times like this. "Well, let's go have a plat around with it shall we?" She said as they stepped into the turbolift.

"Right behind you" Liam replied as he entered the lift "Hopefully this is going to do what I think it will; only one way to find out" as the doors closed and they were off going back to the Bio-lab.

[Bio Lab]

A few moments later they arrived back at the bio lab "Well, let's not waste any time. Let's get this container hooked up." Urushi said as she led the Chief Engineer towards the workbench. "If you start on setting up the equipment, I'll go get the container out of the bio-freezer."

"Sounds good" Liam replied as Usushi turned and left for the bio-freezer. First he attached the main power cable between Valkyrie's power port and the convertor. Grabbing his tri-corder Liam turned on the convertor while scanning the device. After a few minutes the readings were remaining constant; which was a good sign. Next Liam attached the cable to the convertor with the other end going to the container. Liam shut down the power waiting for the Lieutenant to return.

Urushi returned wearing thick protective gloves carrying the frozen container unit. Gently she placed it down on the convertor unit. "Well, switch her on and I'll monitor power output." She said as she pulled the gloves off and held her tricorder close to the unit.

"You got it Chief" as Liam made the final connection. "Here goes nothing" activating the convertor Liam sort of held his breath hoping this would work.

The container lit up, strip of light emanating from grooves just like it had on the alien ship. "Looks like it's working..." Urushi said as she continued ger scans. "Ah... a slight problem."

"Take a look," she said passing him the tricorder. "The cryo-stasis shields are slowly deteriorating. Even with power this container probably wasn't designed to be in use this long. If they fail then all the embryo's will be lost. That means the loss of an entire species, an entire civilization." Urushi explained sadly. "I was hoping this would work, designing a new container could take a while and I still don't know exactly what specific requirements are needed for their survival."

Defeated Urushi sat down on a nearby stool. "I'm so bad at biological science." She pouted. "Give me a supernova or nebula anyway over this..."

Seeing the science chief sitting accepting defeat made Liam all the more determined to figure this out; he didn't like loosing. He looked at the embryos "Think...Liam...think there has to be a way around this" as an idea popped into his head. "Urushi, there's a power outlet on that bench over there" then he paused "If we pull the power from that source, then why can't we move the whole assembly over to that bench then initiate a stasis field around the whole thing. That way even if the native cryo-stasis field fails the embryos would still be in stasis to continuing their development; at least it's worth a shot" He concluded.

Urushi looked up. The cogs in her brain ticking around. "Theoretically that could work. But it's only a temporary fix." She said her mood starting to lighten. She slid off the stool and reapproached the container. "Ideally we have two long term options in order to save them. Either we come up with a new container design quickly, or we implant them into an artificial or compatible host womb to grow and be born." She looked at Liam. "Kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place huh?"

"A temporary fix is better than the alternative" Liam replied "So it looks like we better get cracking on a new one" as he looked over at the embryos "Besides that would take a lot of wombs" as he grinned.


TBC...

 

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