Taking stock of the damage

Posted on 11 Apr 2026 @ 7:44pm by Lieutenant Ryan Collingway & Commander Suzanna Batenburg

800 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Arawyn’s Itchy Trigger Finger

///Science Lab////

Now that the main problems in Engineering had been fixed, at least to the extent they could be without a Starbase, Ryan's next focus was the other departments.

The main science lab took a significant hit. The first step was removing the debris that had broken Sorvak's back just a few days ago. Then fixing the electrical wiring in the ceiling. Then replacing almost every computer terminal after that. Ryan made a note of everything. The door opened, and Ryan nodded at Commander Batenburg as she entered.

"Commander Harlan is still off-duty," Ryan supplied. "We are starting repairs on the science lab today. Should take about a day to fix with a full team."

They both heard a sound in the ceiling of something breaking. "Maybe two days," Ryan added.

Suzanna nodded, she had told Remington before to organise a general clean up, put stuff back where possible. But there was plenty still to do for engineering. Every console and terminal needed checking. All the equipment that had flown around needed a double check and diagnostic to verify it was still working as should. Not to mention, most likely calibration by the science team.

"Good work, I would also recommend that we look at ways to secure some of the bigger equipment to the tables or walls, I am open to suggestions. Please talk also with the scientists what would work best. Until now, it has been assumed that the weight of them would be enough to keep them in place, inertial dampers rarely fail, in this day and age."

"Yes, I think we have definitely learned some lessons from this on how to improve things," Ryan said, but didn't really elaborate. With a sigh, he lowered the data padd. He didn't know if the Commander knew the answer to this question, but she would be the best person to ask. "Commander...have we found out anything more about that defence field? It supposedly stopped because it recognized our shield frequency. Did Starfleet build it? A long time ago, maybe?"

"Good question, Lieutenant." Suzanna replied, "Lieutenant Remington and I have been going over the sensor logs, and although it recognised us as friendly and permitted, We have not found anything in the Starfleet databases suggesting it was created by Starfleet." She paused a moment, "logic dictates, it was an old, friendly, since it recognised Starfleet shield harmonics. Starfleet will be sending a survey ship to investigate deeper."

"What if there's more than one?" Ryan all but blurted out. "What if they are littered around this system? And if they're old, some of them might be too damaged to recognize a Starfleet vessel and-" He closed his eyes briefly, stopping himself from going further. Exhaustion was talking at this stage. "Sorry ma'am. It's been a long couple of days."

"Take a deep breath, Lieutenant," Suzanna stated, her expression softened, "Focus on your breathing, and you are exhausted, the first opportunity you get, you should have a shift off. I will log it into the system as such. Who can take over for a day?"

Ryan gripped the datapadd, uncertain, then shook his head. "I'm...just waiting for Commander Harlan or Lieutenant Caldwell to return to duty. There is no one else with ACEO access. I'll be fine until then," Ryan assured her. As long as the Arawyn didn't warp into another defence field, he thought, but didn't say.

"Then I will make a note, for two days off as soon as either Lt Caldwell or Cmdr Harlan are back, if need be, I can arrange for codes to be transferred." Suzanna stated, "your health is more important than attempting to stay on duty. If you collapse, someone needs to take over, too."

"Yes ma'am," Ryan said, though part of him still wanted to protest and insist he was fine. But he put that aside. It was a discussion he could have with Commander Harlan later. "I suppose you're right."

"We have left a hazard buoy, with warnings and our sensor logs. Starfleet Command, and Epsilon Fleet Command will pass on the information on to any vessel that will be in the area. And the survey team will investigate in detail if there are more of these in the Shoales."

He nodded. "It would be good to have some idea of what that defence field was even doing there...or, what they were protecting," he said. That might give some meaning to this entire tragic event.

"Once we have further information from the Survey team, I will let you know what they found. Is there anything else I can support you with, Lieutenant?" Suzanna asked.

"No, Commander. Thank you."

Cmdr Suzanna Batenburg
XO USS Arawyn
Everything fits, otherwise we'll make it fit!

Lieutenant (JG) Ryan Collingway
Engineering Officer
USS Arawyn

 

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