Unexplained Damage

Posted on 06 Sep 2025 @ 4:15pm by Ensign Ryan Collingway & Lieutenant Commander Sandra Boren

1,179 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Fractured Accord
Location: Cmdr Boren's office
Timeline: Morning

----Commander Boren's office-----

Later in the day, Ryan waited politely at the door to Commander Boren's and was permitted entry. "Hello, ma'am," he began. "Just checking in. Ensign Ryan Collingway."

Sandra looked up from the console, where she had been going through the latest reports on the system check in open space. “Ensign, welcome on board.” Sandra stated and gestured to the chair across from her desk. “With you we are finally complete! I am pleased you made it before our departure.”

"Thank you, Commander. That's really nice of you to say." This was going well so far. A lot better than he was expecting.

“I see from your file that you have general damage control experience as well as computer and LCARS speciality. A very useful combination.” Sandra stated.

Ryan nodded. "Yes. Although my preference is hardware over software, I am versatile in both." Like with any other job, it was handy to have more than one skill.

“Good,” Sandra thought for a moment, “I will assign you in charge of the damage control and emergency repair teams. Including you, you will have a total of 30 people in your team, over the shifts, of course.”

Ryan nodded, although he couldn't quite hide his surprise. He had naturally assumed he would be at the bottom of the gruntwork, cleaning up the warp core or something like that. Twice he has been pleasantly surprised by the Commander. "I won't let you down, ma'am."

----Next Day On route to Engineering----

Sandra had ben early, her shift was not to start for another 20 minutes or so, but until she, and the engineering department, were properly settled into their routine there would be many early starts and late finishes. It was a good thing the replicator had decent tea. She had programmed her version of it, so in fact it was more than decent. She took another sip and put the mug on the desk after taking a sip. Suddenly, the ship jolted hard, a vibration rippling through the deck plates. The lights dimmed for a heartbeat before the compensators caught up. The mug of tea slid across the desk and dropped to the floor, shattering in pieces. Sandra was just quick enough to pull her leg away before the hot liquid could have spilled on her. “What the....” she mumbled to her self and jumped to her feet.

After getting set up with the quartermaster and checking in with all relevant parties, Ryan started his first official shift the next day. As he walked to engineering, he suddenly felt it. A pulse that spread across the hull of the ship, followed by a slight shudder. Despite being new to the ship even he could tell that was definitely not 'normal'.

Quickly he entered engineering and glanced around. The department was massive, and looked very impressive, but whatever enthusiasm he felt would have to wait as he noticed several engineering crew members also trying to figure out what just happened.

“Damage report,” Sandra called out as she hurried into main engineering.

“Shields are holding, looks like one of the navigation buoys exploded and we were hit by the shock wave.”

“No damage to our engines, Commander.”

Before Sandra could do or say anything, red alert came on with the command for her to report to the bridge. “On my way,” she replied after she tapped her comm badge. “Route all the report to the bridge station as well. “Collingway, check all the damage reports coming in and despatch teams as needed. You have engineering.”


"Aye, Commander," Ryan said, also looking at the ship that was damaged. It was a retrofit, likely with older parts. As damage control teams checked in, he also made a list of possible compatible parts they would need to fix the nacelle. If they were called to assist in repairs, they would be ready.


---- Bridge----

Sandra has only barely stepped on the bridge and was on her way to the engineering station when the Captain stepped out of the turbo lift.

Report," Corbin demanded as she crossed to the command chair.

"Captain, the buoy detonated as we approached. The energy signature is inconsistent with a normal failure. Newton was offset, conducting scans, and she took the brunt of the blast. Moderate hull breaches, nacelle compromised. Arawyn's shields held, only minor fluctuations."

"Acknowledged. Powell, relieve Ops. Boren, get Engineering online. M'Leyna, take Helm."

“Aye, Captain,” Sandra replied as her fingers flew over the console as she activated it and patched through the feed from main engineering. One ear was listening to anything the Captain was saying. It didn’t take long.

"Commander Boren, prepare a team. You'll transport with Security and Medical if necessary, to stabilize the nacelle and sweep for secondary issues."

“Aye, Captain.” She tapped her comm badge, “Ensign Collingway, get your best team to transporter room 2. We are going to beam to the Newton.” Sandra nodded to Lt Flammia so he knew where he had to send his team. “Redding, you have Engineering while we are away.”

----Engineering---

The 'best team' might be a stretch for Ryan based on the fact that he had only been here for a few hours, but he quickly selected what he thought was the best based on their personnel file. He nodded at Redding and the team went to the transporter room. Aside from the spare parts, he also carried a kit that was designated for emergency repair work in uncertain conditions-goggles, heavy duty gloves, oxygen masks, the works.

That's when Ryan saw her. A woman who couldn't have possibly been an officer rounding the corner with a basket of food.

Surprise morale boost!” she chirped, holding out a basket as the first members of the away team rounded the corner. “Hydration, snacks, and cheer, everything you need before you beam into danger.”

Some of the officers hesitantly took the food and a few chuckled. Ryan, however, stared at her in complete bemusement and didn't take anything. They entered the transporter room. "I didn't know the away team had a catering service," he said to no one in particular as they waited for the Commander.


----Transporter Room 2----

Sandra hurried around the corner, and the doors of the transporter room swooshed open, Rollingway and his team were already there, and she nodded in greeting. She noticed the morale boost person, but hurried past her. She did not have time for something like that. Her mind was focused on the task ahead. She stepped on the platform, now they just needed the security team. “Ensign Collingway, amongst the damage is to the nacelle, an assessment of that has a priority. I will coordinate with the Chief Engineer, assuming he or she is not injured.”

"Yes ma'am," Ryan said, immediately getting ti work.

Sandra tapped her comm badge, “Boren to bridge, as soon as the security team is here we are ready to beam over, Captain. Any update on the status of the Newton?”

LtCmdr Sandra Boren
Chief Engineering Officer
Everything fits, otherwise we'll make it fit!

Ensign Ryan Collingway
Engineering Officer

 

RSS Feed