Space Walks, Tight spaces, and Jefferies tubes, Oh My! Part 3

Posted on Wednesday December 20th, 2023 @ 2:03am by Captain Franklin Johnson & Lieutenant Oscar Vladinchi & Lieutenant Lazarus Kord & Lieutenant Commander Ahkhsu Trensu & Lieutenant Commander Steven Ryan & Lieutenant Commander Erika Itsumi & Lieutenant Drauc Kejail ie-Jia'anKahr

3,373 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: The Grand Tour: Part Two
Location: USS Poseidon; Various / Outer hull and Jefferies tubes / Medical Bay
Timeline: The Grand Tour - Arrived at Tellar
Tags: Grand Tour, 2395, Character Development

[START]

== Medical ==

Lazarus groaned as he awoke. The last thing he remembered was seeing the explosive shockwave erupt from the panel and zoom towards him at an impossible speed. He watched as the flames had practically engulfed his arm before passing out. The intense and searing pain he had felt was similar to when he had been electrocuted on his old posting, back in a mirror universe far away. He heard first the gentle beeps and hums of the medical bay. He then shot up, remembering his charges, as he yelled for the cadets who were under his care.

"Sephiria, Kowalski!" he shouted, alert and almost a panic as he looked around. The gentle guiding hand of a nurse startled him and he gazed into the eyes of a Vulcan Nurse.

"They are fine," reported the Nurse. As usual, she showed no emotion, but there appeared to be some sort of empathic sympathy noticeable in her gaze. "Both Cadet Jennifer Sephiria and Cadet Timothy Kowalski were safely transported before the effects of the explosion could reach them. You, however, were the worst off."

Blinking, Lazarus looked down, and noticed part of his right arm was missing to a stub near his shoulder. He looked at it, transfixed for a moment, before looking back at the Nurse. As if sensing his question, she replied before he could ask it.

"I have reduced the pain and neuron activity of your missing limb. You will feel nothing. Additionally, the wound has been cleaned and was naturally cauterized by the heat of the explosion. We are also in the process of creating your biosynthetic replacement limb, but I admit due to the limited amount of information we have on Gorn anatomy, it will be a primitive replacement at best," the Vulcan Nurse said.

"What is your name?" Lazarus asked, after a moment of thought. The realization of missing a critical part of his body - however momentarily - was shock-inducing.

"I am Lieutenant V'lu, one of the medical departments Head Nurses," she replied.

"Thank you, V'lu," Lazarus said, meaning it. Remembering then his objectives, he quickly used his good hand to tap his combadge. It wasn't until that point that he noticed how singed his uniform was. It left him wondering then if his face had at all been damaged. He pushed away the thought as V'lu began running tricorder readings on his body.

=/\= Lieutenant Kord to Lieutenant Drauc, both Cadets Sephiria and Kowalski are okay. I, unfortunately, am not fit for duty at the moment. The blast has .... =/\=

A moment of silence as Kord looked down at his missing limb again. How much damage did the blast do beyond this? He was glad the Head Nurse had nulled his pain. He continued quickly after glancing down.

=/\= .... the blast has taken damage to my right arm. Head Nurse V'lu in Medical is tending to my wounds as I await a replacement biosynthetic limb. I recommend utilizing another member of the engineering staff during this time. =/\=

Sighing, Lazarus looked down at his missing limb again. He looked up only to see Cadets Sephiria and Kowalski appear at his bedside, much to the annoyance of V'lu who was still doing her tricorder readings.

"You two," Lazarus said as he pointed to the Cadets, "have done an excellent job. You just survived one of many dangerous situations that will happen on starships. The Poseidon is old, unfortunately, and such circumstances are likely to happen again without proper maintenance. Remember this day. Remember the consequences of not doing proper maintenance. Remember that even with proper procedures, things can still go horribly wrong. Most of all, remember the way the backup emergency procedures and transporters were used. Without them, none of us would be alive."

For emphasis, he lifted his stub on his right arm. The Cadets gawked and seemed sickly briefly, but nodded eagerly. They understood very well that only proper procedures had saved them.

"Very good. Once you're released, report back to Lieutenant Drauc. Dismissed," he said, then nodded to them both.

The Cadets, without a word, gave a firm nod and turned to leave. They were, thankfully, uninjured .... at least physically.

== Jefferies Tube 24 ==

Drauc had his suit on and was advancing in the lead with a fire suppressant hose, behind him was Cadets Arex and Zylan. Cadet Manfedi, as a damage control specialist, was just behind them with an all-purpose fire hook with gas shutoff. Cadets Karmak and Abner were behind Cadet Manfedi with a backup fire hose. The young cadets were a bit confused as to why they needed the equipment, after all the fire had been subjected to a space blowout.

Drauc spoke in a calm voice, "While the initial outer hull blow out should have extinguished the fire, if the lines that burst still carry any gases, they most likely may be still active with fire." Drauc then hit the com button on his space suit =/\=Drauc to Lieutenant Whiteford, have all lines been purged and rerouted?=/\= The reply came =/\=Negative, damage is to extensive to the Jefferies tube, looks like this is going to be a manual shut down.=/\= Drauc thought quickly =/\=Understood, activate all damage control teams, have two teams enter from outer hull side the rest will attack from adjoining Jefferies tubes. I do not, repeat do not want any more cadets used. Notify Captain Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel Graydon, and Chief Engineer Lieutenant Commander Williams of the situation. On my orders sound a General Fire Alert.=/\= Lieutenant Whiteford swallowed hard and did as requested.

Throughout the ship a computerized voice announced =/\=Attention, Attention General Fire Alert. Attention, Attention General Fire Alert. All active damage control teams converge on Jefferies tube 24. Attention, Attention General Fire Alert. Attention, Attention General Fire Alert. . All active damage control teams converge on Jefferies tube 24.=/\=
Drauc turned the hose on, and pink fire suppressant foam shot out. In a tin can voice of his suit he replied calmly "Okay people forward. I and Cadets Arex and Zylan will attack the fires, . Cadet Manfedi you will open and shut all manual valves and remove necessary debries. . Cadets Karmak and Abner you will use a slow stream of fire repellant to manage temperatures and modulate the fires." He then led the way into the Jefferies tube full of thick smoke and flickering fires.

As they moved slowly through the tube Drauc began getting reports from the other damage control teams, the situation was worse than initially thought several cross tubes had plasma fires and damage. it was slow going for the teams. He then received the report from Lieutenant Kord. =/\=Affirmative Lieutenant. All cadets are to be routed to normal engineering functions, only enlisted, warrants, and officers may work the fires. Get rest and heal Lieutenant.=/\=

== Bridge ==

The general fire alert was heard on the bridge as it resounded through the ship via the various communication arrays on all decks. Franklin had been appraised of the situation and the near-death of Lieutenant Kord and two Cadets. When the explosion first hit, there was a slight tremor across the ship and the Computer was quick to announce the source. Thankfully, Lieutenant Drauc was already on scene. Captain Johnson had full faith in his engineering department and its Assistant Chief.

"Undock us from the station, Lieutenant," he ordered the Flight Control Officer on watch. "If something critical happens, I want it isolated to the Poseidon only."

"Aye, sir," the Lieutenant faithfully replied.

Eyeing the viewscreen, he watched as the Poseidon was released from Tellor Station and gently made way away from the civilian structure. Once at a distance, the Flight Control officer turned in her seat.

"We've stopped at the standard five thousand kilometer mark," reported the Lieutenant. "If we have a non-core explosion, this should be a safe distance."

The Captain nodded, eyeing the viewscreen. He hoped the fire would soon be contained. He pressed his communicator.

=/\= Lieutenant Drauc, this is the Captain. I have undocked the Poseidon from Tellor Station. We are at a safe distance should anything happen. If you need anything from the bridge, we are available. Captain Johnson, out. =/\=

== Security ==

Lieutenant Oscar Vladinchi was already running the moment the calls for general fire alarm had started to blare. Along with many of the security personnel, Oscar had been extensively trained on how to deal with ship-based fires. He and two other security officers were already towing manual fire retardant equipment down a few decks to where Jefferies Tube 24 met the corridor. There, several other personnel were already present from various departments, donning the required space-capable gear due to the venting of the tube.

Hoses were then attached to ports that were inside service hatches, which connected to various reservoirs that were still in place on the old ship which held fire retardant and other foam liquids used to quell and kill flames in both oxygen atmospheres and space environments. Oscar was quick to suit up as well. A ready area was made. Then, equipment was placed and stationed. All that was left was to alert the Assistant Chief Engineering Officer of their station. Oscar pressed his suits communicator.

=/\= Lieutenant Drauc, this is Lieutenant Vladinchi. Fire Team Epsilon is stationed along Corridor J, where Jefferies Tube 24 ends. We are suited and prepared for entry on your command. We'll be approaching from your other end, if capable. Awaiting your orders. =/\=

Jason had found his way too security his face was smeared with ash, "What the hell happened?"

== Diplomatic ==

Erika had been working when the fire alarm began to go off. At first, she couldn't believe what she was hearing: But as the looping words of the computerized alert began to sink in, images began to flash before her eyes:

... Fire ripping through the corridors of the Halcyon...

... The screams of panicking and burning Halycon crewmembers, with her own screams joining the chorus...

History was repeating itself, and Erika wasn't prepared to deal with it...

"Computer; activate fire safety mode:" She blurted out on instinct. "Authorization Itsumi 3-5-6-Delta"

Beeping in acknowledgement, the lock on the door clicked followed by the sound of all vents leading into the office closing. The door's lock settings had also been changed to firefighter mode, meaning only Erika or any authorized command or damage control personnel could unlock the door.

Pulling her clothing up over her nose and mouth, Erika proceeded to get down onto the floor by her wheelchair, where she proceeded to curl up into a ball as her PTSD overtook her.

Trensu had a quick bref on the situation and it was being handled almost perfectly. he started to look into every room adjacent to the fire to make sure the fire was contained the smoke was filtered out and the personnel were okay. he had other cadets in the area monitor corridors and keep personnel out of the area.

trying to get into the Diplomatic the door was seld Trensu paused for a moment. "Compruter, Security override, Trensu delta alfa foxtrot 17-56-45-0 Charly. there was a pause then the door opened. Trensu looked at his Padd. It did show one person here. Distrek said everyone was out, thought Trensu.

Looking through the office he passed by Erika's office then stopped back up and saw the wheelchair Trensu was sure she would not leave that behind. He stepped into the office "Hello!' anyone around?" Trensu said out loud.

"Here..." Erika muttered as she raised her hand into the air.

Seeing the hand and hearing her voice Trensu rushed over. Seeing Erika on the floor Trensu instinctively looked around first to see if there was any danger. he looked at her and saw that reaction before even hearing it in her voice when Erika said here her anxiety level was high. Probably PTSD.

Trensu knelt beside her placing his hand on her shoulder "Hey, are you hurt?" Trensu asked calmly his tone soft and caring trying to ensure her. He could not see any injuries but how she got out of her chair Trensu was not sure.

== Jefferies Tube 24 ==

Drauc was inching forward slowly spraying the corridor in front of him, Cadet Arex pulling slack, he could hear Cadets Manfedi and Zylan pull out panels and work to close the manual valves.
His combadge clicked =/\= Lieutenant Drauc, this is the captain. I have undocked the Poseidon from Tellor Station. We are at a safe distance should anything happen. If you need anything from the bridge, we are available. Captain Johnson, out. =/\= Drauc hit the com mike on his suit =/\=Understood captain. Be advised I believe we had a sabotage of equipment.=/\=
Next came another com chirp =/\= Lieutenant Drauc, this is Lieutenant Vladinchi. Fire Team Epsilon is stationed along Corridor J, where Jefferies Tube 24 ends. We are suited and prepared for entry on your command. We'll be approaching from your other end, if capable. Awaiting your orders. =/\=
Drauc immediately responded =/\=Understood Lieutenant. Enter and proceed, be careful, and no cadets on this. Also, be advised of possible sabotage of equipment.=/\= Drauc then continued to inch forward with his Cadets, working slowly to extinguish the flames.

Jason overheard the conversation "What the hell?" Jason reached out to Drauc "We're not going to get this out easily, let's get everyone out and vent the sections on fire, or we're gonna have secondary explosions and we're screwed."

== Bridge ==

=/\= Understood, Lieutenant. Be safe in there. Captain Johnson, out. =/\=

Sabotage! Again! Franklin felt his fist curl into a ball. The last time such an event happened, nefarious forces were at active work to impede and destroy the progress of the Poseidon. Those forces should have been destroyed, however, and there had been confirmation of such. Now, he wasn't so sure.

== Corridor J to Jefferies Tube 24 ==

=/\= Proceeding as Ordered, Lieutenant. Lieutenant Vladinchi, Out. =/\=

"Alright, prepare for entry!" shouted Oscar as he made the hand motion.

Two crew stepped up, then as once, they held either side of the hand-hold to the Jefferies tube. Oscar made motions for everyone to step back and prepare. Once they were clear, he gave the all-clear to proceed. As one, the two crew unlocked and threw off the hatch. Fire bellowed in a stream as oxygen was forced out of the tube into what now had become a vacuum. The flames flickered, brightly, then dimly before dying.

"Proceed!" Oscar ordered.

The crewmen holding the hoses went first, aiming inside the tube and quickly spraying the vacuum-rated foam solvent that quickly spread inside the tube and covered every inch. It quelled and suffocated any fire, ember, or any source of heat that utilized some resource to burn or sizzle. It was also particularly well suited to insulate and prevent electrical faults and fires, which in the tubes it did this job as well. After a minute of spraying, Oscar waved his hand for the first team with their hose to enter.

It would only go so far in, then another team with hand-held extinguisher equipment would follow. As the minutes passed and the first team entered, the environment became far less hostile and more under control. Oscar tapped his communicator.

=/\= Lieutenant Drauc, this is Lieutenant Vladinchi. Corridor J entry into Jefferies Tube 24 is now under control, electrical and chemical fires have been extinguished and we have the corridor vacuum sealed. I have a two man team with solvent hoses in the tube now, and they're just about at the end of their line. I'll send another two man team in with hand-held equipment. What's the status on your end? =/\=

Drauc was working forward when he saw a flame that made him pause, he looked at the soot covered junction letter a smudged J. =/\=Drauc to Lieutenant Vladinchi, evacuate J corridor immediately, Plasma fire heading toward you.=/\= He then hit it with the fire retardant. Looking back, he instructed Cadets Manfedi and Zylan "Hand me the hand tools take over the hose and back out now."

He then hit his com link =/\=This is Lieutenant Drauc, be advised there is a Plasma Fire Jefferies Tube 24. All environmental stations reroute EPS plasma away and blow all hull plating near Jefferies Tube 24. All Damage Control teams fall back and brace for explosive decompression. =/\=

Finally, he switched to bridge =/\=Bridge I am going to manual cut the new Tellarite EPS Tap. Have two worker bees standing by to intercept and bring to cargo hold.=/\= With that communication done, the Vulcan crawled forward toward the hellish green flame, opened the manual cut valves and began the process of cutting the lines manually; all the while the flames were licking across his suit.

== Corridor J ==

=/\= Aye, Lieutenant. Evacuating now. =/\=

When the last of his team made it out of the tube, Lieutenant Vladinchi did a quick head count and verified everyone was okay. He then ushered them towards the evacuation route. He only hoped that the next phase of attack to this fire would finally quell it.

"Alright, let's head this way. We'll need to brace for the decompression soon," Oscar stated to his team.

== Bridge ==

=/\= Worker bee teams have been notified, Lieutenant Drauc. They'll be standing by. Captain Johnson, out. =/\=

The worker bees were typically in storage on the Miranda-class. Back in the day, they were consistently used for repair and rework of the outer hull. When technology advanced enough to allow comfortable person to person spacewalks with the addition of more advanced replicator and repair technology, however, the worker bees went out of fashion. Still, most ships had a few pods in reserve to assist in repairs. It wasn't like they were entirely useless and unneeded.

Outside the hull of the Poseidon, the worker bee trio hovered near the hull awaiting Lieutenant Drauc's orders to decompress the area. Once he did, they would catch the section and as planned bring it to the cargo bay for manual repair.

"I knew I shouldn't of permitted those Tellarite additions," the Captain said. "Alright people, on Lieutenant Drauc's orders, you know what to do."

==Jefferies Tube 24==

Drauc could feel the flames licking on his suit, in typical Vulcan fashion he ignored it with the incredible discipline Vulcans had. He cut the last line. =/\=Drauc to bridge and worker bees, blow the hull.=/\= he then passed out.

== Outside the Poseidon ==

The hull blew into space. A section of the Miranda-class ship, on the portside bottom-half of the hull, came loose as explosive bolts and components designed to separate specific sections were engaged and activated. The flames instantly were snuffed out. Along with them were sucked out of the unconscious body of Lieutenant Drauc. Almost instantly one of the worker bee pilots called it in and his form engulfed in a blue glittery light as he was emergency transported to sickbay. The worker bees then went to work, grabbing the section of hull and holding it firm as a team of engineers entered and began in earnest to fix and repair the damage.

== Bridge ==

"Thank you sickbay, Captain Johnson out," he replied to the communication from Medical. Lieutenant Drauc had been recovered - just in time. He was barely alive but stable.

Captain Johnson heaved a sigh of relief. The damage had been minimal. No one had died. But they could have. He would have to discuss these Tellarite additions with Lieutenant Commander Williams. Something had gone horribly wrong - too wrong. He didn't suspect Williams, a seasoned and dedicated Starfleet Officer, to be responsible. He suspected something else. Though right now was dealing with the aftermath.

"Keep her steady while the teams work," the Captain ordered to Flight Control. "We'll get the section cleaned, reattached, and assess further damage. For now, we wait. Number one? You have the con."

Quickly the Captain turned, heading out of the Bridge to go to sickbay. He had to check up on Drauc personally.

[END]

----------

Captain Franklin Johnson
Commanding Officer
USS Poseidon

&

Lieutenant Colonel Phoebe Graydon
Executive Officer
USS Poseidon

&

Lieutenant Drauc Kejail ie-Jia'anKahr (NPC)
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Poseidon

&

Lieutenant Commander Kicil Priadden
Chief Medical Officer
USS Poseidon

&

Lt Commander Jason Elliot
Ass't Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Poseidon

&

Lieutenant Commander Ahkhsu Trensu
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Poseidon

&

Lieutenant Commander Erika Itsumi
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Poseidon

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