Warp core

Posted on Sat Aug 1st, 2026 @ 4:18pm by Lieutenant Commander Maximo (Max) Vero & Lieutenant JG Charlie Johnson

1,146 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Season 1, Episode 1: Ashes of Wolf 359
Location: Engineering
Timeline: Pre launch and South African soiree

ON:

Max had yet to meet the new engineering chief. As he needed a report as to where things were he decided to pop down in person.it also meant he got to see engineering which was always fun.

“Can you direct me to the new chief ensign,” he asked a young bolian.

“This way sir,” he nodded taking him to a young blonde. “Chief, Commander Vero,”

Charlie was sitting at the master warp core control monitor, engrossed in her work; another ensign was standing next to her, making furious notes on a PADD, trying to keep up with Charlie's instructions. "Recalibrate the warp coils to the nominal specs, and then I want you to go over the eps power taps and reset them. We're still getting power spiked through the warp drive startup sequence. I'll be working on the intermix settings."

The young ensign looked at her with concern. "Lieutenant. These settings are not going to be compatible with the power taps. We could blow the plasma manifold, which might lead to a power surge if unchecked, could rupture the magnetic containment field, causing a core..."

Charlie silenced him with a look. "Ensign Peters. These settings are in manual and were devised by Starfleet's finest engineering minds. Trust me, they'll work just fine. Now carry on."

Ensign Peters almost objected again, but he could see he was getting nowhere; he simply lowered his head and replied "Aye Lieutenant", before he headed off towards the Jefferies tube. He acknowledged the first officer as he passed.

Charlie looked up and quickly stood, coming to attention. "Commander! Apologies, I didn't see you there."

“It’s quite okay. You were engrossed in a manual it seems, “Max said simply. “What is the warp core status Lieutenant?” He asked.

Charlie let out a cautious laugh. "It's never steered me wrong so far Commander. Yes, the warp drive will be online and ready for our departure. I'm just having to smooth out some rough edges, but it's nothing major." Just then an exclamation could be heard as a nearby console shorted out and all the lights in engineering went out."

"What happened?" Charlie asked, picked up a light that she had on the desk nearby, suggesting this was not the first time this had happened.

A voice from the darkness replied, "Apologies, Lieutenant. The lighting grid control matrix in engineering has depolarised and fused the regulator. I'm going to have to replace it."

Charlie sighed, "Ok, there should be one in storage. Why hasn't the backup kicked in?"

"The power surge tripped the breakers. One moment."

Suddenly, the backup lighting came on. Charlie stood and walked over to the crewman who was removing the damaged component. "Did you adjust the lighting grid as per the manual?

The crewman nodded. " Yes, Lieutenant, that's what caused the power surge."

Charlie frowned. "That doesn't sound right. Let me know before you try again; I want to double-check."

The creman nodded "Aye Liuetenant."

She turned back to the XO. "As you can see Commander, we have our fair share of gremlins to catch. This is what happens when you stick together pieces from at least 10 different starships. There's bound to be teething problems, but don't worry, we'll get them sorted out. We just have to follow the manual."

From behind her back, one or two of the engineering crew shared worried glances but said nothing as they got back to work.

Max inwardly shuddered at her crew's glances. “What would happen if you lost the manual Lieutenant?”

Charlie smiled as she sat back down. "I've never lost one yet; you see they're all in here." She tapped the side of her head.
"I'll show you." Charlie sat up straight and closed her eyes. "When I need to look at a manual, I just close my eyes and I can see my childhood bedroom in my head, but on one wall is an old fashion bookcase, filled with every manual i've read and I just reach out..." she reached out her hand as if reaching for a book and pulled it back as if she had a book in her hand. she then opened this invisible book and started flipping through its pages.

"Pick one, and I can read it again. This is one of my favourites: technical specifications on the galaxy-class warp core. Groundbreaking design at the time."

She then reached up as if placing the invisible book back on its shelf and opened her eyes again.

“So you have as they say … mind vault?” Max stated. “I did some engineering classes you know, and more recently some updated ones, shall we say. I disagree. Sometimes you have to throw the book over your shoulder and go with your gut. You can’t always rely on the manual. There will come a day you’re just going to have to feel out the situation. No book. Are you ready for that?”

Around them, her staff were nodding but trying not to look as they were agreeing with the XO.

Not noticing her staff's reaction, she gave him a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Oh yes," she said, not quite managing to mask her tone, which implied not only that she did not agree with him but that she was only placating him out of courtesy and the chain of command. "I'm sure we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, I'll have the ship ready for departure on time."

The smile froze on her face. "Is there anything else Commander? We do have a lot of work to do."

“I will hold you to that,” Max told her, knowing full well she hadn’t taken anything he said seriously at all. He moved a little closer and lowered his voice, “I leave you with an observation though. You have to depend on your team, have a proper relationship with them for things to function smoothly, and listen to them. They have more experience than a manual. The book is not the end-all of knowledge. If you keep demoralising them “with the manual,” They will not come to you.

I will no doubt see you at the launch. Good day Lieutenant,” he told her, trying not to shake his head in disbelief as he left.

As the XO left engineering, Charlie let out a breath of relief. She suddenly became aware that the eyes of the engineering staff had stopped and were looking at her, seeing if the XO's words had made a difference.

"Come on, everyone back to work."

She turned her attention back to the intermix chamber settings, missing her staff sharing a look with each other before resuming work.

Everything will be fine, as long as we stick to the manual.... She repeated to herself.

OFF:

Lt Charlie Johnson
Chief Engineering Officer

Cmdr. Max Vero
Executive Officer

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