Carpathia IV: Episode 66 - Force Field
Space, NCCS Shadowdancer
Aire and Joust rode the lift together down to the shuttle bay where an exciting presentation awaited them.
Joust: We've been working on localized force field technology since before Ramewet even knew Carpathia existed. This will be exciting if it works.
Aire: Minnie told me that we're not quite there yet, but we have made significant progress. The engineering labs in Starlight City and Carpathia City should be able to take it that last mile.
When the lift doors opened, it was only a short stroll down the corridor to the shuttle bay. Once inside, they found all the shuttles and skiffs shifted to the sides. In the center was a large replica of a standard corridor, looking as though it had been sliced right out of the ship and placed in the shuttle bay. Around the replica were several members of the engineering staff and the bridge crew who all snapped to attention when Aire and Joust entered.
Minnie: Captain, Commander, thank you for coming.
Aire: I'm looking forward to seeing what you have to show me, Minnie.
Minnie stood to the side and held out her hand to invite her Captain to approach the experiment area.
Minnie: We don't have everything sorted yet, but I think you'll be pleased with our progress. Amenaru helped us integrate this new technology into our systems.
Amenaru, kneeled by the fake corridor and aiming a laser tool at one of the conduits, briefly stopped what he was doing and gave a little wave.
Minnie: Phobos has been instrumental in adapting vashta power systems with our own. Quenya and Tayet have been providing invaluable support while offering some ideas of their own. We have the doctor in case any of our staff get a little too handsy with the experiment again. And, of course, there's Sylvar.
Sylvar, standing to the side marvelling at just being there, grinned broadly while Minnie grabbed his arm and pulled him close.
Minnie: It would have taken us years to get this far without his help.
Sylvar: I'm glad I can help! It's the least I can do to repay you.
Minnie: With your permission, Captain, we can start the demonstration.
Aire nodded.
Aire: Please begin, Minnie.
Minnie turned toward the fake corridor and clapped her hands twice, causing everyone making last-minute adjustments to snap to attention.
Minnie: Let's get started, everyone! Phobos, you have the mouse?
Phobos reached into his tool bag and pulled out a small, mechanical mouse, just the right size to fit in his hand.
Phobos: Ready, Chief.
Minnie: Release it into the corridor.
Phobos placed the mouse on the deck and then reached for his tablet. Before he even started pushing buttons, the mouse already became active, acting very mouse-like, standing up on its hind legs and sniffing the air. Phobos squatted and gave the mouse a pat on its little metal head before tapping at his tablet. Right away, the mouse turned and scampered off to the corridor, jumping inside.
Minnie: Sylvar, activate the force field.
Ready like a wild west gunslinger, Sylvar cheerily whipped out his tablet and tapped at the controls. The opening to the fake corridor emitted a whoosh sound and it suddenly appeared to be covered with a thin layer of water with waves of distortion interfering with the view inside.
Minnie: Phobos will demonstrate that the mouse cannot escape from this.
Phobos took this as his cue and signalled the mouse to return to him. It could not, running itself up against the force field but not able to pass through it. Every hit the mouse made caused the ripples to intensify, but the impassability never wavered.
Minnie: Okay, you can turn that off.
Sylvar tapped the off switch and the corridor returned to normal. The mouse inside scurried back to Phobos.
Minnie: The mouse was the best method of demonstration. We inadvertantly tried it with living subjects and, though it doesn't do any permanent damage, it really stings if you touch it.
At this declaration, both Amenaru's and Ramei's ears fluttered and their tail ends flipped back and forth.
Amenaru: That was me. My tail is still buzzing from that.
Ramei: Mine too.
Sorchae shook her head.
Sorchae: You two goobers will be just fine, this time.
While Amenaru and Ramei compared their experience, Joust quietly stepped up to the corridor opening and gingerly inspected it, folding his wings tight to his back.
Joust: What would happen if it were activated when someone was standing right in the middle of the opening?
Instead of answering Joust's question, Minnie looked at Phobos and pointed at the corridor opening.
Minnie: Mousie again.
Phobos nodded and released the mouse one more time. This time, rather than entering the corridor completely, it stopped astride the threshold.
Minnie: Stand back please, Commander. You never know how this part is going to be.
Joust's eyes widened as he did as he was told, quickly moving way back from the opening. The others did the same.
Minnie: Sylvar, activate the field.
Sylvar tapped at his pad again, and the field activated. This time, the mouse shot high out of the opening in a long, slow arc. Phobos, nervously watching the entire time, ran out with his hands open and caught the mouse before it hit the deck.
Minnie: We haven't tested that on a person, for obvious reasons, but we figure the results would be the same. It's not easy to predict which way the mouse will go. Sometimes it just slides less than a meter across the floor. Other times, it shoots out like a cannon. We've lost a few of the mice that way. Still, it is an effective security device if needed. It can be switched to one-way capability, so that someone can go through one way but not the other. Sylvar, set up a one-way, please.
Sylvar: One moment, Chief.
Minnie: When we set this up, we'll design an interface for Command and Security to use it more quickly.
Sylvar: Ready.
Minnie did not have to ask for the field to be active, for Sylvar was already turning it on as he spoke.
Minnie: Any volunteers to walk inside?
Both Amenaru and Ramei tucked their tails between their legs and backed away. Sylvar, however, raised his hand.
Sylvar: Hey, it's my design. I'll do it!
Sylvar handed off his tablet to Minnie and walked through the force field. It shimmered as he went through, but he otherwise appeared not to suffer any ill effects. Inside, Sylvar turned and grinned heartily while Minnie deactivated the field.
Minnie: I mentioned earlier that it's not perfect. It leaks when it's used to hold back gas or water. In that way, it's not suitable as a replacement for the emergency doors, but it's a good supplement. If we had a hull breach, the area would still lose air, but the fields can be set to deploy automatically to prevent explosive decompression in areas where we don't have doors.
Aire: Even if it's not perfect, that's a very substantial benefit.
Minnie: Thank you, Captain. Most of the credit goes to Sylvar. We couldn't have gotten this far without him. We have already sent our findings to the Carpathia National Science Institute and, with your permission, we can begin installing these systems around the ship.
Aire: Granted. Coordinate with Joust and Nalma on best placement for safety and security. Also, let's not mention any of this to the Saveas when they tour the ship tomorrow.
Minnie nodded.
Minnie: Can do, Captain. We also got some new weapon technology from the vashta ship. The science institute is working on that now and they say it looks promising. They are experimenting with it on a new vessel under construction.
Aire: It's a shame that we have to be more battle ready, but we do need to be prepared. I'll be interested in this new tech when they have it working. Thanks for the demonstration, Minnie. And Sylvar...
Suddenly addressed by the Captain, Sylvar stood up straight and stiff.
Sylvar: Yes, Captain!
Aire: Glad to have you with us. Keep up the good work!
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
