Carpathia V: Episode 6 - Resurrection
Polaris Sector, NCCS Chrono Blade, Engineering
In Engineering, Sauron paced back and forth while everyone stood far back, lest her tail swipe them right off their feet whenever she turned. Phobos was coming, but she didn't know what condition he'd be in when he got there and no idea what to do no matter what his condition was. She would have to depend on the knowledge of others, the hotoh generally and Kerith specifically, a position in which she hadn't found herself in many years.
With a hiss and a clank, the main entrance doors to Engineering parted and, before they could even reach their apex, a gurney came rolling in like a racecar, stopping right in front of Sauron. She looked down to see a chest cavity with one arm still attached and bits of burnt uniform clinging desperately to what it could. Without knowing what to do, she did the only thing she could do. Sauron pulled out a scanner and started waving it over Phobos's body.
Sauron: I hope his head is coming next. Can't imagine not needing that.
Sauron continued scanning, with a grimace forming on her face the longer she did so. Finally, she lifted her pad and started tapping at the controls.
Sauron: Well, shit. Looks like there's a connection port to the power core that we'll need an adaptor for. I'm sending the schematics to the synthesizer. Someone go make it!
Three engineers immediately bolted to the synthesizer while Sauron set to resume her scans. Before she could do so, the doors opened again and another gurney rolled through in great haste. This time, containing just what she was hoping for: Phobos's head.
Sauron: Over here! I want to scan that too!
Sauron stepped to the side while the crew wheeled the new gurney right up to her chest, where she started scanning immediately. While she compared her scans, she started muttering absentmindedly at the parts, her voice trailing off after each one.
Sauron: Okay... this probably connects to that... That'll probably have to be replaced... No power in the head at all...
Once again, Engineering doors open, but this time, the result is not a new gurney, but Kerith, who rushed straight for Sauron and the Phobos parts.
Sauron: What do you need?
Kerith stopped short of the two gurneys and started examining Phobos's chest first.
Kerith: An adaptor to hook his power core to the ship's systems...
There was more to come, judging from Kerith's voice, but she briefly cut him off anyway.
Sauron: Already in the synthesizer.
Kerith: Good. He'll need stability when we reattach his head. I'd like all readings forwarded to Neptunus so they can study them too. I want to get his head re-connected quickly. His memory and brain functions should have entered a protected state, but I'll need him connected to check. Now, hopefully the emergency release for his chest cavity wasn't damaged.
Kerith stuck his hand inside Phobos's uniform and started to feel around while one of the Engineering techs presented Sauron with the adaptor they had just synthesized.
Sauron: Good. Contact bridge and tell them we need a data uplink to the Neptunus.
Kerith continued his probing when Atsuo and Revenant rushed in.
Kerith: Found it. Let's see if it works.
Kerith first pushed inside and then, with a grunt, gave a hearty tug at whatever was inside. There was a click sound and the front of Phobos's uniform bulged, the open door straining against the fabric.
Kerith: Got it!
Kerith reached at the neck area, a place where the uniform was especially frayed and singed, and with one swift, fluid motion, ripped the uniform down the side. Now, the hatch was fully accessible and he opened it fully.
Kerith: Okay, adaptor goes there, then we hook up the computer console. Our goal is to make sure power distribution is steady. Atsuo, if you could help me examine the head? I think Revenant can monitor power distribution.
Revenant: What tolerances should I aim for?
Kerith: His data stream should appear on the console as soon as he's connected. Apply power if it goes into the lower yellow section and drain it if it goes into the upper red section. He has some self-repair capability, but we have to re-teach his systems what "normal" is.
Revenant: Got it.
Sauron: Adaptor is in. Let's plug in the console.
While Kerith and Atsuo moved on to the head, Sauron hooked the console to the adaptor. Right away, the console showed the full system readout of Phobos's power core, including a wavy line that moved up and down, insinuating itself into both the yellow and red areas with each rise and fall. Revenant immediately set to making the line behave.
Meanwhile, Atsuo scanned Phobos's neck where he separated from his body while Kerith studied the readings.
Atsuo: I'm no expert on androids, but it looks like the his head disconnected fairly clean. I only see minor scarring on the rotator plate.
Kerith: It's tolerable for now, but we'll have to make him a new connector plate later. I'm more concerned about the damaged neurotransmitter here.
A bleep came from Sauron's tablet. It was the Neptunus calling.
Alka: I'm sure you saw the same damaged neurotransmitter that we did. I'm sending schematics to your synthesizer to make a new one.
Sauron glanced over at the synthesizer and the screen showed that it was receiving a download.
Sauron: Receiving data.
Atsuo: I'll get that started.
A half hour passed with Atsuo's new job running back and forth to the synthesizer retrieving replacement parts. Alka carefully removed battered parts and installed new ones, with Sauron's assistance. Revenant managed the power, growing skilled at anticipating power fluctuations. All the while, crew continued arriving with more parts. Another arm. A leg. A foot. A finger. Anything they could find and pluck from the debris field.
With the last of the damaged parts between the chin and clavicle replaced, it was time to reconnect Phobos's head to the rotator plate.
Kerith: It might take a minute or two for the power to sync with his head, so don't expect instant results. Revenant, how's the power?
Revenant: Slight fluctuations, but it stays in the acceptable zone on its own now.
Kerith: Good. Commander, if you can guide his head into positions, I'll check the connections as they activate.
Sauron nodded and put both hands on the sides of Phobos's head while Kerith got on his knees and leaned in close, ready with his tools. With a wave, he gestured for Sauron to start moving the head toward the torso. As his head contacted the rotator plate, Kerith guided it into position while waving his tools around to check connections. Finally, it all came together with a resounding, metallic click. Kerith swapped out his tool with a scanner and started to check readings.
Kerith: Connection looks good. Power flow is steady. Revenant, how's the core?
Revenant: Small drain when his head made contact, but corrected.
Kerith stood up straight, still observing Phobos's face.
Kerith: And now we wait. It's up to Phobos now.
And wait, they did. The entire Engineering department went silent and all who weren't managing anything critical gathered around to watch Phobos. First, his eyelid twitched. But did it? It was hard to tell. Then an ear fluttered and hushed chattering started to escalate amongst the gathered vigil until, finally, Phobos opened his eyes.
Phobos: Sss... Ssssauron? Are you here for the skiff race?
Sauron leaned down with a smile and stroked his hair while Kerith took out his scanner again. Behind them, the rest of the team cheered and high-fived each other.
Sauron: Oh, Phobos, that was a few months ago.
Kerith studied his scanner, nodding the whole way through.
Kerith: No damage to memory subsystems. It might take some time for all of them to come back online.
Phobos tried to sit up, but failed immediately, flopping to his right, the side with the missing arm.
Phobos: Where's my arm? Are we doing a diagnostic?
Sauron: You had a bit of trouble, but you'll be alright. Kerith says you should remember everything soon.
Phobos looked down at himself, at his torn and burned uniform, his missing legs, and his missing arm, ears aflutter with every missing part that he noticed.
Phobos: Boy, I hope so. At least my dick is still attached.
Kerith let his hand, and the scanner with it, flop to his side as he smiled.
Kerith: The good news is that part is entirely undamaged. Commander, permission to go to the bridge. I would like to deliver the good news in person. It's unlikely that anything will go wrong, but if it does, Alka will know.
Sauron: You earned it, Kerith. Off you go.
Bridge, NCCS Chrono Blade
For the second time in a day, Ivy sat on her bridge and watched as the Elai ringship came into view, crossing around the bow of the Chrono Blade, ready to take the ship into its wake.
Teren: I just got a report from the shuttle bay. They estimate that they managed to retrieve 80 to 90% of Phobos.
Ivy: That's good. Kerith said he only needed his head and body, but every bit helps.
Behind them, the lift doors opened and Kerith stepped out. Both Ivy and Teren stood, but said nothing, simply awaiting whatever it was he had to say.
Kerith: Phobos will be fine. Power core is stable. His memory has some gaps, but that should clear up as he comes back online. He thinks there's some sort of skiff race happening now.
A collective exhale could be heard throughout the bridge.
Ivy: Great news! I suppose it's a blessing that he awoke to a happy memory. We're still trying to locate Dr. Leingod, but he'll be happy when he gets the news.
Teren: It's good that you're here. Everyone that we save is worth celebrating.
Ivy strode past her chair and then rounded the security console to place her hand on Kerith's shoulder.
Ivy: Kerith, I don't know where I'm going to end up when we get back to Andrast Shipyard, but I know I could use someone like you on my team, if you're interested in a full commission on a Carpathian ship.
Kerith looked up, wide-eyed and fins flipping about on his head and arms.
Kerith: I... Thank you! I might take you up on that! It looks like we're leaving soon, so I had better get back to Engineering to keep an eye on Phobos. The uplink to the Neptunus won't last long after we go.
Ivy: Very good. I'll pay a visit when everything is settled here.
With that, Ivy heard a grunt coming from behind her and turned to see Teren with his arms folded across his chest and a very pointed glare directed right at her.
Ivy: Okay, after I get my head injury treated. I'll see you in Engineering... eventually.
Kerith: Understood! And thanks so much!
Kerith ran back into the lift, letting the doors shut behind him. With some good news in her grasp, Ivy returned to her chair.
Kau: Incoming message from the Elai ringship, Captain. Putting it on viewer.
A moment later, Reylen appeared on the viewer, and now, thanks to Kerith's efforts, looking considerably clearer than he did just a few hours ago.
Reylen: We are almost in position, Captain. We'll need to get up to 52% of your induction speed to safely take you into our microfold wake.
Ivy: Understood. I've been assured that we can go to 80% without issue, so to have a bigger buffer, shall we get to 60?
Reylen: If you're comfortable with that, then sure. I suggest we match speed gradually. Start at, say, 15%?
Ivy: That's reasonable. We are ready when you are.
Reylen: Very good. We'll start off at 10% induction and when you start catching up, we'll increase to 15. After that, have your helm match our speed increases until we get to 60. We'll handle all the rest.
Ivy: Got it. Start whenever you like. We'll catch up. Ivy out.
The viewer went dark and Ivy immediately redirected to the helm.
Ivy: I assume you got all that, Riku.
Riku: Every word, Captain! After everything we've been through, this is easy peasy!
The ringship's stern engines grew bright and then the ship rocketed away. In just a few moments, it was no longer visible to the naked eye.
Ivy: Riku, proceed as planned. 15% induction.
Riku grabbed his yoke, all fingers in position, and began to accelerate.
Riku: 15% induction, yes Captain.
The Chrono Blade slowly gained speed. At first, they saw nothing, but after a couple of minutes, the stern of the ringship came into view again. For a time, the Chrono Blade and the ringship performed a delicate dance. The Chrono Blade would get close, the ringship added a few more points to their speed, and Ivy's ship would catch up again. This continued until they both reached a steady 60% induction speed.
Kau: Signal from the ringship, Captain. They are ready to activate microfold and request us to hold this speed.
Before signalling ready, Ivy decided to check with Engineering first.
Ivy: Bridge to Engineering. Are we ready to enter the ringship's microfold wake?
Sauron: Engine systems all running properly, Captain.
With a nod, Ivy turned back to Kau.
Ivy: Signal Elai ringship. Ready when you are.
Kau: Sending ready to the ringship.
Ivy watched the ringship out the window, waiting for the moment of the microfold drive activation. A few moments, later, she discovered that she was looking in the wrong place. There was no visible change to the ringship engines. Only the stars that started to pass by in little streaks indicated that they were now moving considerably faster than they were.
Sena: Engines are steady, but sensors indicate that we're moving at Q8.39, Captain.
All sat in silence on the bridge for a time, watching the stars while they left behind the field of destruction, the site of the deaths of many thousands. All seemed peaceful now, like nothing had happened, except for the empty places in their hearts. With a heavy sigh, Ivy turned and spoke softly to her first officer.
Ivy: Teren, inform all departments to prioritize rest. The shipyard can handle the repairs. We'll have a memorial in a few days.
Teren: I'll make sure of it, Captain.
Commissioned art in Carpathia from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Colourbrand
Falke2009
Nalaxa Art
