=Deck 7= =U.S.S. Chimera= Rick had a couple of panels opened and was busy examining the ODN conduits that ran through the entire ship. From reports he had just heard, everything was working at a hundred percent efficiency. Rick knew better, as did Lt. McTaggert along with just about every other engineer on the ship. No ship ever worked at a hundred percent. There was always a variant of around 10 percent that prevented this. Add in the modifications, and the Chimera should be well past that 10 percent. Most likely 15 to 20 percent. He was examining the ship randomly to see if he could find a flaw. The chances of that with a random check were highly unlikely, but until the ship went out of warp, it was all he could do. +tap+ “Engineering to Rodgers.” +tap+ “Rodgers here,” Trent said as he took off another panel and scanned the conduit. +tap+ “Lieutenant McTaggert wants you report to engineering as soon as possible?” +tap+ “Will do,” Rick said. With that, he completed his current scans then returned the panels to their proper place. He packed his tools of the trade and quickly made his way to engineering. “Deck 11,” Rick said after he entered the turbolift. Moments later, the lift stopped and a female engineer entered. “You came aboard when we were back at Bragg, didn’t ya?” she asked as the lift began to move once again. “Yeah,” Rick said. “Well, I’m Melinda. A belated welcome aboard the Chimera,” she said as she shook his hand. “What do you think about these readings we’ve been receiving?” “There’s no way we can be all green,” Rick said. “Something has to be wrong.” “I agree,” she said. “Does that make us pessimistic?” “No, just realistic,” Rick said as the lift stopped, depositing the two engineers on Deck 11. “Couldn’t it just be the modifications?” she asked. “Couldn’t they have improved our systems?” “No,” Rick said. “I might not be the most experienced engineer in starfleet or even on this ship or maybe in this lift, but there’s no way those changes could have improved our systems. It’s more than likely that they’re covering up a major problem.” As they entered engineering, Rick continued, “We won’t know that, though, until we’re able to perform a detailed diagnostic.” Ensign Rick Rodgers Assistant Engineering Officer U.S.S. Chimera