RP Log: Building a Mining Tool and More
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| 2025-04-05 16:21 | |
- Mission Operations <USS Phoenix NCC-170100-A>
- This is a work area used to plan the specific details of both away missions and larger scale ship missions. The far bulkhead sports a large LCARS panel, with ten seats arranged in a semi-circle in front of it. Behind these are several desks arranged in rows, where officers and crew work on various aspects of missions. Set into one of the bulkheads is a compartment that houses spare dataPADDs, and another sports a smaller LCARS panel. In front of this smaller panel is a round table, seating five.
Ramirez sidles in through the entrance, a calm, placid grin on his face. "Heya Luz. How's things?"
Castillo is seated at the round table with five spare chairs. A scattering of tools and electronics are spread across the operations table. She rises as Ramirez enters the area, her hand motioning for him to come over. With the same gesture, she motions to the selection of toys.
Ramirez moves over at the implied invitation, and though Castillo is acknowledged politely enough, it is pretty clear he only has eyes for the array of tools and tech laid out across the table. "Soooo....what did you end up deciding on, Luz? What's the approach...?" A pause. "Is that a triphasic nanometer wave quantum scan interpolator?"
"I replicated the finest cutting tool I could find in the computer, it was originally designed for surgical work..." Castillo picks up the piece of equipment and hands it to Ramirez. "...but, there are documented uses for precision cutting in engineering applications. High power, be careful with it." She adds with a cautious tone. "It needs to be attached to the rest of this equipment. We're looking to give the user a HUD to work with when cutting."
Ramirez nods. "Well. If this was a surgical instrument..." He brings the tool up, and looks at the serial and model numbers, and types something into the computer. "....should have a base control code library." He grins and a code base is pulled. "Look at that. There's an entire control code interface. We just need to feed the right instructions to it."
He handles the thing with care, and then raises his brows. "The power channels are huge. How much does this thing draw?"
"More than we need." Castillo says as she draws out her tricorder. She places the device on the table. "We're going to try to be as efficient about it as possible. We can't take the ship's power grid down with us." The statement is made, then she corrects herself. "Or rather, I don't want to try and bring it with us." Her hand motions between the cutting tool and the device. "We can connect these two remotely, let the tricorder act as the processor for the whole project, and connect the tricorder to a remote data module which can feed into any EVA suit...with a quick installation."
Ramirez huhs. "Well...." He nods to the thing. "With a power converter inline between the power supply on that tool and a type-1 power cell, it should run for a few minutes, I'd think. We can just carry extra cells with us, and swap them out?"
He points. "We just fabricate a housing with an interrupt to the main power supply on the tool. Yeah, the tool will need to reboot each time, but that's only a few seconds. We're not in a hurry, and there'll be someone there to swap cells."
Then he smiles over to Castillo. "Plus that works with your entire plan you just described. Which is, frankly, elegant."
Castillo picks up the remote data relay from the pile of equipment and boots up her tricorder. "If you would like to work on designing and putting together a housing, with power cells, go ahead." She points to her tricorder. "I'll develop a program to connect the tricorder to the suit." Her hand gestures with the data relay.
Ramirez nods. "Can do, Luz." He starts going through parts, and then just shakes his head. "You know...I don't need a whole new housing. Just an interface from a Type-2 phaser power cell receptacle to the tool..." And then he goes quiet as he starts sketching out the connection between that and the tool. "Plus we can add an articulating joint, there..."
"What is it you did before joining Starfleet?" Castillo asks as she begins to code a program to attach the tricorder to the remote data relay.
Ramirez mmms? Then he looks up. "Oh. Prepared for joining Starfleet, mostly." He continues working through the design sketch on the computer as he talks. "My father was the XO of the Sternbach. My grandfather was on the Carpathia when she was lost. So...it was just assumed from birth by my father I was going to the academy."
He looks over with a grin. "My mother convinced me to take a few years off before the academy. It's why I'm such an old ensign. Spent THOSE years traveling all over Earth, seeing the wild places."
"I went to Alpha Centauri and studied to be an engineer." Castillo says, providing her own experience. "I was a project manager on Earth before deciding to enroll in Starfleet Academy." She says, pausing to think to herself. "I wouldn't feel too bad about being a little older."
Ramirez chuckles. "I suppose not, Luz. People look at me funny, though. There's some assumed incompetence when you're an ensign for 6 years." He looks across at her, speculatively. "So you've always been an engineer?"
He puts together a replicator control file on his screen as he talks, for the housing interface. "I learned what I /do/ know about engineering as part of my flight track. Mechanical systems. Weapons engineering. Like that. My mother wanted me to be a botanist like her. So...of course I didn't."
"I've been an engineer, yes." Castillo responds with a nod, continuing to work on getting the code together. "I ended up qualifying for a bunch of extension courses at the academy because of it." She motions to herself. "I likely could have became a civilian specialist aboard a ship, but I ultimately decided to receive the commission."
He regards Castillo with open speculation across the table, clearly having some thought. "You know. I think you make an outstanding officer. Sensible, well-trained, and you make good decisions." There's...some sort of subtle implication in his tone, though he doesn't expand on it.
"If my transfer goes through, I'm going miss you, Luz. You're a real pro."
"Transfer?" Castillo asks with a surprised look. "A transfer to where?" She stops her work, looking away from the tricorder.
Ramirez shrugs, frowning a little. "Antares dockyard, if it goes through." She can see the reticence all over his face. But....he DID bring it up. So he plows along. "Let's just say that I have some confidence issues in the senior staff of this vessel, Luz. I don't want to...talk out of school, is all?
"Oh." Castillo's surprise seems to fade, her tone more level as she responds. "When did you put in the request?"
He grunts. "Damned near a month ago, now." He chews his lower lip. She can see him consider what to say, then he just shrugs. "I think that Captain is hoping I'll reconsider. An it's gotten a lot more complicated for me, personally."
He waves a hand. "Added to this, I think the mission out here is worthwhile." He sighs. "I dunno. Maybe I'm letting principle get in the way of my career and common sense."
"What exactly happened?" Castillo asks, returning to programming the tricorder into the remote data relay. She scowls at the device, frustrated with the last bit required to get it to work. "To get you to request a transfer?"
Ramirez sets his lips into a line. A sort of thoughtful frown, as he looks to Luz. Silence fills the empty spaces in the room, punctuated by the occasional tap or clink of various parts as he assembles his piece of the device.
"I need your word that this stays between us?"
"Contrary to the walls of that asteroid, I think I can keep a secret." Castillo responds with a nod. "Provided whatever is going on isn't illegal...or going to hurt someone." She finishes her work placing the tricorder and the relay on the table.
Ramirez snorts a laugh. "Miri's not a secret. Pretty sure everyone gets that we're an item at this point." Then he shakes his head. "Oh, no. Nothing like that. Basically, I had a run in with Doctors Coil and Hawthorn in the armory. They came to do phaser qualification. Hawthorn? She seemed dead set on being as rude as she possibly could be."
He shrugs. "So....I read through every section and subsection of the relevant regulations about civilians carrying weapons on Starfleet vessels. Made her wait while I did it, too." He hehs.
"Petty? Maybe. But still correct. Coil comes in. He starts trying to say they aren't civilians, then starts attacking me over some decision Worthington made about collecting rock samples. Then they both turned and left."
He pulls a dummy power cell from the pile of parts and test-fits it as he talks. "So I went to see the XO about the incident. Heads up, you know? And without even letting me tell him the entire story, he starts telling me how I was wrong, to apologize, and that I should basically know my place."
Castillo listens to Ramirez carefully, ceasing to work on the project as she does so. She looks at him with concern, not entirely certain what to say. "I can't say I'm familiar with all of the weapon regulations on a starship." Her hand motions to herself. "I'm not partial to them myself." Her breathing slows as she asks the next question. "Was there something specific the Commander said to you? Beyond telling you to apologize?"
Ramirez nods. "I know it sounds like it's not a big deal, Luz. But you weren't there. He didn't even try to get all the facts, nor did he care who was in the right or wrong. He just seemed interested in coming down on an ensign, regardless of the facts. THAT kind of person has no business in a command slot."
And then he gives her another shrug. "On the other hand, I'm just an ensign. I really don't know anything. So maybe I am about to get punched in the mouth and I just blew my career up."
"Did you try speaking with the Captain before turning in the transfer request?" Castillo asks with a level tone. "He may have been able to help...and it might be why he could be hoping you would reconsider."
Ramirez shakes his head. "I haven't spoken with him, no." There's a pause. "Look, the XO is supposed to handle this kind of thing. But I have no trust in the XO, since he's the problem. I guess....I didn't want to bother the captain with this. I really am just a nobody ensign, Luz. The man has more important things to do with his time."
"If you haven't already had a discussion with the Captain, I think it's a good idea to approach him." Castillo responds. "If the first officer is supposed to handle things in a fair and even manner, and they're not, the Captain should be involved." She looks to Ramirez and offers assurance. "If you sent in the transfer request, the worst that happens is he gets an explanation." Her shoulders rise with a deep breath. "The best that happens is there is some sort of mediation."
Ramirez spreads his hands. "I didn't bring it up because I do not want to be the source of drama. This is why you're just now hearing about it, Luz." He sighs. "All the rest of it aside? I dunno how Miri feels, Luz, but I'm getting pretty serious about her. But sooner or later we'll be on different ships, anyhow."
"Have you spoken with her about the transfer yet?" Castillo asks with a furrowed brow, seemingly more concerned than before.
Ramirez nods. "I have. And I suppose, at this point, I am going to try to rescind it with the captain."
Castillo appears confused. "Because of what I said?" Her brow furrows more intensely than before.
Ramirez shrugs. "No. More like...I already set it all in motion. Undoing it isn't a sure thing." He looks over. "But I'm trying to undo it. And..please don't tell her this? But I don't want to leave Miri." He pauses to consider. "Worthington is going to get us killed, though. The man is a cowboy."
Castillo offers a nod. "I won't tell her." She says with certainty. "And I'll try not to give it any thought, either." She motions to the project in Ramirez's hand. "Is that ready?" Her question is made, leading right into a comment. "I was aboard the Phoenix prior to Worthington being transferred here. The Captain made a comment or two about him being a looser cannon than most."
Ramirez blows out a breath, and then shrugs. "Starfleet must have its reasoning for putting him in the billet." He nods, and holds the completed device up. "Goes inline between the suit and tool." He articulates it, slightly. "You can even change the assembly's angle, like so." Pause. Then: "Thanks, Luz. For talking with me. Maybe I should just ask: what do YOU think I should do, here?"
"I don't know what I would do if I was in your place." Castillo responds bluntly. "This is set to go." She says with a motion to the relay and the tricorder, breaking the thought up before continuing. "It's hard to know what I would do unless I was living it." Her thought returning to the conversation about the transfer request.
Ramirez nods. He's silent and motionless for a few moments. Then he just shrugs. "That's a reasonable answer, Luz. I don't know what I would do, either." He looks at the assembled kit. And he grins. "This is pretty slick, Luz. Just don't forget to take like 10 power cells with you."
"I don't plan to be the one that cuts into the rock." Castillo responds with a slight frown still stretched across her face. "I don't think I have still enough hands for it."
Ramirez nods. "Well. I'll do it if no one else wants to." He looks up to her. "Accountability means if it explodes, I'm the one who gets hurt, after all." He shakes his head, frowning. "Not sure if I know how to run this thing effectively either, though. Steady hands or no."
"I'll clean up all of the spare parts and bring it to the transporter room when we are ready." Castillo says, beginning to clean up the work station. "I think you should spend some time talking things through with the person who's important to you." She looks to Ramirez. "And see what they think of your big decisions."
Ramirez looks across the table. The look he gives her is hard to read, at first, before it melts into a smile. "Luz? You're a good egg. Thanks." With that, he stands. "Thanks for letting me help out. That was stimulating."