Could be a problem

Posted on Thu Apr 14, 2022 @ 8:39am by Lieutenant Penny Mc Taggard & Lieutenant Rei Yamashi

Mission: Mission 2 - A World With A Bluer Sun
Location: Science Lab & Engineering

::ON::

-Science Lab-

After what Penny had gone through in the last twelve hours. It was no wonder her usual pail colouring was even worse than usual. At one point McTaggard was so sick. She had been sure she had vomited her boots up.

While sipping a glass of cold refreshing water. The Chief Scientist of the Hornet tried to work out. What had triggered the stomach bug in the first place.

She had just come off duty. Feeling peckish she had ordered a fish paste sandwich and orange juice. It had to be the fish paste. Which meant a possible problem with the system.

“ =/\= McTaggard to Engineering please respond this is urgent =/\= “ she said.

Urgent. Rei's ears perked up at that. Urgent. She reached up for her comm badge, "This is Engineering, go for urgency." she responded, already on alert for the location and the nature of the urgency.

“=/\= There could be a problem with the replicator system. I ordered a fish paste sandwich and was violently ill afterwords.=/\= Penny explained

"I'm on my way to run a full diag. Have you been cleared by medical yet?" the rabbitess inquired, already on the way.

Penny nodded. Then gave her head a little shake. When she realised Rei could not see her doing this.

“=/\= Yes. Although I was asked to keep my food intake light and minimal for the next few hours. I am in the scene of the crime now. The main science lab. I’ll be here awaiting your arrival.=/\=“ Penny said

"I'll be there shortly." Rei commented, still on the way. She made her way to Sciences with a swiftness that matched the severity of the moment. If the replicator database locally was compromised, that was one thing. If the entire database was compromised, this would be a multi-department ordeal.

The doors to the Science labs swished open to allow Rei entrance. "Doctor?" she called, to make her way over to Penny to check on her, and moreso to isolate the affected replicator. "Good to hear you're feeling better." she started, now that she was actually there. "So, which one is the affected unit?"

Penny pointed towards a innocent looking replicator slot.

“ That’s the wee villain over there. By the way I nay a doctor really more professor as it happens. Would ye care for a glass of water? I have a jug of the real stuff over here.” Penny said

Rei gave a nod at the note. Titles were so weird. She moved over to the suspicious replicator, and started to remove key panels to get to the inner workings. "I'll reboot the replicator database for starts, but I understand that you'd be avoiding fish for the near future." she offered, starting the repairs. Software first, then a full diagnostic. "This might take a while. So yes, I'll take a glass please."

Penny poured her a glass and handed it to her.

“ Just the fish paste. I am not keen on the taste of the meat or what ever that wee slot sizzle’s out. Always seems to taste a bit like paper. Not that I have ever eaten paper. At least not since I wore nappies or diapers as they say. Although the Scottish version of the name is a wee bit rude. I believe. A niece piece of haddock or plaice. That slot always gets that correct. I know it’s nay real but for me it’s the taste. Anyway once you have fixed it the food should be safe again? Don’t you think?” Penny asked

Rei struck a thoughtful pose, "You know, in theory yes. Once the unit is fixed it should be good to go. However, if you wanted someone else to take the first bite just because you're a little shy about getting sick twice, I wouldn't fault you. I'll pass on being the test subject. Fish is a common meat where I grew up, and actual beef and such were delicacies. Give me the choice between a fish and a flank, I'm choosing the flank everytime." she giggled. "Okay, that sounded horrible, let me just finish up here, then I can return to engineering and die of embarrassment." another giggle.

“ Och. Dinna worry about that. Having a Scottish accent like mine. Always seems to get me into embarrassing situations. When I am on duty I have to adopt a more standard accent. But sometimes when I can a wee bit excited it slips through. People are always mistaking the odd word that comes out as embarrassing. But as for testing the replicator once your finished. As head of department it is my duty to be the first to test the machine. Maybe something simple like a simple fish salad.” Penny said

Rei gave a nod and a soft smile, "I'll let you handle the food test. As for accents, I had a very thick one early in my term with Starfleet. Almost painful to think about." she giggles, then the giggle faded, "I had to abandon it, but I actually like the sound of your accent. Please, don't lose it."

Penny smiled

“ Och thanks. That was not the advice I had from my tutors at the academy though. They always said yer accent needs toning down or your nay rise in the ranks. Officers need to speak with good pronunciation. But I knew different there was a famous Scottish engineer who made a name for himself. Without having to lose his. Plus my late grandfather Butch Mc Taggard did quite well. He rose to the rank of commander until he was killed in the dominion war.”Penny informed her.

Rei gave a nod. "Officers don't need to speak with pronunciation, they need to speak with confidence. They need to be understood as much as heard. Carry that with you wherever you go." the rabbitess offered, and then turned back to the replicator in question. "I had an uncle. Funny, smart, ready with a quip. Or so I heard." a pause, "He died before I was born. His son died serving his Three, so he stood up one day, gave his wife his love, and then went to avenge his son. Never came home." a pause, as Rei took in a breath. "Grief makes us do things, war makes us do even worse things.... I'm sorry." she took another breath, just to steady herself. "Sorry, just.. Let me finish up here." and she buried herself into her work.

Penny nodded.

“ Revenge and feuds are a More and McTaggard trait. You know even in this day and age part of my family is still hold a feud against the More family. It wasn’t until I discovered a cousin also in Starfleet on the USS Wellington. That I was told this. Keep away from the man called More or ye will come to great harm. My nana told me in her voice of doom and gloom.” Penny said

Rei just gave a nod, silent for a moment. "I wish it wasn't." she paused for a moment, "Her doom and gloom voice? She had a specific voice for it?" that got a smile on the rabbitess' face.

Penny nodded.

“ If ever anyone is putting on a play and needs a voice of doom and gloom. They usually seek her out although it may also be because of her tasty home baked treats. She carry’s around with her in that special tin. Her finger cake treats are the toast of the Glasgow and Edinburgh ammeter dramatic societies.” Penny said

"Fascinating." Rei mentioned, processing this all. She finished up the repair and diagnostic, and then gave the unit a pat. "There, give it a try."

Penny moved towards the replicator slot.

“ Glass of ice cold milk and a white bread tuna sweetcorn sandwich. Please.” She said

In a few seconds the items appeared. However the milk was on her plate and the sandwich stuffed into the glass.

“ Um……Rei?” Penny said

The rabbitess looked at the results, then back to Penny, "It's a step in a direction." she stated, then turned back to the replicator to get back to work.

Penny mused over the problem at hand.

“ What do you think is the cause of that wee machines trouble?” Penny asked

"I've isolated the problem to... the replicator." Rei commented, cracking her knuckles at the prospect of the challenge. "Let's try this again..."

This time Penny ordered the same. The milk appeared in the glass and her sandwich sat on the plate. Penny took a bite and gave Rei the thumbs up. Penny’s stomach was fine much later.

:: OFF ::


Lt. Rei Yamashi
Chief Engineer
USS Hornet

Lt. Penny McTaggard
Chief Science Officer
USS Hornet