Posted by Ensign Caelian Weir (Engineering Officer) in Main Sim [Engineering]: Ghosts in the Machine
“Simulation failure.”

Caelian wanted to thump his head on the console in frustration, but it wouldn’t help. Well, maybe it would make him feel better for a moment, but he wisely decided against the headache that he knew would follow. Seventy-three simulations, seventy-three failures. The engineer glared at the data displayed across several screens in Main Engineering, shook his head in disgust. What had he missed? The solution sizzled against the front of his skull, then seemed to vanish into vapor when he tried to focus on it. If there was ever a time for a coffee break, he thought bitterly, this would be it. How many hours has it been since I saw my bed?

“Okay, you bit-rate, calculation-sucking hunk of polymimetic…” Caelian drew in a sharp breath and grumbled the rest incoherently under his breath. The last thing he needed was to get pulled off this project by a superior when he was so close. “Computer, reset simulation. Crosslink the main metaphasic filters with diagnostic control and shunt the variable flow through the gravametric stabilizers. Run simulation.”

His heart sank as red lines began to appear across the framework of the simulated Viking. “Simulation failure.”

“Do you have to be so smug about it?”

“Unable to process query,” the computer retorted blandly. “Please rephrase.”

Shaking his head, Caelian clasped his hands behind his back and paced a tight circle. With the various repair crews and maintenance crates scattered about, it was difficult. Walking always helped him think, cleared his head. He tried to picture the crates as rocks and the deck as the empty field behind his childhood home. He’d always loved those rolling hills, the scent of flowers and blooming trees in the spring. No matter how loud he shouted or the dirt he frustratedly kicked into the air, that field was always patient with him. Somehow even those memories helped steady his heartbeat, ease the knot between his shoulders. Finally he nodded and returned to the problem glaring at him from the monitor.

Something caught his eye in the simulation results, and Caelian squinted hard at it. Leaning forward, he poked the display and toggled the holoemitter. The framework Viking leapt to life in front of him, and he pulled and pulled until he was staring at a knotted skein of crimson.

“Computer,” he murmured, puzzled. “Run simulation again, same parameters. Slow to one-tenth speed when it reaches displayed sections.”

The holodisplay flickered blue, then slowly began its decent into crimson chaos. Caelian scrubbed a hand through his dark hair, tongue moving behind his cheek in thought. He had to run the simulation three more times before he saw what his subconscious had noticed during his pacing. “What are you,” he wondered idly.

“Nucleonic discharge as a result of the momentary depolarization of electroplasma network integrity fields,” the computer offered flatly.

“What would cause such a discharge?”

“There are four hundred thirty-nine possible reactionary substances that would produce a nucleonic discharge specified.”

Caelian grit his teeth. “Okay, fine. Could a bioelectric matrices such as Sample VEL-01 or -02 cause such a discharge to occur?”

“Working.” There was a long and aggravating pause before the computer chirped again. “Affirmative. Matrix VEL-01 possesses the appropriate isogenic properties required to cause a nucleonic discharge when interacting with regulatory electroplasma network integrity fields.”*

“Figlio di puttana,” Caelian nearly cackled, “I’ve got you now!”
—Jas—

A voice behind him sounded amused as it spoke. “Figlio? Not sure I’ve heard that expletive, before.” Kalika stood just behind him about a half dozen places, leaning casually on a crate. “I take it the I’ve got you now comment has to do with why the Captain sent me down to see you?”

She’d worked with Weir before, but not for long, or closely. She looked at him now and realized he was one of the more driven people she’d met since returning from the other Viking. It was a welcome change.

Kalika
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