Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Main Sim - Habitat - Glen/Tia Q/
[snip]

“My apologies,” Glen told the Dol. “May we have another private moment? I’m not sure what my CE has in mind, but I am bound by certain rules, as I’m sure you can understand?”

”..Of course Captain Glen. I will be over here reviewing some shift reports..” he said moving away out of hearing range to give them privacy and to review a paper print out nearby.

Once the Dol was out if earshot, Glen spoke to Tia, “What were you thinking of, telling him that we can provide something that would make Habitat construction a bit easier for him? We could never leave them a replicator or the matter/antimatter reactor that would be required to power it! If Starfleet found out, I’d be busted down to Ensign!”

Then Glen remembered that the Dol had said that the entire Habitat was powered by a fusion reactor, and that their fusion reactor technology was years ahead of the Federation. It was possible that a Replicator could be powered by a fusion reactor, if of sufficient power. It might also be possible to have a Replicator adapted so that it had some kind of “child-lock” restrictions to prevent the opening of doors that should remain closed; the manufacture of restricted technology, regulated weapons and controlled materials. Such a Replicator, that only made Habitat construction materials, might be allowed, but Glen still had no authority to give one. Anyhow, locks can be picked, and technology back-engineered. He decided that it was still a proposition he would need to turn down.

“Unless you were thinking of something else?” the Captain asked his Chief Engineer.

Tia smiled. “Not everything needs to be high tech, Captain. You should know by now I’d never volunteer tech that was beyond the Prime Directive in offering. But simple construction changes like double bolstered joints and simply finding a different was to temper the metal to make it thinner and more flexible are things to offer that are not ahead of their technology. Merely a conclusion they would have come to shortly.”

“Oh! Of course! I don’t think that giving them that kind of structural building advice would likely to be a problem, but this Habitat looks streets ahead of anything the Federation is currently building, so I thought it was them that could give us advice,” Glen replied.

“And if we could leave a replicator, perhaps someone staying to help them, like an interim Ambassador, would be able to define the replication parameters and keep it from being abused. We could give them one that merely replicates scale models, say. Or that only does certain compounds we can share. Sharing of same level technology isn’t prohibited as long as it’s monitor and not abused. Right?”

“Yes, it is possible to put some kind of lock on the controls of equipment like Replicators,” replied Glen, “but any hi-tech could be reversed engineered or the lock removed. As for leaving behind an ‘interim ambassador’ to monitor their use, I could never ask someone to do that. I certainly could never order someone.”

A smile curled up the edge of the Chief’s lip. The Captain would get the sense that Tia was offering to remain behind till the Federation sent a proper delegation.

“Really?” Glen was astonished, “Why would you wish to do that? …and that’s even if I could spare you!”

Tia’s suggestion was certainly something that could be done without fuss, as long as the material’s used were of the make of those on the Habitat and not introducing any new material or other forms of ‘interference’ then it would be fine. Refining an existing material could be argued to be interfering as a grey area to some, but there then was where Glen’s judgement was left to choose.

Glen might eventually come around to the idea, not the idea of losing the best engineer in the Black Fleet, but that they could supply a portable replicator. He’d need to think about it a little more. Even a replicator that made self-sealing stem bolts and other industrial machine parts was very uncommon, especially on a Starship. Mostly they only synthesised a variety of foodstuffs in unusual shapes, and clothing, or disposed of waste materials. Tia was going to have to repurpose one, make it portable, able to run off fusion power rather than a Warp engine, and put enough safeties and biofilters on it, that it could never be used to make weapons, poisons or other dangerous items. It was a tall order, but if any engineer could do it, she could.

“Obviously, I can see why you would want to help these people and give them a more solid foundation for their future, and I see that it is a unique habitat and culture, untouched and unclaimed by the Federation or annexed by the expansion of other galactic powers. However, this is a very small distant world to be left behind on. There is little chance that anyone from the Federation will visit frequently. There will be no Federation comforts. There is your security to think about. It is such a big decision, not to be lightly made…”

“We can discuss this further later,” Glen added. “We should get back to the Dol. He’ll already be wondering why we are arguing here.”

-Glen, CO

Tia nodded. “I understand the seclusion and security issues, Sir. I’ve given this a lot of thought. I have no reason to go back. And if I can educate them about the Federation, then maybe when someone does show up, they’ll have the knowledge to know if they want to join us.” She smiled and shook her head laughing slightly. “Isn’t this what we are all about?”

His suggestion to go back to Dol made her nod again. “Let’s see what he thinks of the idea. Who knows… He may not want any help.” She shrugged and followed him back to their host.

Tia
CE