Alba happened to be sitting behind one of the consoles to which one of her fellow colleagues had turned on an audio description for the display. Everything had been going as it was intended, until there was a familiar chirp which emerged from the 27 year old Canidin’s communication badge.

The audio description software translated the information displayed on the screen into a steady stream of synthesized information. It was not as quick as simply reading the data herself, but it allowed her to interact with the interface independently.

“Displaying data received from Science Department regarding asteroid belt sensor network deployment.”

Alba angled her head slightly toward the speakers as the information continued.

“Primary objectives: improve sensor buoy survivability, maintain long-term operational capability, and reduce degradation caused by environmental interference.”

The console emitted another soft tone.

“Displaying projected operational challenges.”

A moment later, the computer began reading through the information displayed.

“Environmental factors identified: increased gravimetric instability, elevated electromagnetic interference, sensor attenuation risk, and navigational drift affecting autonomous probe positioning.”

Alba leaned slightly closer, allowing the audio description to continue.

She didn’t need to see the simulation.

The information was already becoming a structure in her mind.

Variables.

Potential failures.

Stress points.

Every system had a weakness.

The trick was finding it before the system did.

“Computer,” she said quietly.

The audio description paused.

“Open communications channel to Lieutenant Buchanan.”

A brief chirp responded.

“Channel open.”

She took a breath.

Her snow colored muzzle turned away from the holographic screen before one of her padded hand-paws leaned against the LCARS interface in front of her

=^= Lieutenant Buchanan, this is Lieutenant Junior Grade Alba Waban. =^=

She paused briefly, making sure her voice stayed steady. Trying to pay no mind to other officers walking around in the background to mess with her concentration at task.

=^= Initial assessment indicates the primary concerns are going to be maintaining probe stability during gravimetric fluctuations while preventing sensor degradation from electromagnetic interference. =^=

Each subtle vibration confirmed another menu selection as the audio description continued feeding her the simulation parameters.

=^= Once baseline tolerances have been established, we can introduce compound variables and determine whether the buoy failures result from cumulative stress or from a single critical threshold being exceeded. That should provide Science with more meaningful recommendations than treating the asteroid belt as a single environmental problem. =^=

Lt. JG. Alba Waban
Engineering Officer
U.S.S. Wolverine - NCC-99199 (Brazen Class MK. II)

OOC: Moved this for Kepler