[Galaxy] [Challenger] 2161.10.09 - Duty Log - Lt Cmdr McDonald

[Anna H.]

<Forwarded on behalf of my CEO>


Challenger, Main Engineering

Most had been in battle before, only a few crewmen had come aboard for before their last relatively anticlimactic engagement with the Klingons, with the ship only sustaining minor damage.  This one, however, was at the extreme opposite end of the spectrum.  This was, McDonald thought to himself as chaos reigned around him, the largest fleet engagement Earth had participated in in many years.  Down here, it certainly sounded like it.
Masks were being worn by all personnel, with a fair number wearing environmental suits, those unfortunate damage control teams heading towards compartments in urgent danger of opening to space.  Acrid smoke had formed a fog that the vents had struggled to content with since the first significant
 hits had battered the Challenger's hull.  Hissing air conduits had joined in the cacophony with sizzling plasma lines, arcing blue light dancing across the not-so-wide-open confines of the compartment.  Nervous engineers did their best to avoid them by taking alternate paths towards other damaged systems until power could be removed, but some came too close and were singed by the deadly effects of their occupation.  No one had been seriously hurt yet, but McDonald was sure it would only be a matter of time.
"More power!  We need more!  Martin, go to 110% on the reactor!"
A nervous look from the chief only lasted for a second before his boss's urgent nod coaxed him to advancing the power throttle forward, accompanied by a myriad of red lights flashing.  Flashing red rarely brought good news on a starship.
To McDonald, it was a simple equation. 
 They had a choice - blow up with a reactor overload or blow up when their hull plating failed.  If it was to be the former, they might at least be close enough to a Romulan ship to destroy them, too.
He climbed up to the main reactor control panel to join his chief.  "Don a suit, chief.  I need you to take over the forward damage control party.  I was just told we might lose a good part of Deck 10 if we don't get that rupture fixed fast."  He put his hand on Martin's shoulder.  "I'd go if I wasn't still banged up.  I need my best man on it."
"On my way, boss."  With a nod, he scrambled down the gantry, and headed for the suit locker.
With the amount of damage the ship had already sustained, they should all be in suits.  Things were not going well below decks.




Lt
 Cmdr McDonaldChief EngineerFCL-04 Challenger
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