Grahm and Ario walked from the bridge and out into the foyer. From there they took the stairs down to Deck Four and then followed the companionways to the back of the ship. Along the way they saw both engineering and medical teams running about working on the ship or helping fellow crewmen - others were seeing to their individual departments and Grahm was pleased. The Tactical officer knew the Columbia, though wounded, would be getting back on her feet real soon.
At last, they entered the Columbia's mammoth hanger. The two grimaced to see that a portion of the flight deck was where the dead had been brought and the number was startling.
They entered the main engineering to see Ramos staring at a massive panel. Grahm waited until Ramos noticed them before he spoke. "Didn't want to break your train of thought," he smiled. "How are things? By the way, communicators are working and Stonn is presently in command. Darkan is okay... just a little doped up."
Ario smiled at Grahm, "I was just doing my duty; as we all did- I may only be a psychologist, but I also took the Hippocratic oath and other comparable oaths. I am obligated to help; my empathic pain reducing abilities can be very useful in an emergency. I only wish I had inherited more of my father's navigational abilities, they might have helped out right now.
"But I think I can be of use here, hopefully I can help with sorting out the computer core; not in any great way, but I can certainly assist the repair teams with my meagre skills. Unless there's somewhere else you'd rather I were?" he said to the Engineer.
"I'm sure we have some injuries," Ramos said. "If you could be of service there, it'd be appreciated."
He turned back to the console he had been stripping down and spoke to them while looking at it.
"As for the repairs; I'm not even certain what we're looking at yet. Some services are coming back online, but we need time. Lt. Telek is doing some of the heavy lifting, working his way through mechanical repairs. He might be able to use a hand, too."
Ario sighed, he was a psychologist, not a Doctor, apparently the crew didn't understand that. Grabbing a med-kit he began to move around the Engineering Deck, looking for any crew who weren't already under the treatment of the emergency medical teams who must have already reached the area- as he sent them himself long before he even moved towards the Bridge.
[OOC:] Shawn, are younot getting my Private Messages to you? I wrote a long bit about your tests and I haven't seen you post on any of it.
Let me know.
Quote from: tomcat on Dec 17, 2007, 07:41 PM
[OOC:] Shawn, are younot getting my Private Messages to you? I wrote a long bit about your tests and I haven't seen you post on any of it.
Let me know.
OOC: Crud - I didn't even see them. I have set my PMs to forward to me in e-mail - I won't miss any more. Sorry.
Ramos looked at the screen as he pondered the situation. The computer had power, but the core and all redundancies were not functioning or responding, so whatever happened affected all elements of the core.
The chief engineer began to run through the whole event from his last diagnostic test when the
Columbia was hit until the mock-up ship exploded. The Romulan warp drive had gone critical and exploded... did it have enough energy? Was the Columbia in close enough range to be affected by an EMP?
Electro-magnetic pulses were well-known for wreaking havoc upon electronics, sometimes shutting down completely all functions. Products of nuclear explosions, the people of Earth in the 21st century had war plans in place of air-bursting nuclear warheads over civilized countries to eliminate all electronic functions, and thus cripple the infrastructure.
It was quite possible that that was what the
Columbia was facing. If the computer core was hit with a strong enough EMP, capable of overcoming the ship's shield grid, it could have caused considerable problems. If main systems blinked out for a moment, the redundancies would be triggered and the keep the core active. But what if the instantaneous shut-down-and-restart caused the software to lock up? Did Starfleet software engineers ever plan for such an event? If that was really what happened. Could the problem be resolved with a simple re-boot?
Ramos thought about the process of shutting down the core and re-starting it. Theoretically, all the kinks should work themselves out... but what if it didn't restart?
He decided it was worth a try, and would run it by the captain... Stonn, rather - Grahm had mentioned that Darkan had been injured and the science officer was in command.
OOC: Do we have communications to the bridge yet, via personal communicator? Since they work on planets, independent of ship computers, I figured personal tech would work... unless they're fried, too... :(
With a loud cry of triumph Telek scrambled out from inside a computer access panel. He had been crammed inside the small space for the past half hour trying to find a live comm circuit trunk. His cry of exaltation signaled for all to hear that his search was finally over. Finally extricating himself from the ships innards he signalled for his team to gather around.
"I've located a live comm node... uh... number XH3473. Anyway, it appears to be a redundant system used for rerouting, prioritizing and/or buffering incoming commands from the bridge's engineering console." Telek grabbed a data PADD from a team member and began tapping commands as he continued speaking. "I'm pulling up the locations for similar nodes throughout the ship. We should be able to link key areas of the ship and their corresponding bridge consoles through these nodes and restore ship comms." He handed the PADD back. "Get on it. I'll inform Chief Ramos."
Telek walked quickly over to where Ramos was talking to another of the ship's senior officers.
He waited to be acknowledged by Ramos and then with a brief nod to the ship's Tactical Officer he informed Ramos of his findings.
Anticipating the next questions he finished with. "Should take us about and hour to complete the repairs and have comms back up, sir."
Engineering: Systems test TN 15 (-3 for no technical support)
Roll (2d6) -3: 5,5,-3 = 7 + (Engineering Systems +8) = Total: 15
Quote from: trgieck on Dec 18, 2007, 01:57 PM
With a loud cry of triumph Telek scrambled out from inside a computer access panel. He had been crammed inside the small space for the past half hour trying to find a live comm circuit trunk. His cry of exaltation signaled for all to hear that his search was finally over. Finally extricating himself from the ships innards he signalled for his team to gather around.
"I've located a live comm node... uh... number XH3473. Anyway, it appears to be a redundant system used for rerouting, prioritizing and/or buffering incoming commands from the bridge's engineering console." Telek grabbed a data PADD from a team member and began tapping commands as he continued speaking. "I'm pulling up the locations for similar nodes throughout the ship. We should be able to link key areas of the ship and their corresponding bridge consoles through these nodes and restore ship comms." He handed the PADD back. "Get on it. I'll inform Chief Ramos."
Telek walked quickly over to where Ramos was talking to another of the ship's senior officers.
He waited to be acknowledged by Ramos and then with a brief nod to the ship's Tactical Officer he informed Ramos of his findings.
Anticipating the next questions he finished with. "Should take us about and hour to complete the repairs and have comms back up, sir."
Engineering: Systems test TN 15 (-3 for no technical support)
Roll (2d6) -3: 5,5,-3 = 7 + (Engineering Systems +8) = Total: 15
"Outstanding. The sooner, the better."
Ramos went over his EMP theory with the young engineer; perhaps together, they might find enough evidence to prove it... or disprove it.
Quote from: RamosOOC: Do we have communications to the bridge yet, via personal communicator? Since they work on planets, independent of ship computers, I figured personal tech would work... unless they're fried, too... :(
[OOC:] Hey Shawn, yes, communicators are operational and can be used ship-wide. Most systems are
'operational', just stuck... if you know what I mean.
I will post again with some more story stuff for you guys in just a little bit.
[OOC:] Good RP'ing guys - keep it up!
Tom I love your post. I like the way you are going outside my story box and creating results for your tests - keep that stuff up. I will only change it if it makes an impact in story that I want more tests for.
As far as its going now, I still want a little more character interaction here so you guys can decide what next to do.
Most repair tests that people are performing were an hour in length, modified by the DOS of their rolls; just remember that Stonn had detected ships a while back that were roughly an hour away.
I will add more story after you guys RP amongst yourselves a bit more. ;D
Have FUN!
Grahm looked to Ramos, as the trio stood watching the Andorian excitedly direct his team in the re-routing of comm nodes. "Well Juan, I am sorry but I have little to no skill at putting this stuff back together. I just wanted to get down here so I could find out some news to take back to the bridge, or at least let you know that we can report via communicators." John continued, "If you need help with fire suppression though, I can certainly assist you there."
The shipmates looked at the Ship's diagnostic panel, frozen as it was since the lock up of the computer. It displayed areas in red where fires had been reported prior to the explosion.
Ramos turned to Grahm.
"If you'd like to take command of the fire suppression teams, I'd welcome it," said Ramos.
"The geology lab is at risk of being cut off, and even though we have backups, any life support machinery is a critical component. Obviously."
He noticed that Grahm gave him a sidelong look and tried to ignore it.
"I'm working on a theory here... I think a system restart would do the trick, since the real damage is limited. However, I wouldn't want to try that in open space unless we had some sort of support vessel, just in case the computers didn't come back online."
Ramos had no idea that the B'rels were still closing, or whether they'd be able to provide the support they needed, but Stonn did, and after hearing the engineer's theory, he thought that the Klingons might be willing to assist, assuming the Gr'Toth could convince them that they had helped to stop a galactic war.
Ario looked up from the crew-member he was attending to, "Sir, what if we try something that we did when I was a child on the Potemkin. We suffered a computer crash- nothing would work, and we couldn't risk shutting them all down because we were in deep space. Instead we partitioned the systems off and shut down sections of the computer at a time- life-support, shields, navigation and so on. That way we only ever had a small part of the computer offline at any one time.
"I don't know whether that's even possible, but I thought it might work." Ario turned back to another injured crewmember, looking to provide emergency first aid with the little skills he had.
Quote from: pgholland on Dec 20, 2007, 06:40 AM
Ario looked up from the crew-member he was attending to, "Sir, what if we try something that we did when I was a child on the Potemkin. We suffered a computer crash- nothing would work, and we couldn't risk shutting them all down because we were in deep space. Instead we partitioned the systems off and shut down sections of the computer at a time- life-support, shields, navigation and so on. That way we only ever had a small part of the computer offline at any one time.
"I don't know whether that's even possible, but I thought it might work." Ario turned back to another injured crewmember, looking to provide emergency first aid with the little skills he had.
"It's certainly worth looking at if we can get the system running just enough to create the partitions, but at the moment, I'm not sure if we can even do that," he replied. "It might be all or nothing." Ramos considered it, however, and filed the notion away as another possible solution.
He wondered if Zantz and his team on the Gr'Toth were running into the same problems, and hoped that Telek (and Zantz) could get each ship's communications systems up and running soon.
"But that's just it we wouldn't need the computers operational to run the partitions- simply open up the consoles and remove the connecting chips- that way the individual sections would be running independently."
[OOC:] Now computers are something Grahm knows!
Grahm thought for a moment after hearing both Ario's and Juan's input. He knew what the engineers worries were, that if he shut down the core for a re-boot it might not re-start, and that would be a serious problem for the ship. The other problem was the re-boot time. It could take hours while the core read through the millions of files that it did on start up. But what if...
"Juan, what if we wrote a patch on a PADD or in a tricorder that would initiate only a primary file re-boot? Essentially only re-start the core enough for us to get the ship's primary systems re-networked and responding and then bring other files and systems online as we can get to them? Basically what Ario is saying, without having to pull all the boards."
All present knew that once the computer core shutdown and then re-booted, the ship systems that were active would have a temporary down time that could last 2 minutes to 15, as the computer re-initiated itself. Thus they would lose environment and lights for that time period, but if they prepared properly it would only be a couple of minutes of distraction - the ship's air supply would cetrainly last and the entire crew had all been given at least minimal training in weightlessness.
Grahm looked at Juan wondering if his ideas were sound.
Quote from: tomcat on Dec 20, 2007, 03:30 PM
[OOC:] Now computers is something Grahm knows!
Grahm thought for a moment after hearing both Ario's and Juan's input. He knew what the engineers worries were, that if he shut down the core for a re-boot it might not re-start, and that would be a serious problem for the ship. The other problem was the re-boot time. It could take hours while the core read through the millions of files that it did on start up. But what if...
"Juan, what if we wrote a patch on a PADD or in a tricorder that would initiate only a primary file re-boot? Essentially only re-start the core enough for us to get the ship's primary systems re-networked and responding and then bring other files and systems online as we can get to them? Basically what Ario is saying, without having to pull all the boards."
All present knew that once the computer core shutdown and then re-booted, the ship systems that were active would have a temporary down time that could last 2 minutes to 15, as the computer re-initiated itself. Thus they would lose environment and lights for that time period, but if they prepared properly it would only be a couple of minutes of distraction - the ship's air supply would cetrainly last and the entire crew had all been given at least minimal training in weightlessness.
Grahm looked at Juan wondering if his ideas were sound.
It
could work, Ramos thought, though that procedure certainly wasn't part of the Officer's Manual.
"My concern is life support - everything is else is basically down anyway, so there's little risk in trying anything. As long as we can avoid messing with those systems in the process, I'd approve this approach."
"Maybe one of your boys here could write the patch to give you system selection for start-up, after the initial core file boot?" said Grahm. "Then you can select the order for which systems you want to bring up."
The tactical officer was beginning to feel good about himself and a grin was broadening on his face. But as quickly as he had begun his self-agrandizing, he realized he had a duty he had volunteered for, "I am off to Deck 7 and 8 to see about these fires. Let me know how it goes Juan. Ario, do you wanna come with me there or stay here with the tech-heads? Actually, maybe you should get yourself to sickbay, you're looking pretty pale? It's also on Deck 7."
Ario shook his head, then wished that he hadn't. "I'm still needed on the ship." he said through a pounding headache, "And I might be of some use here, if you have any medical emergencies though I'm sure there should be teams near by, and if not, contact me and I'll get there ASAP. Even if I'm only providing moral support here, I have a tiny bit of experience here, it might be useful just to suggest where not to go..."
Telek had been listening intently to the computer freeze conversation and as Grahm headed off he turned to Chief Ramos and said.
"Sir, I believe Commander Grahm may be on to something... About the patch I mean... I think I can come up with a program that will allow us to selectively re-sequence the boot up cycle... "
Telek began tapping on his data PADD again as he continued speaking. "I'll need to run the numbers on it and maybe have a computer specialist look at it but I believe we can even set it up for a manual cycling sequence... If it works we could then start only the sections of the computer absolutely necessary to get the Columbia back on her feet. Maybe start with basic lifesupport, weapons and shields... then move on to essential but not critical areas."
Telek finished with the PADD and handed it to Ramos for his input. "It wouldn't be perfect nor ideal sir but it might cut the boot up time down considerably if we're lucky."
(OOC - Not trying to be a Wesley Crusher here 0:) but I thought I would run with the patch idea a bit.)
Quote from: trgieck on Dec 21, 2007, 03:33 PM
Telek had been listening intently to the computer freeze conversation and as Grahm headed off he turned to Chief Ramos and said.
"Sir, I believe Commander Grahm may be on to something... About the patch I mean... I think I can come up with a program that will allow us to selectively re-sequence the boot up cycle... "
Telek began tapping on his data PADD again as he continued speaking. "I'll need to run the numbers on it and maybe have a computer specialist look at it but I believe we can even set it up for a manual cycling sequence... If it works we could then start only the sections of the computer absolutely necessary to get the Columbia back on her feet. Maybe start with basic lifesupport, weapons and shields... then move on to essential but not critical areas."
Telek finished with the PADD and handed it to Ramos for his input. "It wouldn't be perfect nor ideal sir but it might cut the boot up time down considerably if we're lucky."
(OOC - Not trying to be a Wesley Crusher here 0:) but I thought I would run with the patch idea a bit.)
"All right," Ramos said. "We'll want basic computer functions - low-level core - reset first; that may free up other systems. Then, let's get to shields and then propulsion - we're still in the middle of Klingon space. As long as we leave the life-support systems untouched at first, do what you can. I'll advise the bridge of our plan."
[OOC:] I need Telek to give me a Computer Use (Programming) extended test TN 30. Each test will have a TN 10 for determination of DOS, and constitute 30 minutes - this can be reduced based on DOS and any abilities or traits.
Once done, I need an Engineering System (Computers) test TN 12 to wire the PADD / Tricorder to the core; test will only be 15 minutes reduced by DOS or abilities/traits.
Finally, I need to get the command to shut down and re-boot (via narrative). Once the re-boot is ordered, I need another extended test TN 75 to bring the computer back online, each cumulative test will be as follows:
Computer Use (Programming) TN 15 - to initiate all INI files and bring online the core's base OS
Computer Use (Programming) TN 10 - to initiate (enter system choice)
Computer Use (Programming) TN 10 - to initiate (enter system choice)
Computer Use (Programming) TN 10 - to initiate (enter system choice)
Computer Use (Programming) TN 10 - to initiate (enter system choice)
Computer Use (Programming) TN 10 - to initiate (enter system choice)
Computer Use (Programming) TN 10 - to initiate (enter system choice)
Again each test will be 30 minutes and may be reduced by DOS or abilities/traits. A failed test may be repeated, but with each failure, the TN will increase by 2.
Because you are shutting down all means of technological aid, normal bonus mods will be unavailable, and penalties may be incurred due to environmental challenges.
OOC: "Telek" has been busy, so Tomcat asked me to have Ramos make the rolls so we can get moving again in the interim.
All rolls add +1 for Ario's assistance.
INITIAL SETUP:
Extended Test (TN 30):
Roll(2d6)+7:5,2,+7 Total:14
Roll(2d6)+7:1,4,+7 Total:12
Roll(2d6)+7:2,3,+7 Total:12 = 38 - SUCCESS (67 minutes spent)
WIRING IN TRICORDER
Test (TN 12): Ramos' skill +10, Ario +1 = +11
Roll(2d6)+11:4,3,+11 Total:18 - SUCCESS (75 minutes spent)
***
After receiving approval from Science Officer Stonn - even though the acting captain made it clear that he preferred something faster since the B'rels were likely still closing - Ramos and his team got to work.
BRINGING THE COMPUTERS BACK ON-LINE:
Test 1 - Re-initializing CPU (TN 15): Ramos' Computer Use +6, Ario +1 = +7
Roll(2d6)+7:2,1,+7 Total:10 - FAIL (now TN 17)
Roll(2d6)+7:4,4,+7 Total:15 + 1 Courage = 18 - SUCCESS (98 minutes spent)
Test 2 - Life-Support (TN 10):
Roll(2d6)+7:1,3,+7 Total:11 - SUCCESS (121 minutes spent)
Test 3 - Weapons (TN 10):
Roll(2d6)+7:6,3,+7 Total:16 - SUCCESS (136 minutes spent)
Test 4 - Sensors (TN 10):
Roll(2d6)+7: 2,3,+7 Total:12 - SUCCESS (159 minutes spent)
Test 5 - Shields (TN 10):
Roll(2d6)+7: 5,3,+7 Total:15 - SUCCESS (182 minutes spent)
Test 6 - Helm/Navigation Control [Propulsion] (TN 10):
Roll(2d6)+7: 2,1,+7 Total:10 - SUCCESS (212 minutes spent)
Test 7 - Misc. Systems [Operations] and Completion (TN 10):
Roll(2d6)+7:6,3,+7 Total:16 - SUCCESS (227 minutes spent)
***
It was arduous, tedious work, but Ramos was pleased to see that it got the job done - Columbia's computer core was clean and functioning properly. Of course, as Ramos noted to his tired staff - that was only Step One...
[OOC:] Hey Shawn, I adjusted the time base on your DOS's... 227 minutes equals 3 hours, 47 minutes. A little better than the 4+ hours you calculated. ;)
Here is a time breakdown since the Episode started:
| A hour* -1 | crew slowly revive and begin initial work to find out what has happened |
| A hour* -.25 | Darkan starts his 30 minute tests to come back to his senses |
| A hour* -0 | Klingon B'rels arrive and move in opposite direction |
| A hour* +.5 | Ramos begins computer reboot; Pushkin starts shuttle launch |
| A hour* +.75 | Grahm blows pods and extinquishes fire |
| A hour* +1 | Pushkin circuits the Columbia; Ramos programs the patch |
| A hour* +1.25 | Pushkin discovers the Gr'Toth; Ramos wires the tricorder |
| A hour* +1.5 | Ramos initializes the CPU |
| A hour* +2 | Life support comes online |
| A hour* +2.25 | Communications come online |
| A hour* +2.5 | Sensors come online |
| A hour* +3 | Shields come online |
| A hour* +3.5 | Helm and Nav come online |
| A hour* +3.75 | Misc minor systems come online |
* A hour is the arrival hour of the two B'rels
[OOC:] Unless they show up to play again, we can consider Anderson and Telek as NPC's who may just fade back into the 'crew'.
Ramos looked at the PADD and knew that they had a successful link-up, along with re-boot control with the hand-held device. He gave Ario a wink and with his ship-wide anouncement made, the engineer initiated the system shutdown and re-start.
The Columbia began to go dark except for the battery powered lamps. It also became quieter as the constant hiss of the environmental system stopped working. Then gravity ceased. There were some shouts from startled men and women, and many of the ship's crew made a silent prayer that Ramos would be successful.
Inside the massive computer core, everything shutdown for a total of nine seconds, but then the primary initiation functions began to scroll up the console in front of Ario. Both he and Ramos breathed a sigh of relief.
Thirty minutes of weightless bumping about passed as the computer finished cycling through its start-up and commenced to open library files for the LCARS control system and environment. Without warning gravity returned and those that were unprepared fell to the floor, or onto some other obstruction. Around the crew, multitudes of loose items also fell and clattered to the deck.
Lights came on next and then to everyones joy, the sound of the air system. The ship's auto safety systems also came online. Emergency force fields closed the few hull breaches on the ventral and dorsal sides of the Columbia, stopping the bleed out of her environment.
With systems beginning to work, Ramos shouted out new orders to his staff and then looked to Ario, "Maybe it's time for you to get to the sickbay."
Ario looked up at Ramos from the computer station where he was sat monitoring the computer reboot. "Sir, is the ship running properly? Is the crisis averted? I do not believe so, my skills in this area may be meagre, but I cannot leave you when you may need me. It is my duty as an officer. And my constitution can handle these wounds if it must, and it seems to me that if the ship is as crippled as she is, then I must."
With that he set about checking the computer once more, ensuring that the new program suites were running correctly.
[OOC:
Computer Use TN10?
Computer Use +3
Roll (2d6)+3: 3,1+3 Total= 7
D'oh!]
[OOC:] Hey Peter, I am sure that Shawn will reply for Ramos soon, but you are absolutely correct and I want to remind everyone of this... just because the computer is coming back online, it doesn't mean that the Columbia is better off. It just means that now the crew can use the computer to aid them in repairs and running the needed systems, but the ship as a whole took a heck of a beating from the Romulans.
Make sure you look at the starship character sheet, if you wanna see how bad things are:
Columbia ship record sheet (http://roleplay.avioc.org/profiles/view.php?id=98)
OOC: My understanding is that we're time-shifted a bit here, too. We know the repairs will work, but that's hours from "now", right?
That will keep the Columbia from being dead in space, but it's still in bad shape.
He turned to the young officer. "Your versatility is useful, my boy, but it'll take time for the computers to come back online and after that, we'll have an idea of what to do next. In the meantime, why don't you get yourself checked out in Sickbay while we don't have much to do but wait? You won't be much help standing around bleeding on my deck." Ramos' hand moved to his sore forehead with a smirk. "Don't worry - you'll have your hands full soon enough!"
"Perhaps, but what if we were to have an emergency and I wasn't here? I would never forgive myself, my wounds have been tended for now- I can survive longer, they are not serious wounds."
Quote from: sdrotar on Jan 17, 2008, 12:05 PM
OOC: My understanding is that we're time-shifted a bit here, too. We know the repairs will work, but that's hours from "now", right?
That will keep the Columbia from being dead in space, but it's still in bad shape.
[OOC:] Hey Shawn, I have started a new thread for engineering... let me know if I missed any other repairs since the ship has semi-recovered from the explosion of the Connie.
Quote from: pgholland on Jan 17, 2008, 12:19 PM
"Perhaps, but what if we were to have an emergency and I wasn't here? I would never forgive myself, my wounds have been tended for now- I can survive longer, they are not serious wounds."
"That's an order. When the doctor says you're ready for duty - and you have nothing better to do - come on back. But working ourselves to death is only a figure of speech around here; we don't mean it literally," he said with a smile.
OOC: I'm figuring that since there's hours to go, Ario could get patched up and come back - if he's not needed elsewhere first - by the time any anything interesting happens in game-time.
Ario stood and nodded- he didn't like leaving his post in a situation like this, he wasn't exactly useful in a crisis in any of the areas of the ship; but orders were orders and he had to follow them.
He slowly walked to the turbolift, careful not to jar any of his injuries this time. Now that he was 'off' duty he allowed himself to feel them, allowed the pain to overwhelm him, let his fractured mind begin to repair itself, abate the urges building up with the pain and anger. He quickly realised he would need to meditate soon... or else...