Error; I have access

Posted on Fri Jun 17th, 2022 @ 9:24am by Captain Samuel Woolheater & Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor]

Mission: Season 5: Episode 4: Reef
Location: DECK 32 - MARINE COUNTY
Timeline: MD01 - 0200
Tags: Ol' Doc Washburn
1369 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

1st Lieutenant Woolheater had just cleared a pile of PaDD's from his desk. He was reading about how the Blackwatch group was formed and how they came to help the Elysium. He had set a mug of coffee on his desktop. Apparently, he had dribbled some and now there was a nice coffee ring on the LCARS interface. He got up, wiped his mug down with a clean tissue. He realized that the coffee ring was old and that he would need water. He found a squeeze bottle of what looked like water. On it was a man in a straw hat picking his teeth and the label read, "Ol' Doc Washburn's Ointments, Ails and Liquid Medicines. Proven, Home Remedies from Marine Gunnery Sergeant 'Ol' Doc Washburn'. Guaranteed Results as certified by the Inter-Galactic Council of Cleaners, Nuclear Technicians and Pastry Chef's"

Sam thought, ~Oh, yeah, the good folks at the IGCC & NTPC. Hell - who hasn't heard of them ay? Works for me~

Sam looked it over and gave it a shake. It started to fizz, bubble up a little like soapy water. It was 3/4 empty and it was in the cleaning supplies drawer. Sam smelled it. Smelled like soapy water to him. He grabbed a political campaign towel, "VOTE Sheister! Our Next Starbase One Representative!"

Sam gave the squeeze bottle a couple of squirts and out came some of Ol' Doc' Washburn's Cleaning Spray. He took the Sheister hand towel and gave the LCARS panel a rub to the left. As he did so, it was like swiping the interface away. Underneath the interface, he could see the underlying coding of the computer program. The heuristic code. It glitched, refreshed and redrew the standard interface. He thought it was a weird glitch but it was over. He started cleaning again to get the coffee stain off and when he swiped left, the interface did the same thing. Just for fun, he swiped right and the interface came right back. He swiped right and nothing happened. Up no, down, no. Only left swipe revealed the code.

He said, "Huh, now that shouldn't be!" He addressed himself to the computer, "Uh...computer? Dear?" The machine whirred in acknowledgement. "Who is on call in Security?"

=A= Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa =A=

Sam tapped his COMM badge, "Chief? De La Rosa? Would you mind coming down to Deck thirty-two? I've got something you're gonna wanna see?"

In security Fernando was singing quietly to himself, He was alone. He had checked the armory and all weapons were secured and accounted for. He was happy, Heather and Cody were both doing well. There was no one to complain as he sang a catchy little tune by some group called Credence Clearwater Revival. He didn't know exactly what that was but he liked the song hence his singing, "There's a bathroom on the right!" His singing was rudely interrupted by the chirp of his combadge and an unfamiliar voice asking him to come to Marine country. Sighing, he tapped his badge and replied, "I am on my way." He replied as he rose and exited Security and headed to marine country. Grumbling slightly as his nice, quiet morning and singing had been interrupted.

"Sorry to call you at 0200 Chief. Make you walk all the way down here. But, I think the trip is worth it." Sam motioned for him to come closer to the desk. "So, I'm cleaning up the desk, there's a coffee ring over the LCARS interface here. I get some cleaner and a rag and look-at-this." Sam swipes to the left and the LCARS interface slides out of the way to reveal the underlying code as before.

"It is alright Lieutenant," Fernando answers as he leans closer to see just what the Lieutenant wants him to see. As he sees the code appear, he looks at Sam. "It's code, processing code."

Sam says, "Yeah, but wait - there's more." He starts to scroll through the code. "I wanted to see what it is we're looking at. And, I'm not a computer science type person - but it looks like this is the underlying code. Like...direct access to at least this system down here. If we keep scrolling, you can see...right....here. Looks like I can just type in the system I want...I chose replicators just to see...and I get into the main replicator menu area. I didn't go any further than that. By the way, I'm Woolheater. I'm new around here."

Fernando looks closer. "It appears to be a direct tie into the main system." He says in surprise and awe. Have you tried to see if you can access any other system's menu?"

Sam shook his head, "Nope. The only time I've ever seen the computer like this is when one of the techs puts it in maintenence mode. Like for a diagnostic? Could they just have forgotten to put it back in regular access mode? Cause it looks like, if I knew how, I could go anywhere that this terminal has access to see?"

"Possibly but I think whatever you used to clean the LCARS somehow triggered what we're seeing now. Better let me have it, so i can give it to Commander Taylor and she can give it to Lt. Redal in Ops to look at as we don't want this lying around. Though it is tempting to see what other systems it has access to." Fernando replied.

Sam said, "You mean this?" here he produced the bottle of 'Ol' Doc Washburn's' cleaner. "I admit it looks a little hokey. I figured its just an old bottle reused. "You want to have the liquid analyzed?"

"Yes sir. That is precisely what I mean. " Fernando replied, as he eyed the bottle." I believe it is safe to say that whatever this solution is, it is more than an ordinary cleaning solution. Don't you think so as well sir?"

"Mmmmaybe?" Sam said cautiously. "Best to have it checked out. But who could verify the proverbial bottle of 'snake oil' ?"

"I would think either Science or Medical could analyze it. I can give it to my wife, she is in medical. She can find out just what is in this solution." Fernando answered. "And she can do it without making a scene or fuss."

Sam nodded, "I like that idea. Keeping things quiet is good. Does stuff like this happen...often...around Elysium?" Samuel asked with a growing sense of anxiety.

Fernando looked at him, "On this ship? Lieutenant, excuse me but are you kidding? Nothing like this happens on the Elysium. So, you've done something no one else has ever done." Fernando paused and then grinned at Sam. "You created a mystery."

Sam said, "Hmm...maybe we'll keep that part quiet too? I'm just saying Chief, it looks like something isn't right here? If you can take that and yeah...find out what it is and why it does that - all the better? Shall we go together or...is this something you can discretely do?"

"Mum's the word Lieutenant. I won't mention you." Fernando assured him. If you don't want me to mention you, I think it's best if I go alone. Me being in Sickbay, is not unusual and won't raise any eyebrows. You come in different story."

Sam nodded, "Gawd - how many times have I heard that! OK, Chief, in the meantime; I'll wait for you to get back to me. Thanks again!"

Fernando chuckled softly. "It's not personal, it's the uniform. It would raise eyebrows and get people to talking and we don't want that right now." Fernando picked up the bottle. "Give me a few days to get this looked out but I will keep you informed of what is happening and you're welcome Lieutenant." Fernando said as he took the bottle of 'Ol' Doc Washburn's Ointments and left marine county.


[OFF:]


Senior Chief Petty Officer
Fernando De La Rosa
(Signed off by Woolheater)


&

1st Lieutenant Samuel Woolheater
“Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas”
Division VI, MARDET 62nd Company "Spartans", 1st Platoon CO
=/\= USS ELYSIUM - NCC-89000 =/\=