Breaking Protocol: Finding a Way Forward

Posted on Tue Dec 6th, 2022 @ 6:40am by Lieutenant JG T'Kek [Naxea] & Lieutenant Commander Rin & Avalon [ADMIN NPC]

Mission: Season 6 : Episode 1: Circinus
Location: Deck 16
Timeline: MD 3, 0000 hrs, immediately after Rude Awakening
1086 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Rin and T'Kek stood in the middle of the hallway on deck 16, sizing up what they could do. There were still quarters to check, but even if they found others, they had nowhere to take them at present.

Isolation protocols had their purposes. They limit how much of the ship gets vented into space in the case of hull breach. Overriding them was risky, but considering the amount of damage reported, sheltering in place just might mean everyone was being left waiting to die.

Rin glared at a spot on the wall. "Do you have anything that can help open a computer panel?" she asked T'Kek.

T'Kek thought for a moment before digging into his medical case. "Only a laser scalpel. It may take longer but it should still do the job," he offered the scalpel to Rin.

"That'll work." Rin applied the scalpel to the bolts holding the panel in place, unceremoniously yanking the panel free once the bolts had started to give way.

She looked back at T'Kek. "Let's see how many protocols I can break in one day."

She watched as two tubules extended from her hand, then forced them into the local computer node in an attempt to interface with the scrambled computer system directly.

It had been a long time since she had data rush through her consciousness. It was...familiar. But at the moment she had no time to dwell upon it.

The system was, in a word, a mess. The computer network was physically broken throughout the ship. Some of it she could work around, rerouting systems through alternate pathways, but that could only get her so far. Luckily for her, the computer security systems were as jumbled as the rest of the system. What she really needed to do was find Avalon.

T'Kek watched as Rin interfaced with the computer, choosing to remain silent as she worked.

There was a beep from the panel. And the computer reacted to Rin.

~Lieutenant Rin?~

Rin sent her ID codes as an affirmative. ~Avalon?~

It was an odd feeling, connecting with an AI. Most computer systems, at their core, are simply huge strings of yes/no queries. It's mathematical structure. It's predictable, at least from the inside out. But Avalon was something different, something more subtle than 1s and 0s. Something personable, for lack of a better word.

~Isolation protocols are in place but no report of intruders. Comms are out. Something's tearing the ship apart. You're badly damaged. What can I do for you?~

~Many things, too many for just one. I have minimal communications within certain areas. Internal communications are important. Without them we can not save people who are trapped."

Rin gave the mental equivalent of a nod in acknowledgement. "If we can get internal coms up we can coordinate other solutions. Show me the current state of the communications system.~

The 3D map that flashed through Rin's head was a disjointed mess, but it also gave her perspective on where the disruptions were between various sections of the ship. And she didn't need communications to every single point on the ship, just the vital ones, and that narrowed down the number of places that needed repair.

~Avalon, do you know the status of the Bridge?~

~Bio signs are all there. I believe they are alive. No missing noted from last scans. Other than that I cannot access the bridge controls.~ a pause ~not the main bridge anyway~

That's a long way away, Rin thought, although she filed it away for later. If the bridge was unresponsive, the battle bridge would be the best option, and people might be fighting to get there.

But communication had to be the first priority.

~Avalon, can you connect with Lt Redal or any of her AIs? Could you use them to communicate with areas where coms are down?~

~Uncertain. Depends on power supplies to those areas.~ Came the reply.

~While you're trying that, can you plot us a course to the battle bridge?~

~of course~ A schematic appeared before Rin ~Some areas may be caved in. have added alternative routes~

Rin disconnected herself from the computer system, stumbling slightly as her awareness returned fully to the regular world. She looked to T'Kek. "Avalon thinks the people on the bridge are alive but has no other information. I suggest we make our way to the battle bridge. Avalon has more access to it, and if the bridge is compromised, they're going to need a crew there. Avalon gave us a safe route...but it's going to involve some climbing."

"Understood," T'Kek replied. "I only hope Avalon's internal sensors haven't been affected and that the route she gave you is indeed safe."

"I agree. But our other options are to blunder around without a guide or wait here until the emergency force fields fail."

"Well then, let us get going. What was the route Avalon suggested?" T'Kek asked as the ship once again shuddered from a distant explosion in a different part of the ship.

Rin felt it too. She had no idea how much time they had. Maybe the ship wasn't as bad as it seemed.

But maybe it was worse.

"I really wish I was still asleep," Rin muttered, just loud enough for T'Kek to hear.

Protocol said to shelter in place. Protocol also said she shouldn't directly access the computer system. But her gut was telling her differently, and that was...odd. Plotting a course was a rational action. It was intellectual. It was a logical series of choices. Going with one's gut was different. It was...instinct, and for a long time she had swallowed her instincts, because they led to nothing good.

But this? This felt different. Or was that just her mind trying to rationalize an irrational decision? She really didn't have time to silently debate that. So she was going to trust Avalon.

Rin pointed down the corridor to her left. "We'll need to override two bulkheads, and then we can start climbing. We should check quarters along the way, bring any survivors along. There's an emergency shelter on the same deck as the battle bridge, so it's a good place for them to go."

T'Kek pondered Rin's words. Overriding two sealed doors would slow them down immensely, unless Rin could access the computer and release the locks. "I agree. Let's go," T'Kek said as he headed down the corridor with Rin next to him. He could only hop that the route was clear.