Did Someone Call An Engineer?

Posted on Sun Sep 7, 2025 @ 2:34am by Lieutenant Bronwyn P’ril & Civilian Thavas Th'Omtala

1,391 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Time After Time

The civilian areas had been relatively untouched during the battle, but as repairs had progressed, problems began to arise. They were all fairly small issues- lighting that wanted to flicker from time to time, a replicator that would only produce water, doors becoming a little sticky- easy stuff. It was as if the extensive repairs caused issues down the line and created disruptions in otherwise unharmed systems.

Which was perfectly normal, as P’ril knew all too well. So, as there was enough to fill an entire shift, she decided to take a break from the crazier stuff and correct the little things. First stop, Sartorial Splendor.

Entering the shop, she glanced around automatically. The proprietor either had time and credits to burn or he was doing very well for himself. Either way, everything she saw was beautiful. But, she was not here to shop; she was here to work. So, she headed further into the shop to find the shop keeper.

"May I assist you, Lieutenant P'rill?" Came the voice of a young Andorian woman who had approached silently, completely unnoticed by the engineering officer. "My name is Viza. I am apprentice to Master Thavas."

P’ril was surprised, but managed to not show it. Instead, she merely turned to face the woman with a smile on her eyes if there was none of her lips. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Viza,” she said. “You may dispense with the formalities and simply refer to me as P’ril if you would like.

"Of course, Lady P'ril," Viza said. "As you wish."

“I have a report of trouble with the lights,” P’ril explained. “Which ones seem to be causing the issue?”

"The fitting rooms," Viza said. "If you'll please follow me." Viza started heading towards the fitting rooms.

“Of course,” replied P’ril as she automatically follows her. As they walked, she could not help but notice the many designs around her, some more ornate than others, but all absolutely beautiful. “These are all hand made?” she asked, sounding impressed even to her own ears.

"Why yes," Viza said. "They are. Please, let me know if anything interests you."

"Yes, do!" Thavas said, also appearing as if from nowhere. "Lady P'ril, so nice to finally meet you. Thavas Th'Omtala, welcome to Sartorial Splendor!"

P’ril afforded them both half a smile for half a moment. “That would be everything,” she confessed. “But I am here to work right now. Perhaps I shall return later to look more thoroughly.”

"Of course, Lady P'ril," Thavas said. "You mentioned flickering lights? It's the fitting rooms just through here."

And as she entered the fitting area, she did indeed notice the lights flickering intermittently. The usual culprit was a faulty circuit, but tracking it down could take some time. She opened her tool kit and pulled out the OBD scanner. “This does not always work, but it is worth a try,” she commented as she removed an access panel near the doorway to the fitting rooms and paired the scanner to it.

"Shall I mind the store while the Lady P'ril completes her work, Master?" Viza asked.

"Please," Thavas said.

"As you wish," Viza said, before leaving the fitting rooms to oversee the showroom.

"So, Lady P'ril," Thavas said. "That is an unusual name for a Vulcan."

“It is a very old name,” P’ril explained as she watched the OBD scanner do its work. “My father found it in a book and was so enamored with it, my mother decided to use it when I was born. She also insisted that I have a human name since I am half human, so I am also called Bronwyn.”

"You're new to the starbase, aren't you?" asked Thavas. "I am as well. How do you find working and living here?"

“I have only been here a couple of weeks,” replied P’ril, making an adjustment on her scanner, “but thus far, it seems to be a busy place. I believe I have not yet seen even one percent of it.”

"I, as well, have been too busy to see much of the base," Thavas said. "Though my apprentice seems to have made time to get out and about a bit."

“Perhaps she can tell me where to get enchiladas,” P’ril mused almost to herself. “I have not had good enchiladas since I left Earth after graduation from the Academy.”

"Deck 156," Thavas said. "That's in the lower promenade, what the locals call the Square Mile. The restaurant is called Casa de las Enchiladas, believe it or not. I'm not surprised it was hard to find. The Square Mile is 100 decks worth of businesses."

“There is an entire restaurant dedicated to enchiladas and I have not yet found it?” replied P’ril sounding miraculously both human and Vulcan at the same time. “I shall have to seek it out. Thank you for the recommendation.”

"You are quite welcome, Lady P'ril," Thavas said. "Tell me, how go the repairs to the rest of the station? The recent unpleasantness couldn't have been easy on your areas of responsibility."

“It was certainly a lot of work,” she replied, brow wrinkling at the scanner in her hand. “But vital station systems are functioning as they should, and most of the essential systems are repaired.” She sighed in a rare show of agitation. “There is a short,” she announced. “Which I already knew. But it will not tell me where. It appears I will have to search for it.”

"May I be of assistance?" Thavas asked.

“Perhaps,” answered P’ril. “Take this and let me know if the screen changes,” she continued, holding out the scanner she had been using. “I am going to try scanning from the other panels. If I cannot read this one, we will be able to narrow down where the short is.”

Thavas took the scanner. "Ready when you are!" he said.

P’ril moved to the next access panel and carefully removed it. She took a second scanner out of her kit and paired it to the computer within. “Now we wait,” she said with an almost grin. “This is the best part.” Though her Vulcan manner did not give away the sarcasm, it was obvious anyway.

Thavas waited. And waited. And waited. And, seeing no particular reason not to, waited some more. "Is something supposed to happen?" he asked.

“Eventually,” answered P’ril, now pairing her scanner to the third panel. “Once we have the short between us it should- ah ha!” she exclaimed in a rare show of human emotion. When she spoke again, however, it was in her regular Vulcan tone. “Is there anything on the display now?”

"Well," Thavas said. "It's... flickering is the technical term, I think. What does that mean?"

Thavas was far more technically proficient than he let on, but again, as he was a master of disguising his emotions, moods, inner thoughts and monologues, etc, anyone looking on would be amazed he hadn't blown himself up with his sonic toothbrush yet.

“It means the short is somewhere between that panel,” she said, pointing to the one she had just left, “and this one. I believe the issue may simply be a faulty link, which is easy to repair once I find it. This part is boring, so I do not mind if you do not want to stay.”

"If it wouldn't offend you," Thavas said. "I think I'll leave you to your work. When you have an opportunity, come and see me about clothing! I think you'd make some of my work look beautiful!"

P’ril merely nodded. In fact, she had loved everything she had seen on the way in and would definitely have to come by when she was not on duty. “I understand,” she said. “It is not always interesting watching engineers repair things.”

"No," Thavas said. "But in this case, I really do have things I must do. Take care Lady P'ril. Long Life and Prosperity!"

P’ril gave him an almost smile. “Long life and prosperity,” she replied, and then turned to the panel. She had a lot of work to do.

OFF

Lieutenant Bronwyn P’ril
Chief Engineer
Deep Space 5

Thavas Th'Omtala
Master Tailor and Master Weaver
Owner and Operator
Sartorial Splendor

Viza
Apprentice
Assistant Manager
Sartorial Splendor

 

RSS Feed