[Bridge]
As she awaited further instructions, Caelene ran a quick level five diagnostic on the bridge consoles. With all the cadets running around, she wanted to ensure the consoles were running properly. Technically, Will and his cadets seemed to be working on a console - she'd have to run diagnostics on it later.
While it ran, she listened to T'Ra speaking to Kachina and Will. What was going on that they needed to head back at maximum warp? Who was supposedly meeting them and why? Uncertain how sensitive the information was, the Trill didn't want to ask aloud in front of the cadets.
The doors to the bridge parted to admit the Chief Engineer. The Trill made her way promptly to her station giving a favourable report. "Good to hear," T'Ra told her. The Shran had suffered more than her fair share of damage lately, but thankfully their engineering department was unparalleled in their ability to affect repairs. "Miss Tam, is there anything we can do to boost engine efficiency? Time is of the essence."
"I'll look into it right now," Caelene answered, turning back to the engineering console. The last she had checked, the engines had been running perfectly fine, but if T'Ra wanted her to try boosting efficiency, she would. Her slender fingers slid across the console as she brought up the warp engine systems.
Boosting efficiency would be a delicate process - the matter/anti-matter reaction that fueled the warp drive had to be balanced in a precise matter. The best ways she'd seen to increase efficiency would be to either adjust the frequency of the electromagnetic fields, which would affect the warp plasma itself, or to modify the flow rate from the plasma injectors. The safest way would be to adjust the flow, but they would probably get more of a boost with the frequency change.
Caelene slowly drummed her fingers on the console as she considered her options. Either way, she would feel more comfortable simulating it first, so she loaded up the simulation program. It pulled data from their current setup and allowed her to modify whatever parameters she wanted to see what the results would be. Currently, the ship was operating with an EM frequency around 10^17 hertz, which was within normal range, but below the upper limit. The injectors were running at 48 hertz for 49 nanoseconds, which was also within the normal range, but below their upper limit.
Slowly, she began adjusting them slowly, one at a time, in the simulation and then tried using both modifications. Caelene looked at the resulting efficiency graph and considered her options. Modifying both to their upper limits actually decreased efficiency, but if she nudged each them just a little closer to the upper limits, it seemed to help.
After closing out of the simulation, Caelene tapped her comm badge, =A=Tam to Engineering. We need to try boosting engine efficiency. I want you to slowly bring the EPS system's EM frequency up to 10^19 hertz, give it five minutes, and then adjust the plasma injector frequency to 49 hertz for a period of 51 nanoseconds. Monitor the systems closely and I'll do the same from here. Let me know if there's any problems. Tam out. =A=
She watched the warp system screen as her modifications were implemented, probably by Arol (NPC). As she waited, her thumb tapped against the edge of the console and she gently bit her lip, nervous. The values began to change and Caelene's eyes flicked nervously between the modified values and engine efficiency. As the system began to normalize at its new values, she exhaled quietly, relieved.
Glancing up, she caught T'Ra's eye before walking over to where the Executive Officer sat. "I've made some adjustments to the warp systems and we've boosted engine efficiency by 0.84%. It doesn't sound like much, but for a system with delicate balance like this, it is a decent figure," Caelene explained. Lowering her voice, she continued, "If I may ask, Commander... What is going on? Why are we headed back to Earth and who would be coming after us?"
Of course, she wasn't sure how much T'Ra would be able to tell her. It could be that James simply had them change course and didn't entirely explain himself - much like their supposed course change to Risa during their last mission. Still, if someone knew what was going on, Caelene figured it would be T'Ra. At the moment, she had a lot on her mind what with the cadets aboard; if she got some answers about this, it would be one less thing to be concerned about.
OFF: Tag T'Ra, soft tag bridge