Opportunity Knocks
Posted on Thu Jan 22nd, 2026 @ 6:47pm by Lieutenant Varkl Brukh
677 words; about a 3 minute read
Computer begin personal log.
Much has happened since my last report, Let's see... from my last log I see that my team was working on the new warp engine design for one of the Columbia class ships in production. The propulsion team at Starfleet did miraculous work integrating concepts from 4 different cultures to create this design. In theory it should be capable of warp 8, though trials will surely show if that is reality. It is an ingenious plan; plasma from the core feeds through large conduits to the nacelles, and smaller vents called 'taps' will shunt the plasma into sub-conduits and convert it into energy to power other systems. Smaller fusion power cores will act as a backup system in the event the warp core shuts down. I look forward to following it's test runs.
Father of course is rather pessimistic on the concept. He's confident that 'his hull' can take the stress, but at that speed one stray micro-meteor will ruin all his work. I of course reminded him that could happen at any warp factor, but these days father argues just for the sake of argument.
My brother Kivor's ship Zarta arrived with a new shipment of parts last month, and I had a pleasant visit with him again since our work keeps us apart for long periods. He brought news of a new opportunity he had seen in one of the engineering periodicals. One of the new K-class starbases had just been completed in the area the Vulcan's and Humans called 'the Expanse'. Once a hazardous area of space, now being explored and contact made with new cultures from that region.
I did some research on the base and it's location, and indeed it is a great opportunity not only to work on some of the latest technology, but also seeing what technology cultures yet to be encountered are using. I contacted the shipyard CO, Commodore G'rrikal shortly afterwards and he arranged the transfer - with a glowing recommendation I may add.
The Zarta was scheduled to make a run to Regulus so I arranged passage with them, and I met a Starfleet transport to the base from there. While on the Zarta, Kivor proudly gave me a tour of his ship an old G'buqoff class. Considering it's at least 50 years old, it's still in remarkable shape. The top speed is only Warp 3.5, but it's still a sturdy ship that survived the Romulan war. It had taken significant damage and was decommissioned, but Kivor's friend Modok bought the hull and refit it as a freighter at his own expense. Father was quite impressed and took time off work to help with the refit. I was on Earth doing the Starfleet training required to be on the computer team at the time, so I was unable to assist.
The trip to Regulus took us nearly 3 weeks with stops along the way, so once we arrived I was rather anxious to complete the trip -not that the extended visit with my brother was tedious mind you; we had many fine debates, and had numerous games of cards. Modok provided ample food for what he called 'an honored passenger', a bit of a stretch if I may say so, but having a friend of the family able to transport me most of the distance was fortunate. I'd likely have had to book a roundabout route via Earth otherwise.
Once at Regulus I had a short wait of 2 days before boarding the USS Anson, a fine looking Daedalus class ship - also on the older side, it's a bit shaky at warp; others say they can't feel it, but there's a definite vibration once we passed warp 3. We're now on route to my new posting at Sentinel Station with about 3 more days before arrival, and I've already received a message from Captain Greene indicating that I will have the position of Chief Engineer for the station - quite unexpected. I look forward to meeting him and the rest of the staff soon.
End personal log, Lt. Varkl Brukh.
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