Main Engineering Red Alert, Part II: The Damage Done
Posted on Thu Jul 30th, 2026 @ 10:23pm by Master Chief Petty Officer Vashti Rao & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Keel & 1st Lieutenant Ángel Martinez & Lieutenant Commander Nash Winters & Ensign Kash th'Kaasniik
1,981 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Peril at the Unification Accords
Location: Engineering
Timeline: MD 11, 1345 Hours
[Previously on Red Alert Engineering]
The Vulcan was too far ahead, and slipped out of the main doors, beginning to pick up speed. Tmarek awkwardly rounding the corner, slapping his commbadge he grunted, 'Vulcan making his way towards the central turbolifts!'
Keel slapped his commbadge in reply, 'Copy on Deck Eight - we'll round them up. Martinez, care to meet us at the turbolifts. Anyone got a read on the Vulcan - any bio-signs?'
[And Now the continuation...]
Martinez was already moving before Keel finished speaking, not running at first, because running in panic was the opposite of helpful with what was going on. They did move with purpose, fingers tapping their commbadge. "On my way, Sir. Marks, stay with Commander Winters and that console. Nobody else touches it unless he clears them." They shifted into a faster pace once they reached the clearer stretch by the access corridor, rifle coming up from low-ready without sweeping across a friendly body. "Computer, locate Vulcan lifesigns between Main Engineering and the central turbolifts, deck eight," they said, voice still level despite the kick of adrenaline under their ribs. "Tmarek, keep visual if you can, but do not engage unless you have to."
Grunting the affirmative, Tmarek exited Main Engineering, scanning up and down the corridor, 'In pursuit,' he declared flatly. He could see nothing, but there was a distinctly sour smell heading away to the left, and the Edosian galumphed in pursuit. The thing about Vulcans were they were bloody fast in a human-normal atmosphere, and Tmarek was heavier than a human. His trilungs pumped like bellows, his breath loud ragged gasps as he went.
Keel slapped his commbadge, 'working to isolate the turbolifts to bring them to you, Martinez,' he said. Striding into the StratOps suite, he found a maintenance console and opened it with an Command Override. Working quickly, he isolated the turbolifts from the Engineering deck to only open in the vicinity of Martinez' lifesigns. 'Unless this guy can break through Starfleet's security lockouts, they should be neatly packaged with a bow for you.'
The shrill notes of red alert had long dissolved into the background as Master Chief Petty Officer Vashti Rao stepped out of an ill-used access way leading to the starboard nacelle power interface. She carried a handful of isolinear chips in her left hand as she glanced over at the marine contingent near the doors to Main Engineering.
"EPS flow restored to Junction Nine," she called out to Ensign Scout who was in conference with two other technicians. "We can run the diagnostic again once this red alert business is over with."
Vashti was halfway toward the warp core status board when she heard Nash's voice carry across Engineering.
"A non-descript Vulcan in Starfleet uniform is trying to hi-tail it out of Engineering..."
She stopped and turned, suddenly realizing the why of the Marines being present.
"What the hell just happened?" Vashti inquired, looking directly at Nash.
“Can’t be sure, Chief. From what I saw, someone extracted files from one of the computers down here. He looked like a Vulcan but may not have been. Considering the current situation with the Romulans, he could have been Romulan. That’s what we’re trying to determine,” Nash said.
“Did Auvray get to the bridge safely? He left despite the lockdown orders.”
Vashti shrugged. "I didn't see him," she admitted. Though she had heard enough about the pompous Frenchman since Ambassador T'Varel's assassination, he was still somewhat of an enigma.
"Commander Andersen followed him out," Kash volunteered with a shrug. He was now standing near the dead console that was abandoned by the Vulcan, a Marine also standing by. "I recognize the face kinda. I think I've seen him around, but I've never spoken with him.
“Well, I’m afraid we need to dive deeper on this one, Ensign,” Nash began. “A Vulcan-supposedly-extracted files without authorization. We need to eliminate as many people as we can. I know we’re in a crisis situation right now, but I’d like you to check the crew manifest. How many Vulcans on board? Any personnel transfers in the past 6 months or so? Cross reference Vulcans with Romulan ancestry. Anything. See if Commander Ral can help. I don’t know, Kash. Something is going on and I don’t know what it is. Get started. I’ll run it up the flagpole……I’ll take it to the Captain. Thanks, Ensign.”
"Understood, Sir," the Andorian nodded in compliance. He cast a look at Vashti, then went to a station where he could access the main computer.
In the meantime, Nash used his time and his office terminal to track Martinez’ movements pursuing the Vulcan. He monitored the situation closely and couldn’t wait to talk to this officer and find out what he knew and the information he accessed.
Tmarek was beginning to close on the Vulcan, his superior stamina beginning to flag as Tmarek began relying on his Marine training to dig deep. 'Halt!' he managed to wheeze as they entered a long stretch of straight corridor. The Edoisan imagined they were running alongside the spine of the ship. Turbolifts would be closing, he thought grimly.
Kerek realized that logically there was no escape. He was on a Starship, and had been identified. Exit access points had likely been eliminated and if if they had not been, his bio signs had likely already been scanned. He determined the best course of action now was to play ignorance.
The lieutenant slowed and turned to face his pursuer. "Did you say something?" the Vulcan asked, his posture showing not much expression, his tone carefully measured to express mild curiousity.
His chest expanding and contracting like an industrial bellows, Tmarek slowed, and approached the Vulcan cautiously. 'I said halt,' he rasped, throat dry. 'As I'm sure you well-heard with that famed Vulcan hearing.' The Edosian eyed the man in the Starfleet uniform. 'You were working a console in Engineering, and bolted when spotted. Why?'
Martinez rounded the corner with their rifle raised, taking in Tmarek, the Vulcan and the empty corridor beyond in a quick sweep. They moved into position beside the Edosian, giving him a brief nod before fixing their attention on the Ensign. “Hands where we can see them,” they said, voice calm. “Slowly.” They tapped their commbadge without looking away. “Martinez to Keel. We have him. Send Security with restraints and a tricorder.” The rifle remained steady against their shoulder. “You can answer the Corporal’s question while we wait.”
'Acknowledged,' Keel replied over the comm, 'Keep him there.'
The Vulcan appeared to be calm as he watched the Edosian gasping for air as he attempted to catch his breath. Kerek had not broken a sweat from his attempt to slip away.
"I was working a console in Engineering, because that is where I was assigned to be. Lieutenant Kerek SC-214-046-KER."
The Chief Engineer got the word that the Vulcan was in custody and rushed to the scene. Holding a PADD, Nash entered his service serial number, having overheard it when he got there.
“Well done, guys,” Nash said to the Commander. “I need to talk to him. Find out what he knows. There’s something about his service record that’s a little wonky.”
The Vulcan overheard the Chief Engineer's comment and merely stood a little taller, his shoulders back in confidence. This was an inconvenience. They would detain him, but his people were close by, and he did not suspect he would be in custody for long as they would likely take over the investigation.
Commander Winters received a call from the Bridge indicating the Captain was ready to speak with him, and he stepped out of earshot from the trio while they waited for the security team.
"I’d rather not say too much over open comms, but the Vulcan is in custody. Our Marine detachment did a nice job. They should get a commendation. With your permission, Captain, I’d like to talk to him. His service record brings up more questions than it answers."
Remy's familiar voice replied over his commbadge, [I'll have Commander Xalanth meet you in Interrogation Room 1. Have the Marine in charge down there to send someone up to the Bridge for a briefing once everything is secure.]
“Understood, Captain. Thank you. I’ll keep you posted. Nash out.” He closed the channel and called out to his team. “Vashti, take charge down here. Make sure the warp core and integral systems remain secure. I’ll be in Interrogation Room 1.”
Vashti nodded. "You've got it."
Two security officers exited the turbolift ready to bolt toward engineering, but found the Marines had their suspect in custody not far from the lifts at all, just outside of engineering. The tall Vulcan Lieutenant appeared disappointed to see one of his own - at least with as much expression as Vulcans provide, while the half Klingon Ensign seemed satisfied to be on the tail end of the hunt.
When the Lieutenant ordered Ensign Uy'yor to handcuff and shackle the prisoner, she couldn't help but grin. "With pleasure, Lieutenant."
"Thank you, officers," Lieutenant Tarek nodded at the Marines. "Will any of you be accompanying us to the security suite?" He asked before summoning the turbolift.
Around them the alert lowered from Red to Yellow, and panels indicated that the lockdown was lifted, but to still expect heavy patrols.
Tmarek grinned, 'can't hurt to have an extra pair of eyes on him - you lead, I'll follow.' Satsifaction filled him from tridactyl toes to the bald knobb of his skull. Puffing out his cheeks, he nodded. He had done his job as well as he possibly could. It would be up to the rest now.
Martinez lowered the rifle once the restraints were secured, though their attention remained on Kerek. "Corporal, go with them. Keep an eye on him until Commander Xalanth takes custody," they said, giving Tmarek a brief nod. He had made the pursuit; he could see it through. They looked to Nash. "He'll be in Interrogation Room One, Commander." Then Martinez tapped their commbadge. "Martinez to Keel. Suspect is restrained and en route to Security."
"Vasht - Uh, Chief Rao," Kash called out from where he had first spotted the Vulcan. "We should isolate this block from the mainframe and lock it down. He may not have had time to wipe out what he was doing, we may still be able to find something in here, but we shouldn't risk that there isn't someone else on board that might try to wipe it clean.
Vashti turned to Nash. "Understood, Commander. I'll initiate lockout right away."
She began entering her security credentials via the console in front of her and silently muttered a hope that Astrea hadn't been too compromised.
Lt. Commander Nash Winters
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Astrea
1st Lieutenant Ángel Martinez
Marine Officer
USS Astrea
Master Chief Petty Officer Vashti Rao
Chief of the Boat
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Ryan Keel (as Tmarek)
Chief of Diplomatic Intelligence
USS Astrea
Ensign Kash th'Kaasniik
Operations Officer
USS Astrea
(NPC of Remy Johansen)
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