Star Trek: Corps of Engineers: Foundations: Book 1 by Dayton Ward & Kevin Dilmore

Author:Dayton Ward & Kevin Dilmore
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Star Trek, Fiction
ISBN: 9780743456722
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2002-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

J’lenn nodded in understanding. The bulky Mark IXs had been carried aboard starships for years and had proven their reliability in a variety of situations, though as far as she knew they had never been used in the types of combat operations for which they were originally designed. In addition to their own self-contained battery packs, the weapons could also receive and reconfigure power transmitted directly from an orbiting ship. The cannons were in the process of being phased out in favor of lighter, self-propelled models, though, so J’lenn wasn’t surprised that engineers like Kellerman would seize the opportunity to salvage any useful parts.

“It’s like Lieutenant al-Khaled has been trying to tell you,” Kellerman began.

She smiled as she waved the rest of his statement away. “I know, there’s plenty of time for you and your team to tinker aboard the Lovell. I’m beginning to understand the magnitude of that statement, Ensign.” Taking hold of the drill itself, she hefted the tool in her hands and tested its weight. “I’m qualified to operate this thing, Kellerman, but that doesn’t mean I’m an expert in drilling. How do you think we should proceed?”

Nodding, Kellerman indicated the rock wall that formed the recently created barrier in the tunnel before them. “No problem, Lieutenant. I’ll make the first cut on my side, and then you just mirror what I do. Just watch out that we don’t cross our beams.” He smiled knowingly. “That would be bad.”

Choosing a point on the upper part of the rock barrier, Kellerman took aim with his own drill and pressed the firing stud. The tunnel was soon filled with a high-pitched whine as the laser drill ramped up to its full power. Rock immediately began to disintegrate under the beam’s power as the ensign carved into the wall.

Taking her cue from Kellerman, J’lenn activated her own drill and began to cut a similar path through the rock on her own side of the tunnel. It only took a few seconds for the pair of engineers to fall into a rhythm, working in tandem as they began to push their way forward. Even though the insulated material of her protective suit blocked most of the noise, it was still loud enough that she had to strain to hear the voices coming across the communicator channel.

“Aye, that’s the ticket, lass,” Scott’s voice sounded near her ear. “Yer makin’ some headway already.”

“This is great,” J’lenn said to no one in particular as she watched the effect of the drills on the tunnel wall. “I’ll admit to being a bit more optimistic about this now that we’ve started.”

“That’s fair to say, Lieutenant,” al-Khaled’s voice said over the communicator, “but we may not have as much time as we thought. The reactor’s temperature is continuing to rise. You’re going to have to speed things up a bit. No points for neatness.”

J’lenn grimaced as she continued to work. “I don’t suppose you have any good news for us?”

“Actually, we do,” Scott’s voice replied. “Anderson and

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