A Few Degrees from Optimal
Posted on Sun Jan 11th, 2026 @ 4:03am by Lieutenant Commander Johnathan "Jack" MacGyver & Lieutenant Commander T'Par
925 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
A Day In The Life
Location: Main Engineering
T'Par entered main engineering for the first time aboard the new vessel. She did not spend time marveling at the differences, though they were many and significant. She had familiarized herself with the schematics. Instead, she searched the faces for a man she had seen in passing but had not properly met. When she saw him, she made her way directly to Orcrist's Chief Engineer. "Lieutenant MacGyver?"
Standing in the middle of Engineering, Jack was directing traffic and handing out orders, "get those conduits to storage, John, I want a test on our warp systems. I'd rather not have our new shiny ship suddenly thrown from FTL. Let's get this right first time." he said before he heard someone call his name. Turning around, he was surprised to see the Chief Science Officer, "Commander T'Par? What can I do for you?"
"I require assistance with the life support controls in the hydroponics lab," she said. "The sensors themselves seem to be malfunctioning. They vary by an average of 2.1 degrees from tricorder readings of the same space. If the difference was consistent, it could simply be accounted for but it varies from hour to hour. It is important that some of these specimens be at a precise temperature."
Jack nodded, “sounds easy enough. Let’s go have a look shall we.” He said before turning back to his crew, “I’m gonna go fix what those fleet yard chumps screwed up, i want this place squared away by the time I get back or happy hour is canceled”
There was a collective sound of mixed, over exaggerated moans and a few ‘awe come on’ from the engineering crew in reply. Hearing his people, Jack smiled, “yea yea, you bunch of squeaky wheels”
"It is at least difficult enough to require your expertise," T'Par said dispassionately. "I attempted to correct the problem myself but without success."
“Alright, why don’t you show me what you’ve done and we can go from there” Jack said, grabbing an engineering kit from the wall as they walked out of Engineering.
"I recalibrated the sensors," T'Par noted as she walked with him, "changed the filters, scanned for obstructions or other anomalies, and ran a diagnostic."
"and the diagnostic didn't pick up anything worth reporting? Even after the recalibration?" Jack asked, trying to get an idea of what the problem might be. Right now, it sounded like a problem with the environmental controls, but the recalibration should've fixed that. The fact that the temperature keeps fluctuating and it being displayed wrong suggests a sensor problem.
"It did not," T'Par confirmed. "But it was only level 3."
“Well, I’ll see what I can find. Please. Lead the way”
"Thank you," T'Par said. She clasped her hands behind her back and led the way through the corridors to the turbolift and, from there, to the hydroponics lab.
Stepping into the bay, Jack felt the humidity hit him like a brick wall, “wow. That’s warm.” He said taking out his tricorder and starting his own scans. “How long has this been going on? Did it start when you came aboard?”
"Almost immediately," T'Par agreed. "It isn't always this hot. If it were consistent, I could compensate."
Walking over to the environmental controls, Jack took off the display and began looking around at the internals. “Is this the only lab you’ve had troubles with?”
"It is," T'Par confirmed, watching him as he worked.
Reaching inti the wall, Jack felt around for a little, “yea, that’s right. That’s right. Wait, what’s this?” He saud, his hand touching something furry. Pulling his hand out, Jack pulled out a Tribble, “huh, what’s this doing in there?”
"That was not here before," T'Par stated.
“They’re insidious little bastards, but I doubt it’s the problem. Here hold it for me” Jack said, holding the tribble out as he put his hand back into the wall. Feeling around a little, Jack found the issue and quickly corrected it. “And…there. Right, now for a quick reset” he said as he stood back and used his tricorder to power down and then power up the science lab. After a few minutes, the room started to cool.
T'Par held the tribble. For a moment, she didn't seem to know what to do with it but, when Jack looked back up, he found she was stroking the cute little creature without seeming to be conscious of doing so. "Thank you, Commander. Your assistance has been invaluable."
“No problem, that’s what I’m here for.” Jack replied, looking to the tribble as she patted it, “I could leave our little friend here with you if you wish, though I do believe they are an outlawed species”
"Then it should be confined in a laboratory space," T'Par said. "This is the first sign I have seen of an infestation. You do not seem phased by it."
Jack shrugged, “they’re rarely a problem. Most of the time we have someone from either the Klingon Empire or Federation Wildlife come and dispose of them. I doubt there’s actually an infestation onboard, but I’ll be sure to notify the Captain and the ops chief. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
"Not at present," T'Par said. "Thank you for your assistance."
“You’re most welcome, don’t hesitate to call if anything else brakes”
"I will," T'Par agreed
End:
Lieutenant Commander T'Par
Chief Science Officer
USS Orcrist
Lt. Commander Jack MacGyver
Chief Engineer
USS Orcrist
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