The Murdered Sun - Christie Golden [31]
"Granted. Take Lieutenant Frazier with you, and report back immediately upon arrival. Watch your step. This ship wasn't designed for humanoids." Torres nodded her understanding. She and the big security guard moved off slowly toward the stern of the bridge, toward what appeared at first glance to be a steep dropoff but proved to have rungs and bars for gripping.
Kim flipped open his own tricorder and regarded it. Its readings indicated, thankfully, that the computer system was still up and running, at least partially. He didn't relish the thought of trying to reboot an entire alien computer system. The console ahead and to his right seemed to be the least damaged. Lights blinked on and off. The general lighting still blitzed in and out, though, and it was rapidly giving Kim a headache.
Time enough to see the doctor when you get back. Right now, focus on the job, Harry.
He stepped forward, glancing from tricorder reading to console, and felt fairly sure that this was his best bet. He sat down in a seat that was clearly not designed for the comparatively narrow breadth of human buttocks and examined the console.
At Starfleet Academy, Kim had been a superior student. He loved the whole theory behind Operations, the linking together of every system, the symmetry of diverse parts working together to create a harmonious whole. He viewed his role as that of a technical diplomat of sorts.
His job was to placate all parties, integrate all their strengths, and smooth out or eliminate any discord, all the while working toward a goal that would benefit everyone.
Kim seemed to have a real gift for it. Part of his training had been with a large variety of alien computer systems, and after his seventh or so encounter, he'd begun to realize that some things really were universal. Sentient beings, whatever their culture, tended to have certain needs. Given enough knowledge about the culture itself, Kim found he could walk in cold, analyze a system, and figure it out in record time.
He concentrated on what he knew about the Akerians, what they would hold of value, where they might place what. Deep in thought, he was startled to hear Torres's voice.
"Torres to Janeway. I'm in their Engineering section."
"Go ahead," said Janeway.
"Most of this vessel seems to be given over to their engines," said Torres. "I'm looking at four enormous engines centered around a central core. Everything appears to be off-line."
The unasked question was in the engineer's voice. Kim heard it, and so did Janeway, who replied, "Do not attempt to operate them, Torres.
Your job here is as an observer. Make visual and sensor records, then you and Frazier beam directly back over to Voyager.
Is that understood?"
"Yes, Captain." Acceptance but reluctance. "We should have our analysis complete in about five minutes. I'll get back on board Voyager and finish getting her back up to speed. Torres out."
It was time. Kim took a deep, steadying breath, then hit his comm badge. "Kim to Voyager."
"Tuvok here."
"I'm sitting in front of the computer console right now," Kim continued. "Prepare to activate the secure partition." Before he had left Voyager, Kim had installed a secure partition--a buffer that could easily shut down any dangerous overload should the two computer systems not mesh. Though he would have to instigate the transfer of data here on the Conquest, he'd have to trust Tuvok back on Voyager with monitoring the influx of information.
"Secure partition activated," came Tuvok's voice.
"Beginning hookup to tricorder now." Kim felt sweat gathering at his hairline, automatically reached up to wipe it away, and frowned in annoyance as his hand bumped up against the faceplate.
He'd just have to endure the tickle. His protected fingers moved over the console, activating