One in Twelve Thousandth Percent

Chapter 32:

We appear in the transporter room on this timeline's Angel. The lights are on emergency power mode and the exit door is in a state of glitching. It closes halfway then opens back up. It's just repeating this pattern over and over. We catch it in between states as we make our way out the door into the corridor.

"Well, I'd consider heading to the bridge, but it's a little bit missing." I laugh. "Well, the better option would be Engineering and the FTL Room anyways." Belle says. "True. Besides, we don't know what kind of new issue we're gonna run into so it's best to get in and out fast." I turn and head for the lift. "Uh, hon? I don't think the lift is going to be operational. Best to just take the emergency tubes." I chuckle nervously. "Yeah, good point."

The emergency tubes are just that. Tubes that go from the upper levels of the bridge down through the ship past Engineering to the escape pods at the back near the cargo bays. I was never sure why the ship was designed that way. But hey, it's what we have to work with. So down the tubes we go. Since we're already a good distance down, we don't have far to go to get to the Engineering level.

Getting out of the tubes was to prove more difficult. They were meant to get into and go all the way to the end, not get in and out of at will. Sliding through the tubes, the lineup is Misaki first, then me, then the twins. "Babe, let me know when we get close. I have an idea." From behind me I hear Belle. "Why does this sound like a bad idea?" "Cuz many of them are not the best?" Kaz adds from the end. "Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, ladies." "Oh, anytime, Kay!" Kaz replies sarcastically. "We're almost there. Whatever you have needs to happen soon!" Misaki yells up at us.

"Ready? Now!" I snap. Misaki sees the sparks and pulls and carries it down past her. It collides with the tube and the tube turns and juts out of the entrance. It shoots us out right on the floor of the Engineering level, piling us up on top of each other like Jenga blocks. "Well, that could have always been worse, Kay." Belle says brushing herself off. "Thanks. I appreciate the enthusiasm." I say, standing up. "Alright ladies, let's see what we have here."

As we approach the Engine Room, the doors are just gone. That whole section of wall is blown in. "Well, at least the engine is still here, right?" Misaki chuckles. "Yeah, but if it is, why is the ship in emergency power mode?" I say slowly walking into the room. "Maybe because the entire power supply has been disconnected from the rest of the ship?" Misaki points out. "Even more weird. The engine is in good shape, no visual damage, but the power's been pulled. Babe, give me a hand with this." I grab the giant cord and begin hauling it to the connection relay for the ship.

"Hon, are we sure that's a good idea?" I shrug. "Why not? Why is it just disconnected? It looks like it was purposely pulled out. It's not broken or damaged in any way. It should be fine." Sigh. "Okay, hon." Misaki grabs the other side of the cord and helps me plug it back in. "Besides, with it having been unplugged for so long, it'll have to be manually restarted." The cord clicks into place. "Alright, starting the Flux Engine!" Belle says from a console nearby. The core comes to life, its rainbow colors lighting up the room. The room lights come on.

"Full power from the core." I say from another console. "Oh, and life support has recovered as well." I undo the visor on my helmet. "I wonder if there are any parts we can salvage from this core to take with us in case we need them." Misaki says looking at various areas of the room. "Why not? But we should check out the FTL Room first before we get sidetracked." Belle says, pointing at the door. We nod and follow her out.

The FTL Room is immaculate. It looks better than ours does. Though that doesn't take much effort as ours went through a disaster. It almost looks as if this ship never encountered that particular disaster. Belle walks up to the drive core. "Four perfect Plasma Conductors. Why, I never..." We all just stand and stare for a moment. Even though it's only been a few days, it feels like it's been far longer.