Short Circuit
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 24th March 2008
Characters: Zathris, Rikka
Description: Zathris requests some help from Rikka when there's a problem with some of the lights.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 9, day 1 of Turn 4
Zathris strode into one of the workrooms that were used for the technicians and looked around. He had a problem and, unfortunately, it wasn't something he could fix. He paused for a moment, taking in the scene, then started toward the closest one of the technicians -
journeyman by her knots.
"Excuse me," He stated as his shadow fell over her. "I'm in need of a technician."
Rikka glanced up from her work and nodded. "I'm journeywoman technician Rikka. How may I help you?"
"Zathris." The man in question nodded and then smiled in a genial manner. "I'm afraid we have a wing that's without electricity -
including the nursery. I'm hoping it's something simple, but alas, I'm not versed in such matters. I was hoping I could get a technician to come and look."
"I can come, if you like, but if it's anything major I'll have to wait for one of the others. Some jobs take two people," she said, preparing the man for the chance that the fault wouldn't be fixed instantly. "And they're nearly all away at the dam."
Zathris nodded. "At least you'll be able to tell me what's wrong. If it can't be fixed quickly, we'll just have to make do with glows temporarily." He smiled again, then turned, motioning for her to follow him.
"Wait - just a moment." Rikka gathered up her toolbag and grabbed the extra tool roll that was specifically for small electrical problems.
"Now I'm ready,": she said, skipping to catch up with the man.
Zathris paused as Rikka grabbed her tools, then started into a purposeful stride out of the room and into the hallway. He led her down and through to another, then stopped and pointed. Halfway down the hall, there was a distinct divide where lights were lit and those that had, for some reason, gone dark.
Rikka's eyes had noted the spot in the wall where the circuits for this part of the wing branched off from those in the main part of the building and she glanced briefly up ahead and then back tracked a few steps. "I'll just check this." She put the bag down at her feet and unrolled the kit on the top. "There's a connection in here that would cause this sort of blackout," she explained as she unfastened the cover plate. "In fact, the problem can _only_ be here."
"Really?" Zathris moved with her and stopped where he could see what she was doing. "Is this something I could have taken care of?"
"No. Here's the best rule to remember. If you have to unscrew anything, you're out of your depth." She grinned at the man. "We hide dangerous or complicated stuff behind panels to keep it safe."
"That certainly makes sense." Zathris laughed. "I'd hate to get a nasty shock. So what's the problem?"
"This connection's come apart." She glanced at the man. "It won't take a moment to fix so there's no need to move everybody."
"That's good to know." Zathris grinned, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall a little away from Rikka. "I suppose we could get by with glows if we had to, but I think we've all become too used to electricity."
"It's easy to get used to it, and in a Hold as well supplied as this one
- why not?"
"Why not indeed!" Zathris shook his head. "I just wish I knew more about it. I fear, however, that I'm not trained in the craft and there are other things that take up my time. It's fascinating though."
"I don't know," Rikka said as she worked. "It just seems ... ordinary, to me. Other things are fascinating. Artistic crafts. Painting and weaving and composing. This is just knowing things and doing them.
There's no ... Well, there's skill, but nothing more. It's just a learnt skill."
"Maybe," Zathris said with another smile, "But there are some things that even those who are taught have trouble learning. Even skills sometimes need talent to help them along."
"Talent! That's what this lacks. Not that I have one, of course, so that doesn't matter." Rikka stood back and checking her work, before nodding at the man. "I think that's it." She reset the switch behind the panel and smiled as the lights further down the corridor came on.
"There you go."
"Well, you must have more than me." Zathris saluted her. "Thanks for the help. I appreciate your willings to work on it so quickly. I was afraid everyone might be busy with more pressing concerns. For instance, perhaps all the power went out in the kitchens. I think this would be shoved aside should that tragedy occur."
"Tragedy, indeed," Rikka said, liking the man's sense of humour.
"Well, I should probably let you get back to work, and I should probably do the same. I've mounds of work to do and I'm afraid that just wishing won't make it go away." Zathris gave Rikka a sweeping bow. "Thanks for your assistance."
"You're welcome." Rikka ran a hand over the panel, checking it was now firmly back in place and fastened correctly. "Enjoy your day."
Last updated on the March 29th 2008