Home » The Archives » Chapter 7 » Trouble Under the Hood
| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1816 is a reply to message #1815] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 14:22   |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma:
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 1/11/2006 9:21 PM
Tracy Island, Monday, June 25, 8.00 a.m.
"Kat," Brains called to his young assistant. "Have you had a good breakfast?"
"Yes, Boss, and I have remembered those glucose bars." She hadn't forgotten the talk she'd had with Dr Tracy. "What are we working on today?" she asked.
"Today, I am going to show you the Elevator Cars. Primarily these are used at airports, and can match the speed of most incoming aircraft. They can also be used to raise or lower equipment and personnel to upper floors of a building up to 30 metres high. They are very useful if specialised equipment needs to be taken through a window or up a fire escape."
Kat followed Brains to the auxiliary vehicle wing of Thunderbird Two's hangar. There were a half dozen Elevator Cars lined up by twos in a series of three bays. Brains went to the first one. "This is the master car; the others are all remote controlled," he began to explain to Kat. "Up to three radio controlled remote Elevator Cars can be controlled at one time from the this Master Vehicle."
Kat produced her notebook and pen. Brains smiled at her, pleased that she was taking notes. Maybe she had learnt from her experience in Thunderbird One with Scott.
Brains continued. "Wheels on the sides of the driver's seat control the steering, while foot pedals control the speed of the Master Elevator Car. Voice activated computer systems control other vehicle functions such as acceleration, braking and power management."
Kat was writing furiously, trying to keep up with what Brains was telling her. Whew! Wish I could do shorthand! she thought.
"Okay, then, let's go around the vehicle and I will point out the bits that need to be monitored and kept in working order." Starting at the front, Brains began, "This is the gearbox." Kat stood on tiptoe. "I think that you may need the steps to work on this," he said kindly.
"Next to that is the primary diesel engine powering the front wheels. Further along and a little higher is the hydraulics fluid. Over are the fuel tanks serving both the front and rear diesel engines." Brains paused. "I think we will have a break. I don't know about you, but I could certainly do with a drink." He went over to the far end of the hangar, and came back with a large bottle of orange juice and two glasses. They both sat down inside one of the elevator cars. Kat gratefully took the offered glass, and began to drink. He pushed his glasses up on his nose. "I hope you can read your writing; you were certainly scribbling well at one point."
"Well, actually," Kat replied, " I shall probably go back to my apartment when we have finished and type it up."
They continued to relax, enjoying the cool, refreshing orange juice and discussing their different work. "You know," Brains said, "your training is going very well."
"Oh," was all that Kat could think of by way of a reply.
"I have to say that you are a very experienced mechanic, and a conscientious worker, and I am proud to call you my assistant," he continued. "I'm going to arrange for John to train you on the computer system used on Tracy Island - when he returns - and I intend to start training you next on the Firefly. I know that both Virgil and Gordon are wanting to continue with your training on Thunderbirds Two and Four."
Kat smiled. "Boss, this is certainly the best job I think that any mechanic would want."
"Shall we continue then?" Brains stood up. Kat scrambled to her feet, rubbed her damp hands down her overalls, and proceeded to follow Brains.
"Under the platform is the primary load-bearing telescopic support column. Just down from that is the electric motor, and adjacent to it is the distributor box. Inside the wheel are the hydraulic brakes, and connecting to that is the rotary diesel cylinders. Those long arms you can see are the variable-position hydraulic support stanchions, and inside, under the middle, is the power generator."
Kat wiped her damp hair from her eyes, and continued writing. Brains stopped for her to catch him up. "Are you okay? There isn't much more to see."
"I'm fine. That drink really helped."
He pointed out the platform variable-height power unit. "Power is transferred to the support stanchions via conduits incorporated into the platform's underside groove," he said, pointing out the parts he was naming and describing. "Well, that's all for now, Kat," Brains said, looking at his watch. "I think that we have covered quite a bit this morning. Go have a rest and something to eat, and we will meet again this afternoon."
Kat thanked him and made her way back to her apartment. She took a long lingering shower, and after towelling her hair dry, brushed it well. Finally feeling happy with her hair, she dressed, headed for her kitchen and made herself a sandwich. Taking it with her, she went to sit down at her computer and began to translate her writing into meaningful notes.
written by TawnyAngel22
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
 
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