Entering the silence
Posted on Mon Jun 10th, 2019 @ 1:25am by Captain Ka'Tock & Lieutenant Commander Amber Quinn & Lieutenant Azusa Nakano & Lieutenant Trei Jansum & Lieutenant Xander Oroyo DSci & Lieutenant JG Paris Deville
1,403 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Caverns of the mind
Location: Orbit over station.
Timeline: MD 03 1045 hours
ON
"Captain's Log, we are entering the system of Planet 1247, the last subspace relay had only the routine cycling of the automated systems. I had OPS run a check to find all the automated systems were working, the remote tie into the communications system allowed for a remote view of the small control Room. From our vantage point we do not see any signs of plague or even the Station Personnel. No coffee, charts on counters or other sign of occupation. The COntrol room was in order and no traces of anything to hint as to where the crew can be. We are coming near the planet and will be doing a full scan and with out close proximity we can remotely get computer records tranmitted to the Aurora. I will be accessing the safety factors with Science and Security before allowing the Away Team from stepping foot in that Outpost. We will report toStar Fleet our investigation findings as they are available. End log."
Ka'Tock sat back in his chair; it was showing signs that if one of them had to give in for the other's comfort the Center Chair was showing signs of bowing to the comfort of Ka'Tock, though this is his first assignment it will take time for this chair to really fit.
"Mister Deville." Ka'Tock said over the intercom. "Is the shuttle ready in case we need her?" His Chief Helmsman had been assigned to the Hangar Deck duty for a time to over see the Shuttle and flight operations. "Has Medical gotten all the equipment they require to you?" It was a last moment change of plan to have the Doctor fly down in the shuttle with DeVille to help her with the added equipment Medical might need to make a triage or transport the Science team back to the ship?
"All present and accounted for, Captain." Paris replied before stating. "She's all prepped and ready for launch, just waiting for the green light."
The ship was easing into a stead standard orbit over the Out Post, orbital insertion went off without a hitch. With all the systems ready Ka'Tock turned to Science.
Mr. Oroyo, feel free to run a full scan of the planet surface and surrounding area of the Outpost." He began. "I want your assurances the Away Team can go down to see what is on that station?"
Running his hands over his console, Xander was running his scans and noticed something strange in the atmosphere. "Commander, I'm reading something odd in the atmosphere. Nothing I can pin down yet without further scans.
"May I suggest that if we determine it is safe to send an away team down, we take a shuttle rather than beam down because of the strange atmosphere?"
"You can take a shuttle." Ka'Tock agreed. "If you can deem it safe for teh Away team I will allow you to venture down in a shuttle. "He continued speaking. "Run the readings through Biology in Medical just to make sure it is safe."
"Aye, sir. Running the scans through now," Xander said.
"Lt Nakano, have your member of the away team get ready and have a team of damage control people just in the event we need them." Ka'Tock had the comm open to Engineering.
"Aye sir. I'll be going down with them. Everything us running smoothly down here" Azusa replied.
Ka'Tock glance to Jansum. "You and your people should be ready when the okay come across as well."
Trei looked at his CO, and nodded. "Yes, sir, we will be." He frowned and looked over at Oroyo. The guy seemed a little...uppity. He would keep an eye on him, but not do anything. Yet. He headed towards the security offices and tapped his commbadge. =A= Jansum to Troilon. Start getting ready for the away mission. Make sure you have all the equipment you need but only what you need. I don't want you going down there with fifteen weapons and unable to shoot any of them. =A=
=^= I will use wisdom in my choices Sir.=^= Troilon said over the channel. =^= There is no combat so I will keep that in mind.=^=
Finally turning to his Executive officer; who had a Science Background and thus more experience with these types of surveying and scanning he nod to Quinn.
"Number One, you have the bridge, I will be in my Ready Room." With that he gave Amber the chair.
Amber nodded. She sat down in the center chair. "I'd like to do some planetary mapping while we have a chance," she said to Xander. "Follow Commander Ka'Tock's orders first. If you have time, start the scans for mapping. If not, I'll take care of it after you're gone. Starfleet might appreciate knowing what's down there." Xander was better qualified than she for cartography, but she wasn't going to stop him from leading the away team.
"Now that would be wonderful. I can do both, if that's acceptable," he said beginning the scans for the planetary survey. He knew Quinn wanted to learn everything they could for Starfleet so he made certain he would be able to get that for her.
=^= Sick Bay to Bridge.=^= Nicoles voice rang through. =^= All the Medical relief supplies have gone down to the Hangar deck for loading. We are all ready for planet side when Yew give the word. =^=
"Acknowledged," came the response from the bridge. "Thank you."
[Security]
Trei entered the security offices to get his phaser and tricorder. His cousins once offered to "upgrade" his tricorder once they graduated the Academy, but after their efforts on other things when they were kids, he decided to decline. He holstered his phaser and put his tricorder in its pouch. He thought for a minute then shrugged. He picked up an empty shoulder bag and put in a few water packets. Never know what you might need, he thought. He turned and saw Troilon standing behind him.
"You ready to go?" he asked aloud.
Smiling with the satchels over each shoulder and in slacks rather than her usual Skirted option. "Everything and the suntan lotion Sir, ready to go."
Trei frowned. "I think only one bag would be good. Just some water, just in case. What all do you have in there?" he asked.
"Tactical apparatus and the spare weapons, and being smart I evened the load to more easily trek the Klicks to the station from planned clearing Sir."."
Jansum gave her a flat stare before saying, "Okay, ONE knife attached to your belt, one type II phaser, one tricorder, and if you absolutely must bring something else, bring a few packets of water and 6 rations in your bag. That's it."
[Ready Room]
Ka'Tock sat in his chair behind his desk; this is a purely Science mission and while he has the basics he knew that Amber would be well suited to command the bridge for the surveys and all the data collection prior to the Away Team going down. His first time sending people into the unknown and he could not go down with them to face the unknown. This is his first taste of command; the type of decisions he is to make and while this does not seem to be obviously dangerous he still had no idea ; nor did anyone, of what happened?
Using his monitor he brought up the Team assigned to the task; three men and one woman; who was in charge of the team as the lead Anthropologist. Just two months more and the team were due to report back to Fleet and remove the Observation Outpost. He was sure Joanna Hanson would bid for more time; typical scientist with something interesting to study, more importantly is that Ka'Tock hoped she will be found and able to make that bid.
[Operations]
This was Pippa's first opportunity to be part of an away team and she was looking forward to it. She stopped by Ops to get a small repair kit in case the reason they hadn't heard from the team was because something broke down. For comfort, she changed into a pair of coveralls and put the rest of the tools she might need into her pockets. Then she grabbed an air cart and piled it with the larger equipment she wanted on the shuttle and headed down to the bay.
OFF