Sojourn (Part 1 of 2)

Posted on 19 Oct 2014 @ 4:15pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Andreus Kohl & Commander Norvi Stace & Lieutenant Jared Nicholas & Lieutenant Elijah Williams IV, M.Sc. & Ensign Jaana Voutilainen & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Lieutenant Commander Dea Mialin & Lieutenant Min Zhao & Lieutenant Asahi Kita & Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones & Lieutenant JG Cyrin Xanth & Lieutenant Benice Gyce Ph.D.

1,490 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo/Starbase 84
Timeline: MD 01 - 1510 hrs

[ON]

After a month traversing the stars across the core of Federation space, the Nova-class USS Galileo finally dropped out of warp to the sight of the vast Starbase 84, hanging in space like a metallic pendant against the jewelled stars of the galaxy. The vast superstructure served as an important command and supply post for the entire sector, and at any one time contained tens of thousands of Starfleet crew, engineers, marines and visiting dignitaries of countless species.

Around the perimeter several craft went about their business as the Galileo arrived - a hulking Galaxy-class cruiser leapt to warp to begin her own journey only seconds later, whilst nearer the facility several cargo vessels hung lifeless, beaming supplies and support both to and from the Starbase.

Inside her quarters, Lirha could feel the slight acceleration change as Galileo dropped out of warp inside of the solar system. They were almost right on schedule according to her calculations, and while she normally would have sprinted to the bridge to oversee the ship's docking procedure when she was captain, now the Orion was simply content to lean back on her sofa and watch the view through the window in her small apartment.

At the aft of Galileo's Bridge, Andreus Kohl had his eyes and hands trained on the Science II console. He swiped his fingers across the display, switching between active sensor feeds. He studied the fundamental details of the starbase -as they appeared to the ship's sensors- but that wasn't enough. The Galileo was starting to feel claustrophobic to the Argelian science officer. Starships almost never had that effect on him, but prolonged away missions in a planet's mines and sharing his breathing space with countless tribbles was bound to make anyone feel boxed in. Kohl turned his back on his duty station and trained his eyes on the forward viewscreen. He needed to see the starbase with his very own eyes, the same way everyone else on the ship would be looking at it.

Stace peered over Kohl's shoulder and unknowingly shared his relief at seeing such a huge structure. She took in a breath and let it out. This was a welcome sight for everyone onboard, she agreed.

Jared was looking forward to some R&R, but more importantly he was looking forward to marrying Min. It was more than just making things official, though there was that element to it, it was all about the commitment.

He'd come along way since first coming on board and almost getting kicked off for letting the cook frag his ass in the kitchen. Who knew there were security cameras there and it would be considered a public place. Now he was already a father and would be marrying, making a lifetime commitment to a woman and a rather beautiful and feisty one at that.

Jaana closed the system she had been studying on and switch the terminal to display the Starbase the Galileo was approaching. It was huge. She leaned with her elbows on the terminal, resting her head on her hands. She loved to just look at the station, and the other ships and shuttles flying around it.

Elijah stood in the geology lab, eyes glued to the large bulkhead mounted monitor. The lab was empty, which he was grateful for because he could watch the Galileo approach the starbase in silence. He had to admit, he was excited by the chance to disembark for a little bit. The whole mission, from the caves to the Tribbles had pushed him into some dark territory that he hadn't visited in a very long time. He just wanted some time to decompress and if it meant hanging out on a starbase for a few days, then so be it. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as the small starship inched closer to the massive starbase.

On the Bridge, the crew of the Galileo busied themselves preparing the ship for it's impending state of inactivation as the repair, resupply and refit took place. As the now-familiar image of blurred stars disappeared to denote their return to normal space, Captain Jonathan Holliday let out a sigh of relief at the thought that their long trek was finally at an end. His orders from Command had been simple - report to Starbase 84 for debriefing and to receive new orders, nothing more, nothing less.

Dea was relieved to be arriving at Starbase 84. As usual she monitored Galileo's approach to the starbase closely. She couldn't easily describe what it felt like to pilot a starship. "Dropping out of warp. Approaching Starbase 84 at full impulse Captain."

"Very good - Operations, contact Docking Control and request a berth." John replied with a note of satisfaction in his voice.

"Understood." Min began docking procedures, beginning with berth confirmation from the dockmaster. As the confirmation streamed in, Min acknowledged the dockmaster's confirmation. "Confirmed Captain. Bay Door Delta, Berth 47."

"Well, there's no time like the present. Helm, take us in - one quarter impulse power. Mr Kita, take our warp drive offline and begin discharging energy from the nacelles as we approach the starbase - last thing we want is a charged plasma discharge inside there."

"Roger that one quarter impulse," Dea continued to pilot Galileo with an expert hand. It had been a long and trying mission but there was still work that required their attention.

"Yes sir." Asahi was quick to execute the command, despite the awkward feeling he had being on the bridge to begin with. He tapped his commbadge. "Grayson, how are things checking out down in Engineering?"

"Warp Core is offline, Sir. The nacelles have just finished decharging cycle, there is enough power in them to keep them on hot standby, but should cause no issues or problems." Grayson looked up from his status display in Main Engineering. "We're locked down here and ready for docking."

The Galileo slowed her approach as she came under the jurisdiction of Docking Control - the small vessel passing through the mammoth metallic doors of the hangar, dwarfed many thousands of times over even by one of the two enormous armoured structures. Slipping inside the facility, it was clear they were not alone, with over a dozen other starships docked at their respective berths within the superstructure, all in different states of operation.

As the Galileo approached Dock 47, the automated docking protocols took over, and the ship was gripped by multiple tractor beams as she was slowly manoeuvered into position, her nose connecting with the airlock with a resounding thud. A moment later, multiple moorings and umbilicals leapt from the walls of the docking berth and automatically attached themselves to the ship's hull, forming it's life support system for the remainder of it's stay.


Starbase 84 - Observation Lounge

Cyrin had hurried to one of the starbase's large observation windows to watch the Galileo arrive as soon as the notice he'd asked the computer for informed him the ship was engaging in docking maneuvers. It was his first look at a Nova Class up close, once the ship had dropped out of warp, and he liked what he saw. Not huge and bulk like many Starfleet ships, nor did it quite have the streamlined predatory look that some of the new designs. She was sleek-looking, efficient, with a cluster of sensor arrays that the scientist in him thrilled to see. The ensign watched the entire procedure, excited that this was going to be his new home.

As Gyce had served on a stardock before, the coming and going of ships were not such a big deal to her. But she made her way to the observations decks of the station, if only to see what her new posting looked like.

The Trill turned and saw the Bajoran woman, Gyce, and he waved with a smile on his face, "There she is! Can you believe it?" He was obviously very excited to see the ship.

"It looks nice," Gyce smiled. Though that was only to be polite. Cyrin clearly had not seen many ships coming in and out of a stardock before.

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

CDRE Lirha Saalm
Mission Advisor
USS Galileo

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

LCDR Dea Mialin
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Galileo

LT Andreus Kohl
Asst. Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

LT Norvi Stace
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

LT Min Zhao
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galileo

LT Jared Nicholas
Linguist
USS Galileo

LT Asahi Kita
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Elijah Williams IV
Geologist
USS Galileo

ENS Grayson Jones
Asst. Chief Engineering officer
USS Galileo

ENS Janna Voutilainen
Stellar Cartographer
USS Galileo

ENS Cyrin Xanth
Astrophysicist
USS Galileo

LTJG Benice Gyce Ph.D.
Security Investigations Officer
USS Galileo

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