Onward (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 16 Apr 2016 @ 10:57pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant Olsam Mott & Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen M.D. & Lieutenant Wilhelm Von Haeften & Lieutenant JG Drusilla McCarthy & Lieutenant JG Cyrin Xanth & Lieutenant JG Rael Psy.D. & Ensign Miraj Derani & Ensign Jaana Voutilainen & Chief Warrant Officer 2 Anthony Duval & Command Master Chief Markum Quinn & Petty Officer 1st Class Taliesin Cynwrig
Edited on on 16 Apr 2016 @ 11:03pm

1,779 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: USS Galileo - Various
Timeline: MD 95 - 1810 hrs

Previously, on Onward (Part 1)...

"Final check complete, boss," Taliesin said, crossing his arms over his chest after making one final glance at the inventories and logs on the PADD he carried. "All replacement weapons and ordnance has been accounted for. We've a full complement once again." Not that they'd get a chance to use it during this mission. Thalat him sideways, babysitting colonists sounded boring.

"This is where the fun begins." Greg joked to a security officer next to him.

"Let's just stay sharp. We're going to be going into a temperate climate," Gyce told her people.

Randy had opted to oversee the final arrivals and departures in the shuttle bay. As the last cargo drone left and the bay doors closed, he tapped his badge. "Eklund to Benice. The final transfers are aboard. The last shuttles have left for Jupiter Station. Shuttle bay is secure. I'm heading to the Security office now."

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

Sickbay

Looking up at the screen, Tuula rolled up next to Allyndra. "Where are we going this time?" she asked. "I hope it's somewhere near Bajor; I love their cuisine!"

"Not from what I remember, it is off to some forsaken triple star system with a planet in a really eccentric orbit. Why for the life of me they need to try a colony there is beyound me." She wrinkled her nose. There was more going on then what had been at the briefing. Still there had been no command given not to share so she went ahead.

"Supposedly, the colony is also going to try out some new android, artifical sentient life form that is supposedly an improvement over the Soong ones." The tone came out as if she had something distasteful in her mouth.

"Oh!" exclaimed Tuula shaking her fists in the air excitedly. "That's so cool! I hope he's friendly! Or she... or it..." She smiled up at Allyndra. "Maybe we can introduce him to Raven; I'm sure she would be happy to have an AI friend!"

Allyndra made a face, "Why not, actually maybe should introduce him, her, it, thing, whatever to Mott. You know how he gets along with the artificial photonic forms. Might be amusing to see the interaction."

"Definitely! I can't wait to meet him!"

In sickbay, Rael was stocking some shelves as his eyes flicked to the LCARS terminal to watch their imminent departure. This was his first real mission aboard a starship, in official capacity as a counselor of his own merit. He tamped down on the pride he felt. It had been a long and winding road, but at last, he was going to get the opportunity to put his skills to the test. It was exciting, if a tad nervewracking.

Allydnra leaned close to Tuula and whispered. "Not quite like the Fold Ship is it. So much drama and so long to get where one is going."

Moving up beside her colleagues, Dru attempted a smile as she watched the chief of medical whisper something to her Doctor. "Care to share the secret?" The smile was strained, the weight of the future of her baby still hanging over her head.

"Oh, just a little chat about our latest vacation together," replied Tuula, trying to brush it off. "If you ever have a chance to take a trip on an Akkadian vessel, take it. Real first-class travel."

"Yeah," Olsam Mott butted in. In fact, he practically wedged himself into the space between Allyndra/Tuula and the ship's chief counselor. It didn't quite fit with his personality or style, so when the Bolian tried to look down his nose at her it definitely undercut the effect the drama was meant to achieve. "Shouldn't you be in the counseling office or something, anyway?"

As she was jostled by the Bolian, Dru's hand instinctively moved to her abdomen as a momentary flicker of fear ran through her mind. The last few days had been hell...analysing over and over every slight mistake she made and how maybe all that was happening with her baby was all her fault. She knew that the Doctor's were monitoring for first signs that the baby would try miscarry but ever jostle and stumble made her panic that the was the moment.

"I'm sorry...." Her words were strained as she tried to force herself to focus on the abrasive Doctor. "Am I in the way? I'm sorry if I am...I can leave...."

Allyndra said outloud, "You are fine and most welcome here." She was not sure what was going on in Mott's head. Sometimes he had a knack for being way too by the book and others when the book did not even exist.


Engineering

Meanwhile in Engineering. Warrant Officer Second Class Anthony Duval peered at the warp core as a smile appeared on his face. "You set to go girl?" he addressed the warp core as he would a small child. "Alright... we'll be going shortly." as he turned his attention back to his station. "Alright. Lets do this." as he tapped his display, sending his findings to the Engineering station on the bridge, it said that the ship was good to go, all engines were at a hundred percent and the hull was in excellent shape. "Hope is renewed....At Dawn's first light."


Astrometrics

Jaana looked at the viewscreen in front of her. It was displaying the ships planned route on one side and space in front of the vessel on the other screen. She turned to look around the room. They had secured all stations, as far as needed and were ready to leave space dock and get under way.

After the Admiral had broadcasted the mission outline Jaana rubbed her hands and quietly said. “Great,” As she continued waited for the ship to start its new journey she mentally repeated their course. And the planets and systems they would go by during it.

Cyrin was nearly oblivious to the announcement that they were getting underway, his frame leaned forward in his seat so he could get a little closer to the display before him. While his colleague was interested in the things they would see along the way, he was still obsessing over the data he had presented - or rather his hologram had presented, until it had malfunctioned - at the Symposium. Occasionally he could be heard to mutter something, his face was drawn tight with concentration, and the scientist was obviously deep in thought. "Uh huh," was his vague reply to Jaana's quiet comment.

Once all departments checked in, Quinn checked the last off of his PADD, then turned to face Holiday. "XO, all departments have checked in, we are prepared for departure, Sir."

"Thank you Mr Quinn." Holliday acknowledged from his CoB. For a moment he prepared to start issuing orders, but then realised that his bird was no longer his any more. The honour of launch usually resided with the Commanding Officer, and with a heavy heart he turned to relay their status to the Admiral.

"Awaiting your orders Admiral."

"The orders are yours, Mister Holliday," she said while offering her open green palm towards the viewscreen. She adjusted her posture and settled comfortably into the captains chair. "Clear all moorings and prepare for departure. Impulse reactors at stationkeeping until we clear the station. Slow and easy, yes?"

"Yes ma'am!" Holliday acknowledged with a slight grin before turning back to face the rest of the bridge crew.

"Ops - you heard the lady. Clear all moorings, detach docking clamps and confirm our departure with station control."

His hands were already moving across the board when the Admiral spoke. "Aye, sir." In a fluid sequence, the moorings came loose and the clamps were released, freeing the Galileo to begin her shift to impulse power. Opening a link to the control officer, he intoned, "This is the Galileo. We're free of the station and in position; awaiting station clearance for departure."

"Thank you Lieutenant." Jonathan confirmed. Looking towards the helm the Captain remembered the conversation he had been through with their young helmsman when he first found her sat at her station right after her arrival on the ship.

"Ensigh Derani - now's your chance to see what Galileo can do. Thrusters to one half until we clear dock then half impulse until we clear their area of control"

Not at those speeds. But Miraj's frustration melted when she put her fingers on the conn and felt the the increasing shivers of the ship coming to life. She couldn't stop the big grin as she released the external inertial dampener, adjusted pitch and yaw and set the frigate gliding effortlessly from the mooring point.

Galileo quietly swept its way out of the embrace of the Jupiter Station docking mount, her engines roaring into life as the impulse drive took over and the ship made its way into the darkness of space.

"We are clear of Jupiter Station space," Miraj announced. A notification pinged on the conn. "Traffic control have signed off, we are free to go to warp."

"Excellent work Ensign. Lay in a course for the Celes system, Warp Five. Engage when ready." Holliday settled back into his chair, content knowing that his ship..or rather Lirha's ship now...was back where it belonged - amongst the stars, and speeding towards her next destination

The course was all ready and waiting, Miraj's hand hovered over the warp controls for just a second, savouring the feel of a ship that knew it was about to be given its head. Then she swept her fingers up the panel, and Galileo leapt forward into space.

Her movement was silent within the ebony void of the cosmos. Her engines glowed deep azure as they came to life, propelling her forward with the grace of flowing water. Forward, the Galileo's deflector dish gave off a bright light, a beacon within the otherwise raven-colored abyss. All along her hull, interior cabin lights let those who could see her know that aboard her, within her lofty decks and along her corridors, strode the men and women of Starfleet. She briefly came to a near stop, as the engine nacelles began to glow with energy before flashing briefly. To the outside observer, the ship appeared to elongate along its horizontal axis for the faintest of instants before it sped forward, creating a small breach within space-time, entering it with another flash of light as the vessel entered warp.

[END EPISODE 10]

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All Crew, USS Galileo

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