Departure (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 18 Mar 2018 @ 1:27pm by Lieutenant Amaranai Franklin & Lieutenant JG Tris Shizn & Ensign Callin Mastrel & Chief Petty Officer Crispin Snow & Petra Varelli Ph.D. & Calaban Bel Asher & Commander Scarlet Blake & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Petty Officer 2nd Class Donald Andrews & Petty Officer 3rd Class John Hollenday
Edited on on 21 Aug 2023 @ 1:16pm

3,658 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Episode 16 - A Far Sun
Location: Rigel II - Avondale Shipyards, USS Schofield
Timeline: MD -14, 0900 hrs

[ON]

Bridge

Allyndra stood next to the command chair on the right side when the time came around. Monitors that were working through out the ship were tuned in so the rest of the crew could see what was going on.

Promptly at 0900 the main screen flicked to life and an older male Vulcan gazed at them. What was interesting was instead of the regular fleet insignia in the background there was the Daystrom Institute logo instead and a human flanked the admiral to the admiral's right.

"Excellent," the admiral started off, "I see from reports that virtually all the crew has reported aboard." He fixed his gaze on Commander Blake, "Captain, this is Lead Scientist William Pearson. I will let him explain this sudden request."

"Ah, yes thank you admiral and I thank you for being so flexible in this matter. Anyway," the man seemed both a little excited and nervous at the same time. He brought up a star chart and tapped a section toward the bottom outside any claimed bounds just beyond what was labeled the Pleiades. "Star Pleione gamma here," he tapped a section, "was noticed to have had a small change in luminosity, that is not unusual, but then it seemed to have gone back, before changing yet again. Records of the observation of the area seem to show that this star has been stable for as long as we have any observations of it. I must say that all indications are that it bears striking similarities to becoming a cephid class variable. To this date we still do not have a definitive reason for stars developing into cephid class and thus the opportunity to obtain closer in data was not one we could pass up."

Pearson made a small gesture, "We asked Starfleet to send a ship, but currently everything was assigned and could not be taken off mission. But working with the admiral here, there seemed to be an opportunity to obtain data without interfering with the Fleet's other duties."

T'Klan spoke then. "Indeed, the USS Schofield was being brought in by skeleton crew for mothballing at the shipyard. So, we had a science ship that could be spared, but no crew. However, the Galileo-A has experienced some delays and the crew have arrived. Thus we had a science ship without a crew, and a science based crew without a current ship. It seemed like an logical fit and hence your change in orders."

He sat back and again looked straight at Blake, "Captain, your orders are to take the USS Schofield and enter the system and record all the data you can about the star. There have been no reports of any hostilities in the area, so this should be an easy make an observation cruise. You are scheduled to depart in two hours time. Do you have any questions?"

"No, Sir," Blake replied softly with a slight shake of her head. Even with her limited science knowledge, the orders seemed simple enough.

A Cepheid variable star? Marisa's eyes brightened in excitement. They would not only get to see one up close, but have a chance to study it. She could hardly believe it. It was a fantastic opportunity.

Once the vid feed went off Allyndra nodded and then said, "Very good people, to your stations, all departments report in status and make preparations for departure in two hours." She turned her attention back to Blake and said, "Captain with your permission I will check on each department personally."

"Go ahead," Scarlet nodded quickly to her, moving to take her seat on the bridge. In the mean time, she'd read up on cepheid variable stars...but most likely quickly turn her research towards the area and recent movement through it, just in case the assurance of a lack of hostility was premature...


Security Office

Amaranai stood, watching the message from the admiral and listened to the new mission parameters. Based on what was being said, it seemed to Amaranai that she might not see a lot of action in terms of tactical operations or even security needs. Of course, that didn't mean that there wouldn't be the normal day to day security operations.

When the message was finished, Amaranai turned back to her console and started to run through the status of the security and tactical crew that had been assigned to the Schofield. As she was running through the list, the console flickered and then reset itself again. Amaranai was going to have to talk to OPS in order to have it checked out.

Amaranai began creating duty rosters with the listed crew and made sure to send the list to Luke and to the XO. Knowing that the Schofield was en route to a mothballing, and seeing that her console had an issue, Amaranai decided that it would be in her best interest to check the rest of the systems in the Security Office and the Brig - just in case.


Bridge

Allyndra nodded and made her way off. Two hours was going to be short and she would touch base with each department as much as possible. She decided to check ops first. They were pretty much the backbone of the ship and she noted that they were missing a crew member. That would leave Ensign Mimi as primary for right now.

Ens. Shizn watched as Cmdr. Warraquim exited the bridge. He turned back to the Helm and began to calculate the best possible course to Pleione Gamma. He found a couple variances along a direct route, but plotted several alternate side courses to take the ship around those areas. He calculated no more than a couple extra hours to a course that would take a 14 days in this ancient lifeboat.


Ops

"Mimi," Allyndra called as she entered what passed for the operations central area. "Are you here?"

"Over here Commander,” Mimi called out hearing Allyndra's voice.

"Very good," Allyndra found Mimi. "I stopped by mostly to see how things were going and to inform you that it appears from what I can see you are going to running ops for the duration of this voyage. You are our senior most ops person from the records I have."

Mimi pondered for a moment, what Allyndra said made sense; there had been no sign of LT Cameron her chief. "I will try and do the best I can Allyndra." She eventually said, she hoped she was up to the challenge.

"I am sure you will, this old ship probably has some bits and pieces that need some work, so you are going to have to keep things going."

"I have already seen a few things that we need to have a look at. But we are ready to go right now, all the primary systems are working."

"Excellent, I will make a note of that for the captain," Allyndra smiled. "Carry on then."

"I'm sure you'll be fine, ma'am, " CPO Snow said when Alyndra had gone. "These old ships aren't hard to run, but by the looks of things, quite a lot’s been ignored since she was coming in for decommissioning. So, it won't be hard, but it will be busy."

"Thank you for the.... vote of confidence chief." Mimi said. "Will you take a team and have a look at the starboard side turbolifts, there is a note here saying it is not working very well." That was just one of the many issues noted on the console.

"Yes ma'am," Snow gave her the smile of a teacher watching a student finally get the answer to a test. Then he grabbed a toolkit and a tricorder and header out with a gesture to another petty officer.


Engineering

Allyndra made her way to Engineering to see where things stood. Lieutenant Butler would be in charge there.

It was funny place from the layout of the ship but it was what it was.

John looked up as the commander came in. "Officer on deck," he shouted.

Stopping what he was doing Donald turned around and stood at attention as the XO walked in.

"At ease, this is just a quick tour to see how everything is going, anything as acting executive officer I need to know of. So, is the ship space worthy?"

"Just about Ma'am." Donald said, "The engines are well worn, but there is still life in them."

Allyndra nodded, "Hopefully enough to get us on a two week cruise at warp 5. Think that is possible?"

"Two weeks will be a nothing compared to what this ship has probably been through in its time." Donald replied

"Indeed, I just hope she has a bit of life left," Allyndra replied. "Well carry one, sounds like things are well in hand."


Science and Research

Her next stop would be the science and research people. She loved this as much as she loved medical. This department would be heavily involved once they arrived and she wanted to make sure everything was going well.

"Good morning, Commander," said a cheeful voice voice belonging to a cheerful looking man who was examining the science lab stations, coffee mug in one hand, tapping fingers experimentally on consoles. "Nice to meet you again." The heavy set Risan with the shaggy hair who had come on the brief trip to Akkadian Space a month or so before raised his hand in greeting.

"Good day, I am glad to see you are here. I guess I am dragging you or rather Fleet is dragging us off to another who knows where."

"I'm here to be dragged." he replied, "You always get taken somewhere interesting. A lost galactic civilization, contortions of time and space, a shining star. Wouldn't want to miss it."

"Indeed, but afraid this might be something of routine. We will be getting close to the Badlands and in that odd area that seems not to be currently claimed by anyone but it has been quite there for some time. Sensors and all are working?"

At that moment, Callin piped up from where he'd been seemingly glued to his screen, black eyes tracking over to the pair, offering a hesitant, "Um, yes ma'am. I've been working on diagnostics for them. The sensors, I mean. They're a bit out of date but seem to be running smooth."

Petra was familiarizing herself with science and trying to decide where she could be of most use. While she was a forensic anthropologist, she was also an anthropologist, historian, and scientist. So she figured that since she'd been offered a civilian science spot on the ship, she could be of some use.

However, she hadn't spoken to Marisa yet, so her friend had no idea she was on board.


Security and Tactical

The next would be security and tactical. Hopefully they would not be needed much, the ship was not very tactical based and this was pretty much routine get some readings but best to make sure everything was going well. Lieutenant Franklin would have a lot more responsibility, as her chief would be subbing as second officer as well.

Amaranai had just finished sending OPS a detailed list of the issues that she noticed when running through the various systems in Security. Of course, with the ship being decommissioned as soon as this mission was over, there was really no sense in having OPS take care of it. Granted, the issues were small enough that they wouldn't affect the rest of the ship or even her job, but she still felt the need to report the problems.

The door slid open and Commander Warraquim entered. Amaranai stood and smiled.

"Hello, commander," she said. "What brings you into the neighborhood?"

"I am just making my rounds as acting Executive Officer to see if everything is in order, any problems to note. As you are aware your chief is going to be acting second officer and that means more load on you."

Amaranai thought for a moment and shook her head.

"There is nothing that is critical, ma'am," she said. "I have informed OPS of some small issues, but nothing that will be problematic during the mission."

She heard the commander remind her of Luke's current duties and nodded.

"I understand, commander," she said. "Knowing that, I've gone and taken care of duty rosters and watch schedules for the duration of the mission." She paused. "I understand the mission and whatever is needed of me or my team, just let me know."

"Very good, hopefully not much needed, this seems pretty cut and dried but we will be going a bit out of full Federation space so best to be prepared."

"Yes, ma'am," she said. "I know this is more of a scientific mission, but if security or tactical are needed in any capacity, we will be there as soon as the communication is closed."

"Excellent, then carry on and I will get out of your way," Allyndra replied and nodded her head. She felt good; the departments were all getting together like a well-oiled machine again.


Sickbay

Allyndra's final stop before departure that she would be required to be on the bridge for was her own department. She would have little time here, as taking on the XO role would keep her busy. As she walked in she noted the smallness of the place.

"I have one question for you, Commander," said Lake ir-Llantrisant, perhaps a little too brusquely. As soon as he spotted Allyndra's appearance in Sickbay, he marched right for her. Although he had served as a member of Allyndra's medical team aboard the USS Hathaway, Lake hadn't spent enough time with her to become comfortable with her preference for informality. He asked of her, "What precisely even is a cepheid variable star?"

"A cepheid variable is a star that brightens and dims on a regular basis. What causes that is still not completely known at this time and hence if this star is starting to do that I guess some valuable information on the underlying cause to those that study such things," Allyndra replied.

"So, if I'm hearing you," Lake said, "we want to understand why this star is shifting between bright and dim." As he spoke, Lake nodded slowly in the same was as he had done when Allyndra had first answered this question. All the while, his eyes were narrowing and his posture was turning stiff. Any pretense of Lake's understanding was betrayed by the expression on his face. "Far out. And one more thing," he said, "Why do we consider this interesting enough to assign a whole crew to have a look?"

"The star was stable before this so the beginnings of the phenomena is what is of interest. As far as a whole crew, well near as I understand, Fleet had most of the Galileo-A crew sitting around without a star ship ready to go. Idle hands and all that..." Allyndra shrugged

Nodding enthusiastically, Lake agreed by saying, "I'd rather have a mission; I'll tell you that for free." --He chuckled mirthlessly-- "How can Medical best support you in your absence on a mission like this?" Lake asked, and he explained the question by acknowledging, "I haven't logged nearly enough star hours away from bases 'till now."

"Medical hopefully will not be needed much, but considering that from what was shared we are heading into the Borderlands, anything can happen. I guess just be prepared. The Borderlands have been quiet for quite some time so again not much expected."

Lake didn't immediately respond. When he did, he vocalized an, "Ah," and he dryly echoed Allyndra's sentiment, "Not. Much. Expected." Followed by, "Hm." Lake looked left and Lake looked right. "Schofield wasn't prepared for much of a mission at all," Lake remarked; "We'd better start replicating up her pharmaceutical stores..."

"Indeed, and just because we do not expect problems, best to anticipate anyway," Allyndra added.

1100 hours

The chronometer rolled around and just a bit after the appointed time the main monitor flicked to life again. A lieutenant with a fresh young face appeared and said, "USS Schofield, you are clear to depart. Fair voyage."

Luke from his seated position next to Ensign Tris observed the bridge, the go ahead for departure ringing in his ears and the bridge seemed to loose gravity like they always seemed to do the anticipation and excitement exuberating. Luke anticipated that he’d find himself mostly observing during their short pre-voyage since the Oberth class had less weapons than a Nova and not any real tactical advantages.

“Ensign” He said looking to the Andorian flight control officer. “Since we are working very close together, and I doubt I’ll have much to do. Would you kindly indulge my curiosity in how to fly a starship.” He asked between the short gap of being given the green light and the commander orders to depart.

Tris turned toward Commander Wyatt, angling his head slightly in thought as his left antennae angled down and pointed directly at him. Tris wasn’t sure if the Commander was serious, teasing him, or trying to manipulate a situation to occur on the bridge. Shizn responded, “Operating or ‘flying a starship’ is not difficult, and I would not do the instruction justice by trying to explain it I just a couple statements.” He looked to the controls for a second then back to Luke, “Did you have a particular question?”

He shook his head, "Oh no, nothing in particular. I can fly shuttles, fighters, and small craft but I have never had the pleasure of flying a starship. I didn't mean anything by it" He smiled as he received a notification from his console informing him of a systems check. His assistant chief must be doing a security and tactical systems check, something he too should be doing.

"Sensors are online and all systems are green," Marisa said from science. Just to see how well they worked, she set the sensors to scan the space ahead of them. If there were problems, she wanted to find them now and not when they reached their destination. She was also excited to be on the bridge of an Oberth-class starship.

Allyndra stood, as there was no other seat really next to the Captain. This was just a bit of formality and she would depart the bridge after they went to warp. Commander Wyatt, he would be on third watch and should take some time off as well but give him a feel for the ship.

The Oberth class moved away from the station in a stately manner and then made the turn toward the general direction of their destination. As soon as they cleared the yards and traffic she felt the odd push as the warp engines came on line and ship jumped to warp.

"Helm," she said. "Is engineering giving us full warp 5?"

Tris assumed that was true, but confirmed by checking the display readings before him. The Andorian responded, “Yes Commander. We are at warp 5.”

"Very good," she nodded and then turned, "Captain," she said and then left the bridge. It would not be that much longer before a bridge watch and there were other things to check on.

Scarlet watched Warraquim leave before settling back in the chair to get comfortable for the watch ahead. For the ex-marine, this was the hard part. Sitting back, drumming fingers and waiting for the action.

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical and Acting First Officer
USS Schofield

Commander Scarlet Blake
Commanding Officer
USS Schofield

Lieutenant Commander Luke Wyatt
Chief Security Officer and Acting Second Officer
USS Schofield

Lt. JG Amaranai Franklin
Assistant Chief Security / Tactical
USS Schofield

Lieutenant JG Marisa Sandoval
Chief Science Officer
USS Schofield

Petra Varelli
Forensic Anthropologist
USS Schofield
[PNPC Sandoval]

Calaban bel Asher
Gentleman of Science
USS Schofield
[PNPC Derani]

CPO Crispin Snow
Operations Officer
USS Schofield
[PNPC Derani]

Lieutenant Lake ir-Llantrisant
Chief Counselor
USS Schofield

Ensign Callin Mastrel
Science Officer
USS Schofield

Ensign Mimi
Operations Officer
USS Schofield

Ens. Tris Shizn
Helmsman
USS Schofield

PO2 Donald Andrews
Engineer
USS Schofield
[PNPC Mimi]

PO3 John Hollenday
Engineer
USS Schofield
[PNPC Allyndra]

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