Arrival at Skunil

Posted on 07/10/2020 @ 7:54pm by Captain Cian D'Anvers & Lieutenant JG Larissa Syndel & Ensign Romal Seshel & Ensign Melis Mendyar

Mission: S2E1: The Skunil Incident
Location: Bridge, USS Crazy Horse
Timeline: Day 38 at 1225

Having done a bit of negotiating among the pilots, Yemata was again on duty when the Crazy Horse sighted the colony world of Skunil. Thirty-eight days of business as usual had brought a level of comfort and familiarity to members of the crew. It all didn't feel so new anymore and for that, Yemata was heartily glad. "We're approaching Skunil, Captain" he announced.

"Bring us into geosynchronous orbit over the settlement," Mr Yemata and begin hailing the colony," Cian ordered. The planet before him was beautiful, as most were from space, no doubt, deceptively so. From space you could see the 60-40 ratio of water to land mass but also the makings of a problem. He leaned forward slightly in his seat. "Scan the surface, Mr. Syndel."

"No answer to hail," Yemata said as he did the calculations so that the Crazy Horse could match the planet's rotation, direction and speed and allow the ship can remain above the planet at a fixed point for the entire planetary rotation. "Geosynchronous orbit established, Sir."

Larissa tapped at the ops console running several sweeps over the area where the settlement should be, she tried different sensors pallettes but the results were the same; little. "There is a lot of sensor interference, I can't get anything past the storms in the upper atmosphere."

"No ships on sensors--friendly or otherwise..." Tahlin frowned down at her console. "There's a lot of sensor echoes and EM chaff--I wouldn't recommend transporting down."

Cian nodded, frowning slightly. "Well," he said as he turned toward his First Officer. "Looks like you'll be taking a shuttle down to the planet's surface. "Mr Yemata, I believe the settlement has a landing site?"

"Yes, Sir," Yemata replied as he divided his time between watching the planet's surface on screen and monitoring the ship's position in relationship to the planet. "Location is marked on the maps."

J.J. looked at Cian and flashed a small smile his way. "To be honest, I do not mind that. I would rather test my luck with a competent shuttle pilot than chance it with transporters" he replied though he was not fearful of transporters by any means. The Joral symbiont; however, was a not very fond of them.

Cian nodded, realizing in retrospect what the problem might be, and said, "The away team is yours then, Lieutenant. Stay in touch."

J.J. "Right," he replied with a nod. That is what Executive Officers do, remember? You lead away missions he thought to himself. Captain Joral would have had no issues with taking on leadership responsibility. She shouldered all of that so well, but where did that get her? A symbiont in dire need of a host and J.J. having to be that host. "Lieutenants Lae'Or and Syndel," J.J. called out "You two are with me" he added.

Larissa perked up slightly, it had been quite a while since she'd gone on an away mission. "Aye sir." Tapping at the console she sent a message down to the shuttlebay to get one of them prepped for departure and another down to a subordinate to prepare standard equipment for the team.

Tahlin rose from her console. "Aye, Sir... Phasers? I wouldn't like to run into trouble without adequate preparation."

J.J. was puzzled for a moment. Uh yeah he thought to himself before providing a more professional response. "I'm not going anywhere, especially somewhere that has been unresponsive and not in compliance with communication standards without phasers. Phasers for all individuals, myself included."

The woman nodded. "I'll see to it personally, Sir... Ensign Mendyar," she continued over her combadge as she headed for the turbolift, "Report to the bridge. You'll be taking my station while I'm on the planet."

The First Officer looked at his Commanding Officer and flashed a small smile. I won't let you down he thought to himself at that moment. "I would like Doctor O'Hamlin and Lieutenant Nachtgeist as well" noted J.J. His childlike look of wanderlust receding like waves backing into the ocean. In its place was a look of determination on the freckle-faced First Officer. "Sir," he added with a nod to Cian.

"Mr. Syndel," Cian ordered, "ensure coverage and have the away team report to the hangar bay." He remembered those days, back when he was new to the spot that J.J. found himself in now. The whirlpool of emotions hidden beneath a layer of professionalism. It had never quite seemed fair to him that moving up meant giving up those times in the field. Exploration meant being out there and being involved.

Checking the console one last time to see that the other crew Jodon had requested were available and sending them instructions Larissa secured her console and stood up and headed towards the turbolift.

=/\= Engineering to Bridge, this is Ensign Seshel. We have a Type-6 Shuttle prepped and ready for launch. Its being loading now with standard equipment. . .in case you might want an engineer along, I wish to volunteer, Captain. =/\=

"Thank you, Ensign," Cian said. He made a mental note to ask later, when there was more privacy available, regarding why an engineer was prepping shuttles for flight rather than the entire hangar bay team. "You're enthusiasm is noted, Ensign. For now, continue with your assignment."

=/\= "Aye, Captain. I'll keep my enthusiasm in check."=/\= Romal replied, wondering if he went overboard, volunteering to join the away team.

Cian watched the team leave and their replacements take the recently vacated positions; he envied them the going but understood the need to be where he was as well. "As soon as there's a break in the storm, I want to begin scanning the planet." He looked at the individual now manning Ops but couldn't summon a name to go with the face. "Are we in danger from those storms?"

"It will be hard to keep track of the away team and communications might be disrupted but she ship itself isn't in danger." The Ensign replied.

Just then Xander Cash entered the bridge. " Computer, transfer engineering control to bridge science station 1, and configure that station for Engineering." Xander said manning the station.

Cian turned to see that Ensign Mendyar had replaced Tahlin at the Security station. This at least was someone he knew; the system was quiet for the moment but that could change and rapidly. "Mr. Mendyar, if anything changes, I want to know immediately."

"I'll be letting the captain know, first, Lieutenant Cash--I'm sure you'll hear about anything that needs action," was the Benzite's response.

Cian settled in to watch; the ion storms were confined, for the moment, to the upper atmosphere and the ship with not in danger. Nor would it be if he had anything to say about it. Course, it was often the case, that his wishes were consulted in such matters.


A Post by:

Commander Cian D'Anvers
Commanding Officer

and

Lieutenant Jodon Joral
Executive Officer

and

First Lieutenant Kieran Nachtgeist
Chief Diplomatic Officer

and

Lieutenant (J.G) Lae'Or Tahlin
Chief of Security/Tactical

and

Ensign Melis Mendyar
Security Officer

and

Lt jg Xander Cash
(Acting) Chief Engineer

and

Ensign Romal Seshel
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer

And

Ltjg Larissa Syndel
Chief Ops