Parting the Curtains

Posted on Tue Nov 24th, 2015 @ 12:54am by Commander Bertrand Cuprum & Captain Elijah Michaels & Commander Cor Cordale & Captain Brenda Sinclair & Ensign Honey Flanagan & Lieutenant JG Elliot Keller & Johnathen Wade

Mission: If I told you...
Location: USS Victory - Bridge

"We are approaching the Emissions nebula"

"Helm, reduce thrust to one third Impulse," Bertrand ordered. "Captain and First officer to the Bridge. Command Staff to the Bridge. Got to Yellow Alert. Valeria, you have Shield and sensor modified frequencies set up?"

"Shield and Sensor modulation frequencies primed and standing by." The rabbitess at the console stated, her hand hovering over the activation trigger, awaiting Bertrand's word.

"Activate the modifications. Steady as she goes helm."

"Modulation frequency pack active." she confirmed as she tapped the activator trigger.

Michelle arrived at her station, and took her seat next to the big chair. "Status, Mr. Cuprum?" she asked

Bertrand moved away from the command chair when Michelle took the Bridge. He stood at his customary Tactical position.

"We are approaching the specified coordinates. No sign of anything at the moment, but the emissions nebula is playing merry hell with our sensors. We are just as likely to bump into the station before we see it."

"That is the idea, Lt Commander Cuprum," Smith allowed.

"Not to bump into the station, I hope." Michelle said with a smirk. "We just got new paint."

Elijah took the Command Chair and Michelle took the XO Seat. "Let's get this show on the road."

The hybrid security officer eyes were focused on the reading coming from the sensors. Weapons were on standby in case of trouble. She hoped she wouldn't be needed.

Cordale was already at the Engineering station, where he monitored reactor output and the bussard ramscoop intakes. Nebular mass was tricky, so to keep the scoops from getting clogged the magnetic variance needed to be tweaked every now and then. Though at the moment everything was green across the board, so the Thux simply stood at the station and made sure everything stayed that way. When his expertise was needed, he'd be called on.

Keller arrived shortly afterwards, one of the last to make it onto the Bridge. Per orders he was to be the only Diplomatic Representative on the Mission, he had been requested by SFI. He took the Advisors slot and watched the unfolding.

Arriving on the Bridge, Brenda assumed her post, and used the terminal to remotely log into the computer system down in Marine Country. She had a complete read-out of the Company's preparedness, as well as supply level, equipment maintenance status, and a host of other information too important to overlook, yet far too numerous to try and remember.

Honey arrived on the bridge as well. She had been requested to man a spare station, now configured as a secondary science station, and as such that was what she did. Quietly she slipped behind the station and logged in, pulling up various status screens and confirming everything was green.

Jack stood near the entrance of the turbo lift, leaning against the wall. He looked at the main screen as they approached the objective. He was unsure of his exact role on this mission, but if something came up and he could help, he would.

Smith stood at the back of the bridge watching the crew assemble and take their specified roles. his eyes flicked back and forward between each of them.

Bertrand reported, "Long Range sensors are down in this nebula, even with the modifications. I am picking up a metal structure on short range sensors. I might be able to get you a visual, but there is a lot of interference."

"Do what you can Commander." Elijah said looking at the Viewer. "On Screen."

The screen sputtered and shiffted but a dim shape could be made out through the "snow". It was a common starbase design; a central spine with four "pods" separated by boom corridors.

"I am reading some power, but no life signs... wait... damn it!" Bertrand ground his teeth. "The readings come and go. I can't get anything clean. They are not responding to hails."

"No signs of battle damage or floating debris," Smith observed. "No obvious ships in the area. It looks like we are not facing a hostile attack, unless they have landed forces and withdrawn. Captain, I would request we send a Marine team to secure the Docking bay as a beach head."

Betrand glared at the man, "So, guns first, eh? Shoot first and ask questions later?"

Smith gestured to the Marine commander, "I am sure Captain Sinclair doesn't need to be told how to secure a Beachhead defense, Lt Commander Bertrand."

Elijah looked at the two men. "Alright enough, if you two are clearly done with your verbal sparring may we continue with the task at hand?" He asked giving Smith and Bertrand a look. "A Recon Sweep is a good idea. Sinclair, suit up and get me boots on the Deck."

Sinclair rendered a snap salute at the order - it was a Marine thing - and headed for the Turbolift. She hit her commbadge before the doors even opened. "Gunny. Mount up a seven man Recon Unit. Full Combat gear." She glanced back at the Captain. "Could do with some Grease-monkeys, in case we need doors hacked or locks picked." With that, the Marine vanished behind the lift doors.

Bertrand pressed on, making his own recommendations to the XO "Once we are on the ground it should be our security people who hold the position while the Marines do any recon sweeps. Each team should have an engineer at least, and I'd like Medics on hand for any wounded. Will you be leading the combined Away Team, Ma'am?"

"Agreed." Michelle replied. "And I can if required, Captain." she said, looking at Elijah for guidance. She also glanced out the side of her eye at Smith... Something had crawled up the man's ass and died, but... Professionalism before emotion. Especially on the bridge.

The Captain nodded. "Assemble me a team." Elijah said to his XO. "Take who you need and I will have a Support team standing by."

"Will do, sir." Michelle replied. "I'll grab Mr. Cordale and a few others. Unless of course there's someone else Cordale opts to send from Engineering."

"No one I can think of, ma'am." Cordale fielded, "For something like this, I'd probably insist I go to make sure everything goes smooth."

"Very well." Michelle said. "I'll take Ms. Flanagan as well." she added. "I'm sure Captain Sinclair can have an area secured for safe beamout rather soon."

"I am afraid that will not be possible," Smith interjected. "The nature of the stations construction is such that transporter beams would be scrambled, just as sensor readings are. I am afraid we will need to take runabouts."