Breaking of Bad News
Posted on Sat Nov 20th, 2010 @ 12:47pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Commander Curtiss Drake & Captain T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Commander Dylan Blake & Lieutenant JG Jason Fisher & Lieutenant JG Lucy Carter & Lieutenant Jimmy Cooper & Ensign Rodney Blake
2,086 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Lost Friends
Location: Briefing Room, Deck One, USS Ranger
Timeline: Current
ON:
Elsie sat with all senior officers in the briefing room, the sun from Marchwiel on the other side of the ship casting long and haunting shadows their side of the canyon. She could see, as everyone else could, the jagged, dangerous peaks now lightly kissed by the last of the light as the sun sank lower and lower beyond. As the hushed silence calmly descended on the room, Elsie knew that to some this report would be somewhat difficult and painful. She inhaled, looked about her and began.
“Engineering,� she nodded in the direction of Reynaldi, “reports all systems back to nominal operations. We have lift off, as they say.� She paused, looked about her again, and tightened her mouth. “We also have our new orders… and where we’re lifting off to. We have been tasked to…� she breathed a sigh and continued, “search for an old friend of yours, and you are the reason we have been selected for this mission.�
She stood up, walked over to the view screen and activated a map of the Ionasixal System. “Several weeks ago, on a survey mission, Captain Kerr and the Archimedes discovered a… device. A transporter component that, for the moment, all I can tell you holds significant historical value. Once recovered, the Archimedes began to make its way to Deep Space Five where, en route, Command seems to have lost contact with her,� she paused, activated the map and pointed, “here. We’ve been instructed to find her, her captain and recover the component.�
"Arrrchimedes?" T'kaarch purred. It was that Nova class ship he'd fallen in love with which ended him up here. "So what happened to it?"
The news took Dylan Blake by surprise too.
"That, Mr. T’kaarch, is what we are tasked to determine," Elsie replied, tapping the screen as the map panned in. "This is Overton, the planet where the device was originally found. And here," she added, tapping in a few more commands, "is the flight path filed by the Archimedes' Chief Flight Control Officer."
"Captain, do we have any idea what their last course heading and speed was and how long ago someone spotted them?" Vladimir asked. He hadn't known anyone on Archimedes but had heard some of the crew talk about being on that ship, including T'mpest.
“There were headed,� she replied, now highlighting the linear path that was indicated on the animated map, “directly to Deep Space Five and her last sighting was just here.� She turned to face the entire senior staff. “The Archimedes was recorded by the Jelto, an Andorian freighter, at travelling at Warp Six. Once it had left her sensor range, we have no further information.�
"I'd be interested in trying to track down this freighter, or at least getting a full copy of their sensor logs so we can analyze them. It might lend some clues to what they were doing." Vladimir replied.
T'kaarch nodded, it would be the best point to start, provided the freighter wasn't miles away by now. "Alterrrnatively we could just go frrrom Deep Space Five and back trrrack..." He purred in thought.
Jumping in, Elsie said, “We’re heading to the planet first, gentlemen. The remainder of Kerr’s family have requested to come along to assist, as has the Nova class’ resident archaeologist. She's the woman who discovered the component to begin with... and seems to have somewhat of a detached sentiment when it comes to finding the Archimedes. We’ll then follow Kerr’s own flight plan and go from there.�
Zhukov nodded. "I'll see if I can reach the Jelto on subspace and request her sensor logs. In the meantime, I can analyze the flight plan Archimedes filed and see if anything unusual comes up. Like, perhaps they ended up in the path of something." Vladimir stated.
"I could worrrk the sensorrrs," T'kaarch suddenly realised he was the main person - cat - responsible for it, and involuntarily swallowed. "Though without a prrroperrr trace, I wouldn't know wherrre to begin..."
"I agree that we need to go to Overton. It is logical to assume that this historical device is behind the disappearance. If we find out what the device is, who knew about it and who might have a special interest in it, it will help us in our search." She turned to T'kaarch. "I can check with some of my friends and see what is being discussed in archaeological circles about Overton. You may want to check and see if any unusual communications were sent from the science team on the planet. Information had to be leaked or intercepted somehow. That may be a good place to start." She turned to the Captain. "I'll see if there's any Intel on unusual activity around the sector."
"That could worrrk," T'kaarch nodded.
Elsie agreed, also. She had been explicitly instructed not to reveal to anyone what the device could accomplish, at least not until they had made contact with the team at Overton. But, she also realised that without the knowledge, the crew couldn’t perform to their maximum abilities. She was torn. For the moment, she decided to walk the line and nodded to T’mpest. “Thank you,� she said, then, flicking her gaze to T’kaarch she added, “I’ll need you to work with Mr. Blake, Lieutenant. Our sensors need to be top notch if we’re to locate the Archimedes. Turning back to Vladimir, she said, “Once you have the logs, report to me. We’ll sift through them together, but, first thing’s first, we need to get the Ranger back in space and on her way to the Ionasixal system, maximum warp,� then flicking to Reynaldi, “if the engines can handle it so soon.�
T'kaarch flinched when the captain mentioned Blake's name. "Captain, I'd rrratherrr..."
The reply from T'kaarch matched Dylan's feelings too, though he didn't put it into words.
Elsie fixed the new Chief Science Officer a loaded glare to remind him not only of his place but of his new responsibilities as a department head...and now as a leader. “Does there seem to be a problem, Lieutenant?� she asked, her meaning hammered into every word she spoke.
"No, Captain, no prrroblem..." He really didn't feel like spending a lot of time with the guy who's being lovey-dovey with his ex-girlfriend, but it was obvious the captain really didn't care about it.
Elsie shot a look to Blake to cement her meaning.
As usual Rodney Blake's head was in the clouds.
"Yes, Captain, I'll help but I know little about the ship's array." he said confused.
T'kaarch - and pretty much everyone in the room - looked surprised at the new ensign.
Lieutenant Dylan Blake looked over too with a frown. Who was this kid? He thought, and what the hell is he doing here? He looked like he should still be in academy with his nose pressed into his studies. He glanced toward Halliwell for some sort of explanation.
"Captain?" he questioned.
“Everyone,� Halliwell said, extending an arm over to the new face in the room, “this is Ensign Rodney Blake. Our new Assistant Chief Engineer.�
Zhukov was surprised at the youthfulness of the new officer. He looked like he was still...in high school, if that. He spoke up. "Welcome, Ensign. I'm Lieutenant Commander Zhukov, the Helmsman." he said. Then he looked at the Captain. "As soon as we get those sensor logs, I'll come and visit you." Zhukov said.
“Thank you,� she replied. “Any other suggestions?� she asked the room.
That explained the confusion Dylan Blake nodded to the new arrival with a sour face. He couldn't put a finger on it, but the snotty faced kid - with the same surname and is his old spot as assistant chief engineer had ticked him off.
Sitting quietly in his chair near the head of the table, Commander Drake simply watched the meeting progress. He had nothing to add, he just needed to see how the others were reacting and participating so he could determine how to make it happen for the captain.
"Not yet," T'mpest replied. "But we may have some when we get more information."
The captain looked to each one of them as silence befell the room. “I know that, to some, this mission takes on a more… personal element than even I’m comfortable with. And to those who haven’t met Captain Kerr, I’m sure the success matters just as much. But,� she added, now looking to Zhukov, “our first priority is to get to Overton and deal with the situation from there. Lucy,� she said, shooting her a glance, “your counselling training will come into its own, especially to the family and crew left on the surface. Unknown loss can be such a burden to face.�
Carter blushed slightly and swallowed before replying. "Yes, Captain, I completely appreciate that." She looked at the Captain for a moment before continuing, "I am prepared to help in any way I can."
Elsie, looking now to one of her newest officers, glanced at Fisher as he sat quietly. “Lieutenant, I want you to start preparing for the eventuality that the Archimedes was overcome by force. We’ll need to be ready should the same fate befall us.�
"Yes, sir." Fisher replied, formally. "At the moment there are still one or two..." he paused, "shall we call them chinks in the Ranger's armour. I hope to have these resolved within the next twenty-four hours. I'll also begin to schedule boarding simulations of the holodeck for the security staff."
“Good, Lieutenant,� Halliwell replied, smiling at Fisher. “Now, if there’s nothing else, dismissed.�
With the 'dismissed' T'kaarch immediately, and without even looking at Lieutenant Blake, stepped out of the briefing room. This was about to become one long mission. Why did he keep being paired up with Blake anyway?
Rodney Blake stood up as well. He saw T'kaarch walking out of the room quickly. He too, wasn't looking forward to their working together.
Behind them both, feeling slightly bewildered by the sudden introduction of the young engineer Dylan left the briefing room with his fellow officers with mixed mind.
T'mpest walked slowly out of the room, her thoughts already focuses on the research ahead.
Zhukov got up from the table and was right behind T'mpest as they left the briefing room.
"I had a good time last night, T'mpest. Thank you again for...well...everything." he said to her as the two walked down the hallway together. "I'd like to see you again, maybe when we get this Archimedes thing sorted out a little better. And maybe you can share one of your favorite dishes with me." Zhukov said.
"I enjoyed spending time with you," she replied, giving him a smile. "Any time. I'll get some recipes from my grandmother. Then you can pick the holodeck program."
Zhukov nodded. "Sounds good to me, T'mpest. See you in a bit." he said to her as he winked.
OFF:
Elise Halliwell
Commanding Officer
USS Ranger
Curtiss Blake
Executive Officer
USS Ranger
T’mpest Michaels
Chief Intelligence Officer & Second Officer
USS Ranger
Vladimir Zhukov
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ranger
Dylan Blake
Chief Operations Officer
USS Ranger
Jason Fisher
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Ranger
T’kaarch
Chief Science Officer
USS Ranger
Lucy Carter
Ship’s Counsellor
USS Ranger
AND
Rodney Blake
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Ranger
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