Exploring the Station, part 1

Posted on Tue Aug 30th, 2011 @ 11:50pm by Captain T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Cedric Shepherd & Lieutenant Jimmy Cooper

1,077 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Taylforth
Location: Space Station

[ON]

The science station was a fascinating piece of technology. Built in what looked like modules, it stretched for about 400 meters in a twisted, snake-like pattern. In its time, it would have looked fascinating from earth -- a glittering serpent sailing across the night sky. Now, however, it looked like a discarded carcass.

T'mpest watched it on the viewscreen, fascinated by what it represented: the hope of a future in space. She practically itched to get on board and learn its history. "Cooper, what are the readings on the station?" she asked.

"It's powered, somehow," Jimmy worked the shuttle's scanners, "No life signs though. It's like they left in a hurry and kept all the lights on. It seems it's drawing most of its energy from the sun."

"From the sun?" T'mpest thought for a moment, recalling the term she was looking for. "Do they have something like banks of solar panels to convert sunlight to power?"

"These panels," Jimmy switched the view for T'mpest to see, "around the complex use semiconductive materials, when the sunlight strikes it it knocks loose electrons. Quite ingenious, if you have a sun to power it, that is." Of course, most Starfleet officers, and especially science ones, had been trained and learned about pre-warp power supplies, but that doesn't mean they saw them often.

"So there should be power on the station if the solar panels are still functioning properly," T'mpest mused. "That bodes well for the away team."

"Looks like it." Jimmy nodded. "Air seems breathable, oxygen levels a little below the comfort zone but nowhere near dangerous levels..." his voice trailed off as he worked the scanners some more, "There seems to be some sort of plant life in one of the domes, I think it's the source of the oxygen."

"Fascinating. We'll need to check that out while we're there," she said. "Can you tell if the computers are working?" She was as interested in the computers themselves as she was the data on them. And the communications. Archaic communications devices was a hobby of hers and these looked like they'd been most interesting.

"They are most definitely powered, but whether they'll actually work I can't tell from this scan." Jimmy answered.

"Good enough. Thank you," she said to Jimmy. "Vlad, how soon until we're in position to beam over?"

Zhukov was calculating distances. "Let me see..." he said as he worked the throttle control with his left hand and gently applied pressure to toe forward thrusters with his right foot. "Four minutes?" he asked.

"Let's get prepped for transport, then," said Shepherd, rising and straightening his gear. Holstered at his waist were a tricorder and a small medpack, both of which were larger than the type I phaser and stubby retractable baton that shared space on his gear belt.

Jimmy had a slightly larger Scientific Tricorder, the standard type I phaser and he had stocked up on small containers, to be able to take samples of whatever they'd encounter on the station.

T'mpest nodded to Shepherd. "Vlad, keep an eye on us, just in case there's trouble." Her gaze lingered for a moment before she grabbed the bag she used for away missions and walked to the back of the shuttle where the others were gathered.

"You know I will." he said as he winked at her. Then he focused his attention on Chief Watson. "OK, Chief, bring us in nice and easy." Zhukov said.

The group coalesced in a flare of light that faded quickly, leaving the interior of the station dim and ominous. The walls and most of the surfaces were either white or brushed metal, adorned in the function-over-form style common to early spacefaring. And either the gravplates were switched off, or there weren't any to begin with.

As Jimmy found himself, he felt his stomach floating upwards, and within a heartbeat the rest of him. After another heartbeat, he remembered to breathe, filling his lungs, then coughing slightly. "Cozy," he muttered, as he activated his tricorder and looked around. The place was lit with fluorescent tubes hidden behind some sort of glass - enough to see, not enough to really feel comfortable.

T'mpest took a moment to float in place while she mentally adjusted to the zero gravity on the station. She performed a slow somersault, righted herself, and grinned. She'd only done this once before, on a holodeck. It was quite an interesting experience.

The temperature was above what was normally considered "comfortable" -- quite pleasant for a Vulcan. T'mpest pulled out her tricorder and took some readings, then took a deep breath. "Dry, but not too bad, although I don't recommend strenuous activity. I'm not sure a human's lungs are up to the lower nitrogen levels here."

She looked at the other three. "I'll check the command center. Jimmy, find where they're keeping their plants. O'Neal, I'd like you to find out what runs this place. Cedric," she gave him a half smile. "I'll let you decide where you're best needed."

"No problem, commander." Jimmy answered as he pushed himself off the ceiling towards a beam which probably was used to help with navigating in zero gravity. As he propelled himself, a cloud of dust came loose, making him cough.

"Shouldn't the life support be filtering dust?" asked Shepherd.

"Yes," T'mpest replied. "Unless the filters are clogged. If this place hasn't been used in a while, I'm sure the system needs a good cleaning. Just don't kick up too much of it -- or wear something over your mouth and nose."

T'mpest turned and pulled on a bar, propelling herself down the corridor. "If you find anything, let the others know," she said as she grabbed another bar and pulled herself around a corner. This was actually fun. She'd have to create a holodeck program to simulate the environment. This had some great possibilities...

"Zhukov to Commander T'mpest. How are you over there?" he asked from the confines of the shuttle.

"So far so good," she replied. "We've separated to see what we can find. I'm on my way to the ... oh, dear." T'mpest pulled herself through another doorway and into the command center to find what was left of two former crew members.

(To be continued...)

Commander T'mpest Michaels
Executive Officer
USS Ranger

Lieutenant Commander Vladimir Zhukov
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ranger

Lieutenant Cedric Shepard
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Ranger

Lieutenant Jimmy Cooper
Chief Science Officer
USS Ranger

 

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