[Shuttle Bellatora Fortis]
Even as the blue and green globe began to fill the shuttle's forward window, the scientists in the back were refocusing their scans towards the planet.
"Well who woulda thunk it?" Nils Olafsson mumbled, bent over his console "Oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere alright, and plant life to boot. Database doesn't mention this system though. At least ours doesn't."
"Well who woulda thunk it?" Nils Olafsson mumbled, bent over his console "Oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere alright, and plant life to boot. Database doesn't mention this system though. At least ours doesn't."
The young half-Vulcan pilot only paid minimal attention to the bustle in the shuttle's hold, her main focus remained on the distress beacon which now came through loud and clear.
"Hm."
In a wide arc, the Fortis coasted towards the planet's day side. The warm glow of a yellow dwarf star mixed with the luminescence of the nebula behind them played across the shuttle's silver hull, and just as Sakarra's console beeped to let her know the sensors had a fix on the signal's origin, she saw Charon come bursting out of Yy`a at the periphery of her vision.
As expected, Ensign M'Riarr had wasted little time and if Commander Katris was not annoyed, the Chief Engineer would likely be.
"Hm."
In a wide arc, the Fortis coasted towards the planet's day side. The warm glow of a yellow dwarf star mixed with the luminescence of the nebula behind them played across the shuttle's silver hull, and just as Sakarra's console beeped to let her know the sensors had a fix on the signal's origin, she saw Charon come bursting out of Yy`a at the periphery of her vision.
As expected, Ensign M'Riarr had wasted little time and if Commander Katris was not annoyed, the Chief Engineer would likely be.
"There appears to be a relay station at the center of an abandoned settlement." The raven haired woman tilted her head at the readouts and then threw Cyrin a questioning gaze. This was all quite unusual.
"Running scans now Lieutenant." It took a few moments before the results came back. "Your guess was correct Lieutenant. It is a relay station, however I won't know more until we get down there and I can scan it more up close." He added. He wasn't liking the idea of possibly having to go onto yet another planet.
Shiarrael watched them work carefully keeping her own thoughts to herself. She wasn't surprised that there was a planet out here- certainly Romulan records were never thorough but something about this caused her unease. It would be easy for someone to lure Charon into a trap if they wanted to "we will investigate. Lieutenant find a suitable landing site, Ensign open a channel to the Charon."
"Commander Katris, have the Charon take a standard orbit and then have a security beamed down to our landing site. I will update orders as we learn more about the situation on the planet."
"Commander Katris, have the Charon take a standard orbit and then have a security beamed down to our landing site. I will update orders as we learn more about the situation on the planet."
Eithne looked over to the helm officer who seemed to be in a hurry to get to the coordinates that were given. " Ensign, slow down impulse, this is not a race and I would like to keep the ship in one piece for the Captain..." She managed to say before the Captain popped up on the screen.
" Aye Captain..." She looked over to the Caitian and narrowed her eyes as she gave the order. " Take her into Orbit Ensign... And gently." She cautioned the woman before she tapped her communicator and relayed the orders down to security. " Katris to Security... " A reply she continued. " Get a team assembled and prepare to beam down to the planet surface."
With a small affirmative gesture Sakarra plotted their descent vector and the Fortis rolled over to port before taking the plunge into the planet's atmosphere.
Charon had slightly throttled back and for just a brief moment the young Vulcan saw the Luna Class explorer's running lights twinkle as if in greeting before their roll was completed and they were facing downwards.
A slightly unhappy looking Cyrin kept feeding sensor data to her console, but after only 2.8 minutes Sakarra could see their destination just fine without it.
Rows of low, gray buildings surrounded what looked like a central square and a slightly taller structure, apparently the relay station. All around the settlement one could see rolling hills, the dark shades of small forests and scattered patches of farmland.
From this vantage point, everything seemed largely intact although as they got closer it became evident that wilderness had reclaimed many of the fields.
Logic dictated that they would need more information before coming to any type of conclusion, but ancient instincts insisted that caution was in order. This was not Da'kum`Ulcha, the City of Shadows. However, something at the back of the young woman's mind insisted on drawing this parallel.
And apparently the Captain was thinking along similar lines, or she would not have ordered a security team to an area that still showed no discernible life signs.
From this vantage point, everything seemed largely intact although as they got closer it became evident that wilderness had reclaimed many of the fields.
Logic dictated that they would need more information before coming to any type of conclusion, but ancient instincts insisted that caution was in order. This was not Da'kum`Ulcha, the City of Shadows. However, something at the back of the young woman's mind insisted on drawing this parallel.
And apparently the Captain was thinking along similar lines, or she would not have ordered a security team to an area that still showed no discernible life signs.
They approached the plaza which Sakarra had recognized as more than large enough to hold several shuttles, and the Fortis set down with the lightness of a feather.
As the hum of the engines ebbed down, the young Vulcan cast a brief glance out the window and with lightning fast speed, her hand shot out to stop the young Betazoid next to her from reaching for the panel that would open the rear hatch.
"We have scanned for radiation and pathogens, yes?" she asked as calmly as if she were inquiring about the weather.
When Cyrin nodded, she briefly tilted her head and then indicated the humanoid shape slumped on the stairs leading up to the relay station.
"Curious."
As the hum of the engines ebbed down, the young Vulcan cast a brief glance out the window and with lightning fast speed, her hand shot out to stop the young Betazoid next to her from reaching for the panel that would open the rear hatch.
"We have scanned for radiation and pathogens, yes?" she asked as calmly as if she were inquiring about the weather.
When Cyrin nodded, she briefly tilted her head and then indicated the humanoid shape slumped on the stairs leading up to the relay station.
"Curious."
Feeling an overwhelming sense of foreboding Shiarrael made her way to the rear of the shuttle as soon as Cyrin confirmed that the atmosphere was safe and opened the armory. Arming herself with a phaser she tossed two more to Sakarra and Cyrin before stepping over to the rear hatch controls. "We will scout in one group. The scientist will remain aboard the shuttle." The science group seemed to agree with the Captain since none offered a protest to that order "Lieutenant Tyrax, Ensign Dicari, we will scout the periphery of the plaza first." She pressed the control to open the hatch.
A gust of wind burst through the cracks of the hatch as it opened slowly causing Shiarrael's hair to flutter wildly. Along with the cool air came a small dusting of rustic earth that swirled through the cabin of the shuttle. Covering her face with the sleeve of her uniform Shiarrael holstered her phaser and trudged out.
Cyrin followed his commanding officer out next, after grabbing and holstering a phaser as was protocol in this type of situation. His tricorder out and passively scanning the surroundings. So far nothing out of the ordinary, save for the relay system and the part of him that would rather be back on the Charon than here on the planet. Duty comes first. "So far nothing out of the ordinary Captain." He said updating her and the Lieutenant at the same time.
[To be continued...]
Captain Shiarrael Rehu
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
&
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
&
Commander Eithne Katris
Executive Officer
USS Charon
&
Executive Officer
USS Charon
&
Lieutenant Sakarra Tyrax
Second Officer
USS Charon
Second Officer
USS Charon
&
Ensign Cyrin Dicari
Chief Operations Officer
USS Charon
Chief Operations Officer
USS Charon
