The Great Survey Begins
Posted on Tue Apr 9th, 2024 @ 5:07am by Commander Hiro Sommers-Yoshida & Lieutenant Commander Liam Reynolds & Lieutenant JG Abrasax & Lieutenant JG Alena Alessa & Ensign L'johk Adams & Lieutenant JG Lyras
Edited on on Tue Apr 9th, 2024 @ 5:23am
1,744 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Episode 1: Palingenesis
Location: USS Copernicus
ON:
Captain’s Log,Lieutenant Commander Hiro Sommers-Yoshida commanding, Stardate 78125.7:
As I sit here in the Ready Room of the Copernicus, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Our mission is about to begin, and I find myself filled with a mixture of excitement and determination.
The past few days have been a whirlwind of activity as we prepared for departure from Starbase 21. From conducting final systems checks to ensuring that the crew is fully briefed and ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
I must say, the crew of the Copernicus is a remarkable group of individuals. From seasoned veterans to newly commissioned officers, each member brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the table. I believe this diversity will be a great strength as we embark on our mission to explore the nearby unexplored star system.
I can't help but wonder what awaits us out there. But whatever challenges may come our way, we will face them together, as a crew, united in our purpose and our determination to explore, to discover, and to boldly go where no one has gone before. End log
Bridge
Hiro exited the Ready Room and stood still just beyond the entrance. Just for a few seconds while he looked around watching the Bridge crew focused on their job. He then proceeded to walk over to the center chair and sat down.
“Lieutenant Abrasax, has every department reported ready?” While he was the Chief Science Officer on Starbase 21, Abrasax was the First Officer when on board the Copernicus. Hiro looked to his left and waited for the Denobulan/Antaran to answer.
"Yes sir," Abrasax replied though should each one do so on their own, he wondered but since the 'captain' asked he guessed the 'first officer' can do so on the chiefs' behalf. "There are a few still to board along with the last batch of cargo as we speak."
A near out of breath young looking Vulcan appeared onto the bridge, before he rushed down to the command center. "Lieutenant Lyras, reporting for duty," he managed between gulps for air. "Apologies for my ah.. appearance sir, my physical condition still is not up to par but I am cleared for duty. Just physical exertion takes its toll and I had to hurry. Sir."
Hiro couldn’t hide the smile that had appeared on his face when Lyras entered the Bridge. “Lieutenant..” he began, but that sounded a bit to official at this point. “..Lyras, we wouldn’t leave without you. We need our Chief Medical Officer.”
"We'd beam you over, ready or not, if you weren't on time," Abrasax teased with a small smirk. A chirp and a beep later he turned to Hiro. "Captain, the last batch of cargo is aboard and secured, and only one officer hasn't boarded yet. Ensign Adams," he said, a smirk. "Shall I beam them aboard? Or just call them?"
Adam's, the half Human, half Klingon who had been a staple of this crew for some time had returned after the fateful final voyage of the USS Andromeda, he had been one of the many survivors but still a notable few were still absent and now presumed MIA. He crossed the bridge, side stepping Lyras until he was slipping down into his seat at the conn.
"Sorry I'm late Commander. I was detained in Medical just getting my clearance to return to active duty... Assuming you'll have me that is?" he added the final part a touch tongue in cheek as he partly turned and smiled at the Commanding Officer.
“It seems Ensign Adams heard you.” Hiro whispered to Abrasax. Turning to L’johk he nodded and smiled back. “Understood Ensign. Medical likes to be thorough and I, for one, am glad they are.”
"Indeed," though Abrasax smiled at the comment. "I'm glad too for Medical being thorough and that you are well Ensign." He added. "I believe we are ready to depart sir."
"Glad to see you up and about ensign," Lyras said earnestly, "and good to know you are here, I feel safer already." He turned towards Hiro "captain, unless you require my presence here, permission to head down to sickbay?"
“Yes, of course, Lieutenant. Permission granted.” Time to get down to business. Turning once more to Abrasax he said, “Let’s see what’s out there. Request Ops for permission to depart.”
"Yes sir," Abrasax replied and tapped the communications control. "Copernicus to Ops, requesting departure clearance and vector."
Liams voice was patched through, “Copernicus you are cleared for departure. May the goddesses always lighten your path.”
"Thank you Styx," he turned to the 'Captain'. "Ready when you are," he repeated his earlier statement.
“Here we go.” Hiro said under his breath. “Ensign Adams, release all moorings and engage thrusters at half until we’ve cleared the station.”
"Aye sir. All moorings clear and we are free of the station. Clear for full impulse in t-minus two minutes". Came Adams crisp reply, finally feeling as though he was getting his feet back under him.
Lingering a few seconds more, Lyras then turned and left the bridge.
Hiro watched Lyras leave before he turned his attention back to Adams and the viewscreen. “Full impulse at your discretion, Ensign. Heading 114 mark 86”
"I'll start getting sensors and probes ready," Abrasax said, stood and waited for approval.
“Good idea, Abrasax. Better be prepared now than having to scramble after we have arrived at our destination.” Hiro answered.
Abrasax made his way over to the Sciences stations. He did keep an eye and an ear towards the command chairs should Hiro call for him.
Alena sighed. They were busier than ever and this mission proved it. It has been a giant mess after... well, she was inclined to call it a plague, she hadn't had a moment of peace. Too many people had been needing help to cope with the loss of their loved ones, or the patients themselves had asked for a talk to cope with the near-death experience. While she knew this was an important mission, she did appreciate that she could take a breather.
Alena looked around. She had never been part of the bridge crew before. She wasn't trained to deal with the machinery, though she might be able to in an emergency. Her specialty was diplomacy and counseling. She leaned against the back wall, watching her surroundings.
From the corner of his eye Hiro noticed Alessa standing. He smiled when he addressed her. “Counselor, if you want you can sit next to Abrasax or me. There’s room enough for three here.”
Alena smiled to Hiro. "I'd like that. Thank you very much", said and moved to take a seat next to the man. She still found it a relief to be off Starbase 21. At least for a little while. The amount of appointments she had had, had been insane. She sighed. Hopefully this mission would give her the time she needed to recover from the stress.
“Is something troubling you?” Hiro asked as he looked sideways to Alena.
"To be honest, I'm relieved to be away from the Starbase for a while. After the whole thing with what i refer to as a plague, I've been crazy busy with counseling. I haven't had an open spot for ages. While I enjoy being busy, there is a limit to what I can handle without any breaks. It's been so busy I've had to eat my meals by the desk in between appointments", Alena said with a sigh.
Hiro listened to her. It sounded like she was overworked. He nodded. “It was a nightmare. For everyone. I can only imagine how difficult it was for you since you were the one who had to keep us sane. And you still have your hands full helping us deal with the aftermath.” He offered her a comforting smile. “I hope this survey mission will be a nice distraction from it all.”
Alena smiled at Hiro. "Yeah. I hope so too. I am also quite curious as to what we will find on this mission", she said, absently touching the pendant on her neck. The pendant had arrived some days before, without any notice as to who had sent it.
But her Ma had told her that her father had referred to Alena as a "little angel", while she was still in Ma's stomach. She still remembered, and frankly, was still shocked at the revelation that she wasn't half human, half betazoid. That had been her Ma, not Alena herself. It had made her look back to her childhood. The revelation made her think her father was important to wherever he was. Something told her that Mrs. Anderson, the woman that had gotten her and Ma to the States from Brazil, had been protecting them. That made her wonder why she had been needing protection in the first place. She sighed. There were way too many unknown factors, and way too few answers.
“I think everyone is, Counselor.” Hiro once more directed his attention to his First Officer. “Lieutenant, you have the Bridge. Notify me when we have arrived at our destination. I’ll be in the Ready Room.”
Abrasax was at the science station conversing with Ensign Ursula Koi, a 38 year old Betazoid female science officer, she has focuses in Astrometrics and Stellar Cartography. "Could I leave the Sensors calibrations and refinements to you Koi? I'll sort out the probes."
"Sure," Ursula replied and the two worked at the console, Koi to the right seated and Abrasax on the left without a chair. There wasn't any empty wheeled chairs available so he had decided to look into getting more after his shift. Soon the waiting game was in full force as they were yet to get to their first destination and he heard Hiro's voice so glanced towards the 'Captain'.
"Aye sir, will do." Abrasax called back with a nod and turned back to work on the probes.
Lieutenant Commander Hiro Sommers-Yoshida
Chief Operations Officer SB21
Temporary CO USS Copernicus
Lieutenant j.g. Lyras
Acting CMO USS Copernicus
Medical officer SB21
pnpc Peter
Lieutenant J.G. Alena Alessa
Chief counselor and Diplomatic SB21
Lieutenant Commander Liam Reynolds
Chief Ops officer, SB21
Lieutenant jg Abrasax
Temporary Executive Officer, USS Copernicus
Chief Science Officer, DS21
&
NPC Ensign Ursula Koi, Science Officer, DS21
Ensign L’johk Adams (NPC)
Damage Control Specialist SB21
Pilot USS Copernicus