Away team 2

Posted on Tue Sep 26th, 2023 @ 9:44am by Avalon [ADMIN NPC] & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Lieutenant Danica Kovitz & Warrant Officer Gen'Terta CrystalCliff & Captain David Tonelly [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 3: Far From Home
Location: Tir na Nog - Our Interceptor Arrow Class
Timeline: MD3 - 13h00
2705 words - 5.4 OF Standard Post Measure

The Tir na Nog an Interceptor Arrow Class, stood waiting for the away team to arrive in the shuttle bay.

Gary sat inside the Tir na Nog and waited for the rest of the away team to arrive. He looked at the PaDD in his hand and reread his 'instructions'. To find technical specifications and weaponry that can be reversed engineered to be used on the Elysium. Then he looked st the ship they were going to search. It was about the same size as the Elysium, so their search wouldn't be a quick one. But it would be a complete one. He silently promised himself.

A few moments later, David entered the shuttle. He was wearing his Marine Battle Armor, and was double-checking both his weapons and gear. While he was conscious of the fact that one couldn't fully plan for everything, he was still covering all the bases he knew.

Sliding the sawed-off pump shotgun into the leather holster behind his right shoulder, he greeted the ship's Executive Officer respectfully. "Captain." Then he asked, "Are there any new variables that we should know about, Sir?"

Gary looked up from the PaDD at David's arrival and question. "Hello, David. I was just looking over the ship we'll be going to. It appears to be about the same size as the Elysium. So, a fairly large ship. No power emissions, no life signs. It appears to be a derelict, like all the other ships here."

Chuckling softly, David drew his tomahawk and checked the blade edge as he responded. "Well, I've certainly seen enough 20th Century sci-fi films to never trust that a derelict spaceship is ever completely devoid of life." He slid the ancient weapon back into its holster on his left hip as a punctuation to his statement.

Garry nodded, "Heard that. Perhaps this will be the exception to the rule. I have a machete and I can also use this." As he spoke, he pulled out an old Earth style revolver. "A Ruger Super Blackhawk, fires a 44 mag shell if I need it and I agree it is always wise to be prepared for the unexpected."

David looked at the firearm and nodded respectfully. "Let me show you two of my kids." He pulled the shotgun back out and held it so the XO could see it. "This here is a Mossburg 500 Bantam 12 gauge. I've got her currently loaded with bean bags, for non-killing shots, but I've also got slugs and double-aught buckshot." He put the shotgun away, then pulled out a heavily modified automatic pistol. "And this is my M9 Baretta. I have her modified to fire a .357 mag round." After the XO saw it, he slid it back into its holster under his left armpit. "Both of these weapons, I've had since I was in the US Army, back in the 1980's. They may be old, but they operate just like they did when they were brand new."

He then patted his modern weapons. "Of course, I also carry my standard issue Starfleet Marine weapons too." He grinned. "Can never be too prepared."

Gary nodded at David's kids. "Nice kids and I agree, you can never be too prepared. Just hope we don't need to bring the kids out. Oh, I have my phaser but this ...." He pointed at his revolver, "Is a nice security blanket."

David nodded and grinned as he replied. "Not a bad thing at all.'

It was then a Sequus-sized shadow loomed over them both, catching their attention until they were staring up at narrow equine eyes. "I don't want any of those relics loaded while on the runabout..." S'hib snorted, pausing to stare at them both before stepping between them, phase lance in hand as he crouched low into the Tir na Nog.

David smirked softly. "With all due respect to you, as the ship's Assistant Chief of Security, while I can't speak for the Captain here, these relics, as you disdainfully referred to them as, have been traveling the stars with me long before your great--great grandparents were even born. I trust them to not go off unexpectedly more than I do your lance there." He sat back and popped in a piece of bubblegum that he had unwrapped while he spoke. "'Course, if you think you are male enough to tell your boss what to do, well, I'd like to see ya try and disarm me." He winked playfully at the Sequus, clearly not intimidated in the slightest by him.

Gary watched and listened to first S'hib and then David politely but forcefully say he wasn't unloading his relics. "Commander S'hib, I have to agree with Captain Tonelly on this subject. Furthermore, I think it shows a lack of confidence in you that you seem to feel we can't handle these weapons." He finished smiling at the security officer.

He spun at first, lip curled at the challenge from David. His temper flaring hot and fierce like it had at every available moment since the attack on Miraj. There was nothing to be angry about he thought, yet here he was… restraining himself instead of replying with his usual quips and jokes.

He took a moment to compose himself, his eyes boring into David like that of a Klingon happy to die in combat.

“Variations within artificial gravity generators aboard small craft when leaving the gravity well of a planet or that of a larger ship…” He said, pausing to look up and around at the hanger they were in. “-Have been know to cause mechanical based weapons to fire without the operators input…”

He leaned his head down to look at them both through his mane that had fallen in front of his face, it was an expression of disapproval if they had ever seen one, one.

Preceded by the sounds of heavy foot falls, Warrant officer Crystalcliff strode into the shuttle bay, her long sleek white tail swaying behind her as she strode purposefully Up the Ramp. "Apologies for my tardiness Commander," she said quickly, panting as she slipped into a seat with only a minor scuffle with her heavy environmental armor. "I had a cooling pump go out and had to get it sorted before I left my quarters..." she added quietly as she looked between the Two senior officers. "Wouldn't do to have me heat stroking out mid mission..would it," she offered a weak smile, an expression that looked somewhat frightening given the muzzle full of fangs she had.

"Quite alright warrant officer. Glad to have you join us, have a seat and strap in we'll be leaving momentarily." Gary replied.

"Sciences has been similarly plagued by issues after we lost a few of our siloed consoles," Danica Kovitz said, stepping into the shuttle. She quickly stowed her gear and found a seat to buckle in. "I feel like I've been running to and from everywhere of late."

Gary nodded to Danica. "Now that the gangs all here, we'll get this show on the road. Next stop, the derelict. It looks to be about the same size as the Elysium."

The shuttle hatch closed and the shuttle began its take off sequence. "ETA, 15 minutes" The pilot said.

David sat back as he popped a piece of bubblegum into his mouth. After chewing a few times, he blew a bubble and popped it. The aroma of strawberries started to fill the small cabin.

Looking over at S'hib, he asked with a smile, "So, I hear our better halves have decided that our daughters are to be best friends. Guess that means you and I will have the fun duty of scaring off any would-be suitors, when the time comes."

S'hib glanced up, taking a moment to readjust his phase staff so it was not between himself and David. "Perhaps, but they'd be a brave man to try and court a Sequus woman..."

"A Sequus and Bajoran woman, you mean," David corrected with a grin. "Bajoran women have very fiery tempers all on their own, as you well know." His smile grew, as if he had personal knowledge on the matter.

"The Hasperat she cooks is hotter than her temper, thankfully I can handle both..." He smiled before inclining his head to one side. "Though not at the same time."

David continued to grin. "I don't know what they do to it, but I have fewer meals with a spicier assault on the pallet than Hasperat, and I've been around since the 1930s, by the Human calendar." His grin turned to a frown as he continued to speak. "As for their temper, you can thank the Cardassians for that. I first met the Bajorans about a hundred years before the Occupation. I can remember how beautiful their world was."

"It still is." S'hib shot back with a snort, his gaze turning more fierce. "It might not be blooming and as vibrant as it once was, but a seed is just as beautiful as the tree it came from, and the tree it will become."

"Don't get me wrong, Mister S'hib," David said gently, as he lifted his right hand and gave the Sequus officer a friendly pat on his shoulder. "I know they have worked very hard to bring things back. I only meant that I remember how it looked before the Cardassians ravaged it."

He nodded softly and then sighed, a look of pain on his face. "I just hope we can get back one day, it would be nice for Slee to be able to see her homes..."

David nodded as he replied. "I'm sure we will. From what I've read about this ship and crew, you all are survivors. I have no doubts that Commodore Lalor-Richardson will find a way to get us home."

The shuttle arrived without incident and found a docking port. Gary turned to the rest of the team, "David you and Danica are our team one. S'hib you and CrystalCliff are team two. I'll just take Avalon with me." He looked at each of them as he said the next. "Stay sharp, stay frosty. You run into any kind of trouble. You call for the rest of us."

David looked over at the young officer and gave her a friendly grin and nod. "Guess you're with me. Stick close and I'll keep you covered while you scan for parts."

"Aye, sir. You'll be getting no recklessness from me. Had enough trouble as of late, "Kovitz said as she configured her tricorder, beginning to sweep the area.

"I understand Commander," Gen'Tetra said as she glanced towards S'hib. "I look forwards to working with you Commander, in a manner that doesn't involve me being at gunpoint," she said with a coy smile.

S'hib snorted, remembering the incident all too well as he found himself craning his neck just to look down at her. "I'll try to walk slower if you promise not to point your toys at me again."

Gary stood up as the airlock cycled open. "Alright everyone, Let's go and see what we can find." He said as he stepped into the alien ship and the dim lighting. "Take no unnecessary chances and stay in contact."

Walking over to the runabout door, he hit the switch and the door slid back to reveal a brightly lit corridor that went off in three direction. "David, you and Danica take the left branch. S'hib, you and Gen'Terta take the right branch. Avalon and I will take the center branch. Alright, let's see what we can find."

Turning to Danica, David gave her a friendly grin as he did a final check of his suit and weapons. "You ready to start our part of the scavenger hunt?"

"Always loved a good scavenger hunt when I was a kid. Used to go looking for ice bugs on Andoria," Dani said as she removed her tricorder and calibrated it. She gave a shrug. "Should be fun, or as close to it as we're going to get."

Gary went up the middle corridor while the other teams started their search. "Avalon." He called to the AI, as he started ahead. "Are you able to scan ahead? See anything promising we can use to repair the Elysium?"

[[I have sent you the information Captain, to your tricorders.]]

"Thank you, Avalon." Gary replied to the AI as he stopped to look at the data she had sent to his tricorder. A slow smile coming to his face as he accessed the data. "Now this looks promising." He said aloud and to no one in particular. As he continued down the corridor and what his tricorder was showing him.

Gen Glanced to S'hib, her large radar like ears twitching and pivoting as she gestured down their Branch of the ship. "After you sir, You are the security guard after all," she said cheerfully, her long tail swaying quickly with
amusement.

Gary continued down the corridor, following the instruction Avalon had downloaded into his PaDD. He could scarcely believe what it was showing or his excitement. he wanted to break into a run or at least a jog but controlled himself to keep walking.

Gary continued down the corridor until he reached a set of large doors. After searching for a way to open the doors for a few seconds, he found a small button on the wall and pushed it. At first, nothing happened then a low grown emanated from the doors as they slid back to reveal a shuttle bay with a shuttle or perhaps a fighter inside. He walked closer to the craft, "Avalon, any information you can provide on this craft would certainly be welcome."

"Captain it is unknown to me" the AI replied via the comms.

Gary frowned at this bit of information but was undeterred. "Alright, let's see what we can discover." He told the AI. As walked around the alien ship. "Man, I wish Miraj was here. She'd have this thing figured out in a minute." He said to himself.

***Meanwhile***

Off in the corridor they were searching, David came across an alcove that contained several workstations. Scattered about were various tools and other items that could not be easily identified. "Lieutenant," he called her over. "What do you make of these items?"

***Back in shuttlebay***

Gary walked around the alien craft, studying it, trying to understand it makeup. "Any ideas Avalon?"

["Only that if you leave it there, Ensign Derani will make you come back for it."] Came the response. ["Hatch is at the end."]

Gary chuckled at Avalon's statement. "You are so right about that Avalon. She sure would." He answered as he walked around to the back of the ship to where the hatch was located. "Now, let's see if I can find the access button and get inside." Gary muttered to himself. After a couple of minutes, he found what looked like an access button. Pushing it he stepped back and waited. At first nothing happened and then a soft whir could be found as the back hatch lowered, allowing him entry into the ship. "Eureka!" He exclaimed as entered the ship and made his way to the cockpit. "Avalon. Are you taking this all in?"

While waiting for the AI to reply, Gary slid into what appeared the pilot's seat. There was also a seat for a copilot and a third seat for perhaps a flight engineer. He looked at the console before him and tried to decipher the language before him.

["Acknowledged Captain. But I am unsure how you will fly it. Maybe you could tow it home?"] the AI Said. ["The Commodore asks that your team return as soon as possible"]

"Might be the best route to go Avalon." Gary agreed. "Let Miraj have a look at this bird. If anyone can figure out how to fly it, it will be her." He tapped his combadge. "Taylor to away team. Commodore wants us to return to the Elysium as soon as possible. Meet me in the shuttle bay When you have finished your searches."


OoC