Entering Orbit

Posted on Mon Oct 5th, 2009 @ 8:05pm by Captain Vorn Krace & Commander Acle Walex & Commander Jordan Gunning & Lieutenant Commander Abigail Valera & Lieutenant JG Lucas Jameson & Lieutenant Bradley Openhouse

Mission: Into a Devil's Heart
Location: Bridge
Timeline: MD06 0300hrs

It was early, Vorn knew, but he'd told all of the ship's command and senior staff to assemble for alpha-shift stations by the time they arrived at Omega IV - which was, Iapetus-time at least, three in the morning.

As Vorn stepped out of the turbolift - some part of him wishing that he didn't have to enforce the rule which prohibited food and drink on the bridge, such as coffee, but knowing that his momentary discontent without it was essentially insignificant, and he had to uphold the rules on the ship by obeying them himself - was pleased to see that Acle had already relieved the night shift commander, and was sitting in the centre seat. Most of the rest of the alpha-shift bridge staff were there too.

"Good morning everyone," Vorn said, with feigned cheer. "I hope you all had a good night's rest."

"It was alright." Lucas said "Though cut short a little by my assigning repair teams at 2300. I'll need to find some time to catch up later."

"I slept well." said Bradley.

Annalyn yawned, "Its not really my morning yet."

Jordan had not slept and saw no point in trying to say otherwise. "I've been inventorying phasers with my staff, sir. This is a welcome distraction."

Acle showed no signs of being tired or bored. If anything, he bore a faint air of annoyance about him. "Outstanding rest Sir."

Taking his place in the command chair, and after a brief check to ensure that they were indeed entering the Omega system, Vorn turned to the helm station. "Mister Cook (NPC), drop us out of warp."

"Aye, Captain. Dropping to impulse," was Tom's response, as the ship slowed to accommodate his commands in the helm console. "In visual range of Omega IV, sir," he reported.

Vorn ordered a view on-screen, and the green-and-blue globe that was the basis of most M-class worlds appeared on the viewer, it's dark side illuminated by dots from the cities on its surface.

"Miss Valera," Vorn said, making sure to be formal when giving orders, "full scan. What can you tell us?"

"I'm reading damage in the capital city consisting of orbital phaser fire, but...." Abigail paused and double checked her readings, "Sir the phaser fire hasn't hit any significant buildings. It seems they were aimed at the residential area."

"Mister Walex, connect with the colony's database. Do we have an address for Mister and Misses Pendragon?"

Acle checked his PADD, quickly inputting data on it. He waited a moment, then answered "No Captain... They do not have any official record of it, although that record could be buried somewhere. I'll have my team look into it."

Vorn rested his chin on the palm of his hand as he thought. "Hail the colony's governor," he ordered, lifting his chin from his hand and letting the arm fall into his lap as he directed his attention to the viewscreen. "On screen."

The image of a tall, lean man, dressed in a fashion that even in this day and age subtly told of a man who lived well appeared on the viewer, sitting in an ornate office, which Vorn could only assume was the governor's - he doubted the man would take a call from a Federation Starship in an employee's office, afterall.

"Governor, I am Captain Vorn Krace, of the Federation Starship Iapetus. We have come to render aid in relation to the... problems we have been made aware of you having." It wasn't exactly the whole truth, but it was close enough - they did have a duty and a contingency plan to deal with and treat the wounded and the collateral damage left in the Sierra's wake.

=/=Problems, Captain? What problems?=/=

Vorn wasn't too surprised at the governor's reluctance to share with a Starfleet Captain that a colony was having any issues that needed their help - afterall, there were a number of colonies out there which preferred to do things for themselves, only taking help when it was insisted, or absolutely necessary. But it did surprise him that an attack from orbit on the residential sector didn't count in this list of 'absolutely necessary'.

Glancing towards Acle, Vorn realized that it may not be completely wise to openly discuss the attack over subspace, knowing the nature of the Sierra. Turning back towards the governor, he said; "As I said, Governor, we are here in response to certain problems we were made aware of, and I would rather not return to base without having even been to the colony to investigate personally. Myself and a few officers will be beaming down shortly."

=/=But Captain, there is no nee-=/= Vorn made a hand signal discretely to Acle, indicating to cut the transmission there.

Acle looked over at the Captain. "You do realize that you are about to go against all regulations that you had to memorize do you not?" Acle did not wait for a reply. "In addition, you do realize that as the acting executive officer, I would be fully within my purview to forcibly stop you from debarking?"

Vorn smiled at the man. "Not forcibly, no," he replied, being well aware of the regulations. "There is no foreseeable danger, and I need to be able to talk to the governor in private, and off the subspace channels." His smile grew slightly more mischievous. "Besides, whatever made you think I wouldn't ignore that regulation?"

Acle gazed at the captain for a moment, not saying anything. Then he smirked and looked away "Good point Captain. If you had actually heeded my advice, I most likely would be in sickbay right now from cardiac arrest. Just... Take care of yourself. Even though it is not showing any signs of active combat right now, the area was clearly a warzone. How many powers do you know of that would do that and then not leave anybody behind to keep an eye on the situation? As the commanding officer of the biggest piece of military hardware in system, you would offer a tempting target."

Vorn rolled his eyes at his friend's concern. "I'll take Lieutenant Gunning and a couple of security officers if that'll make you feel better?"

"Very much... The Lieutenant will take very good care of you I am sure of it." Acle raised his voice towards the end of his statement and directed his eyes towards the security chief.

"Absolutely." Jordan interjected, almost limply.

"Doctors," Vorn addressed the two officers in teal uniforms with the shared honorific - after studying to and serving as the assistant chief medical officer for some time, Bradley still held a doctorate in medicine, and so it was simpler to use one word to speak to them both. "What is Petty Officer Williams' current state? Is she fit for an away mission?"

Annalyn nodded, "Medically speaking, she is. It took a couple of days to get things rebalanced but now she is doing fine."

"She is fit for duty but I have ordered her to daily counseling sessions for now." said Bradley.

"Have her meet me in the transporter room," he said, as he stood from his chair. "Gunning, LaToon - you're with me," he continued, as he made his way to the turbolift. "In the mean time;" he said, as he turned to face the bridge again before the doors closed. "Take us into orbit, and run scans of local space. If we're lucky, we might find our dangerous nebula."

-------------------
Captain Vorn Krace
Commanding Officer
USS Iapetus

Lieutenant Commander Acle Walex
Chief Intelligence Officer/Acting First Officer
USS Iapetus

Lieutenant Jordan Gunning
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Iapetus

Lieutenant Abigail Valera
Chief Science Officer
USS Iapetus

Lieutenant Annalyn LaToon
Chief Medical Officer
USS Iapetus

Lieutenant JG Lucas Jameson
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Iapetus

Lieutenant JG Bradley Openhouse
Chief Counsellor
USS Iapetus