Posted by Ensign Jay Bohannon (Engineer) in Shuttlepod Back to the Sphere

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Alison Barr (Chief Science Officer) in Shuttlepod Back to the Sphere

Posted by Ensign Jay Bohannon (Engineer) in Shuttlepod Back to the Sphere
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻

<snip>

Scans would indicate that there were chambers beyond each. While it was difficult to speak of ‘age’ as this entire region is ancient, there was some indication of work having been done on the second of the portals - a kind of reinforcement at the mechanism.

The sealed tunnel was just that. Sealed. The metal plug was some meter thick . It was hard to tell what was beyond.
Wookiee

Having seen the scans Ensign Bohannon replied, “It does not look much better over here, either. I think our best bet might be to climb, but if you are wrong it could be bad. Thus, the call is yours sir” exclaimed Bohannon.

Bohannon

Alison sighed, of course it was. As she looked back at the scan data, there had to be something to give her an idea of which way to go. Looking more closely she was able to tell that there was some reinforcement work on the second of the portals. Either they were using that portal more often, wearing away at the mechanism’s, or they were trying to keep something in there. Either which way it was at least something to go on.

“Let’s try that one,” she said pointing to the portal. “I’m showing that there has been some work down to the mechanism on it, could be a good sign of more use out of the portal.”

Ltjg Barr - CSO

Following the orders given him he replied, “Aye, aye after you, Lt.”

Ensign Bohannon

Alison grumbled, of course it wouldn’t be that easy. Taking a deep breath she started climbing up the ladder. “Don’t follow to closely in case the supports can only hold so much weight.”

Time to find out what was behind the hatch.

Ltjg Barr - CSO

In space no one can hear the creak …

But perhaps it was imagined as the climb began, or was it the feeling that the ladder was just a little off center and felt just a touch off balance. Regardless of this, they made it to the landing where the hatch was. It appeared to be a simple hatch. A grimy glass port, small and round was in the center. The hatch was secured with two different levers that were controlled by a central half wheel just under the glass port. By the look of it, by shifting a handle that protruded just above the wheel it would release the levers securing the door. There was no lock visible.

If it was tested it would take someone strong or two people on it to shift it, but it was possible.
- Wookiee

Alison made it to the landing and she quickly scrambled off the ladder. It held, but it was definitely not a pleasant climb. Solid ground was, very welcome.

After taking a breather, she moved over to the hatch, and looked through the round port. She grabbed the handle and tried to spin the wheel.

Ltjg Barr - CSO

The wheel was challenging. With her attempt it moved a little but then jammed up.
“Let Dal help,” Dal said, taking the other side of the wheel .. with both of you doing it the wheel overcame its jam and lurched along after that. It was by no means an easy turn however it was successful. From there it was a matter of someone pulling the lever to release the other two levers holding the hatch shut.
- Wookiee

“Thank you Dal,” Alison said as she wheel finally finally stopped, fully open. She was definitely going to have to spend some more time in the gym after this mission.

The door didn’t open, in similar types of doors they usually opened after the central wheel was spun. But this one had a lever above the wheel. Maybe....

Reaching back towards the door, she moved the lever. Hopefully that would release the door.

Ltjg Barr - CSO

It did release the door. It swung back on stiff hinges to reveal what by any appearance was an airlock. It was large enough to squeeze in a group of 20. It was a bare room of metal showings signs of wear but otherwise bereft of anything else. Opposite there was a door that was a twin of the one they just opened. This one, however, had a similar window that was not grimy. The only other thing that marred the sparseness of this chamber was a lever set in the wall by the opposite door and a vertical color strip next to it. The bar was currently a dull grey.
- Wookiee

As the door came open Ensign Bohannon replied, “I guess the way we are going is now determined, Lt. Barr. I will hold up the rear.”

Bohannon

Alison nodded. “Alright, everyone in. This definitely looks like an airlock, which means we need to closer the outer door before the inner opens.”

She moved over towards opposite door and looked at the lever. “Ensign, close the door once everyone is in.”

Ltjg Barr - CSO

“Roger that” came the response as everyone climbed into the airlock.

Bohannon

Once everyone was in it was apparent that this airlock could accommodate three times their number - if a bit squishy.

The door they entered through had a similar internal mechanism on the inside of the door. Securing the door from the inside was a matter of a wheel that again secured the bolt like levers. The additional separate lever that was only at the far door looked to have something to do with atmospheric pressure within. An engineer looking at that showed that likely to be pump action activation or at least geared to (pardon the pun) activate on use of the lever.
- Wookiee