Posted by Commander Ryder Raauhl (Executive Officer) in Main-Sim – Command Information Centre (CIC)

Posted by Commander Ryder Raauhl (Executive Officer) in Main-Sim – Command Information Centre (CIC)

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“Sir” Ensign Michaels, the on duty helms officer turned to face the XO who was stood looking at the holographic tactical display situated in the center of the CIC. “We’re five minutes from dropping out of warp and arriving at the Paulson Nebula Sir.” The recently graduated cadet nodded with a smile before turning back to his console to finalise the calculations on their arrival.

“Very good, thankyou Ensign” Ryder said as he acknowledge the Ensigns update. Taking a moment to look around he could see that all of Bravo shift was working away at their relevant bridge duty stations, the overwatching clock above the view screen displayed the time in a purple hue, 18:33:23. The Trills hand raised slowly to his comm badge slowly, allowing himself the last few moments of normality. Ryder already knew today was going to be a long day.

=^=XO to the Captain, we’re approaching the Nebula and will be dropping out of warp shortly, you may want to join us in the CIC for this one. All Hands this is the XO we’re going to Yellow Alert Medical prepare for inbound casualties, department heads prepare a list of available crewmemebrs for away teams and prepare them for disembarkation. I say again, set Yellow alert through the ship.=^= The ship registered his command as the lighting to the CIC and typically the rest of the ship dsiplayed a Yellow symbol. With the last transmission as it was he wasn’t taking any risks.

• Commander Ryder, XO

So. This was it. For the last week he’d been able to convince himself, almost, that none of this was real. That they were just another exploration vessel heading out towards another Earth-like planet for some fun and relaxation and cultural bonding. But no longer could he afford to coddle himself, or his crew, in the fantasy of their former lives. Finally, they had arrived at their true destination. And things were about to get very real indeed.

Stepping onto the bridge, Cobb was uncharacteristically silent as he climbed up onto the gantry and into his captain’s chair. Gone was the often drunk, sometimes ornery man they had grown accustomed to over the last week. Now, every pore, every atom within Zachariah Cobb exuded calm and confidence and complete control.

“Helm, once we drop out of warp, I want us at a quarter impulse until we’re in range of the Einstein. Get as close as you can and then slip into a comfortable holding spot.”

Nodding to Ryder, Cobb muttered “Let’s do this, Commander,” then allowed his hands to dance over the seat’s control panels as he activated a series of comms calls:

=^= Engineering, we’re about to drop to impulse speeds so have the engines primed and ready. Be prepared for anomalous effects from the nebula or whatever might be inside it. Current ARU alert level is yellow so get a temporary force field up around the warp core and the deuterium tanks. Also, I want the containment vessel to be loaded and ready to go from ARU transporter two. =^=

=^= Medical, have both alpha and bravo sickbays on standby. Prepare bravo for any anomalous casualties. Level five containment protocols to be enforced. Lt Commander McHarrie can provide assistance with that. =^=

=^= Science, I want you to brief the away team on everything you’ve learned about the anomaly. Load all critical points to the RTF Operative personal terminals and I want a comms buddy system with all members of the away team. Once they enter the Einstein their ability to think on their feet might be heavily compromised so, I want you to be available to do those critical calculations for them. =^=

=^= Security, if you’re not part of the away team then I want postings at all priority one locations around the ship. Particularly the containment levels. The last thing we want is one of those bloody things getting loose while our focus is elsewhere. Also have a team posted at bravo sickbay to assist with any problematic patients. =^=

He paused and took a breath before making the final call. Whilst he still didn’t trust the RTF leader, Manhattan, he was only too aware of the situation the Captain was being asked to lead his team into. And for that, Zachariah did not envy him one bit.

=^= Recovery Task Force. Your Captain will brief you and the rest of the away team fully before you depart. The Leviathan will have your back and will be offering every measure of support that we can. I know that will be of small comfort as you set out upon this mission but just know that you will, each of you, remain our primary concern until you’re back onboard this ship. May the gods go with you. =^=

The deeds done, the Captain allowed his body to fall back into the chair. And for the briefest of moments, every mission, every loss, every nanosecond of pain and of torture and of desperate loneliness within the soul of Zachariah Cobb was etched indelibly across his face. But quickly it passed and the stoic mask was returned. And something else as well, a transient and tantalising glimpse of raw, unadulterated, humanity.

“Well, that’s that then,” he shrugged at Ryder, following it up with a grin. He was ready.

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

Casela was on the counseling deck. She quickly ordered her staff to Sickbay. Patient rooms had been prepared days earlier. A quick thought to Gen * Gen you can stay here if you like. I have to go to the bridge.* Casela grabbed her bag out of its locker and summoned Fenrir to meet her on the turbolift. She could program him from there if he was needed.
=^=Lt. Synthi-er to Dr. Fey. I’ve sent the counseling staff to you to assist as medics. We also have patient rooms ready on the counseling deck.=^=

=^=Lt. Synthi-er to Cmdr Rauuhl. Counseling staff has been ordered to Sickbay to assist.=^=

A few minutes later Casela stepped into the CIC. She took her seat next to Cobb as she nodded to him. Fenrir took up a spot below and to the side of her. She attached her bag to the side of the AARM.
Lt Synthi-er, CNS/RTF

It took a few minutes for the reports of away team member candidates to finally come through to his panel but finally a list had been generated, quickly flicking through he assigned members roles and responsibilities based on experience and profession before giving it the once over and having removed several he felt could do without this one particular experience or where better suited ship side. Fortunately for him Casela wouldn’t be going on this one, he allowed himself a fleeting glance towards her before clicking send to notify each individual to report to sickbay before the main Transporter room.

Casela caught his glance and raised a brow. She waited for the orders to report to Manhattan to appear on her screen, but they never did. There were a lot of questions, no matter what her orders, but she put them aside: strong enough, right? She touched the rune stone hidden under her uniform and moved on. She would better serve the ship staying with the captain anyway. The orders did not include the AARM. “Cpt. Cobb, since RTF is not using the AARM, I’d like to send Fenrir to keep Gen company. He’ll be able to inform me if the anomaly is having any affect on her.”

You have been assigned to away team one report to sickbay and then under the direction of the Away team leader Captain Manhattan prepare to disembark from the Main transporter room

The system acknowledged the message had been revived across the board and then tapping his comm badge =^=Captain Manhattan, CIC, you’re gonna be leading this away team, account for your team members and notify us when youre positioned and ready in transporter room one. CIC out. =^=

The Trill executive officer turned to the officer in charge of the ships helm controls. “How long until arrival Ensign?” the question was clear and direct, as was his response indicating that they had just one more minute till arrival. “Ok, count us down from ten.”

The first fifty seconds passed by slowly, much slower than fifty seconds should have felt but finally the ensigns voice broke the chorus of beeping and ticking which was the CICs ambient noise. “Ten… Nine… Eight…” Ryder could swear the room had gotten a whole lot warmer. “Three… Two… One..” The view screen changed from the strips of passing stars and planet and showed the Paulsan Nebula.

Ooc: Stations report in, Science - begin scanning, Sec - tactical situation (Shields, weapons, local space) , engineering - warp core situation, Sickbay/Away team update until time ready. Please leave to Mission director to explain what the scans pick up thaaaanks!

OOC:Added my signature.

Commander Ryder, XO

Casela sat up in her chair watching the view screen, ready to get her first glimpse. She scanned the imiage for her first glance at the Einstien. Waiting to see what the different departments would report. While they waited she glanced at Cobb, then at Ryder, and each of the other bridge officers. Tension was high, and she expected it, but she wanted to cut off any problems before they happened.
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS