Posted by Captain Chris Taggart (Commanding Officer) in Main Sim: Leaving Titan – Bridge

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Quentin “Q” Dawson (Chief Weapons Officer) in Main Sim: Leaving Titan – Bridge

Posted by Richard A in Main Sim: Leaving Titan – Bridge
Posted by… suppressed (14) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Kastarak was preparing to have the Chernov leave Titan. The plan was that once the ship was outside the orbit of Saturn, the Chernov would head to warp. It was against regulations, but it wasn’t particularly unsafe to do so if certain precautions were made. Thereafter, the cloaking technology would have to be fitted and tested. Kastarak was uneasy about this mission. It tasted like mutiny – though his orders did outweigh anyones Malone had.

He looked around the Bridge. It was neat and clean. He seated himself on the captain’s chair, waiting for Taggart to arrive. Officers were all around him in the circular bridge, tending to their business. On the viewscreen, there was the orange hue of the Titanic atmosphere, with some mountains and lakes. With liberty for some (or many) details, the landscape did remind him of Vulcan. Except, Vulcan was hot, not cold, and the lakes were made of water rather than hydrocarbons.

Ensign Kali – a Saurian officer – sat at helm, making the first calculations for take-off and out of Titan’s atmosphere. He had only joined the Chernov a few weeks ago but had been so promising that he was singled out to stay in the skeleton crew on this mission. This would be Kali’s first mission outside Federation space. Earlier, Kastarak and Kali had gone over the intended route out of Sol system to the Azure Nebula in the contested border region between Klingon and Federation space. Entering via the Azure Nebula would make it easier to go into Klingon space undetected, especially if the cloaking technology was malfunctioning. From there, they would go to the secret coordinates for where Dawson’s sister ship perished, and where that strange cube had first been sighted.

Kastarak had heard that Lt Lovejoy might join them in bridge in taking charge of helm. The atmosphere in Engineering had been tense. Lovejoy had been eyeing Mr Batario’s position and consistently undermined his authority. At the same time, she had had a crush on Pawl – which had made Kastarak feel threatened by her. She had been oblivious to their relationship. Perhaps she did find out though, and perhaps, that was why she had gone from being attracted to Pawl (which Kastarak could for himself not stop feeling) to undermining him at every given turn. Kastarak thought that a likely scenario. Moreover, Lovejoy had been chief engineer, before Mr Batario and before Mr Blaze. She had also had a stint as chief weapons officer. She was a versatile and well rounded engineer.

Steering a ship was very similar to engineering. Both activities requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

“Computer,” he said quietly while sitting on the chair, “how would you say that steering a ship and being a ship’s engineer are similar?”

He listened as the computer replied:

Both activities require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Engineers must troubleshoot complex issues and devise innovative solutions to design challenges. Similarly, spacecraft pilots must navigate through various obstacles in space, anticipate potential problems, and adapt to unexpected situations.

Engineering and piloting a spacecraft demand precision and attention to detail. Engineers must ensure that every component of a spacecraft functions perfectly to achieve mission objectives. Similarly, spacecraft pilots must execute precise manoeuvres to navigate through space, dock with other spacecraft, or land on celestial bodies.

Both disciplines involve managing risks. Engineers must anticipate and mitigate potential hazards during the design and construction phases to ensure the safety and reliability of spacecraft. Likewise, spacecraft pilots must assess risks during missions, such as micrometeoroid impacts or equipment failures, and make decisions to minimize those risks.

Engineering and space exploration are highly collaborative endeavours. Engineers work in interdisciplinary teams to design, build, and test spacecraft systems. Similarly, spacecraft pilots collaborate with mission control teams and other crew members to execute missions successfully, relying on effective communication and teamwork.

Both fields require continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies and discoveries. Engineers must stay updated on the latest advancements in materials, propulsion systems, and electronics to design cutting-edge spacecraft. Likewise, spacecraft pilots must stay informed about advancements in navigation techniques, space science, and spacecraft operations to perform their duties effectively.

There were several good examples the computer listed. If Ms Lovejoy needed to hear them, he could echo them. For his own sake, Kastarak felt that his second job as navigations officer had similarities to the process of examination, assessment, diagnosis and prognosis in medicine. The metaphor wasn’t as solid as the one he intended to help Lovejoy in her new position.

The transfer of Ms Lovejoy might be necessary for the ship’s well-being, but he would have preferred not working so close to his rival for Pawl’s heart. While Kastarak had ended the relationship with Pawl, this act had in no way stopped him longing for Pawl – no matter how well-meditated he was. The crux was this: Kastarak refused to purge those feelings from his heart. Hence, they stayed.

He waited now also for Mr Dawson’s signal that all Section 31 workers were accounted for and outside the ship.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer (with thanks to ChatCPT for a cameo as the ship’s computer)

Dawson called up to the bridge from his communicator down in the Airlock =/\=Dawson to bridge. All Titan Base personnel have been taken to Airlock. Awaiting further instructions.=/\= The line quickly went out as he waited for the response.

Lt. Q Dawson, CWO

Kastarak responded, =/\= Acknowledged, Dawson. This is Kastarak speaking. =/\=

There was a ground continuous-track shuttle bus of some kind docked with the airlock. With this, the exiled officers and crew could safely return to their base.

=/\= Ensure the transfer of the guests back to their tracked vehicle. Once all have safely left the airlock, sever the connection and prepare for immediate take-off.=/\=

Only minutes left now. Kastarak made the necessary orders on the Bridge. Ensign Kali was making the final adjustments. They were ready now. All left was the departure of the guests, and ensuring enough traction to leave the gravity of the moon quickly.

=/\= Bridge to to all hands. Prepare for immediate take-off on my mark. =/\=

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

The track vehicle is in moderate safe range and the connection is safely disconnected.

Storyteller

Seeing that, Kastarak made the order for a take-off.

As the ship lifted from the cold ground, Kastarak sensed a relief. Now they were on their way away from Malone and company.

=/\= Kastarak to Dawson. Report to Bridge. =/\=

Just in case, Kastarak needed an experienced weapons officer on the Bridge should the flight off the moon go awry.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

Dawson’s voice came over the Comm =/\=Understood. Be there shortly.=/\=

When he arrived on the bridge, he nodded to Kas and said, “Reporting, Sir,” then relieved the officer on Tactical and took the station. “I have security and tactical on standby in case Malone wishes to try anything, though I don’t think it likely sir. Still, I’d rather us be prepared then give Malone an opening for a final injury.”

Lt. Q Dawson, CWO

Just as Mr Dawson arrived to the Bridge, Kastarak signalled to him to take the tactical position. Kastarak thought there was a good reason that the base would punish the Chernov for its – in Kastarak’s interpretation of what Malone with gang would deem it – disrespectful behaviour. Perhaps there would be a warning shot of some kind, nothing too dangerous, but enough for a scare and for some potential damage.

So far, all was calm. The ship exited the orbit of Titan but was still in orbit around Saturn. Two minutes more and the ship would be able to go into warp. The Sol system was a heavily trafficked system. Sensors showed ships everywhere in the system – mainly going to and from Earth, but also to colonies in the asteroid belt, on Mars, and space stations dotted in the system. This was the capital district of the Federation after all. Because of this, the Chernov had to have a clear path out of the system in order to safely go into warp. It was still looking hard, Ensign Kali was desperately looking for a clear path of the system they could warp. Kastarak understood. Kastarak checked all the sensors as well. He remained calm.

He decided to walk to Ensign Kali at the helm to give him encouragement. Kali looked stressed. Just as Kastarak stepped away from the conn, a massive surge from the surface of the planet hit the Chernov. It was nothing serious to the ship – most likely a warning shot, just like Kastarak had predicted.

But Kastarak lost his balance just as the surge hit the ship, and he wobbled, lost his footing, and hit his head on the railing.

From his skull, green blood started sipping out. And Kastarak had lost his consciousness.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

(OOC: Putting my guy in a coma for two weeks – going on holiday. I’ll try post once in a while, but in general… not so much. Mr Dawson, you have the conn for now.... until Taggart enters the bridge)

NE Ensign Kali ran over to Commander Kastarak to try to asertain the Commanders vitals when the warning sound from the Tac console began chirping in earnest with a warning. A target lock warning.

While that was happening the comm console chirped. NE Ensign Vara’s looked up. “Lieutenant Dawson. We are being hailed!”. She urgently said.

Storyteller

As soon as the first shot hit, Dawson sprang into action. “Shields up!” He shouted, heading over towards Kastarak, “Red Alert!” Just as he was about to get past the Captain’s Chair toward the fallen XO, the target lock warning and comm console went off. Dawson looked around a moment, realizing Kastarak was unconscious and he had to take command. =/\=Bridge to Sickbay, Medic needed on Bridge.=/\=

Dawson sat in the Captain’s chair and told Ensign Kali to set the Lt. Commander to the side for the medic and get back to the helm. “I want us targeting whatever shot us with everything we have,” Dawson said, “He wants to play games, we’ll play back.” Then, to ensign Vara, he said, “Put him on screen.” Dawson knew it could only be one person calling.

Lt. Q. Dawson, CWO

((OOC: I’m assuming that you had meant to say “Hailed” not “Hauled.” If not I can adjust my post.))

((OOC: Darn! Lol! Yes I meant hailed.))

Colonel Tom Malone appeared looking smug as ever while sporting a black eye, broken nose and stitches across his left check. “How’d you like that Chris?! Wait. What are you doing in the chair? No matter. I have you all literally in my sights and you will feel the power of a new generation of rail gun!”. He laughed for a bit.

Colonel Tom Malone Storyteller

Glaring at the screen, Dawson summoned all of the British scorn and superiority he could muster and said, “Colonel Malone! Within the past 24 hours, you have assaulted a federation officer and opened fire on a star fleet vessel, unprovoked, causing severe injury to its Executive Officer. This are treasonous acts, which I shall respond to accordingly. I give you five seconds to remove your lock on us or I will make a crater of your little base. Understood?” Dawson then turned to Navigations and said, “Be ready to fire.” And then to the helm, he said, “Continue our course away from Titan.”

Lt. Q Dawson, CWO

He stopped laughing and got serious again. “Fire on the station? Instead of destroying the weapons? You are a fool! You think you can destroy this place before anyone here can push a freaking button? Your XO may have been a Federation officer but he was a Vulcan. Subhuman and not pure. That you get worked up over his injuries is amusing.”. He laughed and then made a (I just made a mistake face). “Oops! I guess I just accidently pushed the firing button. Enjoy!” He said with a smile. And the view screen went dark.

Navigation spoke up. “Sir! There are four beams of energy coming towards us! Each is about 25 kilometers away from the base in a North, Eat, West and South design. Impact in 17 seconds!”

Engineering NE Brown spoke up. “The reading from the beams are off the charts! I didn’t think The Chernov could take two of those lot alone four! Shield at maximum output!”

Storyteller

Meanwhile, a medic had rushed to attend to Kastarak. An emergency transport was initiated to bring Kastarak to sickbay.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

(Still on LOA!)

OOC: Need me here?

-Kieron-

Here: https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf5/chernov/posts/245697/

cheers :)

“Evasive maneuvers!” Dawson shouted, “Avoid as many as you can. Then Fire!” Dawson held on to the arms of the captain’s chair and hit the coms for the ship. =/\=All hands brace for impact!=/\=

Lt. Q Dawson, CWO

Chris came running into the bridge and saw blood, Vulcan blood on the floor and Dawson yelling commands! “What the heck is going?” He shouted as he saw the trajectory of the beams. “What the heck is that?! That some of a b###! He’s trying to actually kill us!”. He turned to tactical. “Fire four long range sensor probes at the beams!”

Tactical nodded and quickly fired the probes. The beams hit the probes and blew up. The Chernov was in the midst of the evasive maneuver when the shock waves hit causing the ship to tip further. But the fourth probe missed the beam and it hit the deflector dish straight on, destroying it and causing massive damage to the Bridge consoles. They exploded and shot sparks and electricity everywhere. Chris was sent flying into the back computer wall because he wasn’t secured in a seat. Rolling over while screaming he couldn’t find his right arm. It was torn off and his back hurt something fierce and his eye patch was missing showing his empty eye socket and the scars. Mr. Dawson took a little damage but being jolted around but was in good shape because he was secured in the Captains chair.

Storyteller

The turbolift doors opened and Will fell out, landing on his knees and barely catching himself with a hand on the door, his other hand held the bridge of his nose which was leaking blood, the turbulence had tossed him directly at the turbolift doors and he was sure it was broken, funny that the first time he’d actually broken something and it was a door. He looked around at the bridge crew in various states of distress and injury, saw the Captain screaming and once he was on his feet took a step towards the man but stopped and looked at the viewscreen “Status report” He said seeing the back of Dawsons head in the Captain’s chair, Kastarak was supposed to be on the bridge no the Weapons Chief so something more must have happened.

CSO, 2O