Posted by Gamemaster Deus Ex Machina (GM) in Main Sim [Bridge]: The Kestrel and the Shrike

Posted by Captain Rende Asam (Captain) in Main Sim [Bridge]: The Kestrel and the Shrike

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kohr (Executive Officer) in Main Sim [Bridge]: The Kestrel and the Shrike
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

[SNIP]

The ship continued to run on very low power. The only deck with additional power was the one where the landing party was located. In fact, the deck didn’t have more power, it was only that section…

The Klingon nodded ascent and moved to the appropriate station. It was a simple enough task but he was silently grateful for the interruption. Once he was done, Kohr returned to his own station… and the vexing, unchanged conundrum lurking in space.

When Stone and Sharvi appeared, “Lt Stone this alien ship is asking us for 2.9 liters of antimatter. First do we have it to give, second scan that ship and tell me why they need it. I also want to know what is going on with the power. Our initial scans showed NO area that was powered to sustain life, but apparently there are stasis pods powering up over there, which means our sensors didn’t pick that up. Why?”

“Lt Sharvi, take science station 2. I want a constant read out of the away team’s vital signs, and as we pick up alien life I want those too.”

On science two the comm badges started sending back bio signals. The signals were normal (although specific variations were due to the individuals response to stress so very specific details may need be sent by the players themselves). On occasion the Aliens life signs were put on the screen, it didn’t seem to be all that unusual,although Sharvi felt fairly certain he could figure out more given a little more time.

Rende stood up and pacing a few steps towards the view screen and then coming to a complete stand still. The marine in her would much rather be doing something than waiting. “Kohr, what do you think?”

Rende, CO

The Chief Science Officer’s voice came back over the relay,t hough it sounded as though he was trying to be quiet. Not hiding, but trying to be respectful of other goings-on. =^=Easily explained enough. The ship seemed to be on a power conservation protocol. From what we can ascertain, they’re out of gas, or almost. Our guest identifies themself as Lord Hub’rabi, and seems to confirm that hypothesis with the ship’s computer system. Seems neighborly enough, so far.=^=

Lt Woods, CSO

Kohr took one last baleful glance at the tactical readouts before slapping a gauntleted hand on the console and punching up clear. The screen darkened with his mood, but he had it well under control as he turned to the captain. He would not dishonor himself with an outburst, nor would he disappoint his commanding officer. Why, then, he snarled to himself, is this so irritating?

His composure was firmly locked by the time he took his place at Rende’s side, taking a moment to study the alien vessel on the viewscreen. His free hand clasped the wrist of his gauntlet hard enough that the leather hushed a protest. It was always a battle within him—the warrior’s desire to be at the van and the officer’s duty of command. But perhaps there was a way to sate both.

Rende glanced at the offended leather and nodded silently to herself. She understood Khor’s frustration. Too many years hoping for peace and the reality so much more violent. She’d rather get out in front of it. Face it head on rather than standing safely on the bridge.

“If he is a creature of station,” the Klingon said slowly, his baritone carrying a sly edge to it, “perhaps it would be permitted to extend him due diplomatic courtesy aboard the Viking. It would allow us to study them more thoroughly, learn what we can about them in our own territory. We can offer them respite away from key areas, have the science and engineering teams learn what they can under the guise of rendering repair assistance. If nothing else, it would buy us time to determine their purpose in this region of space. They are quite far from their own people, and I for one would know why. They could easily be explorers as we.”

“Or perhaps fugitives,” he murmured darkly, as much to himself as the captain.

Rende glanced up at him she was having the same thought. “And I am curious how long they have been asleep. And if anyone is chasing after them. When the Botony Bay left Earth several ships were sent out after it. This ship seems large for an escape…prison ship or cross galactic cruise ship? Get in touch with Korczak, have him extend the invitation and an offer to assist repairs. Let engineering and science get a better look at that ship.”

Rende, CO

Kohr nodded, stepped politely away from the captain before tapping his comm badge. =^=Kohr to Korczak. Lieutenant, please inform your host that the Viking is standing by to render assistance in the repair of his vessel should he require it. Extend an invitation to join us should he and a delegation from his ship wish a respite from their present accommodations while we consider their request for anti-matter. Once the away team completes their survey and determines there is no danger to the vessel and crew, return to the Viking.=^=

After a pause for consideration, the Klingon tapped his comm badge again to mute his end of the connection. That was simple enough. The alien’s reply to their offer of assistance and benevolent invitation could give them more clues as to their objective here in this section of space. Assuming the return of the away team was not interrupted, the Viking still held the advantage. He trusted in Lieutenant Korczak’s ability to interpret his meaning, smooth over any rough edges between species. Kohr tended to be more… direct than diplomacy would wish sometimes.

“Lieutenant Pearson,” he called back to the tactical officer, “what is the status of our tactical assessment of the alien vessel?”

The woman tapped furiously at her console, gave him a frustrated shake of the head. “I’m sorry, sir, I’m having trouble with some of these readings. I’ll have it sorted soon.”

The ship was tactically inferior. Even if fully powered it was about 50 years, give or take, less advanced than the federation ship. It materially was more sturdy, but at current levels of tech, shields, weapons, and engines were more relevant factor than superstructure strength… not to mention, the ship was virtually at zero power… they probably could lock a tractor beam on it right now and drag them about until their power drained down if they didn’t find a power source. The only other factor that remained was the ship was considerably larger… that would balance the fight slightly… but still the Viking should win safely.

The Klingon nodded, then turned back to the viewscreen. Your move, he thought bleakly.
—Kohr, Executive Officer—

Kalika had remained silent at her security station while the excitement happened around her. She pulled information from everywhere she could as she tried to ascertain if the ship was an exploration vessel or a machine of war and domination. She idea of a small crew gave her a bit of a relief. If it was a war ship, surely there would be others. But in the back of her mind, she always thought the worst. We don’t know what’s in the rest of the vessel. It’s been power dark this whole time.

She used that mantra to try and read the ship as it slowly powered up a small section, the the alien. She had the readouts from the current cryo tubes and was using the readings from that section of the ship to see if any other section of the ship showed similar readings. Nothing like several pods, or even a hundred or more, powering up to make one take notice. She just hoped their lack of power was real and not a ploy.

The cryo tubes were taking in surprising little power, but now there were only three that appeared to be active. There was no other section that was drawing even this small amount of power. Every deck seemed to have two or three power sources that were no greater than a light bulb… in fact they could be ‘flash lights’ as the power level seemed similar to a low level battery.

She kept a secondary screen up to help with the maintaining of the transporter lock. And she watched the XO move like a caged beast across the floor from the corner of her eye. He was one she was curious about getting to know. Such knowledge and combat experience were not things to be ignored. She wondered if he would spar with her sometime. She could use a good beat down to remind her how out of shape she had gotten since returning to a Viking that wasn’t in a war zone.

Drawing her mind back to the present, she smiled at Sharvi as he worked at his console not too far from her own. “Are you getting anything new? I want to see if we can somehow map the ship according to power levels, from here.” She knew it was a long shot, given they were dead in the water, so to speak. But it gave her something to do besides thinking of fighting.

Kalika
Security

The power levels were still near zero.

GM
“Sir!”

Kohr’s attention turned to the tactical officer, a brief moment of feral curiosity crossing his features before he noticed her relaxed posture. Pearson’s face held a mixture of concern and frustration as she looked up at him. There was something behind her eyes that vibrated in the intervening space between them. Turning from the view screen, the Klingon marched to her station and peered over her shoulder.

“Is there a problem, Lieutenant?” His tone was plain, his voice pitched for her ears alone.

Pearson made a vexed sound, pointed to the scans. “She’s not a threat to us, which is good because she’s got us on size. Given her hull density and design, she looks built to take a beating rather than dish one out. She’s not like anything on Starfleet records, so I’m going to guess it’s not the same vessel the captain was worried about. Besides, her output is almost nil. Far as I can tell, she’s barely got enough juice to keep the lights on.”

The Klingon took a moment to review the records for himself, more for the sake of thoroughness than a doubt of the woman’s skill. The Viking certainly appeared to have the tactical advantage were it to come to a firefight, so why would the knot in his skull not ease? For all intents and purposes, the alien vessel was distressed and this was no more than any other rescue mission.

“What has me worries is this,” Pearson added in a conspiratorial voice, queuing up the power readings where the away team was stationed. “Only this section is receiving any real power; the rest of the deck is either completely dead or so shielded that our sensors can’t pick it up. Unless there’s an independent power source in that section, something’s hinky.”

Kohr nodded, raising his eyes and his voice to Rende. “Captain, with the alien vessel in a critical situation perhaps it would be best to recall the away team and take it in-tow. Perhaps an engineering team could prepare a small infusion of antimatter—just enough to stabilize their life support and base systems—while we learn more of this… lord and his people.”

He turned then to Kalika, his brow drawn in thought. “Lieutenant Darz, perhaps it would be prudent to assemble a detail befitting our intended guest. Remind them that this is a first contact situation and each should conduct themselves honorably. If you have concerns or recommendations, I would hear them now.”
—Kohr, Executive Officer—

Rende listened to the chatter, the ideas and processing them. “I like that idea Cmdr Kohr. Let’s get engineering up here so we can set up a power transfer.” She turned back to science and tactical, “Do you we know where Lt Cmdr Sigmundsson is with the shuttle?”

=/\=Rende to Korczak. We are aware of the ship’s need for power, we do not currently have the amount of anti-matter being requested. Get the engineering officer to find out what they can about the power needs and configuration of the ship and we will set up a power transfer beam. That should give them enough to at least activate life support and basic functions.=/\=

=/\=Rende to Engineering.=/\= Her voice barked out. She’d requested Lt Stone several minutes ago with no answer. =/\=Is everything alright? Lt Stone is needed on the bridge, post haste=/\=

Rende, CO
GM

=^=Sigmundsson to Viking, we have docked with the Alien Vessel, starting preliminary scans to see if it’s safe for entry=^=

CIO