Posted by Gamemaster CockRoach (Gamemaster) in Main Sim - Shuttle - Planetary Dive
[snip]

With a soft hum the Galileo class modified shuttle took off and soon was angling through the atmosphere of the planet. The heat of the entry wasn’t felt, nor was there much turbulence. Gravity readings for the planet showed much of what had been said by the departments on the bridge though with less details. Approaching the vast ocean several of the avian giant birds could be seen squawking at the intruder to their air space, then banking away to fly elsewhere.

As the shuttle approached the deep ocean where the signal hum was coming from the shuttle shuddered as it dipped into the ocean with a soft splash. Around them for now the crystal clear ocean water filled their view ports, and the shuttle’s external lights were seen scaring off some schools of fish and other nearby marine life. A large octopod like creature about the shuttle’s size brushed up against them a moment but the buzz it likely felt from the shuttle’s shields scared it too off with only a thud against the hull reporting no damage.

Their descent into the trench coming up would take another half hour, so they might as well get comfortable. Or if they wanted attempt other scans, or check ins with the Merrimack.

Jasper got more relaxed in his seat as they descended He took what scans he could from a smaller side console near him as he continued to pilot the craft. “Amazing animal life here.” He commented as he enjoyed the view of the sea as the went lower and lower.

As the shuttle had descended, Tinga remained standing perfectly still, her antennae giving her better balance than most Humans realized, and the ride was notably smooth. NE Smith continued taking readings on the atmosphere, animal life, and the waters that now surrounded them.

Tinga finally sat and commed the Merrimack.

=^=Shuttle to Merri. We’ll be about a half hour until we reach the target coordinates.=^=

=/\= Thank you Lieutenant. We are tracking you. You’re looking good. =/\= Glen made reply.

-Glen, CO

As the shuttle descended scans kept coming in of the planet and animal life around them. Nothing really of interest so far, but the hum they were following was getting louder. As they proceeded now forward the shuttle gave soft creaks and groans from the pressures it was facing but with the shields up and the structural integrity field adjustments they were safe enough for now. Rounding a ridge on the ocean floor they came upon an interesting sight!

Ahead was a large pyramid structure! At the top of it a blue hue glow was evident and was the source of their hum signal. Whether this was the reality stone though was anyone’s guess, it sure didn’t match what they knew of it from the Avenger crew. For starters the glow was almost the size of the shuttle! Another thing of note was at the base of the pyramid what seemed a stone docking hatch of some kind, perhaps they could dock the shuttle there and investigate inside, scans were showing interestingly a breathable atmosphere inside the large stone pyramid!

GM CockRoach

Tinga turned quietly to Ensign Smith.

“Make sure all your instruments are working correctly and get those readings. You too Erickson.” she said calmly to Jasper before hitting the comms again.

=^=Captain, are you receiving these readings? I suggest we dock the shuttle and try to enter the pyramid.=^=

Tinga would have taken the initiative on her own, especially if she was still in the Andorian military but, every Federation superior she had known was just different enough to keep most off balance. She wanted to be certain of her course of action.

• Tinga, Comms