Pandora Flies Again

Posted on Sat Aug 8th, 2020 @ 6:53am by Captain Nycolas Temple & Lieutenant JG Judd Samson & Petty Officer 1st Class Greep & Crewman Ian Milkovich

Mission: The Evils Within
Location: Pandora - Bridge

ON:

Captain Temple strolled onto his Bridge with a renewed sense of energy. After returning from a lengthy tour of the vessel, he was happy to know that repairs on the ship were near-completion and he believed they were clear to get moving again. He had received a message from Emilie to return to their quarters, but Nyx was too eager to help his crew first. The Away Teams on Pithos and with the Hesiod natives had been on their own for what seemed like weeks now, and he was keen to find out what was happening on Pithos - then get the hell off this planet.

"Tell me the good news." Temple jogged to his seat, relieving the officer on watch.

"Engineering reports eighty-three percent functionality of warp corp and seventy-nine percent for shield generators." Crewman Milkovich reported. Nyx looked over to the young officer and smiled a little; circumstances had dictated more of the junior crew to step up in unexpected way and the appearance of the Crewman sitting in the Ops chair on the Bridge was no exception. It was strange times indeed. For his part, Milkovich was relishing the chance to serve on the Bridge, though at the risk of being removed, he decided to speak up on some concerns he was having. "Sir.... uh while the news is good, but... it could be better."

"What do you mean?" Nyx replied, staring directly at him with a raised eyebrow.

"If we attempt to take-off now and come into close contact with the planet's hostile atmosphere, we may cause further damage to the ship." Milkovich stated, his voice quavering a little. The rest of the Bridge had stopped to watch the interaction of a young officer questioning the Captain.

Nyx nodded. "We have people out there, Crewman. Our people. They have been out of contact with the Pandora for far too long. My Engineers want us to leave this unstable terrain as soon as possible."

"I understand that sir, but there is still a risk to the ship." Milkovich added, his resolution never diminished.

"I appreciate your concern, Crewman. Thank you for giving me a full report. So, let's just ask Engineering, then," Nyx shrugged, as he tapped on his chair console. "Bridge to Engineering. What is your report? Can I fly my ship?"

Lieutenant Samson's voice came through clearly on the speaker. "Engines are online, sir. She's ready to fly! Also, Crewman Greep's team has finished his work enhancing the sensors, and transporters are coming online as we speak. Finding our away teams should be a cinch."

"Yes!" Temple cried, even pumping his fist a little. "I understand that I still owe the Engineering department a dinner. We're going to have to make it a five course banquet after this. Bridge out."

Ending the call to Engineering, Nyx turned back to the front of the Bridge, a small smile on his face. "Well then, Mr. Milkovich. Now, do you believe - "

The Captain's gloating was interrupted by a sudden alert message pinging across the ship's systems. Milkovich quickly turned to his console and tapped away. "Sir, seismic activity is increasing rapidly. We're about to experience another heavy quake. Likely seven-point-five magnitude or higher."

Nyx gulped. "The long-range sensor upgrades are coming in handy already. Any idea of the source?"

"Pithos, sir." The crewman replied. "But it's spreading throughout the region. It's likely the other Away Team will be impacted. Sensors indicate new fault line fractures are forming in the planet's tectonic plates, causing potentially catastrophic danger, heading right for their last known location."

"That's our cue to leave, everyone." Nyx remarked, before looking over to his left. "Helm, initiate launch protocols and get this bird in the air again."

"Aye, sir." Helmsman Franklin replied, as she tapped in the necessary commands.

"Going to Yellow Alert." Milkovich added from the Ops console, immediately setting to work on his job. Even though he had questioned the Captain's decision, he would follow all directives without fail. The Bridge dipped into the standard yellow lighting and warning messages. "Full power to impulse engines, inertial dampeners at maximum to compensate for the planet's gravitational pull."

"Take us up." Nyx said firmly, gripping the arms of his chair.

The ship began to shake as the impulse engines came online and started to push the vessel off the ground. It was slow moving at first, that initial launch off the surface against dense gravity and polluted atmosphere proved challenging. The seismic activity didn't make matters any easier, with Helm having to compensate while trying to lift-off from an unstable surface. After a few tense moments, however, the Pandora was in the air again.

There was an audible sigh of relief throughout the Bridge. For many who served upon Starfleet vessels, the feel of the artificial gravity and the sounds of a ship in flight were second nature to them. It was their natural state; with many not having stepped foot on a planet for quite some time. For Nyx, who had not been able to visit Mendaz, this had been his first time on-land since leaving Earth with the Pandora few years prior. It felt good to be flying again, as if normality, or their version of it, had been restored. It was also a milestone towards completing this mission; and as Starfleet officers, they were always keen to see a task completed.

"Pandora has achieved vertical lift, sir." Helmsman Franklin said with a smile. "We are maintaining altitude of ten thousand feet."

"Environmental controls stabilised." Milkovich added. Neither of the two junior officers had paused for a moment, their fingers constantly tapping away at their consoles.

"Fantastic work, everyone." Nyx smiled proudly. "We need to keep below the atmospheric chaos above us, so maintain this height."

"Aye, Captain." Ensign Franklin said firmly.

"Quake is maintaining intensity, sir." Milkovich reported, though it was obvious with the dense sounds of the rocks and mountains cracking and shifting below. Even from this height, it was clear that Hesiod Green was experiencing a significant seismic event. "It is reaching dangerous levels already."

Temple clapped his hands together in affirmation. "We need to rescue our teams. Now."

"Which way, sir?" Helm asked expectedly, hands poised to send the Pandora wherever the Captain decided. "To Pithos or to the Shuttle Team?"

Nyx weighed the options out loud, "We need to find out what's happening in Pithos. But we won't be able to leave Hesiod without my best Engineer and Pilot." He paused and frowned at his own comment. "No offence, Ms. Franklin."

"None taken. I wish Lieutenant Fick were here too." Franklin replied quickly with a humble smile.

"You've done amazing so far." Nyx said warmly. "Lock onto the shuttle's locator beacon and make a course for them."

Milkovich went to open his mouth, having a new opinion he wished to convey. But he closed it again and decided to concentrate on the task at hand. He'd disagreed with the Captain already once today, and he didn't want to get a reputation for being constantly questioning Temple.

The Pandora turned in the air and headed towards the Hesian colony, hoping to rescue the Away Team quickly and silently.

OFF