STARDATE: 8336.2 - A little trip

[tomcat]

STARDATE: 8336.2 -

The shuttle hanger of the Miranda-class was mammoth. In fact, it took up a greater portion of the ship's main body and three deck levels. Shaped like a big 'U', it wrapped around the engineering areas of the ship.

As a support and scientific vessel, one of the roles that the Columbia and her sisters filled was to carry a large contingent of embarked craft. Even though she was not on a support mission at this time, she still carried her full compliment of shuttles.

The hangar crew was in the process of preparing a Galileo-class shuttle when Pushkin entered the bay. The small vessel was sitting in the center of the massive room and the helmsman felt the chill in the air – the environment of the room was hard to maintain. He walked up to see his fellow crewman loading different items inside the ship – survival gear, phasers, tricorder, and other items that might be needed for the mission.

"She about ready?" asked Alex to a man just next to him who proceeded to detach a power coupling that had just 'warmed' up the engines.

"Ready when you are, sir," came the reply as he walked backwards drawing the cable with him.

Alex climbed in and took the pilot's chair. He pushed a couple of buttons on his console and delighted in the fact that the Galileo, numbered 042, and her systems responded – the control panel lighting up and awaiting his commands.

That done, Alex went about the task of preparing the inside of the craft for its other passengers.

Darkan and Stonn, accompanied by Lt. Townshend, entered the shuttle bay five minutes later. The three had changed into utility type uniforms that were more useful on off-ship missions.

Pushkin smiled at their approach and the two security officers sent by Grahm saluted.

"She's all ready to go Captain! Ready when you are!" Alex climbed back into the craft with his announcement.

[cbl62]

Grahm called one of his people and ordered them to the bridge to replace him at tactical, then walked over to take his place standing beside the Captain's chair, watching the main screen in front of him the whole while.  He was torn between his heart and his duties - excited to have the Conn for even a little while, yet disappointed that Townshend wasn't here to see him command the ship. It was a missed golden opportunity to try and impress her, which he apparently had failed to do so far.

"Keep me posted on everything going on with the shuttle," he said to Jess' replacement at Comm. "Any hint of trouble I want to know about."

"Helm - stay tight. I don't want to lose them for an instant."

Grahm's mouth was pepper dry and his mind was in 30 places at once. He let out a nervous sigh, and sat in the captain's chair.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"As soon as you're ready, take her out," says Darkan, somewhat giddy in anticipation.

[tomcat]

It was the voice of Stonn that brought everyone back to the seriousness of the journey that they were about to embark upon.

"If I can remind the captain," he said, "we are about to fly from the Columbia in a smaller vessel that does not have near the resources of that of the starship. I recommend we proceed with care."

The Vulcan climbed into the shuttle and took his position next to the pilot's chair – it would be his job to operate the sensors on the Galileo, which actually were in much better condition than the Columbia's. The only problem was that they did not have as much power as the Columbia's main sensor array and they would more than likely loose any network link with the starship's massive computers, due to the nebula.

Stonn thought about the dangers before them – a small ship in a massive expanse of space blanketed by a nebula – not a situation he would prefer, but the captain was intrigued to find out what was out there.

The rest of the crew climbed in and took their positions – Captain Darkan directly behind Pushkin and beside Townshend. The two security officers sat towards the back.

Alex touched a few controls and the Galileo's doors closed sealing the shuttle's environment inside. He then opened the front view ports as the massive doors of Hanger Bay 1 began to open. The Hangar Control Officer flooded the bay with light and Pushkin initiated the launch sequence. With a slight jerk, the shuttlecraft lifted off and then began to move forward. It passed through the environmental shield, a secondary energy screen that kept the bulk of the environment within the hangar bay and kept the vacuum of space without, and proceeded into the dark of the nebula.

*****

Required Tests:

Sys Ops (Communications) TN 20
-This test is required for Pushkin to fly to the destination, if failed they will not be able to find the source of the signal.
Townshend +9, Specialty +2
Roll(2d6)+11: 5,1,+11 Total:17 +3 Courage = 20 SUCCESS

Sys Ops (Flight Control) TN 20
Pushkin +9, Specialty +2, Environmental Craft +2
Roll(2d6)+13: 1,4,+13 Total:18 +3 Courage = 21 SUCCESS

Sys Ops (Sensors) TN 20
Stonn +9, Specialty +2
Roll(2d6)+11: 4,4,+11 Total:19 +3 Courage = 22 SUCCESS

[sdrotar]

OOC: I'll be in Los Angeles for E3 this week. I'm leaving early Tuesday and won't be back until Saturday.
I've worked things out with Doug, and he'll handle Stonn and Ramos in my stead, so I won't hold everybody up.

See you this weekend!

[tomcat]

Galileo-042 moved through the Paulson Nebula at half Impulse and quickly covered the distance to the unknown source of the radio signal. Townshend listened intently to the transmission as it became stronger as they moved closer to it – yet it still did not reveal its source or any language. She called out direction changes as the signal would grow weak or faint.

The shuttlecraft's flight was not as smooth as that of the Columbia and occasionally the ship would shake violently from the static discharges that surged throughout the nebula. The six Federation officers and crewmen would grab tight when jostled and each made a silent prayer to the beliefs they held.

The crew watched through the portal at the cloud around them more fascinated with each static charge, for the light it created backlit the nebula in fantastic colors and shapes. They passed through a thick mist only to open up over a great expanse of empty space. Occasionally they would pass by large chunks of metal and rock that hung in there, cold and lifeless. Mr. Stonn expertly wielded the small shuttle's sensors and also aided Pushkin in his course.

At last, as they broke free of a thick portion of nebula gas, the shuttle's sensors registered a large mass before them. The mass was made of metal and Stonn could detect an energy source within as well as life-forms.

"Captain, it appears the source of Townshend's signal lies before us," said the Vulcan.

"Affirmative Mr. Stonn, the signal I am receiving is emanating from in front of us," confirmed the Communications officer. "The Universal Translator is starting to process the signal!" She finished excitedly.

In the darkness before them, a large, darker mass was plainly visible through the main view portals. Small windows of light could be seen covering the shape.

"It's a ship," said Pushkin.

"It would appear so," said Mr. Stonn, as he turned on the shuttlecraft's forward search lights.

The beam of light made a glowing circle on the large vessel they began to pass over, but then the nebula flared and the glowing clouds illuminated enough for them to see the entire ship.

She was smaller than the Columbia, but still a good-sized starship, though her silhouette offered no clue as to her type – or what race would crew her.
Mr. Stonn immediately turned to his sensors again and began to scan. "There are unknown number humanoids aboard, Captain, and it would appear that though the ship has power, it is not sufficient enough to move it at any great speed."

Pushkin slowly circled the starship as the science officer did his work.

"Its name is the Golayshian, Captain," said Townshend as her translator deciphered the beacon's language. "They are Hydraens, sir."

"Fascinating," replied Stonn. "They are far from home..." he said as his mind began to retrieve the information that he knew of the people of the Tau Hydrae system. "Very much like humans, Captain, in both form and manner, though they have always been rather xenophobic and never joined the Federation. Still, the princes of that system enjoy the security that the Federation provides and their mercantile trade prospers."

Darkan could feel the eyes of his crew upon him... the next move was his.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Is there any sign of a reason for them to be running so low on power?  Battle or impact damage?" asks Darkan.  "Can we ascertain which direction they are coming from?"

[tomcat]

"Negative captain," replied Stonn, "I cannot make any judgement on past course, but I can project where they will go based on current speed and direction. As far as power levels... the ship is warp capable, you can tell by the low slung nacelles, but there are no power readings from the warp coils. In fact the only power reading I am picking up is an auxiliary power reactor."

"That might be the reason," said Pushkin as he pointed towards the main view portals. The rest of the passengers turned to look out and saw the large gash in the side of the ship.

"Captain, we are being hailed." Townshend pushed a button which put the broadcast through the shuttles main speakers.

"<squuuaaawwckk> Hail the ship! Hail the ship! Mayday, mayday... we are in need of aid... <squellcch>"

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Keep our approach cautious, Mr. Pushkin.  Open a channel to the ship..."

"Golayshian, this is Captain Darkan of the USS Columbia, United Federation of Planets.  We are on approach to your ship... what is your situation?  What aid do you require?"

"Beyond the obvious," Darkan thinks to himself.

[cbl62]

OOC: Doug - can the communications happening on the shuttle be heard on the bridge of the Columbia as well?

[tomcat]

OOC: Doug - can the communications happening on the shuttle be heard on the bridge of the Columbia as well?

OOC: The shuttles is to far away. You can try... Townshend's subordinate has a +6 to Sys Ops (Communications) but the test would be a TN 25. With their 4 Courage, they could possibly do it with a roll of 7 or more on the dice.

Also, to keep everything in the time frame - the shuttle took 20 minutes to reach the Golayshian and has spent about ten minutes in its investigation.

"Captain Darkan!" replies the voice excitedly, <squelccch> "What a pleas.... ear from you! We are runnin... minimum power after be.... hit by space debr... Lost in the Nebula for weeks now. <sqquuaaawwwccckk> So ....ortunate you have come al...."

"Sorry Captain," said Townshend, "I will try to clean this up a bit."

The communications officer worked her console as Mr. Pushkin continued his transit around the ship.

"Captain," said the detached voice, but much clearer due to Townshend's efforts. "We would be honoured to have you come aboard! Our shuttlebay should fit your vessel and it is still atmosph... capable."

Pushkin replies, "It will be a tight squeeze Captain." He pointed out the viewscreen at the shuttle bay on the Golayshian, "I think I can maneuver it."

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Thank you, captain. We'll be docking shortly.  Darkan out."

"Take us in," says Darkan to his crewman.  "And Stonn, see if you can run an analysis of the damage."

[tomcat]

"Aye, aye Captain," said Pushkin, as he brought the Galileo about to land her in the Golayshian's hanger. He steadied the craft in her flight and they watched as the great hanger door began to roll back. Pushkin adjusted a couple controls for pitch and yaw, slowing the ship a bit to allow for the doors to completly open.

"Touch down in 45 seconds, captain," said the talented pilot.

OOC: Sys Ops (Flight Control) Test TN 15 (due to smaller hanger bay)
Pushkin's Sys Ops +13, Specialty +2
Roll(2d6)+15: 4,4,+15 Total:23 SUCCESS

While Pushkin did his duty, Stonn looked through his sensor hood, his eyes bathed in the soft blue glow. He pushed a couple of buttons that confirmed the captain of the Golayshian.

"Captain," said the vulcan, "the damage that I am detecting is consistant with what the captain of the Golayshian has told us. I can see three apparant perforations in the ship's hull, from top to bottom, as if a micro-meteorite passed through the vessel. The warp coils seem to be inactive and the impulse systems are only generating a fraction of their potential." He paused a moment and then continued after delving into his memory, "The Hydraens, though not a signed member of the Federation, have actively traded with us for many years. Their vessels are built within their planetary system but they use a great deal of technology purchased from the Federation."

OOC: Sys Ops (Sensors) Test TN 15 (due to nebula interference)
Stonn's Sys Ops +9, Specialty +2
Roll(2d6)+11: 4,4,+11 Total:19 SUCCESS

[tomcat]

The passengers on the Galileao 042 held their breath as Pushkin brought it into the hangar bay of the Golayshian. Like threading a needle, the pilot brought the shuttle to a stop with a thump on the deck. Alex turned to all the others and smiled wide with his rakish looks, "We are here."

Jess smiled at the diminutive Russian and stood up to prepare to disembark, but she kept on her earpiece. "Captain, they are signalling. The hangar bay is being re-sealed and as soon as they have the environment restored they will let us know."

It was only a few moments and Stonn's sensors registered a safe atmosphere beyond the shuttles doors. The hatch was opened and the crew stepped out into the lofty hangar deck of the Hydraen vessel. They were not alone long when five fit, young-looking, male Hydraens strolled up to warmly greet them.

"Captain Darkan," said the tallest of the lot in perfect english. "Well met and thankfully I assure you. I am Cordin, Captain of her majesty's corvette - the Golayshian."

If they were surprised, none showed it that the young captain spoke the standard language of the Federation, but Stonn was a little perplexed. The Hydraens were notorious for their arrogance and what the humans would call snobbishness.

The Columbia crew watched as the Galileo was expertly tended to by the hangar techs, but Alex still strolled over to work with them - no pilot trusted his ship to be solely checked by others. Still, the Russian was cordial to the alien support crew.

Alien may have been the wrong word to use. The people of Tau Hydrae were very much like the human race though their bodies were of a lighter frame. They also were a very handsome people to look upon and what Stonn had heard, their females were more beautiful still. Not a warrior race, they relied on their trade to keep them rich and with their great wealth, safe from other beings in the galaxy. The Hydraens had been known to 'buy' off would be invaders or pay a high reward to any who would protect them. This included the Federation.

"Captain, if you and your crew would follow me... the princess is very excited to meet her rescuers," said the captain with an almost perfect smile. It was in that smile that Darkan saw the differences in his people and Hydraens - the smile seemed to hide a look of expectation, as if the Columbia and her crew were required to serve as rescuers. Still to Darkan, there appeared to be no danger and with an eye to his Vulcan XO, he saw no concern there either.

[GandalfOfBorg]

With a slight shrug of the shoulders, Darkan follows Cordin.  Along the way, he begins to probe the captain for information.  "So Captain, what brings the princess out here, considering the potential danger that awaits?  Its quite apparent that you found some.  What happened to bring you to this state?"

OOC: If it would be helpful to "persuade" him to talk
Persuade - (3+2)+5+3 Courage=13