Strange Storms (Part 2)

Posted on Wed Sep 16th, 2020 @ 2:30pm by Commodore Samantha York & Commander Hans Munich & Major John Kayhill & Lieutenant Lei Shan & Lieutenant Aenar Torek & Lieutenant Dwight McCabe & Lieutenant Bela Swain
Edited on on Wed Sep 16th, 2020 @ 2:32pm

1,028 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Eye of the Storm
Location: Calypso

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

"How many people live in the colony?", John asked.

"300,000 at last count," Sam said. "The data is about two years old, though."

[NEW]

'That's much more than we can evacuate,' observed Aenar drily. He decided on some blue-sky thinking. 'What about an artificial source? Would the colony have anything that could create the conditions for a storm if damaged? Do they have enemies or rivals who could attempt this sort of thing?'

"Unknown, but definitely a possibility," Sam said. She had her own suspicions about the storm. "Actually, with what we do know of the sector, that's a definite possibility."

"Hearing that this is a distress call, I hope everyone is not badly injured," the doctor pitched in with an Irish accent. "That's a huge population you mentioned but it is a lot for the medical to handle with, say, if there are possible injuries. I can round up some non-medical crews that have some basic first aid to help the medical department with triage."

Sam nodded. "Yes. Have teams ready to deploy if needed when we enter the system. We'll see if we can get more information when we approach the system."

"As you indicated Commodore 300,000 is too much for us to evacuate", John said. "What other assets are in the area that can quickly get here?"

"We need to see if they spread to other planets in the system, and if any of their ships are fit to help with evacuation. We can also call in other starships for assistance," Sam said.

'Are you anticipating the spread of the storms? Are there any major powers with an interest and an ability to generate them in the vicinity?' asked Aenar curiously.

"I have no expectations. I want to have a good look at the system, the storm, the damage, and anything else that might be of interest to find out what's going on," Sam replied. "As far as I know, there's nothing to indicate that any other group is interested in the planet or the area."

"If it is not natural, then it must be something or someone that has an interest in the colony," Bela said thoughtfully. "What is the colony known for? Do they have any enemies of any kind?"

"Not outside the usual apex predators. The data we have is on the PADD. It could be an attack from an outside force, an attack from someone on the colony, or a series of powerful ion storms." Sam didn't want to postulate any theories until she had data to back them up. But right now, those were the most likely causes.

John nodded and started to pull up data on Marine resources in the area. They often were on call for rescues as they had ships designed for transporting large amounts of cargo and personnel.

Sam looked around the group. "Any other questions?"

Dwight shook his head, remaining silent. He figured that this is going to be a difficult mission and will round up extra help to deal with chaos, if it comes to that.

'Not until we give those storms a thorough scan - in the meantime, I'll have my department work through the data on this PADD where appropriate,' Aenar waggled said PADD in his hand.

"Excellent. Thank you," she said, responding to Aenar.

Sam glanced around the room again. "Very well, you're dismissed. Let me know if you come up with anything between now and when we drop into the system."

John got up from the table, briefly stood at attention, and then left to go prepare his unit.

Bela got up and looked at everyone, wondering if anyone needed a hug to calm their nerves. She was not going to leave until everyone else had left, just in case someone needed her.

Shan nodded to the captain as she stood. "I'll see f I can't get a little more power pumped into the long-range sensors, then coordinate with helm control to find a good place to pause and take those scans we discussed before we get too close," she confirmed, then made a bee line for the door, already trying to think of every trick she could try to get a little more range out of the sensors...

Sam nodded to Shan. She was used to going into situations blind, but usually that was because no one had been there before, not because a colony wasn't sending out information. This was going to prove interesting.

"All right, everyone. I want you all on the bridge when we get in sensor range. Let me know if you have any further questions. Dismissed."

She turned to her first officer. "Hans, could I talk to you for a moment?"

Understanding that the Captain wanted some privacy with her XO, Bela quickly moved to the outside of the meeting room, still waiting for anyone outside that wanted to talk. After all, if she could serve the crew in any capacity, she would.

Of course Commodore." Munich said in his strong German accent, not moving from his place.

Sam waited for the others to leave and handed him another PADD. "Starfleet suspects the storms are not natural. They don't know who's behind them, but I would prefer the crew to go in looking for all possibilities and not just focusing on who created the storms. We need to be prepared in case they take exception to our arrival."

"That vould be wise." Munich said as he thought. "Ion storms are a really bad thing to plan for as they are; in natural setting, one of few things we cannot do anything but ride out. I vill make sure that the shielding generators are up to spec and ready for a blow, one might say?"

"Good idea. I have a feeling this is going to get interesting." She smiled at her first officer. "At least it's never boring around here."

____
OFF

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Major John Kayhill
Marine CO

Lieutenant Bela Swain
Chief Counselor

Lieutenant Lei Shan
Chief of Operations

Lieutenant Aenar Torek
Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant Dwight McCabe, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer

Commander Hans Munich
Executive Officer

 

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