Storm Riders (part 2)

Posted on Thu Jan 7th, 2021 @ 9:17am by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant Aenar Torek & Lieutenant Bela Swain & Lieutenant JG Jhosa

1,536 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Eye of the Storm
Location: Bridge, USS Calypso
Timeline: MD01

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

"I agree. Now, we have to find out if this is an attack from an outside force, or one from someone on the colony itself," Sam said. This was enough confirmation for her to focus the search. "Send a probe into the planet's atmosphere. Let's see what readings we can get."

[NEW]

'Launching probe, Captain,' Aenar said. He tracked the probe's telemetry as it sped towards the planet and took up a low orbit just inside the planet's atmosphere. The Bajoran rested a hand on his chin, and his frown deepened as he read the data coming through.

'Definitely something in the atmosphere,' he pointed out two trace elements on the screen in front of him, 'two exotic elements, definitely not naturally occurring in the planet's atmosphere, and an almost even distribution between cations and anions in near space - I'll try to compensate to see if I can find a source.'

Sam looked at the data. "Fascinating. While you're doing that, do a search for all known uses of those elements in weather."

Running the search, Aenar became more concerned at what he was reading. 'Elements One-One-Three and One-One-Five. Ceresium and Alexandrium, definitely not naturally occurring. Most commonly used by the Klingons and their trading partners in order to stabilise planetary atmospheres in conjunction with their Weather Computers.'

'The amounts we're seeing here,' he pointed at the chart, 'are orders of magnitude greater than what would be necessary for atmospheric stabilisation.' He adjusted the programme to analyse a hunch, 'if you see here, the elements are causing an amplification of the planet's magnetic field, which is what's driving the cations and anions, and generating the ion storm.'

'The shuttle is going to have a rough ride through the upper atmosphere, but it should stabilise closer to the surface.'

"Good. That definitely supports the theory that someone on the planet is responsible. Or that the storm is designed to keep people out of the system." That was a theory she hadn't considered. That the whole purpose of the storm was to keep people out.

'They hadn't counted on a Galaxy-class starship turning up on their doorstep then,' chuckled Aenar. 'I'll adjust the search to concentrate on the planet surface. Unfortunately, you probably don't need a large device to create this - anything that can start the chain reaction should have been enough.'

"Which could make it that much harder to find. Hopefully, they weren't expecting a starship to show up and they won't think to hide the device." Sam just hoped it would be that easy. Especially if the device could be anything. "Do your best. Perhaps the team on the planet will find something we can use as well."

'Hopefully,' replied Aenar, 'I'll see what we can do with the starship's sensors - we may be able to pinpoint the location of the device within a kilometer or closer.' He paused thoughtfully, 'unless it's located in a cave system.' He looked at the Commodore gravely, 'I've heard they're a headache.'

Sam laughed. "Sadly, I have a bit of a reputation for getting into trouble in caves. Or so says my husband. "Although if it is, I might have to go down to the planet myself if it is. Just on principle."

The Bajoran laughed heartily, 'well, we're told from a young age that sticking to your principles will take you far - they're a guidepost from the Prophets on the road of your life. Best not to ignore them.'

It was York's turn to laugh. "True enough. Some would say commanding a Starship was going far, but I think there are other things more important. Sticking to your principles is definitely one of them. I'd be just as happy working as an archaeologist, or even teaching. I love what I do now, but I love that, too."

'Ah yes. Modern Bajoran religious teachings emphasise there are many paths to fulfilment if you embrace the Prophets,' Aenar smiled gently, 'it's one of the few benefits to come out of the Occupation. Otherwise I'd be a merchant. And I can tell you I have no lobes for business.' He tugged at his ear in emphasis and chuckled. 'I should get back to these scans, Captain,' Aenar said apologetically.

"I apologize for keeping you from your work."

It was quiet for a while as they all went about their duties. York turned to communications. "Any word from the away team?'

"Communications are offline due to the storm."

She expected as much, but didn't like it.

A persistent sensor shadow from the secondary scans of the moon bothered Aenar. Leaving the primary scans to try and track the source of the ion storms, the Bajoran focussed his attention on the moon. 'Captain ...' he began to speak slowly, 'I'm picking something up on sensors. On the dark side of the moon.' he began to speed up as he became more certain of what he was seeing, 'definitely an artificial structure. Purpose unknown.'

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Helm, take us closer." Then, turning to Aenar she said. "Let's find out why it's here and if it has anything to do with the storms."

Aenar nodded in acknowledgement as he brought the structure up on the main viewer. He hummed at what he saw, 'seems like the structure has been there for a while - look at the pockmarking from micro-meteorites, and the collection of moon dust around the base.' He highlighted the relevant sections for ease. 'The material of the structure doesn't seem to have degraded, other than from the impacts. Quite durable it seems.' The Bajoran trained the scanners closer. 'Definitely a power source there - worth a closer look I'd say.'

"I agree. Perhaps we should send down a small team to investigate? Security, Marines, and science?" She looked at Wolfe and Aenar. "Scan for lifesigns first. I want to know if we're going to run into anyone."

"Moving us closer." Th'tyhren's antenne were slightly arced as she was concentrating upon the orders.

Th'tyhren had the controls well in hand; easing the ship under the gravitational field of the moon. The surface was getting closer and he felt like a he had no room to maneuver, ducking this low of an orbit kept the waves of the Ion STorm away but his depth below the Keel of the ship felt like a capitol ship of old in shallow waters a wrong move and he 'ends up landing' and this class of vessel did not come with landing gear or the systems for a surface impact.

"Closing on the coordinates." He relay as the monitors warned of the lack of altitude compared to a normal orbital entry.

"Maybe they won't notice us if we come in this low," Sam asked.

'Let's hope they don't look up, then,' replied Aenar as he flashed another smile, 'there are several indistinct life-forms within the structure, and what appears to be a substructure. Differing species. Difficult to get a lock on to specifics,' He sighed, 'by the Prophets, this ion storm is making things difficult!'

Sam was more intrigued by what--and who--was in the structure. "Let's hope they don't feel a need to look for visitors."

Th'tyhren brought the Capitol Ship on a low orbital course and was using the maneuvering thrusters to her best advantage as the gravity, even limited field from the moon. Edging the ship to slow she fired the thrusters to begin negitive acceleration. Brining the ship to a halt within short Transporter Range.

"You can transport or lower a Rope ladder ma'am." Th'tyhren reported. "We are in stationary holding above the structure."

Sam gave her a half-smile. "A transporter will be fine. Cracking open a window is too expensive."

She turned to Aenar. "Do you want to go down or send someone?"

He perked up, considering for a moment. 'I think I'll go down myself, Captain. A stretch of the legs will do me good. Any preference to the composition of the team beyond the standard?'

"With the Marine Kayhill and Askard on the planet, take Melo from the Marines. We should have an engineer to have a look around. Maybe security. Beyond that, up to you."

'Very well - I'll take Calith from Engineering, Shurgekm bav Kull and Suugiru from Security,' Aenar said after a moment. A Benzite Enginner, a Tellarite and a Saurian would make it a diverse team. 'With myself, and Melo we should be able to handle anything that comes our way, but we're a nice compact team.'

Sam nodded. "Good enough. I'll alert the transporter room. We'll find you a nice place to beam down."

'Aye Captain,' Aenar got to his feet, and alerted his replacement to take his station. 'If I'm dismissed, ma'am?'

"Yes, you're dismissed. Inform your team."

Aenar nodded and stalked off the Bridge, already thinking of what equipment he should fill his bag with.

____
OFF

Lieutenant Bela Swain
Chief Counselor

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Aenar Torek
Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant JG Th'tyhren
Helm

 

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