Cold Spin-up (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 05 Feb 2022 @ 5:38pm by Commander Morgan Tarin & Commander Scarlet Blake & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Tris Shizn & Ensign Mimi & Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kala Marika & Senior Chief Petty Officer Goldie Brown & Petty Officer 2nd Class Donald Andrews & Petty Officer 2nd Class Leon Inaros & Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeysa Zeror & Petty Officer 3rd Class John Hollenday & Petty Officer 3rd Class Helliun 'Hel' Inant & Laeon Wylde & Nesh Saalm & EMH Mark X-C "Shirley"
Edited on on 05 Feb 2022 @ 5:40pm

3,035 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: USS Galileo-A - Multiple Decks
Timeline: MD 05, 0431 hrs

Previously, on Cold Spin-up (Part 1)...

Blake folded her arms firmly, running her eyes over her in clear scrutiny. She'd never seen it happen before, and that still concerned her more than anything else. "Call your relief; I think you should report to Sickbay, now."

"Aye Sir." Mimi said and tapped her combadge =/\= Petty Officer Brown to the bridge=/\= then quite sheepishly got up and quickly left the bridge knowing that she'd probably get hauled in front of Scarlet or Morgan later but also glad she was going to be able to get some sleep.

"On my way." Goldie was surprised to get the summons. She hoped that Mimi was okay. She liked the Nekomi and felt that the only reason she'd been called to the bridge was because there was something wrong.

She walked onto the bridge two minutes later. "Goldie Brown reporting for duty." She went over to mission ops and logged in.

Blake turned back to Morgan, arms still folded as she gave her a slight nod of assurance that everything was resolved...even if they were off to a somewhat irregular start.

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

Deck 7 - Main Engineering

Below the decks on Galileo, the call for readiness came across the 1MC overhead speakers on each deck and in each compartment. "This is the captain," echoed Tarin's voice. "We're set for departure from Regula One in five minutes. Retract the gangway and disconnect all umbilicals. Set green alert throughout the ship. All hands to stations. Department heads, report status."

"Engineering is ready Captain. Confirm the Chief's report, the core is hot and ready for flight. All other systems are reporting nominal," replied one of the engineers over the comm.

Hel smiled as she looked at the warp core with warmth, taking a slow and deep breath at the scents and sounds of an Engineering scrabbling with last minute checks to get ready.

"Life support and SIF umbillicals disconnected." Donald called from the upper level. "Running on internal power only, generators are online and stable."

"Impulse showing all green. Thrusters all green as well. Warp core is ready and showing green. Looks like we are good to go." John gave readings from a console.


Deck 3 - Sickbay

"Medical is ready, testing EMH but all indications are that EMH is ready. High priority put in place for holodecks for emergency overflow."

As Allyndra finished that she went ahead, "Activate Emergency Medical Hologram."

There was a brief shimmer in the air as the Mark X-C EMH materialized its photonic body into the medical bay. Long, distinctive red locks of hair adorned the hologram's head and her familiar face was once again present. "Please state the nature of the medical...wait..." Shirley frowned as she looked around. There wasn't any 'medical emergency' as far as she could see. In fact, the sickbay looked pristine and there were no patients in sight.

Nurse Inaros gave the EMH a smile and a quick wave. "Just checking to see if you came back from shoreleave," he said playfully before he went back to double checking the stock they had on hand physically versus what they could replicate.

"Yes, I've been here since your 'shoreleave'. But no one gave me one," Shirley huffed with consternation. Her program had laid dormant in Galileo's computer banks since the last time she'd been activated. "Nobody bothered to activate my program to see what Shirley wanted to do with her free time. Do you even allow me free time?" she chastised the medical crew.

Inaros watched the EMH for a long moment, glancing at the doctors who were in truth far more important and therefore busy than he was in the moment, before he moved over to it. "I apologise," he said, meaning it as he watched her calmly. "I'm Nurse Inaros. I'll check in and see if we can't have you have some free time once this mission is done. It is a search and rescue." He might as well forewarn the EMH about what may come.

Following Scarlet's orders Mimi soon arrived at sickbay, stepping through the doors she saw the place was quite busy so decided to stay out of the way till someone spotted her.

The hiss of the door was a distinctive notification embedded into the EMH's programming. Shirley looked away from the new nurse she'd been talking to and observed a yellow-collared Nekomi ensign lingering nearby. She remembered the woman from the ship's personnel files and patient logs, and thought it bizarre that an Operations officer was in the medical bay at the current moment. "Ensign Mimi," Shirley greeted. "Are we experiencing computer problems in sickbay?" She suddenly started to become concerned. "My program isn't malfunctioning, is it?"

"No Shirley, your program is fine." Mimi said smiling at the red headed holoogram. "The XO sent me down here because..... I fell asleep on the bridge."

"Oh. I see." Shirley felt relieved. Perhaps in a rare moment of organic selfishness, it took her program several milliseconds before adjusting her attention back to the ensign's needs instead of her own. For a hologram, it was an eternity. "That can't be good. Falling asleep on duty. Have you been experiencing any symptoms of sleep deprivation before this? How is your diet? Are you feeling sexually frustrated?" The EMH gestured to the nearest biobed and indicated for Mimi to lie down. "Tricorder," she added, holding out her pale hand to the new nurse Inaros.

As if by magic...or more because Inaros had eyes and was able to see where this was going...Nurse Inaros put the medical tricorder into the EMH's hand, standing ready. He gave a small and reassuring smile to Mimi, studying the Nekomi female with clear curiosity. He hadn't seen anyone like her before. He wondered how it would feel to touch her ear, but pushed that aside. Now that was just plain inappropriate and he almost felt ashamed for the brief thought of very human curiosity.

"I usually sleep fine." Mimi said but this wasn't a usual situation. "I was just about to sleep when the new CO got us to urgently come onboard and get the ship running then she wanted me for bridge duty, so I have not slept after a hard day and night."

The EMH opened the medical tricorder and removed the small probe from its upper case. Slowly and methodically, Shirley hovered the device over the ensign's head then moved down to her chest and legs.

Inaros looked at Mimi, considering what she had said. "Is there anything you've been doing the last twenty-four hours that...is different?" he asked gently. "Perhaps something you've eaten or drunk, ma'am?"

"The only thing that has been different is that I have not slept like I should have, my species needs its sleep." Mimi told them.

"Then...what prevented you from sleeping during shoreleave?" Inaros asked with a gentle smile, pitching his voice lower so it felt more like a gentle conversation between them. "I take it that there has been opportunities for rest?"

"Nothing has prevented me from going to sleep during shoreleave. I got up at 0700 yesterday, had a long busy day of shoreleave and exercise, I was just about to go to bed when the call came through to rush back to the ship and get it running, so I have not had any sleep." Mimi tried to explain but was getting a little flustered. "It is now 0400, I have been awake for over 20 hours."

"Hmm...your vitals appear in line with your last physical," mumbled Shirley more to herself than anyone in particular. "Body temperature is slightly decreased and your breathing rate is slower. Blood pressure and heart rate are normal." She tucked the medical probe back into the tricorder then closed it before turning to analyze the biobed's detailed readouts.

Leon could tell that there was something else going on. But with the doctor giving her report and that there was nothing worrying made him step away from it. "At least it sounds like nothing that a few hours of sleep won't fix, or a stimulant. Depending on what the doctor concludes." Although Leon would have given her a stim and sent her on the way if she had been a Marine.

While the nurse and patient talked further, the EMH quickly finished her diagnosis then walked deeper into sickbay. "Doctor Warraquim?" Shirley called. "Ensign Mimi arrived complaining of fatigue. She feel asleep at her station and was sent here by Commander Blake. I completed an initial scan and don't see any abnormalities in her vitals. A couple symptoms of mild sleep deprivation but nothing alarming. Do you want me to administer a light stimulant and return her to duty?"

Allyndra shook her head. "Doctor Shirley, thank you but no. In reviewing her readings, I think she just needs some sleep. Nekomi physiology can be a bit tricky since we have so little information. I am going to authorize time off duty for twenty four hours."

"Hi Allyndra." Mimi said offering a small smile to the Akkadian as she came over.

"Mimi, you are to go to your quarters and sleep." Allyndra prepared a PaDD with the medical orders. "You are to report back to sickbay at the end of that time for a full physiological check up before being released to duty."

Mimi smiled a little wider glad Allyndra had approved what she wanted, just to go to bed for a while, she'd have no trouble following that order. "Thank you." When Allyndra was done she took the Padd.

"Off you go, shoo," Allyndra made motions with her hands.


Deck 2 - Mess Hall

Laeon blew some fair hair out of his face as he set the crate on the pile, his sleeves rolled up with having offered to help Nesh out. He looked to Nesh at hearing the acting Captain's voice over the comm, smiling before his lips formed an 'ooo' shape.

Nesh rolled her eyes before she smiled weakly, moving to physically strap in the case with fruit. Just in case the magnetic seals somehow failed. No one wanted squished fruit. "Yeah, well...she isn't the real Captain," she muttered under her breath before she tapped her combadge. Before she spoke she did do a check to make sure she didn't lie when she spoke. "Mess ready, new food stores loaded and secured," she said before she closed the connection and looked at Laeon. "Want a peach?" she asked, fishing one out of pocket of the apron she had thrown on. Nesh had even tied her hair back for this, to look all right for the part.

Laeon grinned, nodding as he held his hands out to catch it. "You're going up in the world, Nesh. First you were a little fish in the big ocean of science. Now, you have this little kingdom all in your hands. Next stop; taking over the bar."

Nesh laughed at that and shook her head as she leant against the counter. "I got a plan for that too. Trust me, I can be as enterprising as the next...Orion...and I don't even have to do a slavegirl con to do it."


Deck 1 - Bridge

Back on Galileo's bridge, all department checks were complete and Ensign Mimi's medical emergency was being attended to in sickbay. Commander Tarin was satisfied with the operational status of the small starship and gave a series of final orders to complete the departure sequence. She hadn't expected to have replaced a bridge officer less than an hour into her new command. But neither had she foreseen her career path would place her in the captain's chair of a small science vessel operating in the fringes of Federation space.

"Contact Regula One on the secure channel. Tell them of our departure," ordered the captain.

"Aye, ma'am." Goldie pulled up the right screen and sent a message to the station. A minute later she got a reply with the coordinates. "Sending coordinates to helm," she said as she sent them over.

Shizn noticed lights and data change before him on the console. His hands moved over the helm quickly and confirmed the data before he reported, “Captain, Helm has received a flight vector for departing Regula I and out of the system.”

"XO.." Tarin paused for a microsecond to appreciate the rare moment of opportunity she'd been afforded. "Take us out."

"Aye, Captain," Blake remained standing, taking a slight step closer to Helm, but not quite so much that she was looking over his shoulder. "Shizn, plot in the station's course and take us out of dock, nice and steady," she glanced to him, having full confidence in his ability and judgement despite her last instruction.

“Confirmed,” Shizn replied, “thrusters active and easing back.” The Galileo began to back away from its mooring, slowly increasing velocity. After a few seconds the bulk of the starship banked to the left and turned away from the station, while thrusters now provided a forward momentum toward the stars. At the appropriate distance Shizn announced, “Engaging impulse engines to 1/4 power.”

In space, USS Galileo-A's silver hull was illuminated by its bright cyan warp nacelles. Her crimson impulse exhaust manifold glowed and added additional highlights which were complimented by hull-mounted registry spotlights. The tiny vessel's superstructure glinted beneath the ambiance of the Remidia system and the purple world it orbited. The starship delicately navigated its initial departure away from Regula I then came about to head towards the system's inner asteroid field at low impulse.

At the Helm, Lt. Shizn cross referenced the current sensor data of the asteroid field, compared to the programed flight pattern through the field. Everything lined up with no anomaly. At one quarter impulse, the ship made good time tracking through the asteroids. He allowed the program to take them through, banking from time to time, as he closely monitored their passing.

With the last of the field behind them, Shizn reported, “Captain, we are through the field and now in open space. Now accelerating to full impulse through the outer system.”

The maneuvers to clear the system's inner asteroid belt were soon complete. Galileo accelerated at impulse towards the edge of the Remidia system and cleared all navigational obstacles required for warp transit. At the bridge's captain's seat, Commander Tarin observed the navigation display on her console while occasionally glancing up to visually verify their position. "Petty officer," she said to the yeoman, Zeror. "Make a note in the ship's log. 'Stardate 69333.8. Docking maneuvers complete. Departing from the system on course for search and rescue operations.' End entry."

"Aye Sir." Jeysa responded, Padd already in hand she entered Tarin's statement into the ships log.

Commander Tarin pulled her PADD from her waist and set it on her thigh. A few finger taps later, she retrieved the coordinates for the first waypoint of the flight plan she'd created for their operation. She quickly transferred them to the Andorian's console at the fore of the bridge. "Helm, confirm coordinates for warp."

Tris brought up the data received, programming them into the navigation, cross referenced with current star charts. “Yes Sir, flight coordinates received and confirmed.” With a couple more changes to the helm, “Plotted and laid in, Captain.” His hand now lingered over the warp controls, waiting for the anticipated instructions.

"Warp 8, on my mark." The captain held her command for several seconds. "Engage."

The warp drive was quickly activated with only a slight touch to the helm. Simultaneously, the starfield on the view screen before them changed. The light of the distant stars began to visually stretch as the ship jumped to warp speed.

Shizn watched as the velocity indicator quickly changed. The numbers increase before him 3 . . 4 . . 5. He looked again at the active sensor readings, cross referenced with their location. He looked again, 7 . . 8. Helm then reported, “Captain, confirming holding at Warp 8.” As he spoke Tris continued check the systems for any issues or concerns, finding none.

Kala kept her eye on the master systems display as the ship manouvered through the system and prepared to jump to warp. These Nova-class vessels were solidly built and she barely noticed any sort of shudder or shake as the ship jumped to warp. Once they were holding at warp 8, she glanced over the core, and the EPS distribution system. "Engineering looks good. Core holding steady, all other systems are nominal."

The center command console between Blake and Tarin's chairs displayed Galileo's engine parameters, deflector shield grid states, and the vessel's structural integrity field status all in real-time. Auxiliary system readouts were also integrated according to their flight operations priority. For now, all indicators showed the Nova-class to be functioning at an optimum level. It was an achievement in itself considering the vessel's extremely brief turnaround time.

"Well done," Morgan complimented the bridge crew. The beginning of their short journey was underway. What they would find at the research station once they arrived, still remained a mystery.

[OFF]

--

CMDR Morgan Tarin
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Saalm]

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo-A

PO1 Goldie Brown
Operations Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Sandoval]

Ensign Mimi
Deputy Operations Manager
USS Galileo-A

PO2 Donald Andrews
Engineering Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Mimi]

PO3 Jeysa Zeror
Captain's Yeoman
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Mimi]

CWO2 Kala Marika
Deputy Chief Engineer
USS Galileo-A

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Second and Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo-A

PO3 John Hollenday
Engineering Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Warraquim]

LTJG Tris Shizn
Helmsman
USS Galileo-A

Nesh Saalm
Sous Chef
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Rice]

PO3 Helliun Inant
Engineering Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Rice]

Laeon Wylde
Civilian
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Blake]

PO2 Leon Inaros
Nurse
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Rice]

EMH Mark X-C "Shirley"
Medical Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Saalm]

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