The dangers of silence
Posted on Tue Mar 12th, 2019 @ 2:03am by Crewman Recruit Kerja Aanyo & Major Charlena Dilucca & Captain Xalanth & Commander Thorrin & Lieutenant JG T'para & Flight Lieutenant Sandy "Ghost" Shannon
1,808 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
[ USS Shanghai] S1E8 Light of the past.
Location: Sector edge.
Timeline: MD001 14:17
" And we have data. The probe is working perfectly." The helmswoman of the Shanghai said as the data showed up on Xalanths screen. The lizard nodded to her as he saved the data and began looking back. " Very good recall the three fighters we have out and prepare to go to warp for the next drop site." He said calmly from the captain's chair though even he would admit after two weeks this was getting to him. He knew this work had to be done, but he was hoping for....
As if the universe had heard him and decided to throw him a bone the helm let out another chirp. " Sir we have an incoming message from New Haven. They're asking us to try hailing Cinepra, There's been no contact with them for two days. " Said the helmswoman.
" Well then let's not keep them waiting open a channel. " The lizard said as he stood up from the captain's chair. " This is captain Xalanth of the USS Shanghai calling Cinepra. Everything okay down there?" He said calmly. Looking to the helmswoman the lizard noticed her frustration even before she turned again. " The channels reaching them sir, but no ones picking up."
" Very well. Bring the ship to yellow alert and set course for Cinepra." The red captain said as he took his seat. His gut was telling him something was very wrong.
Charlena pushed a button on her console as the ship went to yellow alert. She was monitoring long range and short range sensors. Also ships weapons and shields were working in normal parameters. "Ship status, yellow alert, shields and weapons are ready and functioning normal, nothing on sensors, sir." She reported.
"Let's hope we don't need them. Cadet Aanyo what information do we have on Cinepra?" The lizard said turning to the cadet who had been observing the bridge.
Kerja walked to the console next to Kimoni and tapped something in to it. "It's a rather young federation colony of only fifteen years and has a population of a few thousand.
The colony is based out of the remains of a very old civilisations city with the vulcan science acadamey team who are working on the planet believe it's oldest buildings could be over 1 billion years ago.
Who built the city is unknown though from some of the symbols/artwork it's believed to have been a matriarchal society that appears to have wiped themselves out somehow very quickly." She was silent a moment. "There's nothing more in the database, sir." She finally said.
=/\=Shanghai this is Ghost, inbound from patrol. Landing in three minutes.=/\= Opening her com, "Oh ladies, let's go home. Drinks are on me!", Sandy said and banked left heading for the Shanghai.
=/\=Shanghai to Ghost, please land and rearm your fighters. We changing course for Cinepra and we'll need a flight of fighters on standby for immediate launch and two more on standby. =/\= The captain's reply came over the comms channel.
=/\= Ghost to Shanghai, understood=/\= Now there was something afoot and Sandy wasted no time as she and the others landed. Hitting her com badge, "Ghost to Ghost Squads 1 and two, scramble, scramble, this is no drill, Ghost Squadron 1 prepare for sortie. Ghost Squadron 2 remain at readiness station", she barked, climbing from her own fighter and watched as the pilots came jogging for their respective fightets. Fighter maintenance crews were busy servicing the two squadrons and rearming them accordingly. Nodding in approval, she commed the captain, "Captain Ghost Squadrons 1 and 2 are ready and standing by", she said. All this took about 4 minutes to accomplish and that made Sandy proud of her teams.
Xalanth nodded to helm as the helm told him that the fighters were back on board. With that, the ship's engines roared into life and sped towards the planet in question. It would only take a few munites at this speed.
<<<<
Sandy was over seeing the re-arming of the two squadrons when she realized the captain had said one squadron and two more. So now she had to get the third squadron prepped and on the line before they dropped from warp. Ghost Squadron 3 scramble scramble this is not a drill. Report to your fighters and stand ready for launch", Sandy barked. Now the machinery started to roll out the third squadron and a minute later more pilots wete seen jogging to their fighters. She was smiling as she watched the preparations proceed smoothly and efficiently.
About five to ten minutes later, she climbed back into her fighter and did the com checks of all her fighters. Every fighter returned the acknowledging clicks from their coms. "Shannon to bridge, All fighters prepped and on standby, Shannon out", she said and now the wait begins.
" Roger that Shannon as soon as we're out of warp i'll let you know." The captain said as the ship sped towards the system. Hopefully, it would be nothing, but a mechanical issue, but his gut was saying something was very wrong. The ship bumped slightly as it emerged into the system.
"Sir within visual range of the planet. "
" On screen and launch the fighter wing. " the lizard said as he stood up. The planets was covered in what could be seen from the ship appreaed to be a storm that was creeping across the planet.
" Any contact from the planet?" He asked the helm who turned shaking her head. " No sir. The communications grid and defensive satellites have recognized us, but no one appears to be on the other end."
" And we can't beam anyone down due to the storm. Captain Shannon could your fighters give us a closer look?" He asked into the coms.
>>>>>>>>>Fighter Hanger-<<<<<<<<<<
"Launch Ghost flight1! Form up on me once out there!", Sandy said quickly into her com as she slammed the cockpit shut and made for open space. Hearing the Captain, "Ghost Squadron 1 airborne. Will take a gander. Shannon out", she replied. "Ghost 1 lead, form 'V' formation, we're gonna take a look see", she said and banked left as the rest of Ghost Squadron 1 followed.
Both Ghost Squadrons 2 and 3 were up and in standby mode as ordered.
Xalanth said nothing as the three fighters launched and sped towards the planet. The colony was still in the middle of the electrical storm which made even the high powered camera's on the fighters struggled to see through the darkness and rain. Only the flashes of lightning that felt like thor himself was throwing a tantrum was the colony revealed. The massive landing slab was a mess as a small cargo mover had been overturned and thrown into one of the buildings spilling its cargo across the landing platform.
" Well, something happened. Prepare a shuttle we'll send a team to check out the inside of the colony. " The captain said as he stood up before pausing. His duty was on the ship now. " Major Dilucca will you assemble and away team. Take Lieutenant Jexen and lieutenant T'para with you."
"Ghost Leader to captain, looks like a tornado hit the place. Having small problems in maintaing good flight paths. Wind is very strong. Suggest we wait till this wind subsides", Sandy said into her com.
" Captain there's an underground hanger that we could land the shuttle in. " One of the bridge crew called out.
" Okay, we'll try in there. Captain Shannon pull your fighters back and give us a defense perimeter in the system. I don't want anyone sneaking up on us while we work." The liard said from his chair.
"Understood", Shannon said to the captain and then switched com links. "Ghost Leader to Ghost Squadrons 2 and 3 launch. Ghost Squad 2 form protective pattern for Mother, Ghost Squad 3 form up defensive pattern beta for shuttle protection once it is launched", she stated. Getting the customary acknolodgement clicks from each pilot did she head up into a higher altitude with her group.
"Ghost leader to captain, all fighter squads deployed Shannon out", she said making her first scans of surrounding space.
" Very good captain inform me if you see anything." the captain said as he looked over at the turbolift and his departing second officer. " Good luck major Dilucca."
Charlie turned around and saluted. "Thank you, captain," she then disappeared in to the lift.
Thorrin sat in the XO's seat and simply observed all that occurred around him. He still was not exactly sure what he was supposed to be doing. Add to that the fact that he and the Captain had not gotten off on the best of feet in his new role. For now Thorrin made himself useful by reviewing the power outputs and making sure the ship's power grids were operating to full capacity. He could always fall back on his Operations background to give him something to do.
"Commander Thorrin would you make sure we have a second team assembled in case the first one needs help. Take who you need. I'll see if we can get some weather manipulators created to see if we can blunt the storm." The lizard said turning to his first officer.
Sandy was watching her groups as they deployed, she smiled. They were good pilots and rightly so. Watching them move gracefully yet so sure of their jobs made her proud until her hub pinged. The contact was still too far to get an ID on it but it was prudent to watch it.
Xalanth and the bridge crew had noticed it as well. Something was moving towards the system slowly at impulse though it was outside of scanner range. It would take several hours before it was in range, but it still complicated the matter.
Thorrin nodded in response to the Captain's order. He send a message for the appropriate officers to make ready for a possible away mission.
Sandy maintained her scans on the planet and decided that the need to see what that contact was gave her precedent to leave the squadron where they were and do take a look see. Something about this didn't sit well with her and her gut instinct was telling her to go look.
"All squadron leaders keep your eyes and ears open. I am going to take a look. I got a funny feeling on this one", Sandy said. However, something in the back of her mind sent up a red flag and she stayed put. It was the type of feeling that only a veteran pilot would get and she had learned a longtime ago to listen to that little voice.
To be continued!
Commander Xalanth
CO USS Shanghai
Lieutenant Commander Thorrin
XO USS Shanghai
Major Charlena Dilucca
Chief Security/tactical & Second Officer
USS Shanghai
Lieutenant Kimoni Jexen
Chief Science Officer
USS Shanghai
Captain Sandy "Ghots" Shannon
CAG
USS Shanghai
Lieutenant JG T'Para
CMO
USS Shanghai
Cadet officer Kerja Aanyo
Yeoman
USS Shanghai
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