Ensign Meris - The Path of New Hope
Meris/Brian
(( Bridge - Deck 1, USS Artemis-A ))
Meris could see the strain in Luirétt as they spoke, each word heavy with the shock that their own people’s Matriarchs had chosen violence. Storm and Captain Munro’s exchange made it clear the Boraxians would return - and likely not alone. When Luirétt was invited to the bridge, Meris sensed their fear beneath the composure and silently hoped the conflict might end without more bloodshed.
Meris: ::with an inviting hand gesture:: Why don’t you sit, Luirétt.
Luirétt nodded slowly and offered the J'naii pilot a smile as they took the seat at Mission Ops.
Luirétt: Thank you, Ensign Meris, that’s very kind of you...
Standing beside Luirétt, one hand resting on the bridge railing and the other on the back of their chair, Meris began with questions meant to trace the path they had taken to reach the Artemis.
Meris: Now then, can you provide the spatial grid coordinates where you last encountered the Boraxians?
The Boraxian appeared perplexed by the question.
Luirétt: Spatial- ::looks at the console:: I’m sorry, Ensign, but I’m not sure... It all happened so fast.
The J'naii pursed their lips, realizing they’d need to simplify their approach.
Meris: Computer, monitor and analyze audio input from Luirétt and myself. Use the data we provide to extrapolate a possible historical course for the vessel currently in close proximity to the USS Artemis. Label this vessel as the ‘New Hope’.
The computer chirped its acknowledgement.
Meris: ::to Luirétt:: Can you tell me approximately when the encounter occurred?
Luirétt: A couple of hours ago? ::thinks:: Yes, it’s not been too long.
Meris was a little surprised by the answer.
Meris: And do you know at what warp factor you’ve been traveling since then?
Luirétt shook their head.
Luirétt: We tried jumping to warp after the Cityship shot at us, but that triggered a lot of malfunctions - every deck reporting faults at once. We managed to jump to a nearby star system, but not far. After that, it was impulse only...
Meris: And how did you instruct your ship to head for this area of space? What instruction did you give?
A darker hue appeared near the breathing holes along Luirétt’s temples - what Meris guessed was the Boraxian equivalent of a blush.
Luirétt: I-I’m sorry, Ensign, but I don’t remember. We were panicking, we’ve never been shot at before, and we certainly never anticipated that from our own people... We just wanted to get out of there.
Meris leaned forward, softening their voice.
Meris: Can I tell you a secret? I’ve never been shot at either. This is my first mission aboard the Artemis. I’ve done all the training, but I’m sure I’ll feel much the same as you do when it finally happens.
They hoped the admission might reassure Luirétt, but the Boraxian’s attention had already shifted to the viewscreen. Meris followed their gaze toward the damaged colony vessel.
Luirétt: Our ship... It is, uhh, ‘injured’, isn’t it? ::gesturing uncertainly:: When we soothe our fellow Boraxians, we follow the hurt and fear to its origin and use our connection with our people to dampen the source. Is there a trail of some sort, left by our ship’s injuries, that we could follow?
Meris brightened at the idea.
Meris: ::with a faint smile:: Luirétt, you’re better at this than you think.
Luirétt: Is that good?
Meris: It’s excellent. Computer, analyze viewscreen grid section L-47. Identify vessel component and material being expelled.
Computer: ::dutifully:: Analyzing grid section. Component is a Theta-band subspace transceiver. Material is theta radiation.
Meris: Scan local space for theta radiation and display a two-dimensional view at Mission Ops.
The console lit up, first showing only the Artemis and New Hope. The image zoomed out across the star system, revealing a trail of theta radiation stretching from the colony ship to the system’s edge.
Meris: There you go, Luirétt. There’s your trail...
Luirétt: Response.
Meris: Computer, tie in long-range sensors and extend the trail to the most likely star system of origin.
Computer: Working...
The image expanded again, the path widening and fading as the signal weakened, pointing to three possible systems where the Yurum had first dropped from warp.
Meris: The system that the New Hope jumped to - what color was the star?
Luirétt: Response.
Meris turned to them with a hint of triumph.
Meris: I know where you came from. ::to Munro:: Captain, I believe we have it.
Luirétt: Response.
(( OOC: We’ll reintegrate with the bridge sim here. ))
(( Tags/TBC ))
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Ensign Meris
Helm Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240207M14