Ensign Meris - Ripples in the Dark
Meris/Brian
(( Cockpit of the Kerynitis ))
It seemed destined that Meris was to have a contentious relationship with Lieutenant Vailani. The J'naii was not entirely sure what they had done, but it seemed they had somehow offended the Lieutenant by presenting them with their review of DS224 Engineer's requested tests. Now, as Meris delayed the shuttle’s departure in order to complete their pre-flight checks, they had the distinct impression they had slighted the Lieutenant again. Everyone had told them to beware of Vailani’s temper, but the J'naii had refused to believe it. Now they had witnessed it themself, and they were sad to say those who had warned them had... perhaps... been right.
Still, Meris knew it mattered little. They would perform to their utmost no matter whom they reported to. Perhaps Lieutenant Vailani would learn to appreciate their input with time. Perhaps they would one day look back on this perceived slight and the two of them would laugh and laugh. Perhaps not. It would not change how Meris undertook their duty to the ship and crew. They had a job to do. If it had to be done in spite of Vailani's ire, then so be it.
K’Wara: The closest coordinate is not too far, but it is right on top of the medical transports that just got sent off. Do not want to risk jostling them.
Vailani: We should start with the farthest-away coordinates first.
Meris: Setting course. ::tapping controls::
The Kerynitis set off into the vast expanse surrounding the massive space station. At the helm, the pilot felt a shift in the atmosphere of the shuttle. They were not empathic, but they got the distinct sense of grave concern from one of their fellow shipmates. Lieutenant Vailani was seated closest to them, and they glanced toward the Bajoran, noting her balled fists. The Operations Chief seemed to notice the J'naii watching and quickly did something with her hands lest Meris observe her further.
Bergmen: Powering impulse from the primary grid to compensate for the reserves’ drain. Ensign, you can accelerate for another 0.023 impulse, or we can use the excess to replenish reserve energy. Reserves are at niner six point eight percent.
The pilot considered the input from Bergmen, seated behind them. They were not in a hurry to get anywhere, so the additional impulse power did not seem necessary. At the same time, maintaining proper reserves could mean the difference between life and death in a critical situation, even if their onboard storage was only down 3.2 percent.
Meris: Thank you, Lieutenant Bergmen. Please divert excess energy to the reserves.
K’Wara: =/\= Medical Transport Athanas, this is the Kerynitis. We will be passing overhead in a moment. Subspace drifts abound, suggest strengthening dampeners just in case. =/\=
Athanas Pilot: =/\= Roger that, Kerynitis. Strengthening dampeners. =/\=
K’Wara: Chief Vailani, I have requested system maps of all previously logged instances of subspace drift for comparison from the Science Center.
Vailani: Good thinking. Send them to my station when you receive them. I can run the comparison and overlay our findings - we can even create a time-lapse simulation.
Meris: I will maintain standard separation from the Athanas.
The J'naii sat forward and looked out the port cockpit window to see if they could visually detect the Athanas. It was unlikely, given the dark of space, but perhaps they would spot the craft’s running lights. Scanning the inky blackness, however, they saw nothing. It was not unusual to have trouble picking out another craft visually, as they rarely came within sight of one another. But it was still good practice to at least try when the opportunity arose. Overreliance on automation had caused the loss of more than a few vessels and their crews over the years.
Bergmen: Do we plan just the scan of those distortions, ma’am, or will we take some particle samples as well?
Vailani: Once we complete a scan and there are no anomalies, it may be a good opportunity to test the transporters and put our sample-collecting protocols into practice.
The pilot listened. They were not thrilled with the idea of bringing samples aboard, but they did not voice any concern. So long as proper safeguards were taken, and the risk was determined to be low ahead of time, there should be no cause for alarm.
K’Wara: The medical transports will be out of the system in approximately four minutes, Chief. Recommend non-invasive scans of the distortions only until then.
Beside Meris, Vailani took a deep breath, and the pilot found themself wondering if Lieutenant Vailani had been meditating. Perhaps they could invite the Lieutenant to participate in Sha'rel with them - the J'naii martial art they had been practicing in their quarters when summoned. It promoted flowing balance and unity of movement, similar to human tai chi. Meris could not help but think that perhaps Vailani Zoyara might benefit from it, given their seemingly volatile nature described by nearly every member of the crew Meris had encountered since coming aboard.
Vailani: Agree, Lieutenant. We can begin with long-range sensor sweeps. That should let us know the scale and density of the subspace distortion. Once the Athanas has cleared safely, switch to narrow-band scanners combined with multispectral sweeps.
Meris turned to their left to monitor the progress of the Athanas as it left the system.
Bergmen: Response
K’Wara: Understood. I will get the tactical sensors mapping any potential subspace fault lines.
Vailani: Good thinking. We do not want to run into one of those.
Bergmen: Response
K’Wara: =/\= Medical Transport Athanas, you have crossed the system border. Peaceful stars light your path. =/\=
Athanas Pilot: =/\= Fair winds, Kerynitis. Athanas out. =/\=
K’Wara: We are clear, sir.
The J'naii pilot turned to face forward once again. They were glad the medical transports had left the system. It was one less thing to concern themselves with. Idly, as they closed on the distortion, the pilot checked for any other localized traffic but found none.
Vailani: That is unusual.
Zoyara enlarged a portion of the scan results.
Beside her, Meris saw what the Lieutenant was pointing out. Tapping a few buttons on their console, they copied the image to the Kerynitis’ main viewscreen so everyone could see what was being discussed.
Vailani: There were supposed to be several distortion drifts in this region.
Meris: Could they have naturally dissipated?
K’Wara/Bergmen: Response.
Vailani: Do we have the previous scans for comparison yet?
Meris checked the communication log and saw the incoming telemetry from Deep Space 224.
Meris: Yes, Lieutenant. I will display it for you now.
The J'naii pulled it up on the main viewscreen. It limited their visual view but did not entirely obstruct it, as the side portions of the viewscreen remained clear.
K’Wara/Bergmen: Response.
As the shuttle approached the vector in space, a rumble passed through the craft ever so slightly. Meris' eyes immediately went to the navigational sensors with concern. But a heartbeat later they relaxed slightly.
Meris: A minor pocket of subspace turbulence.
The pilot began to reduce power to the impulse thrusters to improve the craft’s stability and control.
Vailani: Keep us nice and steady, Ensign. A slight reduction in power from the impulse thrusters will help with control. What is the multispectral scan telling us, Lieutenant Bergmen?
Meris: Aye sir.
Bergmen: Response.
Meris: Lieutenant Vailani, I recommend we adjust our course to orbit the distortion rather than close on it. Subspace turbulence may increase as we get closer, and all that we observe, we change. An orbital path will allow our sensor strength to impact the distortion uniformly, as opposed to an approaching path which would increase our sensor strength as we close.
K’Wara/Vailani: Response.
(( Tags/TBC ))
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Ensign Meris
Helm Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240207M14