[sb118-artemis] Ensign Tho'Bi - Dogs of War Part 1

[Tobi]

((OOC: Part one of Two))

(( Transporter Room 1, Deck 4, USS Artemis-A ))

The Andorian’s antennae trembled ever so slightly to the static fizz and low hum of the transporter pads.  He was wearing heavy boots and a field jacket; rucksack with Engineering kit, including portable power supply, and assorted away mission supplies, on his back; and a utility belt, with Engineering Tricorder, plus necessary additional modules for this mission, and a Microstructural Scanner.  The belt had a few extra pouches left for additional kit and, if needs be, a phaser. 

  

Preparation was very much the subject of conversation that moved around the gathered Starfleet Personnel; and it was the Mizarian Lieutenant, who spoke next.

Sadar: I-I’ve read up on what sparse information we have on Galaris IV while preparing the medkits. In almost all aspects, it’s a standard Class M world, with the one caveat that its oxygen concentration is thinner than average. It’s nothing that should prove hazardous to our health, b-but I wouldn’t recommend strenuous exercise while planetside.

Gnai: This will be fine, at least!

The Andorian Ensign paused for a moment, before speaking; would his suggestion be taken as an insult?  He hoped not.  It was, afterall, logical, given the relative strengths of the assembled species; with the exception of Lieutenant Gnai, the Andorian Engineer did not know the load bearing profile of the Galadoran’s suit. 

Tho’Bi:  ::looks around the group:: I-I can carry a little extra weight (beat) not sa-saying anyone n-needs me to ::looks at deck:: but (beat) ::swallows and looks up:: if it’s helpful ::shrugs::

Dakora: Responses

Vailani: :: unsure :: Everyone should check they have everything they need. We may be on the surface for some time and the Grunden don't have replicators.

Sadar: Y-Yes Vai-net...

Gnai: Are there any other final preparations to be done before beam-down? This is ready to go…!

The Andorian felt a little foolish saying it out loud; he worried he might have missed something in the briefing, or as they walked across the bridge.

Tho'Bi:  Erm… Are we erm (beat) ::tilts head one way, then other:: ta-taking phasers? 

Dakora: Response

The swoosh of the Transporter Room door opening cut through the conversation; dressed in the gold of the Operations Division, a young female humanoid stepped into the room.  The Andorian did not recognise his fellow Ensign; but was unsure, as to whether the Ensign was a new recruit like himself, or a member of the crew, he simply hadn’t met yet.  

(( OOC: As Michelle/Gila Sadar has already noted; Welcome to the USS Artemis-A, Ensign Natasha Cole! She’ll be joining our Away Team as Security Officer.))

Cole: Response

Sadar: Oh, uhh... ::mentally runs through recent transfer orders for name:: W-Welcome Ensign Cole. N-No, you’re, uhh... R-Right on time.

Guessing from Lieutenant Sadar’s reaction, the Andorian Ensign figured Ensign Cole must be a new recruit like himself.  He took a deep breath and steadied himself.

Tho’Bi: ::nodding to acknowledge Cole::  Ensign Tho’Bi (beat) Engineering.

Dakora/Cole: Response

Transporter Chief: Sirs, there's been a last minute alteration to the beam down location. General Kexxin has requested you meet him at the Grunden Base Camp before you go to the city?

Vailani: :: under her breath :: Typical military… 

Sadar: B-B-Base Camp!? ::blinks:: A-As in... The front line?

The Andorian’s antennae twitched.  The shifting layers of vibrations shimmered and became more energetic around him, but he felt a calm well up from deep inside him; like salt water bubbling up from a shaft cut through drift ice.

Cole/Dakora/Gnai: Response

(( Grunden Base Camp - Kydon )) 

Molecular imaging scanners shuddered into life; transmission of image patterns shunted to pattern buffer; verification and synchronization achieved; target locked; annular confinement beam begins phase transit to target; ground-level compensation factored into trajectory; pattern buffer propagates matter along emission vector; dematerialization sequence verified; superconducting tokamak switch down to stand by.

A light breeze caught the Andorian’s antennae.  His deep blue eyes blinked as he looked up at the blue skies, broken up by strings of clouds, and plumes of black smoke.  An acrid dose spat across the top of his tongue; those black, shifting shadows that cut through the horizon were close, as evidenced by their terrible bitter after taste.  The dull flap of heavy canvas in the breeze drew his attention to the surrounding assortment of tents and make-shift shelters.   The Engineering Ensign looked up and inspected the odd structure above them; it appeared to be built to blend into the natural canopy of the trees, growing on all sides of the base camp.  It was smart, organic Engineering; reflecting the nature around them.    

Vailani: So far so good. This is a well organised base camp :: nods to the holo rocks :: And well defended. 

Sadar: Tents... ::considers:: M-Maybe a strategy to circumvent resource dwindling? If the Kobyar’s air superiority is as pronounced as the brief suggests, more permanent base camps might, uhh... N-Not be a good idea.

The Andorian sensed the odd vibrational harmonics of the holographic rocks; too regular to be natural, but within them, a more familiar rhythm.

Tho’Bi: ::quietly to Dakora:: Sir, ::nods in direction of some of the holo-rocks:: I’m sensing heartbeats within those holographic rocks (beat) probably Grunden.  

Cole/Dakora/Gnai/: Response

Before he had realised it, the Andorian snapped into focus on the heavy pad and impact of stocky humanoids walking toward them; with the apparent task of escorting them, a pair of Grunden Officers strode up to the small group of Starfleet personnel. 

Vailani: I guess we're going that way. 

Tho’Bi: ::nodded::

Cole/Dakora/Gnai: Response

The Andorian glanced across at Lieutenant Sadar; and a somewhat pained expression on her face, as though she were suppressing the reflex to retch.   Suddenly, the Mizarian Lieutenant turned, and looked behind her.  The Engineering Ensign felt an uncomfortable tremor travel, from his antennae, down his spine, though he knew not why.  

TAGS/TBC

((OOC: Split this into two parts, because wow!  This Sim is getting so long, if they make the movie, they’ll have to get Peter Jackson to direct.))

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Ensign Tho’Bi

Engineering

USS Artemis-A

A240203T11