LT Gila Sadar - Giving the Kids Something to Do before they Destroy the Backseat

[LT Gila Sadar]

(( Cockpit of the USS Galaktoboureko - Deck 11, Main Shuttlebay, USS Artemis-A ))

Gila wondered how she kept getting into these situations. She wasn’t even the ranking officer on this trip, with both Sil-net, Vai-net and Assistant Chief Morgan accompanying them, and thus making her just one of four ranking officers, and yet she was still considered the go-to for decisions? Never mind the fact that all three of the other Lieutenants literally had CHIEF in their title, and yet she was supposed to be briefing the others on the contents of their mission!?

No matter which way the Wheel turned, it seemed she was predestined to be punished at every moment. At least this time she didn’t have any temperamental Ensigns who got on each others nerves

Silveira: A type eleven I only flew… Once. But they say it’s like riding a bike.

Gnai: A bike…?

Vailani: A pedal-driven single track vehicle. :: sighs :: Hardly an assuring comparison. 

oO Never mind Oo

Sil-net showed himself from his most lax and forgiving side as he just laughed at Vai-net’s barb, but whereas Gila had learned to accept the often illogical and downright concerning degree of nonchalance with which Sil-net carried himself, her temperamental Bajoran friend had not. So, when Vai-net’s response to Sil-net’s behaviour was wide eyes and a slack jaw, Gila could do nothing more than smile hesitantly.

Sadar: ::mouths:: Let it go.

Silveira: The expedition leader is Doctor Sadar, any complaints should be addressed to her.

That comment caused a look from Gila that could almost be considered a stink eye.

oO Don’t make me take targeting testing off the table Oo

Gila wasn’t sure whether Ensign Imril too could catch up on the tension that 

Imril: Doctor, a question not a complaint. You said you’re planning to pick up biological samples. How are we set up for storing them?

Morgan: We’ve got stasis containers that should allow us to transport the samples safely back to the ship.

Sadar: Assistant Chief Morgan is correct. I have the medical transporters set up to beam the samples directly into a small containment unit in the cargo bay. I have verified with Engineering that the transporters and the sensors will be working in tandem to ensure both sample integrity and advanced matter-separation.

Imril: And how are you planning to test the targeting array?

Silveira: We can always work on those details as we go. You all know how I like to improvise.

Frankly, Gila didn’t know much about the weapons systems side of things, so she was keeping conspicuously quiet at this time, but then Lieutenant Gnai posed a question to the group.

Gnai: Will the interference from the stellar radiation be of any concern with the testing? Or will that be determined in situ?

Sadar: Well, that’s one of the mysteries of our trip. The radiation is studied, but the hope is that these new sensors will help us learn more about it. ::twists anxiety ring once:: So, to be determined?

Vailani: We'll need to adapt the shield resonance manually to compensate for the anomalous radiation.

Gila was thankful to have Vai-net with them for the mission. She knew that she could count on the majority of the shuttle’s complement to have an excellent work ethic, but in terms of her ending up in the unenviable position of ‘de facto decision maker’ again, Gila was thankful to have her there.

Vai-net had always been extremely helpful with taking over when Gila got overwhelmed.

Gnai: And… The study of the star, is that still set to proceed?

Belatedly, Gila realized that the lack of clarification from her had caused Lieutenant Gnai to fear that its own research wasn’t being prioritized, and she rushed to assuage its fears.

Sadar: Absolutely. Sorry, there’s, uhh, a lot for us to do.

Silveira: Cool, that means we all have something to work on.

Imril: Response

Lietuenant Gnai’s tendrils flashed in a familiar fashion, indicating a relief of tension (likely emotional, given its prior social cues). 

Gnai: Thank you, sir. That’s the primary reason this decided to volunteer for this survey in the first place. It’s what this specialized in, at the Academy.

Morgan: Hopefully this mission doesn’t disappoint, then!

Sadar: ::anxious whisper:: Hopefully. ::clears throat:: Well, this should be all of us. ::looks to Imril:: Ensign, the sensors looking ready for their test run?

Imril: Response

Gripped by the excitement of getting underway, Vai-net even forgot to glower at Sil-net long enough to focus on the launch sequence.

Vailani: :: eager :: Systems are a go for launch. Ready when you are Lieutenant. 

Silveira: Thank you Lieutenant. ::he turned to Imril with a smile:: I assume the Engineering department is ready. :: Then he winked at Sada,Gnai and Morgan.:: Buckle up and get the sensors ready. 

Gnai: Response

The shuttle doors closed as everyone got into the launch sequences, preparing the Galaktoboureko for its voyage. It would be two weeks before they returned to the Artemis, but Gila was banking on it being an intellectually lucrative trip.

Vailani: The bridge has cleared us for launch, Lieutenant. 

Morgan: You heard her, Vitor. Let’s get this show on the road.

Despite Gila’s complete faith in Sil-net’s ability to pull a win out of the smallest hat in existence, she couldn’t resist a slight glower.

Sadar: ::to Sil-net:: If you even scratch the Artemis, you’re the one who gets to explain it to the Captain.

And then, the shuttle was away. Thankfully without causing any undue damage to their Captain’s precious vessel, or Gila truly didn’t know how she’d be able to face her commanding officer upon their safe return in two weeks’ time.

Silveira: Here we go, opening sails.

Vailani/Imril/Morgan/Gnai: Response

Gila couldn’t help a wistful look backwards, knowing this was going it would be a while until she saw the Artemis again. Kolya would be fine - she knew who to go to in case of emergencies - but she still couldn’t help a touch of homesickness, which was a new sensation for her.

But, she supposed this was what having someone waiting for you did to you.

Silveira: Alright everyone this is your pilot speaking, keep your seatbelts fastened until further notice, and enjoy the ride. 

Vailani/Imril/Morgan/Gnai: Response

Soon, the shuttle had reached the true departure coordinates, where it would not longer have any interfering effects from the Artemis’ own warp bubble, and Sil-net looked towards her with a characteristic expression on his face.

She nodded in response.

Sadar: Sil-net, Warp 5 to the Laoi system, please.

Silveira: Get ready to warp.

Vailani/Imril: Response

Morgan/Gnai: Response

She only hoped tempers wouldn’t get too high in transit.

((( Time Skip: One week later )))

(( In Space - Laoi System, Minos Korva Sector, Alpha Quadrant ))

No matter how close friends, when trapped together in an enclosed space with the overpowering vacuum of space on all sides, any individual would start feeling a bit stir crazy. And, as Gila had already realized during their ride to DS9 half a year ago, Vai-net did very poorly when she was stir crazy.

Vailani/Silveira: Response

Morgan/Gnai/Imril: Response

Gila physically interposed herself in the line of sight between Vai-net and their jovial pilot as they entered the Laoi System. Finally, they’d have some proper work to focus on.

Sadar: ::forced excitement:: Okay! It’s time to get our testing underway! ::to Ensign Imril:: How’s the data on the solar radiation coming in, Ensign? Are the sensors working to parameters?

Vailani/Silveira: Response

Morgan/Gnai/Imril: Response

TAG/TBC

LT Gila Sadar

Medical Officer

USS Artemis-A

A240006GS1