Lt. Varik - Hot Patootie, Bless My Soul, I Really Hate Those Rocks and Rolls
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Varik
Jun 30, 2026, 9:27:30 PM (2 days ago) Jun 30
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(( Bridge, Deck 1, USS Tizona ))
The ship was on its approach to the surface when a question arose from the bridge crew.
Zalix: Why a sword?
Nilsen: It’s the name of the ship, it’s a type of sword. He loves his theatre studies expect more Shakespeare from him.
Varik: Keep communications clear.
He spoke evenly but without admonishment. They were entering a critical phase of the descent and as a pilot, he knew the importance of maintaining a sterile flight deck.
But also...
oO Who's Shakespeare? Oo
Zalix: Apologies. Perhaps you… could tell me later.
Nilsen: He runs a tight ship. Inertial dampeners at 75%; they’re keeping us steady. We’re on the glude trajetory, aleterude, 120,000 kliomenter, speed 10000 kph,
He checked the command chair console to confirm the readings from the helm. The descent was going well.
Varik: Confirmed.
Zalix: Crosswind shear developing off the port quarter. Fifteen seconds. The first turbulence cell will push us hard to port before the downdraft stabilizes.
Nilsen: Compensating. Bringing the nose five degrees to starboard.
Varik: Deviation from flight path is now nominal.
Every captain had their own style of command. Some micromanaged, some were hands off, others offered advice in every situation. Varik was a stern taskmaster who demanded professionalism as the operations department was fast learning, but he trusted the expertise of those under his command to perform their duties. Correction, when warranted, was given in private and never in a manner that demeaned or belittled.
That said, when the surge of energy hit the ship, Varik suppressed his irritation. The operations department aboard the Tizona was holographically generated, as was the ensign assigned to the console, and it took considerable composure not to intervene and make the adjustments himself. Holodeck programs did not create perfect crewmembers. They simulated the full range of proficiency and experience, flaws included. The ensign had failed to catch the coming surge, one Varik had been monitoring closely. Fortunately, Lieutenant Zalix caught it as well before the ensign's programmed ineptitude could cause them harm and before Varik had to make the corrections himself.
Nilsen: Twenty kilometres to the landing site; we should be able to see it now.
Zalix: Try to put us down as far North as possible to comfortably avoid clipping the lake.
On the command chair console, Varik indicated on the map a small clearing near but not on the lake.
Varik: There, Commander.
Nilsen: Landing struts down and locked.
A moment later, the ship settled onto the surface as the landing struts cushioned the initial touchdown.
Varik: Solid contact.
Nilsen: Disengaging engines, circuiting thruster exhausts ::the ship gives one final clump:: and we’re down.
Varik did not lean back in his chair as ship systems began to idle. He ran though the mental checklist for the ship after a planetary landing and was pleased to find the crew, both live and simulated, quickly completing the necessary checks.
Nilsen: Heh, not bad for someone picking the easy option.
The acting captain stood up from the command seat and tugged down on his uniform to fix the creases.
Varik: You clipped a branch on final but the landing was acceptable for senior command.
Again, the words were delivered with such a dry tone that the slight emphasis on senior was nearly imperceptible, as was the humor.
The Rekarian followed Zalix's gaze towards the viewport, now noticing the unexpected structure in the distance. Nothing on any maps indicated there should be structures here which only added to the mystery and possibility that they were getting close to answers. Such things had a way of being connected.
Varik: Lieutenant, what are we looking at?
Zalix: That’s not the colony.
He stepped over to the science station and watched as the lieutenant ran a full scan on the structure. He reviewed the sensor data as it began to stream in.
Varik: No signs of life. It appears abandoned.
Nilsen: Response
Zalix: Aside from the fact there’s no one home… It has a similar structure and layout, but it’s smaller - like someone built a model. It doesn’t descend into the ground like the real thing either. It’s more like someone put this in front of the cave system as a sort of frontage. Perhaps a living and work space.
Varik: Interesting. (beat) Were there any permits or construction orders filed in the colony records?
He eyed another console on the wall where a clock was tracking how much time they had left: 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Nilsen: Response
Zalix: Unclear. All I can say for sure is - there are no official records marking or referring to this site.
Varik: Then we begin our investigation there. Alright, suit up.
He was already stepping towards the turbolift as the relief holograms took over duty stations on the bridge. Varik waited for the others in the turbolift before calling it down to the shuttle bay where both away equipment and an Argo-type dune buggy awaited them.
Nilsen: Response
(( Surface, Calsa 3 ))
The shuttle bay's lower level configuration required a clean departure for the buggy -- more of a launch really -- without the aid of a ramp. Transporters remained an option, but given the interference already documented on the surface, he saw no reason to test them unnecessarily. The role of pilot and driver fell to Lhandon again by necessity. He would have assigned it to Lieutenant Zalix, but her scanning capabilities were more valuable to him than her hands on the controls as they closed on the structure. Instead, she took the forward seat while Varik settled into the middle position in the rear, content to let the commander fly and the lieutenant watch.
With all three in their survival gear and protective eye coverings, all that was needed was for someone to queue up What Is Love by Haddaway on the sound system.
Varik: (shouting over the sound of the engine) Take us directly there, Commander. There is no time to delay. (to Zalix) Can you detect any defensive emplacements or security apparatus?
Nilsen/Zalix: Response
He winced as they went over a particularly rough patch, the backseat taking the brunt of the impact as he felt cheeks leave the seat and promptly collapse back down onto it.
Varik: (shouting) Are you aiming for the rocks, Commander?
Nilsen/Zalix: Response
As if to make a point, the buggy again went over a rough patch causing the Rekarian to again rise and fall back into his seat. He hoped his unamused expression was visible in the rearview mirror.
Varik: (muttering to self) I hope your retirement home has cobblestone walkways.
Nilsen/Zalix: Response
The ship was on its approach to the surface when a question arose from the bridge crew.
Zalix: Why a sword?
Nilsen: It’s the name of the ship, it’s a type of sword. He loves his theatre studies expect more Shakespeare from him.
Varik: Keep communications clear.
He spoke evenly but without admonishment. They were entering a critical phase of the descent and as a pilot, he knew the importance of maintaining a sterile flight deck.
But also...
oO Who's Shakespeare? Oo
Zalix: Apologies. Perhaps you… could tell me later.
Nilsen: He runs a tight ship. Inertial dampeners at 75%; they’re keeping us steady. We’re on the glude trajetory, aleterude, 120,000 kliomenter, speed 10000 kph,
He checked the command chair console to confirm the readings from the helm. The descent was going well.
Varik: Confirmed.
Zalix: Crosswind shear developing off the port quarter. Fifteen seconds. The first turbulence cell will push us hard to port before the downdraft stabilizes.
Nilsen: Compensating. Bringing the nose five degrees to starboard.
Varik: Deviation from flight path is now nominal.
Every captain had their own style of command. Some micromanaged, some were hands off, others offered advice in every situation. Varik was a stern taskmaster who demanded professionalism as the operations department was fast learning, but he trusted the expertise of those under his command to perform their duties. Correction, when warranted, was given in private and never in a manner that demeaned or belittled.
That said, when the surge of energy hit the ship, Varik suppressed his irritation. The operations department aboard the Tizona was holographically generated, as was the ensign assigned to the console, and it took considerable composure not to intervene and make the adjustments himself. Holodeck programs did not create perfect crewmembers. They simulated the full range of proficiency and experience, flaws included. The ensign had failed to catch the coming surge, one Varik had been monitoring closely. Fortunately, Lieutenant Zalix caught it as well before the ensign's programmed ineptitude could cause them harm and before Varik had to make the corrections himself.
Nilsen: Twenty kilometres to the landing site; we should be able to see it now.
Zalix: Try to put us down as far North as possible to comfortably avoid clipping the lake.
On the command chair console, Varik indicated on the map a small clearing near but not on the lake.
Varik: There, Commander.
Nilsen: Landing struts down and locked.
A moment later, the ship settled onto the surface as the landing struts cushioned the initial touchdown.
Varik: Solid contact.
Nilsen: Disengaging engines, circuiting thruster exhausts ::the ship gives one final clump:: and we’re down.
Varik did not lean back in his chair as ship systems began to idle. He ran though the mental checklist for the ship after a planetary landing and was pleased to find the crew, both live and simulated, quickly completing the necessary checks.
Nilsen: Heh, not bad for someone picking the easy option.
The acting captain stood up from the command seat and tugged down on his uniform to fix the creases.
Varik: You clipped a branch on final but the landing was acceptable for senior command.
Again, the words were delivered with such a dry tone that the slight emphasis on senior was nearly imperceptible, as was the humor.
The Rekarian followed Zalix's gaze towards the viewport, now noticing the unexpected structure in the distance. Nothing on any maps indicated there should be structures here which only added to the mystery and possibility that they were getting close to answers. Such things had a way of being connected.
Varik: Lieutenant, what are we looking at?
Zalix: That’s not the colony.
He stepped over to the science station and watched as the lieutenant ran a full scan on the structure. He reviewed the sensor data as it began to stream in.
Varik: No signs of life. It appears abandoned.
Nilsen: Response
Zalix: Aside from the fact there’s no one home… It has a similar structure and layout, but it’s smaller - like someone built a model. It doesn’t descend into the ground like the real thing either. It’s more like someone put this in front of the cave system as a sort of frontage. Perhaps a living and work space.
Varik: Interesting. (beat) Were there any permits or construction orders filed in the colony records?
He eyed another console on the wall where a clock was tracking how much time they had left: 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Nilsen: Response
Zalix: Unclear. All I can say for sure is - there are no official records marking or referring to this site.
Varik: Then we begin our investigation there. Alright, suit up.
He was already stepping towards the turbolift as the relief holograms took over duty stations on the bridge. Varik waited for the others in the turbolift before calling it down to the shuttle bay where both away equipment and an Argo-type dune buggy awaited them.
Nilsen: Response
(( Surface, Calsa 3 ))
The shuttle bay's lower level configuration required a clean departure for the buggy -- more of a launch really -- without the aid of a ramp. Transporters remained an option, but given the interference already documented on the surface, he saw no reason to test them unnecessarily. The role of pilot and driver fell to Lhandon again by necessity. He would have assigned it to Lieutenant Zalix, but her scanning capabilities were more valuable to him than her hands on the controls as they closed on the structure. Instead, she took the forward seat while Varik settled into the middle position in the rear, content to let the commander fly and the lieutenant watch.
With all three in their survival gear and protective eye coverings, all that was needed was for someone to queue up What Is Love by Haddaway on the sound system.
Varik: (shouting over the sound of the engine) Take us directly there, Commander. There is no time to delay. (to Zalix) Can you detect any defensive emplacements or security apparatus?
Nilsen/Zalix: Response
He winced as they went over a particularly rough patch, the backseat taking the brunt of the impact as he felt cheeks leave the seat and promptly collapse back down onto it.
Varik: (shouting) Are you aiming for the rocks, Commander?
Nilsen/Zalix: Response
As if to make a point, the buggy again went over a rough patch causing the Rekarian to again rise and fall back into his seat. He hoped his unamused expression was visible in the rearview mirror.
Varik: (muttering to self) I hope your retirement home has cobblestone walkways.
Nilsen/Zalix: Response
[TAGS/TBC]
--
Lieutenant Varik
Chief of Operations
USS Octavia E. Butler
A239709VR0
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