Ensign Varik - All Zet to Engage
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Varik
Sep 11, 2025, 10:34:53 AM (4 days ago) Sep 11
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(( Deck 5, Shuttle Bay, USS Octavia E. Butler ))
The alarm that sounded returned Varik to the moment, his mind having wandered slightly in contemplation of who and what was involved in the mystery they had walked into.
Lahl: We should probably get back to the bridge?
The Rekarian glanced down at the tracking device in his hand -- still warm to the touch -- and nodded. Analysis would have to wait.
Varik: Right behind you, Lieutenant.
(( Bridge, Deck 1, USS Octavia E. Butler ))
From the turbolift, Varik strode quickly across the Butler's bridge to take his seat at the helm. For the moment it was a limited group and he would be taking up additional duties as needed. It was no issue for him. He was used to juggling multiple roles and enjoyed the challenge.
Lahl: Lieutenant Ojotha, report?
Ojotha: The probe just sent back that the mercenary ship is on the move.
Jer-Legrand: Course and heading?
As the sensor data filled the helm display, Varik absorbed the information with a quiet confidence. The silhouette of the mercenary vessel emerged from the sensor noise of the star's photosphere, its course appearing with a dashed line across his console. It was a shallow vector and one that suggested they were not making a rash decision nor acting in haste. Moreso it was one of a skilled chess player seeing an opportunity and taking advantage.
Varik: Current trajectory is one-one-five mark four, relative to the star’s equator. They are remaining just outside the densest radiation pockets, keeping the star between us and their bow.
oO Smart. Oo
Lahl: So, based on the data we have, what’s the ship’s likeliest target?
Jer-Legrand: I think it is us. The trajectory, the device Varik's interested in, the scorch marks all point in our direction.
The Rekarian spared a glance towards the device, resting on the edge of the panel. Additional scans confirmed the device was inactive. Triple-checked, in fact, that it was not emitting or receiving data. It likely did not need to. It might have captured enough just being tractor beamed into the Butler.
Varik: I concur with the lieutenant. Course projections all suggest the vessel is setting an intercept course with the Butler or a closer proximity to the planet. Either way, it is heading in our direction.
Ojotha: Response
Jer-Legrand: Given the circumstances, regulations state a yellow alert. What are your orders, Lieutenant?
Varik waited with anticipation, hands hovering over the console controls that would dictate where the ship, if anywhere, would go. He continued to monitor the path of the mercenary vessel.
Varik: Vessel is maintaining course.
Lahl/Ojotha: Responses
Jer-Legrand: Ojotha, see if you can use the probe to get an analysis of the incoming vessel, and Varik, I need not say this, but do be ready to react.
Were it not a serious situation he might have offered a dry quip but thought better of it. Though the temptation was there to at least mentally manifest a 'No Shit', several factors overpowered the urge. Jer-Legrand was a superior officer and he was but an ensign. There was also the fact that it was typically not advisable to 'No Shit' your boss, especially when you were still the new kid on the block. Instead, he just followed orders and replied with professionalism.
Varik: Yes, sir.
Lahl/Ojotha: Responses
Though the vessel was maintaining speed, it was closing the distance quickly. Varik maintained the Butler's position near the planet and by proxy, the away team and besieged archaeologists. A barrier should it intend to interfere with whatever was happening below.
oO What even was happening below? Oo
Varik: They are altering course. Course projections suggest the planet is their intended target now.
Of course, they were in close proximity to the planet so that intended target could still also include them. In either case, they would be in weapons range soon barring any additional course corrections from their mysterious guests.
Jer-Legrand/Lahl/Ojotha: Responses
Varik: Yes, sir.
Once the command was issued, Varik did not hesitate. The controls might still not feel familiar, but the maneuvers were, and soon the Butler was in motion, turning on its axis to present bow shields towards the incoming vessel. The thruster-assisted positioning put the Starfleet vessel between the planet and the incoming ship. Though he did not have many ships to compare it to, the Butler maneuvered well for a ship its size. Very well.
Varik: We are in position. Their vector will put them in weapons range in less than three minutes.
Jer-Legrand/Lahl/Ojotha: Responses
The alarm that sounded returned Varik to the moment, his mind having wandered slightly in contemplation of who and what was involved in the mystery they had walked into.
Lahl: We should probably get back to the bridge?
The Rekarian glanced down at the tracking device in his hand -- still warm to the touch -- and nodded. Analysis would have to wait.
Varik: Right behind you, Lieutenant.
(( Bridge, Deck 1, USS Octavia E. Butler ))
From the turbolift, Varik strode quickly across the Butler's bridge to take his seat at the helm. For the moment it was a limited group and he would be taking up additional duties as needed. It was no issue for him. He was used to juggling multiple roles and enjoyed the challenge.
Lahl: Lieutenant Ojotha, report?
Ojotha: The probe just sent back that the mercenary ship is on the move.
Jer-Legrand: Course and heading?
As the sensor data filled the helm display, Varik absorbed the information with a quiet confidence. The silhouette of the mercenary vessel emerged from the sensor noise of the star's photosphere, its course appearing with a dashed line across his console. It was a shallow vector and one that suggested they were not making a rash decision nor acting in haste. Moreso it was one of a skilled chess player seeing an opportunity and taking advantage.
Varik: Current trajectory is one-one-five mark four, relative to the star’s equator. They are remaining just outside the densest radiation pockets, keeping the star between us and their bow.
oO Smart. Oo
Lahl: So, based on the data we have, what’s the ship’s likeliest target?
Jer-Legrand: I think it is us. The trajectory, the device Varik's interested in, the scorch marks all point in our direction.
The Rekarian spared a glance towards the device, resting on the edge of the panel. Additional scans confirmed the device was inactive. Triple-checked, in fact, that it was not emitting or receiving data. It likely did not need to. It might have captured enough just being tractor beamed into the Butler.
Varik: I concur with the lieutenant. Course projections all suggest the vessel is setting an intercept course with the Butler or a closer proximity to the planet. Either way, it is heading in our direction.
Ojotha: Response
Jer-Legrand: Given the circumstances, regulations state a yellow alert. What are your orders, Lieutenant?
Varik waited with anticipation, hands hovering over the console controls that would dictate where the ship, if anywhere, would go. He continued to monitor the path of the mercenary vessel.
Varik: Vessel is maintaining course.
Lahl/Ojotha: Responses
Jer-Legrand: Ojotha, see if you can use the probe to get an analysis of the incoming vessel, and Varik, I need not say this, but do be ready to react.
Were it not a serious situation he might have offered a dry quip but thought better of it. Though the temptation was there to at least mentally manifest a 'No Shit', several factors overpowered the urge. Jer-Legrand was a superior officer and he was but an ensign. There was also the fact that it was typically not advisable to 'No Shit' your boss, especially when you were still the new kid on the block. Instead, he just followed orders and replied with professionalism.
Varik: Yes, sir.
Lahl/Ojotha: Responses
Though the vessel was maintaining speed, it was closing the distance quickly. Varik maintained the Butler's position near the planet and by proxy, the away team and besieged archaeologists. A barrier should it intend to interfere with whatever was happening below.
oO What even was happening below? Oo
Varik: They are altering course. Course projections suggest the planet is their intended target now.
Of course, they were in close proximity to the planet so that intended target could still also include them. In either case, they would be in weapons range soon barring any additional course corrections from their mysterious guests.
Jer-Legrand/Lahl/Ojotha: Responses
Varik: Yes, sir.
Once the command was issued, Varik did not hesitate. The controls might still not feel familiar, but the maneuvers were, and soon the Butler was in motion, turning on its axis to present bow shields towards the incoming vessel. The thruster-assisted positioning put the Starfleet vessel between the planet and the incoming ship. Though he did not have many ships to compare it to, the Butler maneuvered well for a ship its size. Very well.
Varik: We are in position. Their vector will put them in weapons range in less than three minutes.
It did not take three minutes for the next bit of action to occur. That happened soon after.
Varik: Lieutenant, they are... ::beat:: hailing us. On screen?
oO Well that was unexpected. Oo
Jer-Legrand/Lahl/Ojotha: Responses
[TAGS/TBC]
--
Ensign Varik
Helm Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
A239709VR0
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