Lieutenant JG Indrid Yirah - One Small Step for a Trill

[Zeno]

((Runabout Little Crow))

Yirah: ::to Perax:: No need to apologize. I can't claim to know everything about all fields of science. :: he chuckled, then turned to Maraxmox :: Hard to say. We still don't know what the atmosphere is even made up of. Once we are able to start collecting data we'll be able to make more informed hypotheses.

Lystra: We should be collecting data now. The sensors are picking up everything so now’d be the best time to study this storm while we’re inside it because I don’t plan on coming back in until we leave. ::she grunted:: This feels almost as strong as the Red eye on Jupiter.

Indrid took a look at the sensor readings, only for them to briefly flicker as the runabout was hit with another lightning strike.

Perax: Six percent drop in shields, but we got some bleedthrough on that hit. One of our nacelles got struck. No serious damage. ::He focused on the screen ahead of him.::

Indrid continued watching the data pour in from the sensors. oO The magnetic field of this planet is shockingly strong. I wonder what it's dynamo is made of. Oo

Lystra: Good. We’ve passed through the worst of it. That storm is thick. Looks like it reaches down to a few thousand feet from the surface. If there are any mountains taller than them they must be a nightmare.

Maramox: We’re still flying. We can try and fix it when we land. ::they’ve given up on hiding the strain in their voice::

Indrid noticed Maramox was having a hard time with the turbulence.

Yirah: Hey Maramox. Are you alright?

Maramox: I’m doing alright. It’s just nerves. The sound is what’s getting me more than anything.

Lystra: With a near global storm like this I wonder if that’ll be an issue on the ground. I can’t imagine it’s much quieter when we land. I’m seeing some heavy rainfall in areas too.

Yirah: Is there anything I can do to help you?

Lystra: I’ll try and keep her steady. But if the sound is the issue can we dampen it somehow?

Maramox: Know any good songs? Maybe we can sing the rest of our way down.

Lystra: Know any good sea shanties?

Perax: Hey, Yirah, do you know the epic ballad “The Lady from Tsnere”?

oO Know? As in 'know of' or 'know the lyrics to'? Oo

Yirah: I know of it. Haven't heard it in a while though. ::pause:: I don't know all the lyrics.

Perax: Well, I’ll try to do it justice. Just note that it was a poem put to music after the fact, and it might occasionally lose something in translation from the middle Mak’alan to Federation Standard. ::he took a deep breath and struck up a solemn tune::

((OOC: please see the sim "Lieutenant JG Leran Perax - Song, Acrobatics, and a desire for ground" for the full song))

Perax: The song was about the early third Mak’alan dynasty. Records are harder to come by, but there are a few songs and folk tales still remembered. That one is still sung by Trill freight haulers. I guess we identify with the captain.

As they descended below the cloud deck, Indrid peered out the window again.

Maramox: Thank-you. Anything I can do for you all?

Perax: I could use some of that motion sickness medication.

Maramox: It should take a few moments to settle in; infrequently it causes Trills’ hand to feel colder. It’s harmless, but let me know if it does.

Lystra: We’ve made it through the storm so probably scanning everything? I’ll try and see if I can find a suitable place to land. But first. ::She keyed the comm again:: =/\= Little Crow to Iaonaiae.  We made it through the storm. You still with us? =/\=

Indrid began a general surface scan, they were still pretty high up but if Lystra was looking to land he could try to get an idea of the topography, especially since being a rogue planet it lacked a sun, and seemed to be only variably lit by the light show of the storm and auroras.

Foster: =/\= We’re here and kicking. =/\=

Perax: I’ve got the signal clearer.

Maramox: Woo!

Lystra: =/\= Looks like we’re a few degrees north of the equatorial range. Since we got down here first we’ve got dibs on the Northern Hemisphere. How about you all take the South? =/\=

Foster: =/\=  Oh, that’s how it goes? Watch us find a beach and you’ll be jealous.  South it is. =/\=

Maramox: Either way we get to learn something; do you think the other crew has a strong opinion?

Yirah: I think that if they did Cade would have said something. 

Indrid spoke without looking up from the typography readings. He wasn't getting much more than what was directly below them however.  

Lystra: Before we land, I can make a single circumnavigation around the hemisphere at altitude so you all can get aerial readings?

Perax: I can use the extra power from the engines to try and increase sensor range and power. I can’t guarantee the accuracy of the results however.

He turned to Leran. 

Yirah: That would still be better than what I'm getting right now. I'm not getting much more on the typography measurements other than what is directly below us.

Lystra descended further downwards and Indrid began seeing clear signs of uneven terrain on the typography scans.

oO Mountains. Oo

Lystra: Nope!

The proximity alert sounded even before the huge mountain peak registered on the typography readings. Indrid got whiplash as Lystra was forced to quickly adjust to avoid hitting the mountain. The Little Crow continued to plunge downwards into the valley below and Indrid noticed the sharp spike coming from the thermal scans.

Indrid’s eyes widened.

oO That’s not good. Oo

Yirah: Lystra… we’ve got a sudden increase in thermal readings.

oO Not hot enough to be lava, or fire. Good. Good. Oo

Lystra: Sorry, stupid mountain came out of nowhere. Wait…what do you mean ‘sudden increase in thermal readings’?

Yirah: I mean, it looks like we’re flying straight into a field of boiling water!

Perax: Using auxiliary power to reinforce the shields.

Maramox: Right. Of course.

Alerts sounded and the Little Crow flipped upside down as Lystra maneuvered out of the way of the sudden eruption of water. She zigzaged her way across the field of superheated water as the geysers went off in rapid succession. It reminded Indrid a bit of swerving around the dunes of Rosem Desert on Drever IV.

Lystra: Woohoo! Now this is fun! ::she called out:: Hang on, I’m going to get us through this valley then swing around again. I think I saw a large flat spot between some hot springs back there, can you confirm Yirah?

Indrid shared in Lystra's excitement, geysers were a powerful show of nature. He turned back to the scans to check the typography data. It seemed that being closer to the ground had cleared up the readings at least somewhat.

Yirah: Yes! Can confirm! It’ll be great if we land around here. All this water and heat makes a good place to look for life.

Maramox: You’re doing great, Lystra. ::they said this kindly, unsure if it was heard::

Perax: Hey, Lystra, ::he felt weird about the informality of his words:: I know you’re having fun, but we should probably land pretty soon. ::he paused, then said in an unrelated fashion:: I think I’m going to be sick.

Maramox: The medicine really can only help to a certain degree.

Yirah: Do you need us to land now or will it be okay to wait until we can get back to the spot Lystra saw?

Lystra: response

Perax: I’m not going to be too picky right now. Anything to get back the sensation of solid ground is good with me.

Lystra: response

Yirah: Alright Lystra, if it's not too difficult to get to I think our best bet is the initial spot you suggested. :: jokingly:: Who knows what other geological activity this planet intends to throw at us.

Maramox: I agree, once we’re on solid ground we probably can get some better readings.

Perax: Did we get an atmosphere reading that tells us if we really need the suits?

Indrid went back through the sensor logs. 

Yirah: It looks like nitrogen/oxygen which would place it as a class M but... hmm...

He looked out the window, at the purple fog.

Yirah: I'm not sure I'm ready to trust it just yet. 

Lystra: response

Yirah: I also picked up on high amounts of water vapour. Not just next to the geysers, but during our descent as well. And... some sort of dust. :: he waved a hand around vaguely as he thought :: Volcanic ash maybe? Some sort of dust storm?

Lystra: response

Maramox: You should lay on your back and hold your head facing up for a moment.

Perax: I think I’ll be fine. I’ll just need to stay still for a bit when we stop rocking around.

Lystra: Response

Maramox: Of course. We should attempt the EVA suits and get better readings outside. The runabout was struggling during the landing.

Once the runabout came to a stop Indrid practically jumped out of his seat, excited to see the planet first hand. He quickly fitted the helmet of his EVA suit on over his head. Making sure that it was properly sealed. 

Yirah: Alrighty team! Let's make Starfleet history, and collect some great data on this planet!

He immediately went about collecting various science equipment from the storage compartment. 

Lystra: response

Perax: I’ll be right behind you. ::he breathed deeply with his eyes closed for a few minutes before he rose from his chair.:: Right behind you.

Lystra/Maramox: Response

Indrid stepped out of the hatch and onto the 'new to him' planet, stretching and taking in a deep breath as though he was breathing in the air of the planet and not the EVA suit. The lightning storm continued in the clouds above. Around them was a fog that at least didn't completely block the view of the surrounding area. Already Indrid could see signs of plants, leaves almost black. Looking towards the geysers Indrid saw more signs of life in the form of bands of color that stood out on the grey soil. 

He pointed them out excitedly. 

Yirah: Look! Those bands on the soil there might be a sign of thermophiles. 

Lystra/Maramox: response

Perax: =/\= Perax to Constitution, I’m testing the signal enhancer, do you receive? =/\=

Lystra/Maramox: response

Yirah: Oh Right! Uh... Maramox, see if you can get some better atmospheric readings. I'll start collecting soil samples.

Lystra/Maramox: response

Perax: Guys, the nacelle is still good, but I’ll need to replicate a couple replacement plates for the hull armour.

Indrid nodded.

Yirah: Go ahead and replicate whatever you need for the repairs. 

Lystra/Maramox: Response

Perax: =/\= Perax to Constitution, can you hear me? =/\= I can’t reach the ship yet. The signal is getting reflected back to the planet. 

Yirah: Hmm... could we at least get into contact with the other away team? I know that we were able to onboard the ship but we were still relatively close at that point since they followed us through the storm.

Lystra/Perax/Maramox: Response

Yirah: I don't know. This planet does have a powerful magnetic field though. 

Lystra/Perax/Maramox: Response

--

Lieutenant JG Indrid Yirah

Science Officer

USS Constitution-B

C240010IY1