Lt. Commander Foster - Descent
Jamie LeBlanc
(( Runabout Iaonaiae – Atmospheric Descent ))
With a nasty ion storm whipping up around the planet it made the approach a bit treacherous.
Not impossible to navigate by any means, just turbulent and requiring a practiced hand. Cade was practiced no doubt, but Lystra had far more experience and he was happy to follow her in.
Foster: We’re going to follow her in, and then planetward. We’ll break only when it’s clear.
Eze: Response
S’Jenes: Trajectory synchronized. Sensor clarity has improved marginally. I am forwarding refined data to all stations.
Cade flickered a glance towards the newly clarified readings.
Foster: Those readings looks … primordial. Universe knows what’s growing down there.
Mec: I've got standard power distribution, but shield modulation is acting up- ::pausing. Noting a need for clarity:: Shield modulation is shifting in response to some weak scattered impacts. Maybe keep a watch out for larger debris as we descend?
S’Jenes: Agreed. Recommend harmonic recalibration rather than increased shield output. The impacts are consistent with particulate matter, not macroscopic objects.
Eze: Response
He decided that he would let them scan the planet and try to find good navigation routes and landing places while he concentrated on flying.
Foster: Once we’re clear we’ll take the opposite side of the planet as the Little Crow. ::he paused:: and I meant what I said about the beacons. Drop them just in case.
Because getting stuck on an uncharted planet without being able to communicate with the Constitution was not Cade’s idea of a fun time.
Mec: Aye, sir. Beacons are prepared for release.
S’Jenes: Beacon signal confirmed. Fluctuating, but within acceptable parameters for return navigation.
Foster: Excellent.
Eze: Response
They got through another wind shear and dodged a burst of ionic lightning dipping downwards following the Little Crow’s path, as the turbulence started to clear.
S’Jenes: We are approaching a transitional atmospheric layer. Conditions should stabilize shortly—assuming the planet continues to behave within projected tolerances. ::A pause, then—quietly:: I find that… encouraging.
Nodding his agreement Cade offered no gesture as his hands were on the flight controls, but an expression of satisfaction.
Foster: I like it, I’ll take it.
Mec/Eze: Response
As they dove lower they could start to see the planet below, covered with dense storms and lightning discharges, the whole place seemed to vibrate with primordial energy, as if the planet itself was evolving, growing, trying to burst forward with life.
S’Jenes: I am registering localized energy fluctuations on the surface. They appear irregular and… difficult to categorize.
Foster: Howso?
If the science officer warned to be concerned, Cade took that as a reason to be concerned.
S’Jenes: It may be nothing. I am forwarding the readings for context.
Cade waited until it flashed up on his console and he perused the data as the flight path allowed.
Foster: Hm. That’s not an energy signature I would expect from a primordial planet.
The energy readings weren’t the gentle curves of organic fluctuations but erratic spikes which usually indicated some sort of sentient interference.
S’Jenes: Ensign Mec, are you observing similar variance in shield feedback, or is this limited to my sensors?
Mec: Response
S’Jenes: That fluctuation does not appear atmospheric in origin. I cannot yet determine causation.
Foster: There’s not really enough information from the fluctuations to tell exactly what they are, but they don’t match the rest of the planetary readings. Keep your eyes peeled.
Eze: Response
S’Jenes: I will continue to monitor and advise if the data resolves into something actionable.
Mec/Eze: Response
Foster: Hold tight, we’re making out final descent.
One more burst of turbulence as they pierced the atmosphere and rode a jet of harsh wind and lightning before the Iaonaiae split the veil of clouds and emerged into wash of red and orange as the planet’s sun set in the distance, and the aurora of clouds and lightning spread out behind them.
Below there was landmasses and green, indicating some sort of vegetation.
Lystra: =/\= Little Crow to Iaonaiae. We made it through the storm. You still with us? =/\=
Foster: =/\= We’re here and kicking. =/\=
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? =/\=
Grinning, Cade rolled his eyes a bit.
Foster: =/\= Oh, that’s how it goes? Watch us find a beach and you’ll be jealous. South it is. =/\=
The Little Crow peeled off as the Iaonaiae veered towards the southern hemisphere.
Foster: Alright, let’s see if we can clarify those scans and get a better idea of the class of planet here, and the atmospheric composition.
Eze/Mec/S’Jenes: ?
Foster: First let’s focus on what might kill us so we’re aware of what to avoid or prevent. Then let’s get a good picture of what sort of planet we’re dealing with.
Eze/Mec/S’Jenes: ?
~*~
tags/tbc
~*~
Lt. Commander Cade Foster
Chief Medical Officer
~Julian Beck
E239010ST0