Lt A.Dewitt-In A Pickle Part II
Emma Banin
((Brief Timeskip, Bridge, Deck 1, USS Khitomer, - inside the Ceram Archipelago))
Apple pie. Apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream. She just fancied a hot slice of pie, maybe with a pickle and a hot raktajino. An odd combination. She didn’t know why it had just occurred to her as then a familiar voice spoke through her puzzlement drawing her back to the present.
Semara: I suggest comms.
Korras: Comms?
Stros: Communication may be difficult given our current predicament. ::Glancing at the view screen:: Given that there is anyone to talk to.
She could feel it, or them. Out there, like that strange wizard that Connor once told her about hiding behind a curtain controlling and plotting.
A. Dewitt: Oh there’s definitely someone Mr Stros.
C. Dewitt: It’s not just difficult, it’s obstructed. The nebula is blocking almost every frequency band we’d normally use. EM, subspace… most of it is dark. Despite that, we would need somebody to talk to.
Semara: We've only got a power drain from the nebula so far, right? Those ships out there ain't got hull breaches from a power drain. :: Beat :: Tryin' comms, worst case we talk to a cloud. But if there's a ship hidden out there, we gotta convince her we ain't prey and we ain't rivals and quickly. If we open comms, we might make her wonder who we are and if we see her. Or she'll talk, if we're lucky. If she's there, she won't spend long puzzlin' us out.
She heared Naxell’s advice in her head; keep an open mind. Yet as sure as her faith in the Prophets was she knew that this wasn’t some intelligent mass of particles roaming around a galaxy without purpose. Either it had purpose or it was being used by those that did.
Korras: It will not hurt to try, I agree.
Stros: It is worth a shot, as they say.
A. Dewitt: The wider the frequency band the more chance there is of someone hearing us.
Connor stepped forward and she couldn’t help but smile with her eyes. With each moment he embodied his role as XO she grew more certain that this is not just what made him happy, but brought him a sense of purpose that she never could. It was difficult to be bitter when someone you loved found themselves.
C. Dewitt: Alright… Mr Korras, open a wide-beam channel on any frequencies we believe can penetrate the nebula. Use all data we’ve got. At the very least, this won’t come across as desperation.
Korras: It will take a moment, I need to reroute power manually to the communication array.
Stros: I may be able to direct some power away from the tactical systems. ::Shrugging:: They aren’t much use if we do not have a target.
His concerns were not without foundation. When so little was known so much of what they chose to do would be a mixture of guesswork and risk. But as their Captain said they were stuck in the mud. If physically struggling was not working the next logical choice would be to call for help.
o0 Totally could have been a Vulcan. 0o
C. Dewitt: Do it. But keep a minimal reserve for shields. Just in case.
A.Dewitt: Yeah you know just in case it goes horribly wrong and we find ourselves in a life or death struggle. :seeing the reactions: Yeah probably won’t happen :beat: Maybe.
Semara: Response
She looked at Amelia and grinned. They had grown close recently and just being in her prescence raised her spirits to a degree. A capable, no an extraordinary officer, and a good friend. She might need her soon given if history was anything to go by.
Korras: Channel is open, sir. We are broadcasting on as many frequencies as we can at the moment.
Stros: Now to see if there is anyone out there to listen.
A.Dewitt: Well let’s introduce ourselves. See if there’s a free bar here.
She remembered her fist mission with Connor. How he had injured his hand sticking it into a console and how she had used humour to try and alleviate his worries. She glanced at him, wondering if he still needed that. He had grown so much, achieved so much, but had she?
Semara: Response
C. Dewitt: =/\= This is Connor Dewitt of the starship Khitomer. =/\=
He paused, choosing his next words carefully.
C. Dewitt: =/\= We are not hostile. We are currently experiencing navigational and power interference within the region. If there is anyone receiving this… we request assistance. =/\=
At first there was nothing. Had they been wrong? Was this as she had first surmised some kind of venus flytrap? They were talking to something that acted on instinct.
Then a form began to take shape on the viewscreen, slowly collapsing before them.
Velithari Comms Officer: =/\= Identify yourself. =/\=
C. Dewitt: =/\= My name is Conno… =/\=
Velithari Comms Officer: =/\= ::sharply:: Unacceptable. =/\=
The interruption cut cleanly through his attempt of identification and for a brief moment, Connor stared at the screen, recalibrating himself. The tone left very little room for interpretation.
Velithari Comms Officer: =/\= I will not address a male. You will present a female authority or this channel will be terminated. =/\=
A matriarchal society? Fascinating. It wasn’t the first time she had come into contact with such a societal construct. Indeed it was relatively common, but something about this felt; off. A belligerence? She wasn’t sure, and then Connor pivoted.
C. Dewitt: =/\= Of course. ::voice lowered:: I am merely assisting the command authority aboard this vessel.=/\=
C. Dewitt: =/\= Thi… Uhm… This is Captain Ayemet Dewitt of the USS Khitomer. =/\=
A.Dewitt: That will do Connor. Take your place to my side.
Semara/Stros/Korras: Response
Velithari Comms Officer: =/\= Acceptable. ::pause:: Stand by to talk to the Captain. =/\=
She glanced at Stros. Given that the person before them was of a less than friendly demeanour it would make sense that they wouldn’t suspicious of the interlopers. The natural thing to do would be to scan the ship to ascertain their defence and attack capabilities. Would Stros or anyone else be to pick upon this surreptitiously ?
Semara/Stros/Korras: Response
Rana: Response
Ayemet inclined her head ever so slightly. An acknowledgment of Rana without speaking. Whether they were prey or ally a quiet strength that avoided belligerence seemed like
The wisest of choices.
A.Dewitt: I am Captain Ayemet Dewitt of the Starship Khitomer.
o0 Oh that sounded good 0o
C.Dewitt/Korras/Rana/Semara/Stros: Response
A.Dewitt :glancing at Connor: We are bonded, and he took my name :beat: it was my gift to him.
C.Dewitt/Korras/Rana/Semara/Stros: Response
She stood a little straighter, her hands clasped together behind her back, her eyes focused solely on Rana, showing respect and restraint.
A.Dewitt: We were investigating the ship before us as it appeared to have been badly damaged, and then we appeared to be caught by the anomaly we now find ourselves in. If you cannot assistance we can be on our way.
C.Dewitt/Korras/Rana/Semara/Stros: Response
TAG/TBC
Lieutenant Ayemet Dewitt
Ship Counselor
USS Khitomer
NCC 62400
A239810JA2Q