Ensign Richard Matthews - Move over Michael, it’s time for a Space Walk
Matthew Gough
((Deck 16, Cargo Bay 4, USS Khitomer))
Ironically if someone were to ask about activities Richard enjoyed in his spare time. Swimming and diving would be counted among them. Maybe lower on the list of things he rather do with his spare time. But still there. Which you would think would translate to space walks. A pastime that a lot of officers found just as fun and relaxing as a dip in the pool.
It did in so far as suiting up and going out into the void didn’t scare him. He had a healthy respect for the danger. Might joke about being forced to do it - a quick glance at the captain that had tagged along with him. Had Richard biting his tongue to keep himself from doing just that. Wanting to make a good first impression, lull the new captain into a false sense of security that one of his officers was normal and respectable. Before shattering that image.
El’Heem: As I’ll ever be. ::tapping the console to allow audio feed:: =/\= Richard. Ensign MK and I are ready when you are.
Matthews: =/\= See! MK just rolls off the tongue so much easier, look at all the time we saved. I’m almost ready on this end =/\=
Naxell: =/\= Response =/\=
But he wasn’t actually scared to do this. Quickly and efficiently signing out the gravity boots for the EV suit he was taking. Because not properly signing out the equipment was how you ended up stranded in space when your ship, unknowingly, warps away without you! And slipping it on. Richard turned to bring up a scan of the outside of the ship.
Matthews: :: Turning on a camera from the outside :: With as close as the nebula is to the ship now. This should be a quick trip to collect samples. Captain, could you grab a kit from the supply closet?
Cargo bay 4’s upper section housed a few storage units. Affectionately called the supply closets. That the science teams had utilized for a little more space. Richard knew that in at least two of them. There were readily stocked packs with sample collecting equipment. He’d just take one of those out and . . .
Scoop up some gasses from the nebula? Eh one thing at a time.
Naxell: Response
Matthews: ::Bringing up a display for the sensors:: You can monitor me from here with El’Heem. Be ready to let me back in if things get too dangerous out there? ::He glanced over his shoulder at the captain, flashing him a grin:: I’d really appreciate that.
Naxell: Response
A quick systems check showed everything was fine with the suit.
El’Heem: =/\= Suit data is coming through now. =/\=
And there was the confirmation that they were seeing the data feeds on this end. Besides what he had brought up for the captain to monitor from here.
Matthews: =/\= Well there’s all my bases covered then. If something happens, that’s like three of our best and brightest ready to save me. Excellent. =/\=
Naxell / Melville-Kilpatrick: =/\= Response =/\=
Moving quickly, not scared to do this, but not wanting to drag it out either. Richard grabbed the kit, attaching it to his built, and scampered over to the open and waiting airlock. He turned, giving a thumbs up to the person left in the room watching the airlock close. Took a deep breath before switching over to the suit’s supply. Now, even though he wasn’t scared or worried about things going wrong. He’s still starting to take little shallower breaths. Just because.
Turning to face the exit. Ras’ voice came over the comms again.
El’Heem: =/\= Matthews is in the airlock now, getting ready. What’s the hazard? =/\=
Richard paused, he’d left it up to the captain to operate the airlock doors. So he’d just been waiting to be let out. There were manual controls on the EV suits too. It looked like it was a good thing he hadn’t just hit the command to have the doors open then.
Matthews: =/\= Yes, what is the hazard please and thank you=/\=
Naxell / Melville-Kilpatrick / Morda: =/\= Responses =/\=
El'Heem: =/\= I’m seeing it. Seems to be localized to the nacelles. Must be why we’re pinned. We’ll see if we can get a better understanding of it. ::turning to the console:: Richard, captain, I suggest we steer clear of the nacelles and any other filaments you might encounter out there. EVA screen filters will be able to pick up the infrared signatures. ::beat:: Captain, this might not be a one-man job anymore, but it’s your call. ::hesitating:: I can be down there in the airlock right away. =/\=
Richard frowned, he might not be scared at the thought of going out there himself. And he wouldn’t admit it out loud now and possibly embarrass Ras. But he didn’t like the idea of his friend suiting up again so soon after his accident. Not that he didn’t think Ras was capable of it. Everyone knew his accident was because he was the heroic type. Not from carelessness or recklessness . . . okay maybe a little recklessness.
Matthews: =/\= Gotta teach you how to delegate when we have the time. Can’t be doing everything chief. =/\= :: Richard twisted around to look in through the airlock window at Naxell and waved his hand in a ‘go for it’ signal :: =/\= Actually this sounds like it’s even more so a one person’s job now. I
Naxell / Melville-Kilpatrick / Morda / El'Heem: =/\= Responses =/\=
Matthews: =/\= It’ll be easier if it’s just me going out there. If I don’t have to worry about a partner, I can get a sample quickly and be back on the Khitomer before you finish saying KP’s full name.
Naxell / Melville-Kilpatrick / Morda / El'Heem: =/\= Responses =/\=
One final push to get the captain to give the order for just Richard to go. And for them to keep their chief of science in relative safety then.
Matthews: =/\= I’ll feel safer knowing you’ve got my back from there Ras. I’m not stupid. I know I’ll need help out there. But it’ll be more helpful with a person in my ear giving direction and watching my blind spots - Captain, permission to head out? =/\=
Naxell / El'Heem: =/\= Responses =/\=
TAGS/TBC
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Science Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
A238908RM0