Ensign T'Fearne - Navigating the Jintara Nebula
Teayl Thorn
((USS Rhine - Jintara Nebula - Alpha Isles))
As T’Fearne awaited the Ronin's arrival at the Jintara Nebula, she reviewed mission reports and conducted security threat analyses with updated Alpha Isles parameters in the background. Despite attempting to meditate, she struggled to maintain focus. Something about sitting next to a Caitian and closing her eyes was distracting.
Lieutenant Lorana had been busy writing on her PADD, and T’Fearne hesitated to strike up a conversation with her. The historical tensions between Betazoids and Caitians often made such interactions awkward for T’Fearne. She had learned approaching these situations with her Vulcan sensibility was best.
Meanwhile, the commander emerged from the aft section and positioned herself behind the pilots in the cockpit. The aroma of hot coffee filled the cabin as the Vulcan commander joined the seated pilot and navigator.
Alieth: ::After sipping from her mug:: What is our situation?
Lorana: On approach to the nebula. Dropping out of warp :: indicates Ensign T’Fearne :: Activate impulse, and as we close we'll use the thrusters to align the ship according to the flight path.
Exiting warp, the main screen fills with the majestic sight of the Jintara Nebula—a swirling mass of stellar dust and radiation, its colours dancing in intricate patterns. T’Fearne gazed beyond the glowing display showing their plotted course, the fiery hues of the nebula overlapping. She briefly lamented her father's absence, knowing he would have cherished this sight as an artist. Quickly, she captured a high-resolution scan to include in her next message to her parents.
T’Fearne: Acknowledged, Sir. Activating impulse thrusters and overlaying our navigation course plan.
Alieth: What about the approach paths, any changes from our initial estimates?
Lorana: I'm reading elevated plasma currents, and a much more dense cluster of dust clouds with higher than expected radiation levels. :: to T’Fearne :: We'll need to adjust our approach. Options ensign?
T’Fearne: :: Analyzing the data:: Plotting a detour course avoiding hazardous pockets of radiation, Sir. :: Long fingers dancing over the console :: Recommend 2 alternate courses. The first takes us away from our initially plotted route but would maintain our timeline, but follows an unknown route and we would have to increase shielding. The second course closely follows Zyre Sh'vavoth documented course with some deviations to avoid the densest radiation streams. It will add some time to our projected timeline, but the general route is more documented.
Alieth: We will take the second option then. Start the approach as soon as the shields are up.
Lorana: Adjusted our approach vectors now.
T’Fearne: Shields are up. Continuing to monitor radiation levels closely. :: To Lorana :: Course plot changes available to you now.
The ensign felt the slight vibrations of the shuttle and the systems thrumming up through the deck and control console under her hands as the Lt. smoothly handled the helm. T’Fearne was relieved that the Commander had chosen the more documented route. She knew that either route could hold unknown dangers, but the more documented route was 47.56% safer according to her mission safety analysis.
Lorana: Easy does it. Fraslil, you got anything for me?
Fraslil: Uhm yes, we're adjusting the path according to the new data coming in from the scans. It will likely take us a little longer.
Alieth: Response
T’Fearne: :: Monitoring systems:: Commander, we've detected a hazardous radiation plume ahead. If we continue on our current course, shielding may not protect us, and increasing it will drain impulse power significantly. A detour would add approximately 163 minutes to our journey.
Lorana: That means we shouldn't go as far as can't risk being overcome with the radiation.
She had just met the Caitian science officer, but T’Fearne thought she could detect a slight strain in her voice. The mission reports from Grus Beta Three held details that illuminated why the search for maleconite ore might cause unease. After reading the reports of what had happened to the Lt., she had factored maleconite exposure into her mission security analysis.
Alieth: Response
As the Caitian navigated the detour through shifting currents of the nebula, the Rhine's hull vibrated with each encounter with dense particles. The impulse drive stirred the celestial clouds, scattering them like luminescent stardust in their wake.
Lorana: :: cautious :: Gently does it.
As the Rhine surged forward, its engines humming with increasing intensity, the shuttle ploughed through a kaleidoscope of hues—vivid streaks of gold and pearlescence intertwined with wisps of shimmering ochre and pulsating tangerine. T’Fearne released the tension in her jaw, a faint hint of exhilaration flickering across her features as she braced in the co-pilot chair against the vibrations rattling through the hull.
T’Fearne: :: Throwing a quick, wide-eyed grin directed at Lorana :: The colours out here... they're absolutely stunning. :: Musing out loud:: Why are sentient races drawn to dangerous things? oO Why am I drawn to dangerous things? Oo
Alieth/Any: Response
Lorana: Activating deflectors that should help clear up some of that cloud.
The Rhine’s deflector array began dispersing the swirling particles and reducing the turbulence.
T’Fearne: :: Snapping back to her controls :: Stability improving. Radiation levels holding steady for now.
Alieth/Lorana: Response
T’Fearne: Commander, we're nearing the next navigation checkpoint. Proceeding according to the planned route.
McVey: Just a wee moment, Sirs. Particle an' gravity scans indicate th' presence o' a planetary system nearby.
Lorana/Alieth/Any: Response
Lyrik: :: Chiming in :: I don't want to get everyone's hopes up too soon. However, according to initial readings, there's a high probability of at least a class E or F planet in the vicinity.
Lorana/Alieth: Response
[[Tags! TBC]]
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Ensign T'Fearne
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14