Cmdr. Alora DeVeau - "Partial Information"
Amanda Nordstrom
(( USS Magni, The Tangle ))
Alora didn’t mind shuttles, nor was she opposed to shuttle rides. While in space, she was fine and dandy, likely because she couldn’t tumble to her death. Instead, the lack of gravity would simply let her float until someone rescued her.
Even so, she knew she shouldn’t be afraid of heights. Shuttles were quite safe, usually, and she didn’t have problems with many other, scary and life threatening situations. Oh sure, it was completely psychological, but as any counsellor would tell others, psychoses aren’t always easily overcome. For Alora, it was simple to avoid and she would simply continue to do so.
Could she pilot a shuttle down to the surface and handle the height? Actually, Alora wasn’t the best pilot. During her time in the Academy, she’d had to retake the stupid piloting course just to get a passing grade, and she highly suspected the professor only passed her because she felt sorry for the poor, wanna be scientist. Scientists weren’t usually known for their piloting skills, so she would be just fine. Besides, auto pilot was a thing. Alora just wouldn’t mention that the last time she manually piloted a shuttle, she rammed it into the USS Nimitz and destroyed it.
Besides, she didn’t have to play pilot, that’s what Divya was there for! The Operations officer had far more skill in that area than she anyway, so why bother when someone far more capable was available? The side benefit was she could focus on what information they had on the outpost and what it’s work there. Unfortunately for her, that wasn’t much. With the planet’s chaotic atmosphere, what they had received was done through several short bursts of communications, and from the look of things, Alora hadn’t even gotten half of their documentation. So, while the shuttle aimed for the planet, she spent her time doing her best to decipher partial information.
Tam: Thirty scientists and a light detachment of security personnel built the outpost. The briefing lacked details on what is being studied. With so many scientists, I’m assuming there are a variety of things being researched and tested.
DeVeau: You’ve got that right.
Alora confirmed and she motioned toward the screen upon which some of that very information was on display. A curtain of words lit up the screen, informing her of the various studies they conducted on the planet - or in that case, one specific study, though enough of the information was missing, she only got tidbits and little valuable information.
DeVeau: They’re not only studying the atmosphere, but some unique metals on the planet. One of these doesn’t even have a name yet, just a number.
Carras: Response
Tam: Commander, we are about to land. Now is the time to cover your eyes.
Alora snorted and cast a glance at Divya, which of course, meant she caught a glimpse of the outside, though fortunately, it was just dark clouds still. Although she hadn’t told Divya of her aversion to heights, it hadn’t been exactly a secret either. The woman was not only smart, but intuitive, and picked up on that fact about Alora from their last mission.
DeVeau: Thanks for the warning, but I’ve got plenty to focus my eyes on.
And immediately, her gaze returned to the documentation she’d been perusing .
Carras: Response
(( Outpost – VX-LON-3 – The Tangle ))
The landing was smooth and flawless, a fact that Alora appreciated. Once they were on solid ground, she rose and grabbed some respirators, tossing one to each of her companions before putting her own upon her face. Divya’s was designed to accommodate her breathers, meaning she’d get the necessary ammonia while not inhaling carbon dioxide that would kill her. Once Alora secured her own on her face, she tapped it and immediately breathable air flowed through. That done, she did the same again, but that time with jackets. Seconds later, the doors to the shuttle opened and Alora tucked her triPADD into its holster as Divya remarked -
Tam: Well, this is dark and ominous.
DeVeau: No kidding. Not exactly a place anyone would want to spend a vacation.
Her eyes drifted up to the sky, the clouds, which were dark upon their descent, were thinner than they seemed from above. Around them, the wind blew and whistled sharply in her ears, making her wince. Shrugging into her jacket, Alora shivered a little in the air that, though it was not freezing, was just a little too chilly to be considered ‘refreshing’. From what she could see, they were likely in the warmest part of the day, and the air temperature would only drop from that point.
Carras: Response
Tam: Shall we find someone who is not ill to show us around?
DeVeau: I’m not sure we’re going to be able to.
Stepping outside, Alora scanned the scene, but there was little on such a barren planet. Rocks were plentiful, and off in the distance, the jagged peaks of mountains rose against the thin, dark sky, like teeth of a great beast - and they had just landed in its jaws. Sweeping her eyes away, she noted the long line of flat land that led not only up to the outpost, but beyond. The land itself was black mingled with red and silver, quite pretty, but devoid of plant life.
Carras/Tam: Response
DeVeau: Can we establish a connection with the people inside now that we’re closer?
That was a question for the other two officers. While Alora was great at science and decent at math, Engineering wasn’t her strongest skill. She could follow instructions and do what she was told, but the magic would be up to Divya and Morro.
Carras/Tam: Response
DeVeau: Well, I was hoping that our closer proximity meant that it would be feasible, but…all right, let’s see if someone will answer the doorbell.
Checking her respirator, Alora then zipped up her jacket and made for the main building of the outpost. Divya had brought them quite close, so their trek was short. Stretching out her hand, Alora tapped the console off to the side, then selected the portion that would alert anyone within of their presence.
Carras/Tam: Response
-- Commander Alora DeVeau Chief Science Officer USS Thor & Matriarch of the 15th House Betazed M239008AD0