((Bridge, USS Thor))
From Meris’ station on the bridge, the calm hum of the USS Thor felt deceptive against the uncertainty of the planet below. The surface was shrouded in interference, its distress call fragmented and strange, and the whispers of illness unsettled even the most seasoned officers. Meris felt the quiet weight of responsibility as the ship maintained orbit, their hands steady on the helm while others descended into the unknown. Whatever was happening on that world, it was clear this mission would test the Thor’s crew - and Meris’ resolve - in ways they had yet to imagine.
Herrick: Meris, start a standard pattern sweep of Vexilon.
Meris: Aye, Commander. Breaking orbit now...
As they spoke, the pilot input the commands deftly and watched as the planet slowly slid across the viewscreen and then out of sight.
DeVeau/Ral: Response.
Herrick: What do we know about this system thus far?
The J’naii pilot tapped a few buttons to access the navigational sensor sweeps of the system as the Thor completed its turn and set itself on its new heading.
Meris: Commander, according to the navigational sensors, the Vexilon system contains twenty particles of space dust per cubic meter. We’ve detected fifty-two ultraviolet radiation spikes and a class two comet... if that’s the kind of thing you had in mind.
DeVeau/Ral: Response.
Herrick: Is any other location here capable of sustaining life? Class K is certainly pushing it for that to be the ideal “setting down” place.
oO Is the Commander suggesting we land the Thor on the planet? That would be ill-advised without landing struts. Oo
Meris: Setting down, sir? We are tangle-adjacent here. The away teams have gone down to VX-LON-3 on the fringe of the tangle. There are three other planetoids within the system. VX-LON-1 and VX-LON-2 are both Class P and incapable of supporting life as we know it. They are both positioned outside the tangle. VX-LON-4 is Class E and capable of supporting carbon-based life but is fully within the tangle. Fun fact… VX-LON-4 has the highest surface temperature of any known planet within the tangle.
oO Not a lot of vacation spots in the Vexilon system. Oo
DeVeau/Ral: Response.
Meris: Shall I start our survey around any particular point of interest?
Herrick/DeVeau/Ral: Response.
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Ensign Meris
Helmsperson
USS Thor
A240207M14