Lieutenant JG Meris: Flashpoint
Meris/Brian
((Simulated Bridge of the Thor in the Simulated Badlands, Holosuite 1, Deck 5, USS Thor))
Meris watched the weight of command settle on Kreshkova as the seconds slipped away and the simulation tightened around them. The problem had become brutally simple - either intervene or watch a reactor breach ignite the Badlands. Kreshkova chose action, accepting the risk that getting closer might place the Thor in the same danger as the freighter. In that moment, Meris saw the difference between discussing possibilities and carrying the responsibility for decisions.
Meris: Additionally... if their intentions are hostile, disabling their propulsion entirely would ensure they remain here long enough for additional Starfleet assets to arrive. Whether pirates or terrorists, the possibility of additional support hidden amongst the Badlands remains a possibility, and we would be remiss not to coordinate a full-scale investigation of the area.
Promontory: One problem at a time!
The J'naii pilot looked at Science Officer Promontory and tilted their head slightly to one side.
Meris: But would it not be all part of the same ongoing problem?
Kreshkova: Enough talk. Ve need to act.
The starfield on the viewscreen flickered with cascading arcs of plasma shooting through the Badlands. Briefly the Fortuna was held in brilliant silhouette before the golden storms swallowed it again.
Promontory: The reactor is going critical, it’s now or never!
Kreshkova: Meris, take us in closer. Promontory. Since you haf a fix on zheir anti-matter storage pods. Vhen ve are in range, lock and transport zhem to zhe Zhor in our HazMat area, vhile alerting zhe proper crewmembers to secure zhem.
Meris: Aye Captain, setting course.
Promontory: Aye, aye!
Beneath them the Thor surged forward, impulse engines pushing the ship deeper into the turbulent plasma field.
Kreshkova: Let’s go!
Meris: We will enter transporter range in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...
The bridge erupted into motion. Warning tones chirped across several consoles as plasma distortions rippled across the Thor's shields. The inertial dampeners hummed softly beneath the deck plating while the ship slipped through the chaotic storm with controlled precision.
Meris' hands moved quickly across the helm console, making dozens of micro-adjustments to compensate for the gravitational eddies twisting through the Badlands. Despite the violence outside the ship, the maneuver remained remarkably smooth.
oO The computer is compensating admirably for the chaos of the universe. Oo
Kreshkova: Let me know vhen ve haf zhe anti-matter storage pods, and vhen zhey are secured.
Meris: Transporter cycles have begun. The Fortuna has 16 anti-matter storage pods in two banks - one port, and one starboard. It will take the Thor approximately forty-five seconds to remove them all.
oO Six pods remaining... five... four... Oo
The final antimatter pod vanished from the Fortuna in a flash of blue transporter light.
Promontory: Response
Kreshkova: Take us out of targeting range, and open a channel to zhe Fortuna, Meris.
Meris: Aye Captain. Moving us out of the Fortuna's targeting range...
The pilot smoothly rolled the Thor away from the crippled freighter, thrusters firing in controlled bursts as the ship arced back through the glowing plasma currents. The Badlands twisted and roiled around them like a living storm.
Meris kept one eye on the navigational sensors and another on the transporter telemetry.
Promontory: Response
For a brief moment, the storm seemed to calm.
Then the universe flashed.
A burst of blinding light filled the viewscreen and reflected across the bridge consoles. The glow faded just as quickly, leaving strange afterimages dancing across the display panels.
Meris blinked once, then again, watching the sensor overlays reform across their console.
Something was wrong.
The countdown display that Promontory had projected earlier flickered back onto the main viewer.
Only now the numbers were climbing.
Kreshkova: Maybe zhe flash of light has my eyes playing tricks on me, but, Mr. Promontory, is your countdown clock - vhich should haf reset vhen ve beamed zhe anti-matter tanks over - now counting up?
Meris: I am running diagnostics. The computer is having trouble identifying what just happened.
Promontory: Response
Meris studied the display thoughtfully.
Meris: If it is like a doomsday clock, in that it counts down to zero representing Armageddon, then counting up would indicate we have improved the situation on a galactic scale.
oO That may be overly hopeful on my part. Oo
Kreshkova/Promontory: Response.
A sharp warning tone suddenly cut through the bridge.
Meris’ console flashed red.
Their eyes narrowed slightly as the sensor telemetry resolved.
oO That is... a new variable. Oo
Meris: Torpedo inbound. ::calmly:: I am taking evasive maneuvers...
Kreshkova/Promontory: Response.
The Thor rolled sharply to port as Meris fired the maneuvering thrusters in rapid sequence. The ship twisted through a narrow gap between two plasma vortices just as the incoming torpedo streaked past their previous position.
The weapon detonated against a distant plasma column, sending a cascade of brilliant energy through the storm.
Meris guided the ship through the turbulence with calm precision, fingers dancing across the helm console as the Thor darted through the Badlands like a fish through turbulent waters.
oO Terrorists would have been simpler. Oo
Kreshkova/Promontory: Response.
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Lieutenant JG Meris
Helmsperson
USS Thor
A240207M14