Flt. Capt. Kells: Time of the essence

[Tony Colella]

OOC: This is the END of Act Two, though it won't seem like it by the end. The bridge scene will continue into Act Three, but I'll start my next sim with a captain's log and some new orders.

(( Bridge, Deck 1, USS Thor ))

Kells: Lieutenant Garcia, I want Commander Teller and his team back on the double. The rest of you, I want to know what's going on. Is this planet about to disappear into the future again? And if so, how do we avoid being taken with it?

Garcia: Understood, sir.

Alieth: Working on it, sir.

The two officers turned immediately to their tasks, which left a slight silence among the the meeting of senior officers. Chief Sirok, who was still on the comm line, spoke into that momentary silence, and Aron was immediately glad that he did:

Sirok: =/\= This ship has a Typhon Shield Device. Its main function is to override the Typhon expansion anomalies, a kind of temporal anomalies. Perhaps we can force it to work with the chronitrons. The problem is, in order for it to work, we have to use almost all of the ship's power to generate the antichronitrons needed to counteract the anomaly. We would be unable to dedicate power to help the away teams. Besides, the anomaly is such that it could cause damage to the bussard collectors while we perform the procedure. =/\=

Aron nodded along as Sirok spoke. He wasn't familiar enough with the Thor's unique systems yet to offer reasonable feedback on this plan, but he trusted Sirok's judgment. However, there was one thing he could offer.

Kells: =/\= I understand that there's been a QSD specialist assigned to your department, Chief, by the name of Kortho. Certainly he would be in a good place to assist with this course of action. =/\=

Aron suspected that Specialist Kortho was already in Main Engineering, and perhaps Sirok had already enlisted his help. If not, though Aron had high hopes for their collaboration.

Brodie: Given what we know about the previous event, Sir, we have to assume the entire system would shift.

As Brodie spoke, he moved to an aft console -- and Aron used the moment to tap his own console, bringing up a particle density scan. The chroniton density was continuing to increase, though the increase wasn't yet exponential, as he feared it would be if another shift in time was to occur.

Brodie: Accepting I’m not a navigation officer we would need to be a safe distance from the system to be sure of not being caught in the field of influence. Ben, based on our current position what would be our minimum safety time?

Garcia: Assuming the field of influence ends where the nebula stops? And that we’re ahead of it, not riding it? (Ben’s brow furrowed a second.) Seven minutes.

Alieth: Any ship within the edge of the anomaly's effect can sustain unforeseen consequences, sir. I recommend we distance ourselves from it as soon as possible to prevent involution into newts or any other undesired effect.

OOC: I loved this line :D

Kells: Agreed. But not without the away teams. I want to buy them as much time as we can.

The bridge fell silent again, as all the officers present focused on their tasks. Even the comm link to engineering was quiet, though there was a similar background rustle through the channel. Aron's ears had attenuated to this low volume, so when the comm came from the planet, he gasped audibly.

Teller: =/\= Teller to USS Thor, come in please. This is Lt. Cmdr. Geoffrey Teller to the USS Thor, please adjust frequencies and respond. =/\=

Kells: =/\= Commander, you're coming in loud and clear. =/\=

Teller: =/\= It's good to hear from you sir. Can you get a transporter lock on my team? 2nd. Lt. Greaves needs medical attention. =/\=

Aron's eyes flicked over to Alieth. Teller's team hadn't included any medical personnel, in part because he had hoped that MacKenzie or Quen could have responded if there was any trouble. But the two teams had been separated by their separate goals, which was (Aron thought, too late) to be expected. If the chroniton problem hadn't driven their action, Greaves's necessity would've required the return of Teller's team to the ship.

Kells: =/\= Then we'll need to get you back quickly. Chief Sirok has sent down a comm signal booster and transporter pattern enhancers near your beam-in site. If you can make it back there, we can get you. =/\=

Teller: =/\= Understood - a signal booster and transporter pattern enhancers, back near our beam in site. We'll ask our new friends if they can send someone to get them while we talk. =/\=

Their new friends? Aron almost asked, but -- there would be time later. Teller's team had, after all, gone in search of survivors. There were more pressing matters.

Kells: =/\=Commander, get up to that site on the double. We've been picking up increasing chroniton density and (beat) we're concerned about what it might mean.  =/\=

Teller: =/\= Yes sir, we picked up those chronitron readings - is the ground team alright? =/\=

Kells: =/\=They made it back to their shuttle and are on their way back to Thor.  =/\=

As he finished speaking, he looked around for confirmation that the shuttle was either still on its way or that it had returned. As he did, Commander Brodie spoke into the open channel.

Brodie: =/\= Commander…it’s Brodie. You mentioned new friends…how is the situation at the colony? Are you able to confirm they sent the signal? =/\=

Teller: =/\= Response =/\=

Brodie: =/\= Do we know how many colonists we’re looking at? =/\=

Teller: =/\= Response =/\=

In the background of the call, Aron heard another voice speak, though he was quite certain it wasn't one of Teller's team.

Flynn: =/\= One hundred ninety-three. =/\=

Kells: =/\= Almost two hundred? We can accommodate them easily. =/\=

Though, he thought, perhaps they couldn't beam them up all at once, though the pattern enhancers would make it an easier task -- but still one that would take time.

Teller: =/\= Response =/\=

Kells: =/\= Good. On the double, Commander. I'll see you soon. Thor, out. =/\=

With the comm channel to the planet closed, Aron immediately met Brodie's eye. The counselor seemed both certain and unflappable, and Aron made a mental note of this for the future: Brodie was reliable in a crisis.

Brodie: Sir, given we know we’re going to be expecting at least one casualty it may be best if Doctor Alieth prepares for his arrival?

And focused, Aron added to the mental note.

Kells: Agreed. Doctor, if you'd prepare?

Alieth rose from her station.

Alieth: I will, Captain.

As Alieth moved toward the turbolift, Brodie spoke again.

Brodie: Sir…we’ve got a problem…

Aron glanced from Alieth, who had slowed at Brodie's word, to the counselor himself.

Kells: Explain, please.

But his attention was directed to Garcia, who threw that notice to another problem.

Garcia: =/\= Transporter Chief - Can we still get a lock on the away team? =/\=

Transporter Chief Larell: =/\= Not a stable one – it keeps jumping around. =/\=

Aron tapped into the call.

Kells: =/\= Keep on it. I want them back immediately. =/\=

Alieth, from inside the lift, turned back to address the bridge before the doors closed her inside.

Alieth: Keep me informed of any developments, gentlemen

Aron almost smiled. Until MacKenzie and Quen returned, he supposed that Alieth was (and had been) the acting chief of medicine. She had certainly cut an imposing figure in that moment, and he didn't have any difficulty associating her with that position.

Kells: Garcia, keep on the transporter. I won't accept that we can't beam them back.

Garcia: Response

Kells: Brodie, where's the shuttle?

Brodie: Response

Aron took a deep breath at this news.

Kells: I assume that the loss of the transporter lock was the problem you were about to report, Counselor?

Brodie / Garcia: Responses

Kells: I see. (beat) Commander, Lieutenant, I want to get our team and those colonists to the ship and I want us to get away from this planet before it decides to take another trip through time. How do we do so?

Brodie / Garcia: Responses

Tags and TBC!

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Fleet Captain Aron Kells

Commanding Officer

USS Thor

V238208LV0

&

SB118 Captains Council Magistrate (so ask me anything!)