Cmdr. Trake Promontory: Thorward!
Avander Promontory
Captain’s Log Stardate 240108.06
The Thor has left Deep Space 14. Once we clear the system, we will be activating the Quantum Slipstream Drive (QSD). I am eager to give it, and the ship, a proper field test. It should cut our journey from weeks to days or even hours, if we push it. To minimize our overall travel time, I've requested a course skirting the outer edges of the unstable region of space known as the Tangle. Our destination is a pair of M-class planets rumored to be inhabited by apparent Earthlings. Starfleet has tasked us with assessing these claims and generally introducing the Federation to the region.
While we’re enroute, I’ve given my senior crew their first tasks of the mission and am eager to see what they produce.
We know next to nothing about the major players and powers in this part of the Syren Hinterreach. I don’t like flying into a situation blindly and so I’ve asked Lieutenant Commander Herrick to lead a team conducting some tactical analysis of extant information they can scrounge together. He’ll be joined by Lieutenant Aleksander Więcek, our intelligence officer, as well as our tactical officer, Ensign Nova Veylek. Most everything we know about this region of space is based on dated information or third-hand sources, but I’ll take any additional insights they can glean
Because Starfleet is concerned about the reports of a subspace weapon that these alleged earthlings may be using, and in parallel to Commander Herrick’s team’s efforts, our science officers, Commander Alora DeVeau and Lieutenant Vitor Tito will be conducting signals and weapons analysis. I’ve also assigned Junior Lieutenant Dazra Kol from security to assist them with a risk assessment
As this is first time that a Starfleet ship has been in such close proximity to the Tangle, combined with sustained QSD use, I’ve asked our Health department—Lt Commander Sevantha Saa and Dr Nera Ay and any other crew they need—to monitor the crew for any deleterious effects. While I do not anticipate any major health challenges, I want to be proactive in detecting any potential abnormalities. This will be our region of operations for some time and the more we know about it, the better.
I’ve afforded myself the privilege of bridge duty for our initial jump with Lieutenant Saschenka Kreshkova as our helmswoman. To ensure the smooth operation of the QSD we’ll be joined by our chiefs of ops and engineering: Lieutenants Divya Tam and Morro Caras.
I am cautiously optimistic. The ship has been spiffed up and the new crew eager and ready to serve. It’s a new(ish) ship, a new mission, and the start of a new day!
(( Bridge, Deck 1, USS Thor ))
Trake exited his ready room right in time to see the last of the officers coming to the bridge for the new shift. He gave a nod to the green-haired helmswoman as he passed the large curved forward station.
Promontory: Mr. Caras, I believe the alcove in the back is set-up for full engineering monitoring with the holotable already displaying the QSD. Mr. Tam, you’re welcome to join him there or take the main ops station.
He waved to the large crow’s nest station that took up a large chunk of the port wall.
Caras/Tam/Kreshkova: Response
And then he got to his chair.
It was occupied.
Or rather, it was obstructed.
A cartoonishly large Nordic Warhammer blocked his ability to sit down.
Trake’s mind whirled into gear. It was obviously some sort of prank or a joke. This was Mjölnir, Thor’s hammer. How apropos. And he had a sneaking suspicion that someone had jury-rigged it to be immovable.
A departing watch officer confirmed it.
Watch Officer: Sorry sir, no one seems able to move it.
oO Of course not. Probably gravimetrically locked in place. Oo
He stood for a moment facing it. He felt everyone’s eyes on him. This was it then: the first test of his captaincy. He needed to project confidence and control, but what if he tried to pick up the hammer and it wouldn’t budge? And he couldn’t just ignore it, he had to sit in that chair!
Deciding he could wait no longer, he firmly grabbed the handle and heaved up with all his might.
It was the wrong move. Instead of resisting, the hammer flew up with his yank and Trake had to fumble a step back to keep his balance.
Trake turned again to the other officers on the bridge and let out a wide smile.
Promontory: Well, now that’s out of the way, let’s get on with the mission.
Hopefully that was appropriately authoritative and reassuring! He sat in his now open chair and placed the hammer on the XO’s seat.
Caras/Tam/Kreshkova: Response
Promontory: Alright. Is everyone ready to bend the fabric of space to your will? Then let’s trip the light fantastic. (stretching out his hand) Mr. Kreshkova, Forward!
Caras/Tam/Kreshkova: Response
[TBC!]
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