Away Team Extraction
Posted on Fri May 24th, 2024 @ 12:22pm by Ensign Dani Harper & Ensign Charlotte Dawes & Lieutenant Commander Razka Kas & Commander Maxun Spello & Lieutenant Eirly Andersen & Lieutenant Chrysanthe Capulet
1,901 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
What We Do With Second Chances
Location: Serenity & Holana
Timeline: MD 10, 0145 Hours
After they finished speaking, Maxun closed the communications relay, then turned to the rest of the team that was still on the Serenity. "Okay, Astrea will be here soon, and they are going to send another shuttle to retrieve us. So, everyone, pack up your stuff and let's all form up down in the shuttlebay."
Dani took a deep breath. "Way ahead of you, Lieutenant. I am ready to grab my bag and go."
Charlotte nodded. "I never really unpacked. Do we say our 'See you soons?'" She asked, somewhat awkwardly. They were trying to not let anyone on the ship know what they had found for everyone's safety - especially the enslaved who living below decks.
Maxun considered the question. While they had not yet been asked about what they had discovered below by the apparent masters, he doubted that would stay that way for long. "For now, don't say anything. As we are just visitors, and our ship is returning, it would not seem out of place for us to ready ourselves to leave." He grimaced slightly as he continued. "While I detest leaving these poor people in the state that they are in, we are too few a group to do anything. For our safety, we will leave as if all is normal, then regroup with the power of the Astrea and the Federation behind us. Understood?"
Charlotte nodded. "I'm ready to get out of here. Permission to get going, sir?"
"Granted," Maxun replied with a nod.
Chrys didn't disagree and went and grabbed her things.
Charlotte and Dani took that as their cue and quickly walked to their temporary quarters and loaded themselves up with their bags and Charlotte's medical equipment, and returned to to the corridor.
The Ta'Feel family and Dr. Parks emerged a short time later and walked to the intersection of their two corridors also packed and ready to leave.
Once everyone returned with all of their belongings and gear, Maxun led them down to the shuttlebay. While there was no outward appearance of it, he knew that they were being watched. Right now, his only concern, was getting his people safely back to the Astrea.
The cockpit had four stations, Tactical and science stations were behind the Pilot and navigation stations in the Quath’Mar tradition. The console controls were designed so they easily be transferred between stations allowing more versatility. In a pinch this vessel could be crewed by two people. Kas had the computer automating the navigation and had the tactical controls up on the co-pilot console, the shuttle had a total of four transport pads two in the cockpit and two in the rear near the small medbay. This was typical Quath’Mar thinking the pilot was the last one to leave the vessel. Kas pushed the thought out of his head as leaned back his seat and smiled at Eirly.
“The Holana is my ‘lady Anderson, she’s been heavily modified by my people. So if you have any questions let me know. Do familiarize yourself with the weapon controls hope we won’t need them but, I have a misgiving about this situation. That’s why I’m handling it personally.;”
Like Kas suggested, Eirly took her time to get familiarised with the controls and layout of the shuttle. It was quite nice! Flying definitely wasn't her strong suit, but after a few passes and back and forth conversation with him she understood everything she would need to do in an emergency situation.
"Sir, you mentioned a bit before that you had a misgiving about this situation, would you care to share while we're headed to get our team back?" Eirly queried
Kas paused, he chastised himself for speaking so openly to a subordinate. He chose his next words carefully.
“From what I could glenn from Commander Spello over the COMM. The Atarans may have some ugly secrets. If COMM was monitored, there may be trouble.” Kas explained as he navigated the vessel out of the bay. “Keep your eyes open, watch my six and follow my lead.”
Kas Spoke in his neutral tone of command, He also picked up on Remy's tension on the bridge.
Eirly had noticed the tension that had suddenly overcome Kas, but decided to let it slide and focused on the task at hand. "Got it, sir. I hope this is all smooth sailing and we can fet our guys home without any issues." She nodded her understanding.
As the Holana approached the Serenity a docking rings nearest the shuttle bay began to glow and rotate. A reaction that the initial away team had deemed automatic and what was had gotten the Nostromo stuck for a few days when the officers could not initially figure out the technology and had not yet discovered the Atarans on board.
On board the Holana there was an incoming signal from the Serenity. Kas opened the COMM. The Hybrid crossed his ankles as he waited for clearance, the movement seemed innocent enough. He was checking the placement of the blade in his boot.
"This is Vespin, I've detected your approach from Astrea. Opening the shuttle bay doors for you. Your crew members are on their way now," said the male voice over the comms.
“Thank you, I’m commencing my approach.” Kas said as maneuvered the shuttle toward the vessel. He put on a pair of tinted goggles, these were custom made for and could adjust to light levels in a microsecond. He didn't know how these people set their environmental controls and he couldn’t afford the time it would take for his eyes to adjust.
Kas turned to Eirly, “Are ready.”
"Coast is clear, sir." Eirly brought up images to the rear of the shuttle that she had been monitoring at his request. "Nothing on the radar, should be clear to land."
From the Serenity, two beacon lights flashed on either side of the shuttle bay doors before they opened revealing an open landing pad. Two of Astrea's shuttles had been housed there for the last few days, but were now planetside with Grexx and Cormus.
Kas got up from his seat as he heard the computer announce that the bay was up to pressure. He moved to the door, "Andersen I want to get our people on board as quickly as possible. So, we're going to assist them loading their gear, keep our eye open for trouble,"
Eirly followed Kas to the doors and nodded. They loaded out, ready to do what they needed to do and bring their guys home.
As the team approached they shuttlebay hatch, Maxun saw that Vespin was already there, manning the controls. He turned to Chrys and whispered, "In case things go sideways, get the rest of the team on that shuttle and back to Astrea, no matter what." He then made his way over to Vespin.
"Aye sir." Chrys replied and nodded.
Vespin was waiting in front of the airlock that had sealed when he had opened the Shuttle Bay doors for the Holana. A viewing window showed the Holana just putting down. "I took the liberty of letting your friends in," Vespin stated. Once the runabout was inside the Bay, he tapped a few controls to begin repressurizing the Shuttle Bay.
"The others are just as eager to see you off of the ship, as you are to leave. They've discovered that you healed the worker's hand, but do not know how much truth you've uncovered during your stay here," Vespin said softly. "It is best that I do not know either. You should leave quietly."
"That is our plan, Vespin," Maxun replied politely. "I want to thank you for your assistance, while we were here."
"On my world, I was a scientist," Vespin responded. "A bit of an outcast, but necessary for technological progress and development. I could never have imagined a world like yours. However you decide to aid my people, you will have my assistance."
Charlotte listened to Vespin carefully and studied his body language as he spoke. She knew there was something else he was trying to convey, and she was trying very hard to determine what that was.
The bay now pressurized, Vespin opened the airlock for Astrea's Away team to enter the Shuttle Bay. Eirly and Kas were already exiting the Holana as the team shuffled in.
Dani noticed that Lieutenants Spello and Capulet were letting the junior officers go first so Dani quickly stepped through the shuttle bay. She looked a bit taken aback first, not recognizing either officer, but they were barely more than a skeleton crew when she stepped off the Astrea and quite a few officers had been scheduled to join them at Starbase 76.
"You are here for us right?" Dani asked sheepishly? She was just carrying her one bag, plus a couple of the medical kits.
Eirly understood why Dani would be nervous, so she tried her hest to offer some comfort, "I'm Lieutenant Eirly Andersen and this is Lieutenant Commander Razka Kas, and we're here to bring you all home." Her voice was reassuring as she reached out to take the gear the other officers were holding.
Dani nodded, "Alright then nice meeting you, Dani Harper." Dani gave each of the officers a courteous nod before walking on board the shuttle.
"Yeah, thanks for the lift," Charlotte said. "Charlie Dawes."
Kas nodded when Eirly introduced him. He was grateful that she was doing the talking. The goggles were not tinted enough to completely conceal his eyes as he visually scanned the room for trouble. He wore a neutral expression as he approached Maxun.
“We are prepared to transport you and your team Sir.” Razka said in a professional tone.
Looking over at the powerfully-built man, Maxun nodded. "Thank you, Mister Razka. Make sure everyone is settled aboard, and I'll be right there."
"Of course, Sir." Razka said.
After Kas moved away, Maxun turned again to Vespin. "I know that you do not agree with...certain rules that seem to still be in place. If there are others, let us know quietly. We will do all we can to help you."
Vespin had a curious look on his face as Spello spoke. "We can talk more when we are not on the ship. Some lines aren't always so clearly drawn."
Maxun nodded. "Understood. Well, you know how to reach us, when the time comes." He extended his right hand in friendship.
Vespin looked at Maxun's hand, and extended his having been taught the gesture on the Astrea. "Thank you."
After the men shook hands, Maxun nodded again, then turned and made his way to the shuttle. As he was the last one to board, he pressed the control to close and seal the hatch. "Alright, Mister Razka, as soon as the doors open, get us back to Astrea.
"Aye Sir," Kas said from the pilot station. He was eager to get his crewmates away from this odd ship.
Lt. Commander Maxun Spello
First Officer
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Razka Kas
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant J.G. Eirly Anderson
Assistant Chief Tactical Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant JG Chrysanthe Capulet
Chief Science Officer
USS Astrea
Ensign Charlotte Dawes (& Dani)
Nurse
USS Astrea
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