The Fog
Posted on Sat Jun 24th, 2023 @ 8:45am by Captain Michael Intermeezo & Lieutenant Commander Klesh Ezah, Daughter of Aklow & Lieutenant Commander Awal Kronnelti & Lieutenant Betaras K'ner & Ensign Jack Keegan
Mission:
Tomorrow, Before Yesterday
Location: USS Chuck Norris
Timeline: Present
:ON:
{USS Chuck Norris, Observation Lounge}
Paxton continued to wait patiently for the senior staff, or what was left of them, to arrive. One by one he quietly observed as the crew made their way into the large room and sat around the oval-shaped table.
The resident Klingon Chief Strategic Operations Officer of the USS Chuck Norris arrived in the very small observation lounge with two PADDS. One was a report of the current activities in her department and the other was an updated personnel manifest which was in other hand. Klesh almost took her seat near the door on instinct, but she ended sitting next to the Captain and across from where the XO would be sitting as she was the Second Officer.
Ensign Jack Keegan followed the Second Officer through the door. He had been transferred off of the Chuck Norris shortly before the arrest of Captain Winters. He wasn't sure why he was requested back but regardless he was here as the Assistant Chief Helm Officer. This time around this was his only position and right now as it was apparent there was no higher ranking helmsman aboard it appeared that he was the de-facto Chief Helmsman. Hence why he was at this meeting.
Satisfied that the last person had arrived, Paxton took a deep breath and got to his feet. “Thank you for your attendance. However, I expect it to be quicker next time. When a commanding officer summons you, you make it your priority to arrive in an orderly fashion, am I clear?”
The man paused and waited as he watched the crew nod. Some looked confused, and others looked unsure.
“My name is Captain Paxton Beckett. I am your new commanding officer. Your previous CO was found guilty of heinous crimes against the Federation by a court of his peers.” He looked around the room and noted the presence of a couple of Klingons, “Rura Penthe would have been too kind a place to send that man. So now you are stuck with me. I’m not sure what kind of a CO Winters was, but you’ll find me to be very different. I expect results, and I expect them quickly. I expect discipline, punctuality, and unwavering devotion to the job. But more than anything, I expect loyalty. Am I clear?”
Again he paused and waited for the same unsure nods from around the table.
“Now, to the task at hand. The Chuck Norris has been brought out of mothballs because she was deemed to be the best ship for this mission Starfleet wants to send us on.” He moved across to the screen terminal and pressed a couple of buttons on the adjoining panel. An image of a nebula appeared. One that was unfamiliar to everyone currently present. “This nebula didn’t exist 4 weeks ago. It appears to have appeared out of nowhere. Starfleet have sent probes in, but none have transmitted any information or returned once they have entered the nebula.” He turned to look at the crew, “The reason they’re so interested in this nebula is probably due to the fact that its sitting just outside the solar system and it’s doubled in size in the four weeks that it’s existed; and it’s still growing.”
Klesh had been thinking of a possible theory since Captain Beckett had mentioned that the nebula didn't exist a short time ago. She looked at the Captain. "Could this potentially be some sort of anomaly? One with similar properties of a wormhole or another type where matter is able to pass through it?"
Paxton nodded. “This is something that is still a running theory at present. As you say, it could very well be a wormhole or something of that nature that we just haven’t seen before.” He looked over the information once again. “And it would also answer the question as to why none of the probes have returned.”
“The Chuck Norris has been tasked with entering the nebula and finding out as much as we can about it from within.” Paxton explained. “Our shields have been experimentally upgraded by some of the best minds over at Starfleet Engineering. I’m told that we’re looking at them operating at over 150% regular capacity. I’ve never been one to put my life in the hands of those grease monkeys, but we’re going to have to trust them or we won’t be able to do our jobs.”
Paxton continued, “We set course for the nebula at the conclusion of this meeting.” He turned the screen off and returned to his chair at the head of the table. “Any final thoughts before we set off?”
She wasn't an engineer but tactical operations was one of the things a part of her position so naturally, Klesh had questions about the new shields. "From a tactical standpoint, how often have these new shields been tested?"
“Probably no longer than two weeks.” The Captain answered honestly. “I would have hoped for some more time to iron out any kinks, but given the fluid nature of this situation we’ll just have to work with what we have.”
Paxton looked around the room. “Are there any final thoughts or questions before we get going?”
"Yes," Kronnelti answered, "If we are set to go to this nebula how many science officers do they want conducting experiments and same goes for our security staff. I'm not one to complain but since this "thing" doubled in size rapidly what security measures will we possibly face?"
Paxton nodded, fully understanding the concern. “There’s no guarantee that whatever that nebula is will be safe. It’s likely dangerous, but danger is part of the game if we want to be explorers.” He paused and look at the faces sat around the table. “From what I’ve seen so far we have a good crew and a tough ship. The shield modifications should help us out too. I think we’ll be okay. Science and security have assured me of their readiness for this mission.”
Ensign Keegan looked at the Captain. "Are we to expect any quick maneuvers in the nebula? Debris of any kind?"
“I’m afraid your guess is as good as mine, Ensign.” Paxton answered bluntly. “The probes have been ineffective at transmitting any information once inside the nebula. So we might be flying blind.”
The Captain took one last look at the concerned faces that stared back at him. “This isn’t an ideal situation, but we are all Starfleet officers and we are all more than capable otherwise we wouldn’t be here.” He smiled through his own uncertainty. “We leave within the hour. Please get yourselves in order and report to your stations. Dismissed.”
{Sickbay, a short time later}
K'ner had gathered with the medical crew to await the CMOs briefing on whatever the new mission was. There was a lot of hustle after they let out, so it must be big and it must be soon come.
Normally she'd hang with the security detachment but given the undisclosed danger, the CMO had requested her presence, along with the other two combat medics. Once they got the gist of the pending situation, they would relocate back to their security teams to prepare...
As the CMO wrapped up her brief synopsis of the briefing, he moved off to attend to other medical matters and K'ner nodded at her teammates as they headed back to security. As the other two cleared the door, she stepped back to let someone pass.
After briefing, Kronnelti headed off to sick bay to get his scar double checked. After Kronnelti is going to ask k'ner what he can do to help out knowing there is a lot at stake!
K'ner shrugged, knowing the Klingon Chief already knew more about the pending mission than she did at present. "We're locked, stocked, and ready to rock Chief! CMO just briefed us in case we need to assist. We're headed back over now to go over the timelines, check gear... all the usual security stuff we already know by heart but never leave to chance."
K'ner nodded at her boss. "We got your back Chief. No worries."
“Okay” said Kronnelti, he then leaves walking the corridors thinking to himself.
:OFF:
Captain Paxton Beckett
Commanding Officer
USS Chuck Norris
Lt Commander Klesh Ezah
Second Officer
Lieutenant Kronnelti
Chief Security / Tactical Officer
Ensign Jack Keegan
Asst. Chief Flight Control Officer
