Arriving in the Chin'toka system

Posted on Sat Aug 12th, 2023 @ 6:16pm by Captain Lukas Fredricks & Lieutenant JG Jasmine Brooks & Commander Naois Mercy MD & Commander Peeq Elyro MD & Lieutenant Kod'ar & Lieutenant Chexor Vonn & Lieutenant Amara Naidoo & Lieutenant Faith Hawkins

1,607 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: To Catch a Thief
Location: Bridge
Timeline: MD14 - 1630 Hours

The Britannic's view screen had for the most part of the last 2 weeks had been a constant stream of streaking stars as the vessel warped through the deepest parts of the Alpha Quadrant. As the ship transited into normal, the streaks of stars faded away as they were replaced by long range views of the Chin'toka System.

Kod'ar was manning one of the few dedicated mission consoles at the side of the bridge. In advance of their arrival, he had requested permission from the Commanding Officer to send a probe ahead of their arrival to gather as much navigational information from the system as possible. He had been analysing the data received over the last few days in order to plot a safe and secure course for the Britannic.

"Captain," Kod'ar began as he raised from his seat and began to walk to the Flight Control console at the front of the bridge, "We are arriving on the outskirts of the Chin'toka system."

Upon arriving at his duty station, he tapped the shoulder of the young crewman who had been manning it to indicate that he would replace him.

Fredricks could feel the tension on the bridge increase when Kod'ar announced they were arriving at the Chin'toka system. "Drop us out of warp, Mr Kod'ar. Lieutenant Naidoo, I know it'll be difficult with the amount of..." Lukas paused for a moment to find the right words. "...debris in the system, but can your sensors pick up any ships out there?"

While, typically, the Doctor was in Sickbay the majority of the time, Commander Peeq Elyro was manning the Bridge Environmental Control console as the Britannic arrived within the Chin'toka System. Having served in many battles during the Dominion War he was very accustomed to seeing the remains of vessels such as these ones. Chin'toka was, by far, one of the worst that he had seen in his career. Not only had it been the site of one mass attack where the Dominion was defeated at heavy cost, a year later a second major offensive occurred where the Alpha Quadrant Alliance had been devastated in the engagement. To see the debris and flotsam surrounding their vessel he was grateful that he was not the Chief Counselor in addition to his role as Medical Officer.

He was very curious to see if they did detect anything of note.

Naois on the other hand, was the chief counselor, in addition to his duties as first officer. "Any sign of survivors in the area?" he asked, doing his best to keep his voice level, to suppress any sense of concern or worry. It was difficult, and he doubted he fully succeeded as he turned his head to glance around the bridge.

Amara had been lost in her sensors as they arrived in the system, checking and rechecking for any anomalies that could be cloaked vessels, ships powered to a level as to be almost undetectable.
"I'm having a hard time sir... The debris is making it difficult to distinguish from one... derelict to the next. Smaller vessels could be hiding in low power..." she paused a moment before finally looking directly at the Captain from her console directly behind the command pit.

"I'll keep monitoring" she added purposefully avoiding the registry of the near intact hulk to their starboard, echoes of her experience raising her heart rate.

"Alright." Fredricks said as he stood from his chair. "Lieutenant's Hawkins and Brooks, start analysing the system for any warp trails or signatures. If you find anything, try and assertain what ship it belongs too and what direction they're travelling."

This was already making Faith feel uneasy. Uncomfortable. Dozens of lifeless, derelict hulks lay in front of Britannic. It was like a graveyard in the darkest part of night. Some of the hulks were barely recognisable, they were so damaged. Faith's friends died on those ships. But, there was a job to do. "Yes, Captain." she said.

Brooks nodded as she turned to face the Captain "Understood, sir."

"Lieutenant's Naidoo and Vonn, start scanning the hulks to see if there's been recent activity on board or if theres anything noticeably missing. Look for missing weapons systems, defensive systems, power systems, really anything of any sort of value."

Like finding a needle in a haystack, Chex mused. Having anticipated that they'd need to make use of the ship's full array of sensors, he made the necessary adjustments to their efficiency at his station. When the task was complete he turned slightly to address the Captain. "I've diverted power from all non-essential systems to the sensors. We also have the inventory records of all Starfleet vessels that were..." Vonn didn't really want to say it. His mouth suddenly went dry. He eventually forced the words out of his mouth. "... lost.... here. If something's out of place, we'll find out in due course."

"Aye sir... The one to starboard currently appears to have damage that is not consistent with weapons fire but could be from some kind of docking clamp... I'll need to be in close proximity to the derelicts to make a more accurate analysis... Unless our Science teams have better luck at this range?"

The security chief still avoided identifying the ship, she had a feeling it would be a running theme with many on the bridge given the number of senior officers that had been involved in the war. Each of them had likely served on one of the ships scattered around them at some point in their career.

"Lieutenant Brooks, transfer the Science sensors to Tactical for a moment, let's see if we can pick something up?" Fredricks ordered.

"Understood, sir. Transferring now." Brooks said as she tapped several commands on her console.

At the Environmental Control panel, Doctor Elyro silently listened to the discussions and orders being shared around him, wondering if they would find anything within the fields that surrounded them. The Edosian was concerned that things had been so quiet so far, but that was the soldier he had been forced to morph into speaking more than the doctor. The quiet was welcome to the Chief Medical Officer, much better than the screaming the last time they'd been out this way. The remains of a Nebula Class ship, or what looked like a Nebula Class ship, gently drifted by as he thought about his last assignment out here.

"Perhaps we should send a shuttle out to widen the search perimeter," Naois suggested, though his expression was tight. He wasn't a fan of traveling by shuttle, the memory of crashing into a starbase still fresh in his mind even though it had been quite some time now since that happened. Still, the memory caused his complexion to pale a fraction.

"I agree with the Commander." said Faith. The smaller, nimbler shuttle could go into the nooks, crannies Britannic couldn't. And two sets of sensors were better than one. Obviously. Secretly, Faith hoped she wouldn't be selected for an away mission. "It'd speed things up."

"Scans are still inconclusive sir!" Amara added before weighing in on the newly banded idea's. "And I would urge against the use of a shuttle. Too many unknowns at this stage."

"I agree with both of you." Fredricks said as he looked at the viewscreen at the graveyard that was in front of them. "Looking at how dense that debris field is, Britannic won't be able to maneuvere through. Lieutenant Kod'ar, reckon a shuttle could get through there?" He asked his chief Helmsman.

"While, a type 2 shuttle would be more agile Captain, A type 8 shuttlecraft would be best suited Captain." he mused the two options available to them, "the increased cargo hold would be most useful."

"Alright then, Commander Mercy assemble an away team to explore that hulk. See if you can get any clues as to what has been taken and by whom." Fredricks said as he looked at his first officer. "Britannic will be close by to keep an eye on you."

The Vulcan stood. "Of course. Naidoo, Vonn and Ko'dar you are with me. We will meet in the shuttlebay in ten minutes."

"Aye sir" came the crisp reply from tactical. Amara already waving over her relief so she could make her way down and ensure the shuttle had at least some hand held weapons on board and something that passed as a shield array.

Chex locked down his console (albeit temporarily for his relief), before heading up the ramp and towards the turbolift doors. He wasn't too pleased about leaving the safety of the ship and heading into a debris field. They'd be treading amongst the dead. Regardless of how he felt, they had a job to do and the others were going to require his best if they were going to make it back alive.

Before Ko'dar could call his own relief officer over, they had appeared at his side. He stood in a very rigid and controlled manner to make way for the new Helmsman. He spoke in a low tone, conveying essential information before turning to follow the Executive Officer towards the aft turbolift.

"Happy hunting." Fredricks commented as the away team heading for the turbolift.

As the team departed, Doctor Elyro wondered if he should be getting Sickbay ready just in case.

"Doctor Elyro, prep Sickbay incase we have any uninvited guests." Fredricks said turning to look at the CMO. "Hopefully, you won't be needed."

The Edosian nodded, "I'm already on it, Captain."

Fredricks nodded his approval before looking back at the viewscreen. The graveyard of the Chin'toka system was looking straight back at him.

 

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