Shuttle to Horizon

Posted on Sun Jan 9th, 2022 @ 1:55am by Captain Gary Alexander & Lieutenant Chadrick McNier & Lieutenant JG Alexandra Campa & Lieutenant JG Jordan Blackford & Karina Tell & Lieutenant JG Talia Flowers & Ensign Noah Cole

947 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission 3 - A Whole New World
Location: En Route to Horizon
Timeline: 2168/08/10 1320

Alex flew the Archimedes true towards the Horizon. The viewscreen showed space as the ship flew off. Gary sat in the co-pilot seat, trying to get a glimpse at all of their home: Horizon. He also was curious to get a look at the ship that was, according to McNier drifting towards it.

Gary looked at Talia and said, "Hail that ship and Horizon and see what in tarnation is going on here. Do not let them know that I am the Captain yet and on this shuttle."

“Will do,” Talia said and slid into the co-pilot seat. Pulling out the gadget she got from the market, she placed it on the control panel in front of her. Contacting the Horizon, Talia relayed the Captain’s message. Verbatim. “Hey there Horizon. Archimedes here.”

After the response, she continued. “What in tarnation is going on here?” She threw Gary a sparkling smile. “I could ask the other ship, but I’m not sure how that would translate.”

She was sure the loss of their crew would impact her soon. But now was not that time.

Gary closed his eyes and tried not to laugh at Talia. Having lost crew, laughing would be insensitive. Yet, they had to move on and if this ship was a threat.... "Just get McNier on for me...."

Blackford was back in engineering, doing some routine maintenance and working with his staff.

"McNier here." The voice of the Science Chief replied. "What is the estimated time of shuttle arrival?" He asked. "We have a bit of a parking matter."

The Captain answered, "Yes, I can see that. Details, McNeir."

"The ship was drifting; laterally on a straight trajectory; be it slow, and not holding a stationary orbit. If the progression were not so cease a collision would have occurred. WE sent a universal warning that it should maintain distance and the ship stopped." McNier explained. "But we had placed our ship so no collisions would happen; accounting for drift, so the fact it 'Was' on a collision course made the actions intentional we were standing by with a tractor beam should it be needed to push the ship away." He sighed. "Nothing more came of it but they are very close and with a whole planet to park over why is the ship in the Yellow proximity when it was in green when you left is my question?"

"But there have been no overt hostile actions?" Gary returned to McNier.

"Would you consider them coming into a closer proximity of our parking orbit and adjusting drift to bring them into close docking or collision trajectory?" McNier replied. "They adjusted in a way that could make a collision, so no overt hostility but why adjust and a Tractor Beam to keep from a collision after a warning they are getting close is not aggressive on our part as well. A reasonable conclusion don't you think Captain?"

"Reasonable, but they haven't fired either." So what are they doing? Gary wondered. "Have you had any other communications with them other than the warning?"

"Nothing direct, we sent message they were getting too colse and to cease drift; they complied and we have been at a lull in further actions or communications." MeNier replied. "It seems we are at a stand-still in that regard."

"Odd," Gary responded. He wondered if McNier knew Regulation 46A where no uncoded messages should be given during a battle. "I would hate to miss a lift back home, but given the circumstances, I think you should warp away and let us take our chances." It was not the best code in the world, but hopefully McNier understood it to tractor on the shuttle and immediately head to warp to get them out of this position.

KAT gave a look at the Lieutenant and arched her eyebrow. "It might be an idea to do as the Captain says," she said specifically.

Leaning over to speak softly into McNier's ear, she said exactly as the Captain had intimated. "Tractor the shuttle, Lieutenant, and then when they're aboard, get us out of here."

Horizon grabbed the shuttle and started tractoring it in. Simultaneously, the other ship discharged something towards Horizon. It made contact with the Horizon but nothing apparently happened after contact was made. In fact, it seemed to completely dissipate.

Alex lowered her hands as the tractor beam took over. She hated this loss of control but she understood it was necessary. "They have us, sir."

In engineering, Brackford's panel registered an increase in the power levels of the tractor beams.

"Set course away from here maximum impulse and prepare for warp when we are safe." McNier kept an eye on the shuttle. "Once they are aboard shields and we are out of this place at warp three, no need to tip out speed hand, let them think we are slower than they can calculate from our departure."

On the shuttle, Gary impatiently watched as the shuttle was pulled onto the Horizon. The moment that the shuttle entered the hangar, Gary called up to the bridge, =^= Captain Alexander to bridge. Mr. McNier, what is our status? =^=

McNier check his helm officer and looked to the landing status of the shuttle. Another glance over his shoulder at the Engineering panel showed an increase of panel activity.

"Take us out of here at best possible speed." He instructed the Helmsman.

=^= Captain, we are departing under best impulse; having finally broken orbit in the direction of the opposite of the alien that had ventured into our territory. =^=

=^= If they make any hostile move, let me know. Otherwise, when I get on the bridge, go to Warp 2. =^=

 

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