Preparation

Posted on Tue Nov 8th, 2022 @ 3:39am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali & Ensign Kitiuas Thenis & Commodore S'thenosis Gorgox

Mission: Planet of the Dinosaurs
Location: Bridge

Captain Kaylen Rhenora made her way to the bridge, eager to address the bridge crew who hadn't been able to make it down to the meeting in the shuttle bay. They deserved to know what was going on, and deserved to be involved.

"Excuse me - can I have your attention for a moment" She started once she had made it to her command chair and dropped blessedly into it for a few moments to take the weight of her still-healing legs.

Aurora was on the bridge keeping watch over her son, and the other children who were in the Ready Room. When Rhenora sat down she made her way across to see what it was she had to say, though she had a feeling she knew what was coming.

The Captain drew a breath, stealing herself for what was to come. No matter how many times she had gone over her decision it was still a difficult one.

" We need to prepare to leave the Sunfire. With the life support systems offline we can't stay here, the toxic fumes and lack of fresh oxygen will kill us before the lack of supplies will" She started, looking them all in the eyes before continuing. "And given that we only have a handful of working shuttles, we will need to walk somewhere to camp. Savar and his team are out on a shuttle now scouting for a suitable location and will advise us as soon as it is safe to move out. That being said, we need to take what supplies we can, but also travel lightly." She paused for a moment to gauge the reactions of those left on the bridge.

Aurora had guessed this was coming. “My concerns are for our young and wounded Captain. The predators on this planet will see them as easy pickings, plus we don’t know how long we’re likely to be stuck here.”

" We need to stay together, there is safety in numbers, although keeping 600 odd of us in the one place will prove its own challenge" Rhenora admitted, feeling the strain of the last few days " We are going to leave a small team on board to vent the smoke and hopefully ensure the distress beacon remains active. They may also make some preliminary repairs if it's safe" She continued to explain " As for the children and wounded, we're going to have to protect them as best as we can"

Aurora nodded. “Of course, I’ll do what I can to help with organizing the crew for the move. Perhaps asking the Haldeman’s might be a good idea, they’ve done this before. They might have some survival skills our people don’t.”

" If you could focus on keeping the children calm and preparing them for what will happen, I think that would be a good thing. I'll see if I can get the Halderman's on board to assist with the relocation effort. As you say I'm sure their experience will be invaluable" Rhenora replied with a tired smile. Soon there would be an opportunity to rest when the crew was safely settled.

The lift, growing ever slower with the loss of power, finally arrived at the bridge. One door slid partially open, the other didn't move. From the back of the bridge emerged a series of frustrated grunts and a few under-the-breath words of color in a language that was not English. A moment later one S'thenosis Gorgox stepped forward from the shadow, a ruffled mess of frustration as she affixed her hat. "Commodore Gorgox reporting for assignment. The trial is no longer going to happen, therefore I may as well make myself useful elsewhere." She announced.

Rhenora looked up to see Commodore S'Thenosis in a utility coverall, a rare practical garment in the spate of ceremonial and ornate dresses that usually adorned her body. Although not completely surprised by the Commodore's offer to help, it was still very much welcomed.

" Thank you, Commodore, Aurora and I were just discussing the logistics of moving the wounded and children once a safe refuge has been located, perhaps you would care to assist?"

"I have raised a brood of my own Captain. A gaggle of human children can't possibly be too difficult to manage. Just provide me with a hot crop (a type of heated whipping tool) and point me at the darlings. We'll have them marching to a beat in no time." She gave a quaint wave of her hand.

“Excuse me!?” Aurora looked at the Commodore in dismay. “A hot crop? Isn’t that some kind of whip? These are children, not wild animals Commodore.”

"It is an effective tool which can be used to return an unruly child back from chaos to order. If you do not wish to use it as a whip, it can be used to prod or simply as a scare tactic if you wish." She showed genuine interest in helping and the confusion on her face was equally genuine.

Rhenora didn't know if S'thenosis was serious or not, and fully understood that different cultures had different practices in raising their young. Whilst some may not be everyone's cup of raktigino, they had to be viewed with an open mind. However on a Federation vessel, there was a certain decorum. "Commodore I believe some of the children's parents may frown upon the use of a hot crop as you may call it, despite the best intentions."

In resignation the Commodore gave a curt nod of her head. "I shall heed your words Captain. It will be much more difficult to maintain discipline however I am up to the task." She looked them to Aurora, "So, where are the wee pups?"

Aurora smiled politely and motioned S’thenosis to the Ready Room, “Right this way Commodore.”

S'thenosis gave a curt nod and followed Aurora into the ready room where she immediately received stares from numerous frightened children.

With a death rattling sound, the lift once again stopped and deposited an individual onto the bridge, the partially opened doors no trouble for the individual to make it through. Ensign Kitiuas Thenis stepped onto the bridge, still in her sweat soaked uniform, that formed to her body like a second skin due to all the sweat and blood she had acquired while wearing her fire protective suit. The upper right shoulder region of her uniform had a huge rip in it and charring. Her right arm hung in an improvised sling. Her skin was an ugly greyish green, and her hair was plastered about her head. All in all, she appeared to anyone looking at her like a ghoulish humanoid that had gotten into a fight with a blender and lost.

“Ensign Kitiuas Thenis reporting Sir. The fire in the main environmental control is out. I would like to have the official record reflect that I recommend commendations for the firefighting crew; I also want to make an official commendation for Lieutenant Bonnie Durnell as she saved my life by dragging me to sickbay. I am awaiting further orders.” She stated at the position of attention, or as best she could muster.

Rhenora wasn't shocked by Kit's appearance, and knew everyone was hurting. Still, the young officer was putting on a brave face and Then would run with that.

" Kit, you've been to sickbay?" She asked gently as the Ensign was within privacy earshot. She didn't want to insult or humiliate her.

"Yes Sir, I have been treated and I am ready to return to duty. As a firefighter lead, I can help manage anymore fires on the ship and begin assisting venting the toxic smoke." she replied. "I will require a new firefighting crew, preferably ones actually have that as their secondary training, Sir."

That would be most be beneficial Kit, just don't over do it, it looks as though you had a run in with the wringer. Put out what you can, although we are still going to need to evacuate to vent the smoke." Rhenora replied gently. "And thank you"

“Aye, aye, Sir.” With that Ensign Kitiuas began making her way to the turbolift. Under her breath, it could be heard “First damn place I am going to find my ’volunteers’ is on that damn holodeck where Lieutenant Durnell tried to rally them to do their jobs. Let one of them just ignore me, I’ll put a boot so far up their….” The rest drowned out as she got into the turbolift and it made a death rattle movement away.

S'thenosis excited the Ready Room followed by a handful of children walking in a straight line, followed by Aurora. She briefly acknowledged the Captain as she matched them directly to the lift and stopped. As if in a funeral March each child stopped as well, silently, swiftly, and efficiently.

Aurora was carrying Sidak as he rested on her right hip, she offered a warm, friendly smile to the children as they looked around. “Don’t worry children, we’ll keep you safe. You’ll be back with your parents in no time.”

The Captain watched as the children filed out, the tiniest of smiles concealed as she wondered what exactly S'Thenosis had told them to get them to behave so succinctly. At least with Aurora there the experience would be more rounded or grounded.

Just before the lift closed, S'thenosis halted the doors and asked, "Will you be joining us Captain?" The woman now stood alone in the center of her lifeless bridge, surrounded by damage and debris.

" Not just yet" The words drifted off as she levered herself to her feet, casting her eyes around the now deserted bridge, almost as if she were saying goodbye to a loved one.

S'thenosis nodded in understanding, backed into the lift, and allowed the doors to close. She tapped her foot upon the floor, "Hangar bay."