Interface

Posted on Tue Mar 9th, 2021 @ 2:38am by Lieutenant Commander Timo Schaefer & Lieutenant Charlie Caspian & Lieutenant Kiam Aax & Lieutenant JG Tobias Jackson-Sanders & Lieutenant JG Ovrora Sh'rholok & Ensign Sturnack & Ensign Kevin Ibanez

Mission: The Relics of Isonzo
Location: Bridge, Starship Ulysses
Summary:
Timeline: Mission Day 1 at 1800

Timo sat, grumpily, in the Captain's chair. He had hoped to get some face time in front of the press. However, the Captain had instead decided to leave him in charge of the Ulysses. Now that his transfer had become official, Bach had decided the ships soon to be Chief Engineer would go down instead.

The shuttle's background talk was auto muted by the computer, but the computer was always on the lookout for important phrases, "Where's Schaeffer? Polishing his resume?"

The sudden unmuted phrase did nothing to improve the Human's mood as he smiled awkwardly, shaking his head. Unfortunately for him, Davies spoke up before he could respond.

"And, Schaeffer, is on the open comm line to the Bridge. Isn't that right, Timo? Did you know he's off to the Farragut? Don't worry if he hasn't told you, he will." It wasn't hard for someone to gauge how she felt about his transfer request.

Clearing his throat, the Commander reminded himself that in just a couple of weeks, the Ulysses would be headed back to a Starbase, and he would be off to the Farragut, "Yes, I'm here, Captain. The Zheng He reports they are preparing to launch their shuttle. We are to follow them down. Are you sure you want to leave me up here, Captain? I'd be happy to field the media's questions on the surface so you wouldn't have to."

"Yeah there must've been a crossed wire with my Yeoman, Schaeffer. But seeing as you're already up there, I'll skip the dramatic pause. You're in charge. Designate your Second in Command. When your teams are done laying down the relays, check-in. And stay out of zh'Vari's hair. She's handling the press. God help them. We should have our base camp built by the time you get back."

Timo's dour mood improved slightly at the Captain's mentioning of the Zheng He's Commander, "Very Good, Captain." The Engineer's grin spread across his face as his finger hovered over the chair's console. "Oh, and Captain, I thought I should mention, Commodore zh'Vari seems to have taken ill. Nothing serious, but she has therefore delegated the media to you until she is recovered. Have a safe trip down, Bridge out," He smirked as he cut the connection.

Kevin Ibanez arrived on the Bridge, heading quickly towards the helm console after seeing off the landing party. He glanced at Schaeffer's face as he passed the command chair and noted the lieutenant commander didn't look too pleased.

"Very good of you to join us, Mr. Ibanez," grumbled Timo as he gestured towards the helm console. "We might as well get this over with. Plot us a course for the first relay drop and get us underway as soon as the shuttle is away. Lieutenant Sanders, the Zheng He will monitor the shuttle's descent, but keep an eye on the telemetry if you can, and call Sturnack and Ovrora to the Bridge."

Nodding at Lieutenant Commander Schaefer, the truth was that he'd been keeping a close eye on the shuttle's progress since it had launched as an attempt to relax the uneasiness he'd felt at the decision to send what was practically the ship's entire senior staff away. "Lieutenant Ovrora and Ensign Sturnack to the Bridge" He spoke just about loud enough for the intercom to pick it up without interfering with any other conversation going on.

"Aye, sir," Kevin responded as his fingers tapped on the controls, laying in a course for the first relay point.

Timo looked over at Peg's deputy chief, "Aren't you supposed to be on the planet, Lieutenant? I thought Peg was letting you go since she's retiring?" The Engineer remembered Muldowney had come down pretty hard on the brawlers, but he had only really paid attention to Sturnack, and if he was honest with himself, he would admit he hadn't focused on the incident at all. But no, Peg was right Timo was already off to the Farragut in his mind.

Caspian laughed humourlessly and wrinkled her nose. "Based on all of my recent conversations with Commander Davies, I'm not even sure if I'll still be the deputy chief - never mind taking over from her. Let's just say she's made it very clear that my copybook is well and truly marked..." She glanced down at her panel as she spoke to the engineer - just like Sanders, she had been tracking the shuttle since its departure. And also just like Sanders, she too felt uneasy about the majority of Ulysses' senior staff being off the ship at the same time.

Having both been in their shared quarters when the call came down, Sturnack and Ovrora arrived at the same time. Stepping onto the Bridge, the Vulcan and the Andorian split off towards their respective consoles, the division between them having seemingly faded in the days since their altercation in 7-11. Sturnack, for his part, slid into the seat at his station and began calling up the various readouts he would need. "All systems currently nominal, sir," he spoke up, looking towards Schaefer though no call for a report had been given.

Ovrora perched on her chair at the Science station, settling cerulean fingers onto the display and executing a series of quick taps to bring up the science displays. This was the most normal she had felt in weeks, headaches finally starting to dissipate now that she and Sturnack had returned to their natural rhythm. The Andorian's antennae perked as a prior scan file from the moon's surface scrolled across her console giving her a chance to refresh on the key details. Monitoring the relays was certainly a good thing, but she couldn't help a creeping sense that this was going to be a boring couple of hours.

The Chief Engineer sat back in the center seat, casually crossing his legs as the ship rocketed out of orbit. He didn't speak for the first few minutes of their flight. As the Captain had noted, he needed to pick an acting First Officer. Nodding acknowledgments, Timo busied himself by looking around the compartment, studying each individual as they worked.

Though all he couldn't see Ibanez's face, the Pilot's hands danced across the panel with practiced ease. Sturnack, a fellow engineer, was as usual, prompt, precise, and stoic. Toby's eyes were focused, carrying out Timo's orders. Ovrora appeared delighted as data, the Chief Engineer would never comprehend, began streaming across her console. And Caspian, dutifully monitoring her console, Timo had to wonder if she was upset with Peg. But there was someone else missing from the equation. "Alright, people, let's place these relays and get back to that moon. Lieutenant Ovrora, you and Mr. Sturnack prepare, test, and get the relays into deployment mode. Caspian, rig launchers for relay deployment, and stand ready for launch. Ops, verify relay telemetry and make sure we can contact the relays we left outside the storm after launch. Mr. Ibanez, let us know when we are in position. Questions?"

Ovrora pulled her eyes from the streaming data to acknowledge the Commander's orders. "No questions here sir," she quipped, standing quickly to move over to Sturnack's station so they could better collaborate on the preparation of the relays.

Nodding, Timo smiled, "Alright, Let's get to work." Shifting his gaze to the small panel embedded in the chair's arm, he tapped a few buttons, opening a comm channel, "Doctor Aax, would you please come up to the bridge when you have a moment?"

The comm buzzed through with a bevy of background noise- it sounded like arguing, "Aax here, I'll be there in a few moments Commander. We're wrapping up with the Quartermaster," Kiam replied, her voice one of the measured patience it took to deal with Quartermaster Savraapi, who was notoriously... Zakdorn.

Flashing a grin at the Vulcan engineer, Ovrora nodded in the direction of the engineering readouts. "Just like old times," she remarked, a memory of working with Sturnack on an Academy project flitting through her head. Settling into old rhythms like one might a well-worn shirt, she tapped out a few details on a screen next to Sturnack bringing up profiles of the relays and the nodes from which they would expect to receive and send data. "Ready for test one."

"Old times indeed," Sturnack nodded slowly, eyes still focused on the work at hand. While the relay itself was ready for testing, the linkage between it and the Ulysses was experiencing disruption. "One moment, please," the Vulcan suddenly arched an eyebrow at something, cloaking his demand for more time in politeness. Tap tap tap went his fingers on his console, manually confirming what his screen had initially told him. "Relay linkages functioning normally. However, given the ongoing repairs to the ship's computer core," Sturnack turned to Ovrora, "it will take somewhat longer to establish connection and two-way telemetry. Please proceed accordingly," he urged.

Ovrora nodded to that and returned to her own functions. Data eventually cascaded across the screen as the two settled into the rhythm of testing and confirming ticking each step off and clearing each relay as they went. It wasn't long before the first several relays were cleared for launch.

"First three relays tested and cleared for deployment," the Andorian spoke up, pitching her voice to catch the attention of the engineer occupying the big chair.

" Starboard Torpedo Bay here, came a woman's voice over the comm, "The first relay is in position here, Bridge. We're ready to launch."

The Chief Engineer smiled and nodded at the Andorian, "Very good, Lieutenant." Shifting his confident gaze to Caspian, he continued, "Mr. Caspian, deploy as able. Toby, monitor telemetry and confirm relay status."

"Aye sir," replied Caspian with her usual cool efficiency. "Torpedo Bay, Bridge. Initiate launch protocols on my mark. Two-second intervals between each relay." A pause as she triple-checked her readings and looked over to Schaeffer. "Mark."

The three relays streaked away from beneath Ulysses' primary hull at two-second intervals, the first device peeling away to port, the second continuing straight ahead, and the third to starboard as they moved rapidly towards their pre-assigned destinations. Caspian nodded with satisfaction. "The first set is away," she reported.

"The signal is strong, Sir" Toby confirmed as he watched the stream of data being returned to them with barely the slightest adjustment required.

"Outstanding," replied Timo. "Mr. Ibanez, proceed to the final drop point and don't spare the horses." He wiggled in the uncomfortable chair, "This thing is a torture device." Shifting his gaze to the roommates, he continued, "Lieutentant, Ensign prepare the last set for launch, please."

"Yes, sir," Kevin replied, locking in the coordinates and engaging the impulse engines, boosting the speed to get them to their destination as quickly as possible. "We're en route."

Ovrora ran down the remaining relay, fingers dancing across the console and eyes darting back and forth to take in the data as she did. Fully in the moment of the work, she turned to Sturnack who was also working rapidly next to her and grinned. It was impossible not to enjoy the moment. She made a few last calibrations on her display then turned back to Sturnack again.

"All set from my side," she informed him waiting for his confirming reply.

"Also set," the Vulcan nodded before looking up at the Andorian. "Impressive work, Lieutenant," he offered with earnest appreciation before diving back into monitoring the relay telemetry data.

With a swish from behind the center chair, Doctor Kiam Aax produced herself out of the port turbolift, hands behind her back in her slightly unusual-for-her white uniform, sans her green labcoat. "Can we send Savrappi down on the next shuttle?" She chirped with a sort of dark bemusement to her black eyes. Unspoken was a desire to leave him there. She stood next to Timo Schaeffer, briefly chewing on her lip when she recalled she hadn't fixed the Captain's Chair yet. She turned attention to the main screen, eyeing some kind of relay. It looked like one of their own. "How's the center chair feel?" She mused to Timo.

"Like an Algorian mammoth is standing on my lower back," Timo responded, glowering at the Doctor. "I know this was your doing Doctor, and I've got half a mind to send you and our friendly Quartermaster down on the next shuttle. I'm sure it would make for an exciting journey. A chance for you two to really bond." Timo grinned at the Doctor as he stood and stepped towards the back of the Bridge, beckoning Kiam to follow him into the small briefing room.

Kiam followed, placing her hands behind her back, "This is feeling less and less like a medical emergency," Aax replied to his back whilst she followed. She nodded at Ovrora and Caspian while they passed, "If you need a muscle relaxant for anything that seems overly tight, I can help," she said with the barest raise of an eyebrow, a cryptic smile. "What am I looking at, Commander?"

Timo spun, his confident smile still firmly in place. It was only spoiled by the slightest grimace caused by the tilted chair, "Oh, I'll manage. I called you up here for something else entirely." Retrieving a discarded PADD from the table, he began keying as he talked, "The Captain has requested I select a First Officer, and my instinct says Lieutenants Jackson-Saunders and Caspian are the obvious choices. However, there is another Lieutenant I've decided to select." With a few final taps, he handed the PADD to Kiam, "Congratulations, Doctor, you are now the ship's acting First Officer. I have so noted it in the log."

It was unusual to floor a Betazoid. Kiam had been about ready to suggest better lumbar support for someone so tall when it landed in her lap. She blinked. She blinked again. The PADD thrust to her, she automatically took it on muscle memory, like Yeoman Curtis was handing her a patient's file. "Me?" Her black eyes dropped to the PADD, her voice incredulous, "You're joki-" she stopped with a narrowing of her eyes at the man, a waft of intent from his mind, "You're not joking." Kiam breathed in and paused to read, "Sure, alright. I'll play along. It's ceremonial right?" She thumbed the order. "Barring a medical emergency that is."

Timo chuckled as he started back towards the center chair, "Totally ceremonial, though I will expect next week's duty roster by 0900." Turning as he passed the ship's newly minted acting First Officer, he smirked, "Just think about how good your résumé will look, Kiam. The next time you are shopping around for career advancement, your dossier will show not only an experienced doctor but someone who is trusted with Command decisions."

Kiam watched him slip back to the center of the Bridge, inscrutable eyes on the man's back.

"Approaching our last drop point, sir," Kevin said to Timo as he slowed down the ship's impulse engines and came to a full stop.

"Thank you, Ensign," Timo said, sliding back into the center chair with a grimace. "Lieutenant, launch when ready. Toby, you know the drill, report telemetry, and relay status. Helm, plot a return course to Isonzo IVc and lay it in. As soon as Ops confirmes the relays are operating correctly, return us to the moon at one-half impulse," spinning the chair to focus on Kiam, he pleaded, "Oh, and Doctor, would you please fix this chair after we get back to the moon?"

Kiam raised an eyebrow, "Of course Captain."

Caspian opened a channel to Torpedo Control and repeated her orders from the launch of the first set of relays.
"Torpedo Bay, Bridge. Initiate the launch of the second series on my mark. Two-second intervals again... Mark."

The three relays streaked away from Ulysses in a repeat of the first launch - the first to starboard, the second straight ahead and the third to starboard. Caspian verified the launch diagnostics before looking over to where Lieutenant Commander Schaefer sat uncomfortably in the center seat. "Second set is away, sir. The board is green."

"Signal is strong, Sir. " Toby confirmed, glancing back toward Timo.

"Course set for Isonzo IVc," Kevin reported, his fingers tapping across the helm controls. "Engaging at one-half impulse."

With a flare from the impulse engines, the small starship accelerated back toward the moon. Ferrying the crew back towards their comrades and the doldrums of sitting in orbit, waiting for nothing to happen.