Carpathia IV: Episode 140 - Oddball
Bridge, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Perhaps it would be easier to imagine the Shadowdancer charging to the rescue like a group of wild west heroes galloping valiantly into danger to save a stricken friend, but, alas, space is far more mundane. Hours, often days, separated ships from each other and there was little to do in the interim but collect data and monitor systems. Nearly forty hours separated the Shadowdancer from the origin of the distress signal and the only indication that they were on the right track is that the signal continuously gained strength the closer they came to their destination.
Kit: We're close enough that I can establish an uplink to the NCCS Stinger. I'm sending messages but no response.
Aire: Amenaru, can you use the uplink to determine the nature of the distress?
Amenaru: I believe so, Captain.
Nalma: I have a final flight trajectory. I'll put it on viewer.
The entire forward bridge area, between the two front supports, lit up with a close-up image a deep green area of the planet and a line showing the path of the runabout. At first, the line was a nice, gentle curve into the atmosphere, but then it suddenly changed into a chaotic, broken zigzag pattern which finally ended at a large green and brown splotch on the surface.
Amenaru: Heavily damaged systems, Captain, consistent with a crash, mostly, but there's more than that. Some of the damage appears entirely separate from the crash, but I can't tell you more without visual inspection. Very limited sensors remain functional but I can tell that the runabout landed in a swamp.
Baal: The initial survey indicated strong electromagnetic interference and volatile weather patterns due to an unstable core. The runabout could have caught a wind shear.
Amenaru: It would probably take more than a wind shear to cause this. Can we call someone from engineering up? I have a thought and I'd like someone to help work through it.
Aire replied with action, tapping his armrest pad.
Aire: Chief, need a consultant up here.
Minnie: I can spare Ramei. Sending him up.
Ramei immediately set to working with Amenaru when he arrived on the bridge, eventually involving the rest of the bridge team with their research. The worst issue, however, was that there was still no evidence that the crew was alive.
Teek: We're approaching the planet, Captain.
Aire: Slow to induction and assume standard approach to geosynchronous orbit above the Stinger. Nalma, put the planet on viewer.
The ship started powering down, stars returning to little specks outside, while Teek confirmed the order.
Teek: Understood. Slowing to induction.
As Teek spoke, the planet appeared on the massive HUD just forward of the helm, quite possibly the strangest planet anyone had ever seen. It didn't look real, more like someone had stitched it together with random pieces of fabric, with hard, clearly defined lines separating the many biomes from each other. This was especially jarring in places where the biome colors contrasted violently, such as where a snowy tundra met a lush, green jungle.
Nalma: Now that is an odd one.
Baal: It's worth studying sometime for sure. After we complete the rescue, of course.
Amenaru: Captain, with Ramei's help, we've come up with a good working hypothesis on the runabout crash.
Aire sat up straight and gave a single nod, ready to listen.
Ramei: We believe the Stinger's size and engines caused the crash. The stability of the weather in certain parts of the atmosphere is tenuous at best and the runabout upset that. By itself, that wouldn't have been enough to crash the shuttle. The engines also added another destabilizing element. The core of the planet already produces a lot of EM fluctuations and weather hazards, and introducing a matter/antimatter engine spewing plasma and EM discharges all over the place just made the situation worse.
Aire: Is there a way to send a team down there without crashing?
Amenaru: I believe so. We need a ship with a smaller profile and engine output. A shuttle running on minimal power and at half the recommended atmospheric flight speed should do the trick.
Phobos: We should also add some extra EM shielding around the engines for an extra layer of security.
Aire: Okay, Ramei, Amenaru, Phobos, see to fitting out the shuttle as much as you can. Commander Joust, assemble a rescue team. Kit, keep trying to get someone on the comms down there.
A flurry of acknowledgements rang out just before they attended to their tasks, with the shuttle retrofit team making straight for the lift.
Joust: Nalma, Trex, you're with me. Teek, meet us in the shuttle bay after you've parked the ship.
Teek: Yes, Commander. I'll be there.
Trex and Nalma tapped at their consoles, signalling for their relief crew and stood, ready to accompany Joust. Before they could board the lift, however, Teren interjected.
Teren: Commander, if I may ask why...
Before he could finish, Joust interrupted.
Joust: Teren, I remind you that our mission takes place in a swamp.
Teren's fuzzy little ears suddenly flicked to the top of his head and wiggled. When his tail swooshed in front of him at the same time, Teren grabbed it and clutched it tight, as though it might detach itself and flee of it's own volition.
Teren: Understood, Commander. Carry on.
Joust and his team continued to the lift.
Joust: Let's start by picking up a volunteer from sick bay.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
Falke2009
