Bridge Training: Distress Call (Part IV)

Posted on Wed Jul 19th, 2023 @ 12:49pm by Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver & Cadet Senior Grade K’tarra Smythe & Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani & Cadet Junior Grade Emma Mendez & Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Todenhöfer
Edited on on Tue Jan 30th, 2024 @ 1:46am

1,507 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: The Cadet Cruise
Location: Bridge

[PREVIOUSLY]

"Sounds like a Logical, and obvious, conclusion, First Officer." Daniel replied with a smirk. "So let's tread with caution, as you say, but remember our primary objective."

[CONTINUED]

Emma's finger hovered over the alert status button on the tactical console. She was waiting for Daniels orders, especially since this was a distress call. She knew that she may be asked to take the ship to Red Alert at any moment, especially if this turned out to be a trap like Shafin had already stated.

Daniel looked over to Helm. "Helm, take us to the nebula at maximum speed and tell Engineering not to be stingy with the dilithium."

“Wouldn’t think of it”, K’tarra replied while sliding a bar on her panel just slightly more forward. “Running a stronger mixture into the engines for max available power.”

"Tactical. Shield's up. Yellow Alert." Daniel said as he looked to Emma. "Keep your fingers close to the trigger. If this is a trap we don't want to be caught off guard."

"Going to yellow alert" Emma replied. "Raising shields."

Daniel began to walk to the Science console. "Meghan. As soon as we are within range we need to know as much as we can about that Nebula. What kind of effect it's having on their ship? Are we going to be able to beam them out or go in? Whatever you can come up with. Pull Ops in to assist if you need to. We need options." He went to walk away but stopped quickly, turning back around to face Meghan before leaning in a bit. "Also, search the records for any information on their ship. The Avadora. Bajoran Science Vessel. I know that ship, but I can't place it. Maybe you can find something that will remind me. Think you can do that?"

"I'll do my best," she replied with a smile. She'd also see if there was any information on the nebula as well. As soon as Daniel left, she began to search the database.

K'tarra focused her attention on one of the viewscreens, dedicated to the dilithium crystal configuration and warp field optimization.

With a touch of her fingers on the console, the viewscreen came to life, displaying a detailed schematic of the dilithium chamber. The holographic representation showed the intricate lattice structure of the dilithium crystals within the chamber. K'tarra observed the current crystal alignment and the energy fluctuations emanating from them.

Using a set of virtual controls and tools at her disposal, Cadet Smythe initiated the fine-tuning process. She carefully manipulated the holographic crystals, delicately rotating and repositioning them within the chamber. With each adjustment, she monitored the changes reflected in real-time on the viewscreen, analyzing the impact on the warp field and engine efficiency.

Daniel walked back to the Captain's chair but stopped. Looking at it for a moment before shifting his gaze to Shafin. "Shafin... what's your perspective on this? Bajoran Science Vessel, trapped in a nebula, which may mean going in might ut us in the same position? Does it still scream trap to you?"

Shafin mulled over the information presented. "It would not be very logical to speculate, Sir. However, I will entertain your inquiry. Bajorans have a history of guerrilla tactics, but they have no reason to lure us for an attack" stated Shafin.

"Bajorans and Science vessel," Shafin said looking at Daniel. He raised his brow slightly and inclined his head. "Not exactly peanut butter and jelly. I suppose they could have gotten trapped. It does not exactly feel like a trap."

"But it doesn't exactly scream 'not a trap' either." Daniel replied back. "We have to also assume, should this be a trap... the Bajoran's may not be the ones springing it. They could be the bait... or unaware they are the bait."

"Trap or not. Bait or not, we can only assume that lives are at risk" stated Shafin.

Several minutes later, Meghan had something to report. "Cadet Weaver, there is little information on the nebula. It shares some similarities to another nebula in a nearby system, but is thought to be unstable. The Avadora was sent to do a preliminary survey of the system. The Bajoran government lost contact with the ship a week ago," she reported. "And Daniel..." She hesitated before continuing. "The Avadora is under the command of Captain Weaver Sul."

"That's where I know the Avadora from." Daniel replied, crossing his arms over his chest, as he looked to Meghan. "Weaver Sul is my grandfather. My Mom's father. I've meet him only a few times when I was growing up. Always had a story to tell me about his adventures as a Captain. Always hesitant to talk about the Occupation, but never afraid to vent his opinion on the Cardassians." It finally struck him. He looked to Shafin then quickly to Meghan. "He did this on purpose." He shouted slightly. "I told you. This is the other shoe dropping or maybe just one of the shoes. I don't know. There's feet involved."

"I'm sure he picked the ship and captain for your benefit," Meghan replied. "I don't know if he simply wanted a familiar name or if he wants to see how you'll react if it's someone you know. Either way, we have to find out what's going on and assist without getting caught in ourselves. I'll start scanning as soon as we're in range. Until then, I'll see if I can learn more from the computer."

"You're right." Daniel replied, turning to face the main viewer, before walking back to the center of the Bridge. "That's not the real Avadora. It's a simulated ship with my simulated grandfather in a simulated nebula that we have to safe." He crossed his arms over his chest and let out a deep sigh. "After this simulated rescue I could use a real break? Whose with me?"

Meghan met his gaze and smiled. She didn't have to tell him that she'd be with him.

Emma raised an eyebrow as she watched from the tactical console. "I thought we just finished having 'a break'?" Emma asked curiously referring to the evening on the holodeck the other day.

Daniel looked over to Emma and let out a sigh before shaking his head. "You're one and only job is to shoot things and keep us from exploding. That revolves as little thinking for you as possible." He chuckled slightly, as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Cadet Jager, when we reach the coordinates, keep your distance from the anomaly."

Emma simply scowled back at Daniel before returning her attention back to the tactical console.

When the main view screen showed they had reached the system, Daniel looked over to Shafin with a nod. "Moment of truth, First Officer." He said before looking over to the Cadet at ops. "Open a channel to the Avadora. Mendez, maintain shields."

"Yes sir." Ops replied as he tapped on the console. "Channel Opened."

"Fake Ava-" Daniel stopped quickly before clearing his throat and putting on a more official tone. "Avadora, this is the USS Cavalier. We are answering your distress call. Please advise us of anyway we can assist."

The com channel was a little distorted. The nebula, or anomaly, was interfering with the signal so it was hard to make out exactly what was being said. "Cavalier... Thank... Prophets... Came... Assist. We... not escape. Held... side... nebula... Please..." The channel cut abruptly.

"Can you get them back?" Daniel said as he looked to Ops.

"I'm trying. Some kind of interference I can't pinpoint. Hard to say if it's from the nebula or if it's man made."

Daniel looked over to Shafin before looking over to Meghan. "Please tell me you got something."

"I have a direction," Meghan said, putting it up on the viewscreen. "The signal is coming from this part of the nebula. I'm trying to filter out some of the ambient radiation to get a better look at what's in there." There were several things she could do to get a clearer signal. The question was, which, if any, would work in this case. "Did they say something about not being able to escape." she asked, trying to remember the exact words. "There's a very real chance we'll get stuck, too, if we go in there. I'll keep trying to get a read on the chemical components."

This was something Meghan knew well. She tried a number of filters until she found the combination that allowed her to get a decent scan of the nebula itself. Once she finally had that, she ran a comprehensive analysis and sent it through the computer. "I have it, but it's not good," she said, turning to Daniel.


(To Be Continued...)

Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver
Command

Cadet Junior Grade Emma Mendez
Security

Cadet Senior Grade K'tarra Smythe
Engineering

Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani
Science

Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Tödenhofer
Counseling

 

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