I'm in. I just hadn't seen this or any emails. But I wouldnt mind continuing this one.

I will keep you in my prayers, sir. May the Divine bless you and your family, and keep your wife and baby Kalani healthy.

Placeholder Text

Office of Admiral Elsa Kell, Starbase 39, Alpha Shift 0815

Stardate 2365.2.19

Admiral Kell looked at the PADD before her. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a report on the progress of the USS Montgomery, status reports, scientific updates on the Collapsar 49 anomaly. She frowned. Not because of the report, but Captain Masters reported in every week, and this report was two weeks old. She wondered what was going on. Normally she wouldn't be concerned, but Masters was like clockwork. One report a week, within minutes one way or the other, regardless of circumstances. If there had been an emergency, he would have informed her of such. There were upcoming missions in that subsector, perhaps she could have them investigated.

She looked at her PADD once more, then upward.

/= Computer, bring up details of the Palmas-Psellian Federation Entrance Talks. /=

/= Authorization?

/= Kell, Delta seven six two Lambda Epsilon three four seven Gamma.

/= Authorized, Admiral Elsa Kell.

Elsa began scrolling through the readouts as they passed over her screen.

USS Kwan-Yin, Alpha Shift, 0900

Stardate 2365.2.19

Carolyn Chen stood in her quarters, smoothing non-existent wrinkles out of her uniform, then fingered the Captain's pips on her collar. A habit left over from her first promotion to Captain, but as much a part of her morning routine as anything.

The USS Kwan-Yin. An appropriate ship name for a captain who was a practicing Buddhist. The fact that she was a diplomatic, as well as an exploration vessel, was even better. She liked exploration, but diplomacy was her strength. Not only was she good at it, she was very good. She could serve in lieu of an actual diplomat, but the Kwan-Yin would carry her own diplomatic detachment.

In addition, she was one of the newer Norway class of ships. Built sturdy and fast, she could handle the toughest of scientific missions as well. Entire decks devoted to Science stations, for all kinds of study.

In addition, the Kwan-Yin had the ability to enter a planetary atmosphere and land, if necessary. She was definitely a fine ship, and Carolyn equally proud to be her captain. Satisfied with her appearance, she headed into the bridge. She relieved her XO from the chair, and sat down. She imagined she could catch the scent of new upholstery, and softly smiled once more.

“Status report.” She called to the helm.

“Approaching Starbase 39, Captain. ETA seven and a half hours.”

“Thank you, Ensign.”

She took the PADD from her yeoman, and scanned the roster. It was a good shakedown crew, and they were making sure that the Kwan-Yin was ready to receive her newer crew members. Some would transfer off at Starbase 39, others would stay, and her ship would be ready to go.

“Captain, Admiral Kell is calling through.” The Lieutenant at Communications said.

“Very good, Lieutenant. I'll take it in my office.” She turned to her XO. “You have the Conn.”

She walked to her office, listening to the door 'whoosh' behind her. She had expected to meet with the Admiral once they reached Starbase 39, so she found this unusual. She sat at her console, and activated it.

“Admiral Kell.” Captain Chen said firmly.

“At ease, Captain. I know you'll arrive soon, but I have a couple of things I'd like to discuss with you...”

Guessing that's possible. I imagine if we haven't heard anything shortly after New Years' that's probably the case. I will hold out hope that it's not, though.

I'd been looking for some good play-by-post games also, and I kind of found the Inn by accident.

A most fortuitous one, I might add. Lots of good folks, mods who are willing to answer even the dumbest of questions, and a lot of interesting games to follow.

Some really good ones, too! I've enjoyed being here, and I can't wait to get really moving in a SIM!

So, Hello! Nice to meet you, and all those good things!

Magickman

I missed that this was here. But I read it, and it has some great info in it. It even had the answer to a question I had been wondering about.

So kudos, and the welcome thread continues to live! (Fresh meat!)

Magickman

Same here...

Last I saw, if I rememer correctly, he had posted here on the 12th of November, and something in another group on the 16th... After that, I don't know. Holidays, maybe? But there were posts and then... nothing.

Don't know any more than that. *shrug*

Is it all right to add a couple of minor crewmen to my staff? Just crewmen who might be working the flight deck, or helping with the monitoring, diagnostics, etc.

I'm thinking that since I only have a compliment of 5, that I might be able to add some "redshirts" to the list? Just names, no real ranks or personalities?

That's not too forward for my writing, is it? Just curious.

Magickman

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42031.4)
USS George Washington Carver, Bridge, Deck 1 - 1050 Alpha Shift

…

=/= Falcone to Commander Cole. =/=

“Cole here. Go ahead.”

=/= Just finished all the tests, Sir. The WaveRider is ready to go. =/=

“Well done, Mr. Falcone. Please join us on the bridge. We’re coming up on Rho Puppis I and I think you’ll enjoy getting a first look along with the rest of us.”

=/= Aye, Sir. On my way. =/=  Jenna made her way to the turbolift, checking her PADD as she went. She glanced up every now and then, so as not to run into anyone.

The lift doors slid open, and she stepped inside. "Bridge," she said. There are unknowns, there always are. She thought. I'll have to correlate Mr. Siric's data with my own, and Mr. McGinty's, to eliminate as many as possible.

((5 minutes later...))

The lift doors swooshed open again, and Jenna walked through. She walked up to the Helm and tapped Mari on the shoulder. "You're relieved, Mr. Solberg." Mari slid out of the chair and stepped aside to let Jenna in.  This is it.  Jenna thought with excitement.  This is what I signed on for.  Mari saluted and made her way to the lift doors.

“Mr. McGinty?” Max continues his rounds.

“Sir,” Lt. McGinty frowns into her screen. “I’m reading quite an array of various minerals surrounding the planet. A number of them are unknown.”

“Elaborate, please.”

“Well, sir, we have elements that register within Federation databases but there are chemical combinations—and unknown minerals—that have never been cataloged.” Excitement is building in the woman’s voice.

Max nods and pushes himself up from his chair. Tugging down on his shirt front he steps towards the helm station. “Section off the viewscreen, Ops, and bring up a side-by-side.”

“Aye, sir,” Siric complies.

Analyzing the readings, Max frowns and scratches his beard.  Lt. McGinty speaks up from her station.

“Sir, short-range scans have met with a layer of impenetrable substance at least fifty kilometers thick outside of the planet’s exosphere.”

“Boost that scan, Mr. Wilhelm,” Cole orders, narrowing his eyes at the screen’s image of the planet. The orb looks to be completely covered by a silvery-blue cloud that swirls and twists like tumultuous waters.

(OOC: Wilhelm’s response... )

“It’s no good, sir,” McGinty reports after a moment. “The scans aren’t able to penetrate.”

“Mr. Wilhelm?” Max turns to the engineer and raises his eyebrows.

Jenna mentally added those notes in her head to the WaveRider's capability information. "Four minutes to orbit, Sir," Jenna said over her shoulder. "Ready on your command."

(OOC: Cmdr. Cole's response )

And that makes perfect sense... I hadn't realized that it was a city... but the name was the first thing that I *did* notice, which was why I mentioned it. And if it works for you, then use it.

Not like I haven't (blatantly) plagiarized story elements (and characters, plots, etc...) ever. I promise not to tell!

Magickman

Just out of curiousity, Drasnia is a city out of David Eddings' Belgariad series. Does this have any relation to that?  I was only wondering because of the name.

Magickman

The WaveRider is good to go. Added a short post to that effect, so whenever the mission is ready, so is the shuttle.

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.4)
USS George Washington Carver, Bridge, Deck 1 - 1050 Alpha Shift

One hour and fifty-five minutes later, and the final part of the sims had been run, all systems read in the green. Level One and Level Two Diagnostics run. The WaveRider was in tip-top shape, and was ready for her maiden voyage.

"Excellent job, Mister Malek. We've finished this job ahead of my expectations."

"Thank you, Sir. She's an excellent little craft. You'll have to tell me how she flies."

"That I will, Mister Malek. Remind me to by you a drink." Jenna said. "Dismissed."

"Yes, Sir." Talia said with a half-smile.Shee saluted, and went on her way.

I'm surprised she accepted the offer.  Jenna thought.  Deltans are usually almost Vulcan-like in their approach to things.

=/= "Falcone to Commander Cole. =/=

(OOC: Response...)

=/= "Just fnished all the tests, Sir. The WaveRider is ready to go." =/=  And in plenty of time, too. she thought, with just a touch of pride.

(OOC: Response...)

All I need to do is have Jenna finish the testing on the WaveRider, and that can be done in a single post with a quick time jump itself. It might be tomorrow before I can get to it, but that's all I need to do. Still going through a rough patch, but I think I can manage that by tomorrow.

Magickman

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.4)
USS George Washington Carver, Bridge, Deck 1 - 0855 Alpha Shift

The XO of the George Washington Carver continues his perusal of his officers allowing for the usual activity of the Bridge to interrupt whenever necessary. The dossiers are easy reading and he quickly finds his way through them.

“ETA, Mr. Falcone?”

=/= "ETA 2 hours and 25 minutes, Sir. Just preparing some sims as well as running her through her paces. She'll be ready when the time comes, Sir."=/=

Jenna looked at Talia Malek. "Well, Chief? Ready to get this underway?"

"Yes Sir." she replied. Preparing level One diagnostic now."

"Excellent. When that's done, we'll get in and run personal system checks. If I'm going to fly her, I want to know she won't let me down." The WaveRider was a relatively new atmospheric shuttlecraft, ideal for cloose quarters examination of planetary bodiesby science personnel aboard the ship. They were going to get their information directly from the WaveRider...Interesting.

"How long does a Level One take, Mister Malek?"

"About an hour and fifty-seven minutes, give or take, Sir." Talia replied, with her businesslike demeanor.

Jenna nodded. A little over two hours. Plenty of time. she thought. We'll have that report ready ahead of time.

...

"One problem, Commander." Jenna says. "The Waverider has a total complement of six, three of which are supposed to be flight crew. I can do it with two, or singly if I have to. Since you have set up five for your away team, that leaves me as the sole pilot. While I feel I am up to the challenge, this first time you might prefer to have two flight crew members, in case of sudden issues within the atmosphere." She cleared her throat.

"Fair enough," Scanning the officers in the room, Max states, "I believe that Mr. Stark has some shuttle experience."

"And Ens. Tiaghen can fill in should the need arise," Lt. McGinty adds.

"Thank you," Max responds with a soft smile. "There we have it, Mr. Falcone. Two capable hands to assist should the mission require the Waverider."

"It's your call, Sir. I just wanted to inform you of the details for the Waverider." She stands at ease, counting down the timeline from the Captain in her head.

Jenna smiled slightly. "Thank you, Sir. That should work out very well with what you've assigned. With your permission, I'll get to work on those tests for the Captain.

((OOC: Assuming Response))

Jenna left the conference room, striding toward the lift and brushing a stray lock of white hair out of her face. She tapped her Comm badge.

"Falcone to Malek."

=/= Malek here. =/=

"Grab your PADD and meet me at the WaveRider. We've got some work to do."

=/= Aye, Sir. On my way. =/=

Jenna stepped into the turbolift, looking at her own PADD and brushing that lock of hair away again. "Deck Four." she said.

See what she can do? Yes Sir! she thought with a smile, pulling up schematics on her PADD.

Jenna (Lt. Falcone) can/will still pilot the WaveRider. Currently she's the best one qualified (If I understand the positioning correctly), there are just supposed to be three flight crew. If one or two of the other Away Team members have that experience that's great.

(Just wanted to say that I wouldn't/won't be out so long that I won't be able to keep up with posts. Just a little slower, is all.)

Appreciate the helping thoughts!

Magickman

There may be some delays in between my posts.  Shouldn't be more than a day, max two between them for a little while. I'm dealing with a personal tragedy, but I'm attempting to hold on to as much "reality" as I can. I'm enjoying this, even though we have only started, so I hope you'll forgive me those delays.

Magickman

Avrielle - I hope you get through this soon and well. I totally understand the issues you are going through. If I am without my meds for any significant period of time, everything falls apart.

I wish you and your husband the best, and I hope that things resolve for you soon.

Magickman

A high density satellite in the atmosphere of the planet ?

Got it. So instead of 10 days ago, it would have been 12...

Should I go ahead and edit my post so it says that, rather than 10? Or is everything fine as stands, and we're all on the ship regardless? (That's my interpretation now, anyways.)