Set a Course; Where Angels Fear to Tread

Posted on 19 Oct 2016 @ 12:17pm by Captain Nathan Cowell MD & Commander Korrath & Commander Paul Toddman & Lieutenant Commander Shelby Adams

Mission: Episode One: Back on the Highway to Hell
Location: Bridge, USS Arizona
Timeline: MD 1: 0700 hours

Captain Nathan Cowell stepped onto the bridge of the USS Arizona from the turbolift that was positioned on the left side of the Master Situations Display at the rear of the spacious compartment. All the deck lighting and wall panels scattered throughout the Bridge were at condition blue, giving visual proof they were still very much hooked to the Starbase. The Old Man made his way almost ceremoniously toward the center chair, which was left vacant for him by direct order. Nathan sank down into the chair, shifting only slightly to get comfortable before straightening up.

Korrath heard the doors to the turbo lift open and the hulking Klingon knew without looking who it would be. Korrath hadn't taken the Captain's chair. The Curmudgeon had made it quite clear that he didn't want anyone to sit in it and Korrath had made sure to follow that order. The Captain had a reputation and Korrath didn't want to put that to the test.

"Mister Toddman," the Captain declared in a voice that demanded attention, "clear all umbilical supports from the Starbase and signal them our intent to disembark."

“Aye Sir” Paul replied, spinning round on his chair. His hands danced over the console, tapping in commands and sending a standard request to clear mooring and umbilical connections. As he waited on the answer, he began assigning the thrusters the necessary power helm would need to manoeuvre in the space dock.

The massive docking arm connected to the Arizona's main shuttle bay disconnected and retracted into the roof of the dock interior. The ship's impulse engines, navigational deflectors began to come to life with their luminescent glow. The external support umbilical connections popped off the hard points on the Arizona's hull with a hiss then retracted into recesses in the roof. The ship's navigational lights blinked into life while spot lights highlighting the ships recognition markings.

“We are on internal power, all systems nominal. I have begun the impulse pre-start sequence and helm has manoeuvring power” Paul reported as he nodded towards Adams.

Nathan turned his attention to the woman sitting at the CONN station, "Miss Adams, once we are confirmed clear of docking clamps and umbilical supports, set your speed to one half impulse and take us out of Starbase One."

"Aye Captain," the woman at the CONN nodded as she began tapping away at her console, the sounds almost rhythmical as she carried out her orders. She couldn't help but grin at the thought of the undertaking they were about to go on. "Speed and direction confirmed," she called out to let everyone know that she was ready for departure.

“Ops has cleared us for departure. Spacedock traffic has been cleared. All umbilical and docking clamps clear. I am beginning warp systems warp up checks and routing power to the nacelles." reported Toddman as he checked the final system responses.

With the umbilical supports and docking clamps released and well clear of the mighty Arizona, Adams pressed the single button that began the ships departure, her speed slowly increasing as she began to glide towards the massive bay doors that led to the vast ocean of space. On the view screen, the doors were opening, the Stars beyond clearly visible. Moments later, the ship vacated the Starbase and, at half impulse, sped out amongst the stars. "We're clear of Spacedock," she told as she turned back to look at the Captain.

Captain Cowell nodded, "Very good, Commander. Set your course for Epsilon Iradni Four Seven One, and set your velocity to cruising warp. Make it happen."

Korrath listened silently to the Captain give his orders. He suspected that the old man hadn't enjoyed his time as a member of the Admiralty. He could see this was where the old man had always wished to be or rather preferred to be. For the most part, Korrath had summed him up to a grumpy old man, but Korrath had a feeling that personality trait was just on the surface.

"Epsilon Iradni it is," the Commander smiled as she tapped her console again and changed the ships heading, the vessel immediately responding to her commands as it spun on its axis ninety degrees and seconds later, stretched out into warp speed. "Warp eight confirmed," she told as she looked at her course heading. "ETA will be roughly seventy two hours."

Korrath had remained tight lipped about his feelings regarding certain aspects of this mission. He had his...misgivings. And now the order had been given to head out in that direction, his apprehension had grown.

Once Nathan felt the shift from normal space to that of warp velocity, the Captain turned to his First Officer, "You have the bridge. If anything out of the ordinary happens, handle it. If you can't... I'll be in my Ready Room."

The Old Man pushed himself out of his chair and began walking toward his office before calling back, "And stay the hell out of my chair."

Korrath watched the old man retreat for a beat before calling out. "Aye Sir," Korrath said as normally as possible. When the Captain was in his ready room he opened his mouth to speak again. "Grumpy old man," He muttered quietly.

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