USS Penumbra Sim Narrative, SD 202305.19
The Penumbra was still on the ground at Tapesi 2, a planet deep in the territory of the Holy Order of the Kinshaya. The ship had landed in a large field just south of a space port, which is itself on the southern fringe of a large city.
An extremist group calling itself "the Purity Faction" had attacked the space port just after an Away Team had landed in the Cerberus. In the aftermath of the attack, shielding and the general panic had overloaded or scrambled long-range communications channels and the Away Team was cut off. The Cerberus was lightly damaged from blast debris, knocked onto its side, and partially buried. The Away Team abandoned its original objectives and instead focused on search and rescue and first aid for those injured by the blasts.
The Commodore was beamed onto one of the orbiting spherical starships of the Order to speak to its Bishop (its commanding officer, a Captain) almost two hours ago. He had not yet reported in.
The Colonel left the Away Team to speak to a local Vicar (a local bureaucrat officer of Ensign or Lieutenant rank). He'd been gone a little over an hour with no further contact.
From the Penumbra, two separate columns of heavy equipment and machinery were dispatched. From the first column, a Detail was sent to clear the Cerberus of debris and get it flight-worthy, if possible (assuming its on-board A.I., AEGIS, allowed someone access). The rest of that first column met up with the original Away Team (minus the Colonel) just outside the northern boundary of the space port at the edge of the city. They were setting up a new field hospital there. The second column was crossing the space port and was expected to arrive there shortly.
Cmdr. Relok sat in the Command Seat in the center of the Bridge of the Penumbra. He asked, "Tabby, you and MAX and Khal'Gon opened up our comms, right?" When the two half-Klingons each nodded in response, Relok continued, "Call our Away Team and let them know we have comms. And see if you can get Patterson and the Commodore on the line!"
Tabby opened a comm-line first. He spoke slowly and carefully, " Penumbra to Adon. DoYou. Read? Test. Comm."
The voice of CmdrAdonudo T'lanuwa came back, sharp and clear, "Penumbra, we have you loud and clear, Tabby! Thanks!"
"Thank fracking God!" Tabby swore. "This was pissing me off! Have you met up with the others? Report!" He then quickly turned to the actual Commanding Officer, "Relok! We made contact!"
Relok couldn't suppress the grin that spread across his face. "Excellent, Tabby!" Then the grin evaporated as he asked, "What about the Commodore? He's probably still in orbit, that might be out of range."
Tabby answered, "Unsure, but ... I did ask Adon to report if he's met the away team. Should hear back soon."
Relok continued, "Maybe Khal'Gon has hacked one of our military channels?" He turned to the big half-Nausicaan at the Reconn Station.
But before MstSgtKhal'Gon could answer, the comms came on again, this time with the voice of LtCmdr. Denovan Hawke, "Penumbra, everything is fine. We're working on the back end of things. Closing up the relief effort and all."
Relok stood from the Command Seat, "Den! Good to hear from you! You have our Emergency Response Teams then?"
Den answered, "We're just closing up shop for the most part now. Which I'd like to now go find Patterson."
Relok glanced around curiously but didn't get to respond as another voice came over the comms. It was Lt. Jackson Carshel, "Penumbra, I've managed to free the Cerberus without getting shot, but she's damaged; hatch won't open. I'm taking a look. If I can hotwire a door, I can fix one ... I hope."
But before anyone could respond to Carshel, another voice came over the comms, "Zak to Penumbra, do you read?"
Relok stared open-mouthed at Tabby at the Ops station. Finally, he managed to say, "Was that ... the Commodore?"
Tabby flinched, "I ... I dunno ... maybe?" He hit a button on his console and responded, "We read ... what the frick happened?"
Cdre. Zak Taylor explained, "Well, first off, I'm fine. Me and Bishop Yazgrom have had some discussions and he's contacted the local authorities down below. They've called for the Archibishop, basically the local governor. He's supposed to be headed in soon. Where are you? They said you went down into the atmosphere?"
Tabby replied, "Yeah, we're on the planet waiting for you and Pat. Yes, Pat did what Pat does but thankfully things seem stable. Adon met with the Away Team that we lost contact with. We have comms, and Carshel is messing around with the CerberusShe's been freed from rubble but the hatch won't open."
"Well," Zak answered, "looks like you have all handled things well without me. Maybe I'll just take a vacation or something!"
Tabby grunted and said, "Get your ass back on the damn ship before I rip your head off! Tabby out."
Zak replied, "Aye-aye, Commander!"
Tabby grumbled, "I really fracking hate that man sometimes."
Lt. Jackson Carshel was leading a small detail of Marines to attempt to uncover Patterson's modified fighter ship, the Cerberus from the debris that had been thrown into it from the explosions. He had SSgt. Michael "Wrench" Stanson and a couple of Marine enlisted personnel and a vehicle resembling a bulldozer. They parked a short distance from the ship and Carshel got out and approached it. As he did he called out, "AEGIS, it's Lt. Jackson Carshel of the USS PenumbraCan I get a status report?" The whole time he was thinking to himself, ~Please don't shoot me!~
AEGIS, the on-board Artificial Intelligence of the Cerberus responded, "Recognize voice print, Lt. Jackson Carshel. Situation is compromised. Unable to self-right, flight systems offline, main hatch is blocked, minor hull damage. Emergency Safety Protocol Raven-1 activated."
"I'm going to try to free you, AEGIS. Please don't shoot me." He directs the dozer to start clearing some debris to try to get AEGIS to self-right the CerberusAfter they'd removed a significant amount of debris, Carshel asked, "AEGIS can you move yet, or are we still compromised?"
AEGIS responded, "Attempting self-righting." The Cerberus shook and rattled, some of the remaining debris scattered and fell, but the ship did not right itself. AEGIS spoke again, "Unable to complete process. There is too much debris on the forward portion of the ship."
"I'm on it," Carshel said, "Stand by." He and the team moved around to the front of the ship and continued clearing the debris. They were being careful not to damage Patterson's ship in the process.
After several more minutes, Carshel asked again, "Okay, try it again, AEGIS. Take it slow."
AEGIS responded, "Activating self-righting process. Stand by." Again, Cerberus shook and groaned. Debris spilled off the sides and slowly, ever so slowly, the ship began to break freeAfter a few seconds, it settles back on its own landing struts and AEGIS announced, "Self-righting successful!"
"YES!!" Carshel shouted. "Okay, we need to get back to the Penumbra . Will you allow me access, AEGIS?"
"Unable to comply," the A.I. answered after a moment. "Flight systems are still compromised, and the main hatch seems to have suffered damage, I cannot open the door. I will maintain Security setting Raven-1 until repairs can be made."
"Shit," Carshel cursed. "Well, I'm no engineer but let's see what the problem is." He and the team of Marines moved to the main hatch to take a look. One of the Marines on his team was nicknamed "Wrench", after all, he should be able to fix a hatch, right?
Carshel tapped his commbadge, "Penumbra, I've managed to free the Cerberus without getting shot, but she's damaged; hatch won't open. I'm taking a look. If I can hotwire a door, I can fix one ... I hope."
He didn't wait for a response, but tapped his commbadge again, changing the channel, "Adon, hey, good news: I got the Cerberus freeBad news: hatch is fracked. I'm seeing what I can do to help."
But the voice he got in reply wasn't that of Cmdr. Adon T'lanuwa. Instead he heard Col. Travis Patterson, "Good to hear, Carshel! I'll be out there as soon as I can catch a ride."
Carshel answered, "Understood Uncle!" He turned back to the Cerberus and said, "AEGIS, Patterson is on his way. Secure yourself. Don't allow anyone in or around you unless they are confirmed Starfleet personnel. I will hang out nearby and await Patterson."
AEGIS responded, "I am already under Security Protocol Raven-1, Lieutenant."
Carshel just rolled his eyes and he and his team climbed back aboard their dozer to wait for Patterson.
The new site for the field hospital treating those injured in the blast or in the collapse of buildings in the aftermath was a chaotic area. There were dozens of injured, some badly and others with just a few scrapes and bruises. There were several Kinshayan soldiers moving amongst them, and the lead column of Marines from the Penumbra were pushing through towards Ground Zero to continue the Search and Rescue Operations with several heavy vehicles.
On the far side of the scene was LtCmdr. Denovan Hawke directing the troop movements. "All right, over there," he pointed for one group, then turned and pointed another direction, "and over there." He turned again to yet another Marine and said, "Yeah, the last part of what's staying." He waved his hand at several of the injured. He turned again and called, perhaps a bit too loudly, "No! Not over there, over there!" He pointed again and gave a sigh.
LtCmdr. T'Lin was also there, ushering some of the ambulatory injured away from the potential collapsing buildings. "Come this way," she called, "help each other. Pick them up, lend a hand."
Into this scene walked Cmdr. Adonudo T'lanuwa after exiting from the lead vehicle of the convoy. He noticed Dr. Katarina Hawke first and strode up to her. "Kat! Good to see you! Looks like you've had a busy day!" He gestured at all the injured around the area.
Kat looked up at the older doctor and gave a nod. She mumbled, "T'Lin helped. Hines needed to have his leg set. Patterson's back was injured."
Adon gave her a smile like an elderly uncle proud of a niece and said, "It was more than just our people, Kat. You've helped dozens in the last couple of hours! Do you need a break? I can take over if you need me to."
Kat wasn't sure how to answer. She'd just been doing what she had learned while working with Adon in the Wellness Center of the Penumbra . She muttered, "Maybe. I'm not so sure. I feel numb or something."
Adon patted her shoulder. "Yeah, that's normal after something like this. I guess just keep doing what you're doing for now. When you do stop, you're likely to pass out for several hours! Let me check in with Den. Call me if you need me!"
"Okay, doctorThank you," Kat said, turning back to her patients. Adon gave her a parting smile and stepped away to find Den.
As Adon wandered off, T'Lin came over to Kat and said, "Sit down for a moment, doctor. RestBreathe, and keep your barrier up." Kat sighed and took a seat nearby and did as suggested.
Satisfied, T'Lin continued moving among the injured aliens, making sure they made it to the new designated square to prevent any more injuries. She carried a few that needed extra help, recruiting other, less injured aliens to assist in moving the others.
Finally, when Adon found him, Den had an annoyed look on his face. Adon asked, "Problems, Commander?"
Den glanced at him and said, "No, really?" At Adon's expression he shrugged and added, "What? They're being slow!"
Suddenly, Adon's commbadge chirped and the voice of LtCmdr. Tabeshk Tibris came through, " Penumbra to Adon. Do. You. Read? Test. Comm."
Adon glanced over at Den, then tapped his commbadge and answered, "Penumbra, we have you loud and clear, Tabby! Thanks!"
"Thank fracking God!" Tabby swore. "This was pissing me off! Have you met up with the others? Report!"
Adon nodded at Den and said, "You want to report on your team? By the way, where's the Leatherneck?" Adon glanced around, looking for Col. Travis Patterson, but didn't see him anywhere.
Den answered, "He's off doing ... I dunno ... some stuff. As for the report ...," he trailed off then tapped his commbadge. "Penumbra, everything is fine. We're working on the back end of things. Closing up the relief effort and all."
Cmdr. Relok's voice came back, "Den! Good to hear from you! You have our Emergency Response Teams then?"
Den answered, "We're just closing up shop for the most part now. Which I'd like to now go find Patterson."
Adon scowled at Den. "You said Pat went off to do ... stuff? What sort of trouble is he starting now?"
Den gave a slight shrug. "They actually asked for him to go with them. That's why I am a little curious. If it was just to talk, we're well past that point."
Adon still looked concerned. He said, "Yeah, well, the Commodore went off with a Kinshayan Bishop too, so ... we've lost both our command officers. Not good. Relok has the ship on the other side of the space port. I sure hope we don't have to stage two rescue efforts!"
Suddenly the sound of a siren cut through the scene. They looked up and saw a small ground car with flashing lights coming up the road. It wasn't any kind of heavy equipment, just an ordinary car with a fancy logo on the door panels. Adon gestured at it, "Now what?"
Den shrugged, "We go see what they want." He started towards the car. As he approached, the car stopped and a medium-sized Kinshayan exited the ground car, stepped to the rear door and pulled it open. Another Kinshayan exited, stepped out, then reached back inside. A moment later, Patterson stepped out of the vehicle!
Patterson and the second Kinshayan approached Den, who'd stopped when the car stopped. Den turned to Adon and said, "Well, see there, Adon?"
Adon gave a sigh and said, "Well, he's not in handcuffs or shackles, that's a good sign."
Den gave a nod of recognition. "Colonel," he said.
Patterson approached with a wide smile, "Den." Then he turned to the man beside Den. "Adon! Good to see you, Old Man! This," he gestured to the Kinshayan beside him, "Is Vicar Predantis, the local officer in charge around here."
Den greeted the Kinshayan with a nod, "Vicar."
The Vicar stepped forward and flashed his multi-colored wings at them, three times, and cried out, "Ay'eh! Respect!" Then in a quieter voice added, "I thank you for providing us assistance in our time of need."
Den responded, "You're welcome. It was super easy, barely an inconvenience." He smiled at him, "Really, it was no problem. It's what we do."
The Vicar flashed his wings again and said, "I have been told by one of the Bishops in orbit that he has your ... Commodore ... there. They're sending the Archbishop here to take over emergency response!"
Den said, "That works well for the timing. We're closing up here to turn that over to you."
Adon's commbadge chirped again and the voice of Carshel came through, "Adon, hey, good news: I got the Cerberus free. Bad news: hatch is fracked. I'm seeing what I can do to help."
. Patterson overheard and tapped his own commbadge and responded, "Good to hear, Carshel! I'll be out there as soon as I can catch a ride."
Carshel answered, "Understood Uncle!"
Patterson turned to the Vicar and said, "Vicar, if it's OK with you, I think my team and I would like to get back to our ship, maybe take a shower and change clothes?"
Den smirked and asked, "You don't like the smell of caked blood in the evening, Colonel? Er, morning, whatever." He'd completely lost track of time in all the fuss.
Patterson smirked back, "Oh, I love it! But ... it's nice to wash it off when it's all overBesides, there's a bottle in my locker calling for me." He winked at him.
Den smiled, "That sounds more on par for you."