Copyright © 1997, 1998
Last updated on 2/04/98
As Angus continues to work, a though comes unbidden,
<< Hey, Yolanda! How 'bout we rig some lines and route fuel from some of the riders! We'd have to work fast... >>
Good. Others are *thinking* about the situation. Munro smiles to herself before answering.
<< A good idea, Angus. Hate to shoot it down, but compare the size of the riders to the Elissa. The amount of fuel they hold will give the Tokamak another couple of seconds of life at most. Size and energy requirements are too disparate. Good work though, keep those ideas coming! >>
"Hey Rigo," says Shrike, "you think it's OK I go to head down to Cargo Deck 3 and shut down the Peltast now?"
"Yes, do that." says Lazer, not taking his eyes off the monitors Horne controls. "Hustle back here when you're done. I don't want my team spread all over the ship when our 'rescuers' arrive."
"Roger that Major." responds Shrike. "Hey Hfolraw, you wanna pass me the key?"
Hfolraw nods and hands over the key without comment.
After retrieving the security interlock module from Hfolraw, Shrike seals up his suit and heads out. Down lift B past sickbay, through the locks to lift C and down to Cargo Deck 3.
Goughzar drops himself into the bridge's control seat of the Paladin, watching the data pour through to the Sensor Pit on the Elissa.
"YaFee..." are the only words in the Paladin for minutes as he watches the data that the Sensor Pit derives.
An ear twitches, softly.
A conversational rumble breaks the heavy silence. "Excuse me, if I am interrupting. Captain Bhyarrvouf, I would like to brief you on the ship's status and other matters, as soon as would be convenient." One eyebrow creeps upward with an interrogative arch as the opposite ear flicks idly.
'Vouf's ears swivel to track the voice even before his head turns, and he nods to Akhouw. "A moment only, Commander, and I'll be with you."
Then he blinks, as the phrase 'and other matters' sinks in, and his eyes narrow slightly. He adds, "Count Ger, please remain at the Helm and stationkeep; we need your touch on the controls. M'syoor de Mer as backup; Dr. van der Merwe will act as OOD while Commander Akhouw and I are comparing notes in my office. Mister Blaine! Keep that link to Air/Space Traffic Control handy, but feel free to scan for other telecommunications data on the air and pipe it to a public channel for optional access. You may," he smiles slightly, "Indulge yourself."
Blaine smiles. "Aye aye, sir." He keys in a message to all hands' wristcomps. ::BEGINNING SCAN OF LOCAL COMMS TRAFFIC -- OPTIONAL ACCESS AVAILABLE ON AUDIO CHANNEL C. VIDEO UPLINKS MAY FOLLOW. :: He then begins to scan the airwaves. "Let's see what's out there...."
Half-listening to the bridge chatter, Christian jumps in his seat at the sudden mention of his name. Hastily tuning back in to 'Vouf's orders, he puts his monitor holos on standby and rises from his chair.
"Aye, sir." is his only comment as he maintains a cautious distance from the conn until Akhouw has fully vacated it. Then, and only then, does he settle into the conn with a keen interest in Zben's efforts.
Meanwhile, 'Vouf says to Stubbs, "Feel free to take whatever communications steps are necessary to effect our safe arrival, Captain; Crew Chief Aiwi will assist you when her own duties of damage control coordination permit. I'll return as soon as possible." He motions Akhouw to join him, and heads for the door.
Akhouw quits the command chair with deliberation, yet only a moment later he is looming behind 'Vouf as they exit the bridge. Unless 'Vouf initiates conversation en route, Akhouw maintains a politic silence until they reach the relative safety of the Captain's office and the door has closed.
Once there, he waits for 'Vouf to settle himself, standing in his usual formal yet meditative pose.
Zben sets up a slow scan across the audio band, hands gliding across the dial.
Skkkrrrkkkkk. << ...ich ahoo' cifralcife no feproo chr'lo'oonit friso jarsefritim iskroota titrak r'coolicr'n hr'tel krikrosiscrr' ochechrim etohechin ter haflach... >>
Stubbs smiles. "That's the Ch'rrit language. Chiifraa could translate."
Skkrrrrk. fsssskrrrrk. << ...engurruerr egzorsrreg girrgkoensoghithegh idz uerrueghorrukh 'Elissa' uersngaeluerghollueng uekserzueghz oghsaets raegoezaz knurrodh... >>
"That's Gvegh," Talon says, frowning. "I think. They mentioned the Elissa, though."
Tsssssffff. Krrrrffft. << ...ioyarm ibers esthi usip siaseu uka ornstap rihen vipyaki i destyoudyos. Drayfduurd erstwurdre uethtyau oap kudyuts esthats 'Hamilcar' iyarfoys Randall Stubbs ossdilo ... >>
Tssssfffft. Skshhhhh. << ...dargili. Kikaragiid lishi am ugurmuugiin ashsimii irgumu udmediima. Gudiiniskham ikiidi iish khishi ekemgisaash a miliirigid diim gaakhashsha.... >>
Fssst. Skrrrrrk. << Iezblatsdlienzsedr iefrchtietl dleqlrod bladr stideplshtiepr. Lensei iajachvekliets bietl frafre zidrivchianchplip sechnevlplav.... >>
_Attention,_ PATER intones. _Aft sensors report energy discharge consistent with Jump arrival of large starship, range 3500 kilometers aft. We are receiving transponder information... confirm arrival of the Hamilcar. No evidence of any abnormalities on sensors, although the range is long and the structure behind us obscures some bands._
Tssssssss. << ....hyu aieiheirl ekai htye e euieikh kahroho iyluahyerea' hweh ehlilryaeal. Tearas hwiaal hwiai ehraha heaoieui yahasyu aleaa aa ealou hwyueaea lisaikhearlaikh.... >>
Tsskrrk. Fsshhhhh. << ...kukra'xkke angk!!k'rgh!' rraxir akki 'at xakrararlak rrukrrarak!ng gharr x' tixakuka angnukrab gika kiitakkee.... >>
Ssssssss. << Nekehsus ldisim ndirenamb dondehl gigh nu. Tesihler gihndesamdodh lengarehly nehruldihsal damdos.... >>
"Kon der," Nanadh says, shaking his head. He turns to face the Comms station. "Poetry reading. And *awful* poetry at that. PLEASE move on, Blaine."
Tsssss. Skrrrrk. << ...and to recap this hour's top story: a dramatic new chapter in the Harkeir Gate drama, as the FlareShip Hamilcar departs to attempt to drive off the Stamerra Reavers and rescue the newly arrived StarShip Elissa in the name of Event Horizon, only to have the Elissa arrive, alone, just a few minutes ago. >>
At this mention Zben taps out a hasty message to the Captain. ["News about us and the Hamilcar coming thru. Also: Hamilcar has just in jumped. Blaine]
Shrike climbs into the Peltast and goes through the shutdown checklist. Even though he knows the checklist backwards and forwards he still diligently follows procedure and checks each item as he comes to it. Before final shutdown Shrike moves to the gunner's position, inserts the 'key' and closes out the gun controls. Repocketing the key he moves back and finishes the shutdown.
"Shrike to Farouk, Peltast secured, returning to Armory now."
<< Roger that, Andon. See you back up here. Farouk out. >>
A quick check of the tiedowns and Shrike heads back to the Armory, returning at 07:51.
<< This just in from Traffic Control: The Elissa has made contact and declared itself reflagged as an Event Horizon DazzleShip under the command of a 'Captain Bhyarrvouf BaHaThagk-Kabra'...we have no further data at this time, but if true, this would be a double coup for Event Horizon, having wrested not one but two large craft from High Port in the past season....also just in, the Hamilcar has just arrived at Centerpoint, I repeat, the Hamilcar has just arrived at Centerpoint, with no obvious battle damage or casualties. We go now to Avery Tyson, on locale at Main Stage Heavy One of the High Port. >>
The noise level shifts to the sound of a large crowd of people, with unidentified machinery clanging at times. << The High Port's Main Stage for large-displacement Flare Ships is now rapidly filling up with a crowd of technicians, curious onlookers, dignitaries of Event Horizon and High Port Incorporated, news teams and more, awaiting the arrival of the DazzleShip Elisssa, recently arrived through the Harkeir Gate. While the ship is still too far away to see with the naked eye, the telescope array is giving us a beautiful tail-on view of the Elissa. She's a long and graceful craft, with what look like two huge outriggers on her sides. [pause, whispers in background] Ah, I have been told that the outriggers are fuel tanks designed to allow the Elissa a great deal of range, making her a potentially invaluable asset to Event Horizon.... >>
<< ...we can now make out the terrible damage inflicted by the Reavers, holes in the hull, turrets and hardpoints melted, and what look like several smaller craft attached to the outer hull....And there go the scuttlepods!" There is a tumult of voices from the background and a dim echo of a roar of loud engines of some kind. << It looks like High Port's called out every pod in the books for this job; Don Finklestein's trademark sunburst-designed pod is in the lead, with Ohatopi not far behind, we see Flashgordon, Kaybar Blackwolf, Uaraokhta, Tliaqref, Tash Chrysomallos, Kaegurrgvang, and so on... racing to the aid of the damaged craft. >>
"Sensors indicate some two dozen small craft breaking away from the radar shadow and approaching," Talon reports. "Looks like the welcome mat's coming out."
The announcer continues, in a softer tone, << It's amazing that she was able to jump here at all; she looks terribly hurt. One can only imagine the shock and horror her crew must be experiencing even now. >>
Stubbs looks vaguely annoyed. "'Oh, the humanity, the humanity,'" he mutters. "WE never get sympathy like this when WE show up with holes in our tushes. Hypocrites."
"Newsies have always had a nose for emotional-interest stories," 'Vouf notes. "I'll bet we're getting the attention just because we were the ones who took the hits. Next time around, it could be your ship getting the sympathy--" He blinks, realizing he's just stuck his foot in it in a BIG way, and hastily adds, "Although I hope not."
"I'd like to think so," Stubbs mutters, "But I've seen this too often. Newcomers always get the delicate treatment, but after a week or two they're old news and no one really cares if the same ships, and those same lives, are lost...unless it impacts on their paychecks."
Few had noticed Bhyarrvouf's return until his voice cuts through the background of News.
'Vouf smiles softly. "Mister Nanadh. RCS starboard roll thrusters at twenty percent for ten seconds, then let air friction stop us and do whatever corrections we need to restore attitude."
"With pleasure, sir," Nanadh says, hands jumping across the controls. The horizon gently begins to turn about the Elissa, describing a full, gentle circle and halting once more.
<< Wait! What's--? We're seeing movement from the--! Ahhhhhh...! >> The voice is momentarily drowned out by a chorus of cheers and applause from the speakers. << The Elissa's just given us a beautiful victory roll! Damaged as she is, she still has some fight left in her! >>
"That's good PR," Stubbs says sotto voce to 'Vouf. "I'm impressed."
"I haven't forgotten EVERYTHING I learned from sitting on a throne," 'Vouf replies with an ear-flick toward Akhouw. Stubbs shoots him a puzzled look, but he says no more.
Looming behind the pair, Akhouw accepts the cryptic gesture in silence before his own remarks are heard. "Public relations, as you say, Captain, for some, but for others a simple statement of fact."
An ear twitches, and Akhouw turns slightly toward 'Vouf. "Wouldn't you say, Captain Bhyarrvouf?"
"Eh-hrf." A corner of 'Vouf's mouth quirks upward in a wry smile, and he clasps his hands behind his back as he watches the viewscreen, standing a bit straighter. "HaKharaengzough YaTevek," he says softly to himself. "Sheesh." The eyes that scan the panorama are those of a leader, or perhaps even something more than that....
Boris opens the Engineering Channel.
<< Chief, Merkle here. Life Support is secure. Unless you have something specific you'd like to work on next, I offer my hands and body to my colleagues. >>
Boris bows slightly with his arms stretched out, and palms opened upward.
Munro's reply sounds distracted.
<< Check the repair list for any mechanical problem that may interfer with docking, though I have no idea what kind of docking we're going to do. Ask Captain Stubbs on that. You also may want to check the loading of the ship to make sure that it can handle the stress. With all the holes blown in her, the stress points have changed. Then if there isn't anything critical, your help in other repairs is gladly accepted! Munro out. >>
Almost immediately, Munro switches back on.
<< Boris, the bridge has requested a summary of the damage. Would you see to it and let the rest of engineering know too. >>
<< Roger that Chief. I've got a rough summary already. >>
Boris makes a few more taps on his handcomp, sending the damage summary to the bridge and all other department heads, as well as all engineering staff. Then he switches to the Engineering channel.
<< Okay folks, wherever you all are, can I have your attention... >>
He pauses briefly to let every one concentrate their attention, then plows onward.
<< This is by no means an exhaustive list of repairs required. It's a rough draft of the obvious problems, and I'm counting on everyone to be as thorough as possible, to ensure we don't miss collateral damages. Listen carefully and please fill in the holes for me, after I'm done. I'm a little scattered right now and the Chief is pretty busy, so I hope no one thinks I'm puttin' on airs. You should thank yer favourite deity you can't smell the air in my suit! >>
Onlookers in Engineer will see the flash of Merkle's toothy grin.
<< Okay, let's start with the obvious stuff. Elissa is unable to do more than wobble around right now, so we need to get as much of the powerplant and Engine systems online as is sophontly possible. >>
<< Gravitic control mains, the port jump concentrator governor, the dorsal quantum gravimetric lens assembly and the number four Helium purge circuit have all shown failure since this adventure started, along with a ton of secondary system failures on powerplant decks two and three. Needless to say a complete inspection of all power and engine components is required. >>
<< Shurv, I suggest you work on the Jump Engines and power plants. Pick your team, likely Aaron and possibly Chii'fra. >>
Munro's voice cuts into Boris' narrative.
<< Negative that, Mister Merkle. Hur'shurvan help is needed on overseeing the one power plant we have running. Aaron, you and Chii'fra handle it. >>
<< At once, Mynheer Munro, >> haut-frieder responds.
<< Aaron an' me, we kots ta chob, hokay, >> Chiifraa chatters, whiskers atwitch as he buckles on his toolbelt and lopes toward the door to the Power Plant area. << Mon, Aaron. firs' stop pe Port plant! >>
Aaron heads after the small alien, hushing him. << Off the comms, Fraa. >>
Munro nods. << Continue, Mister Merkle, with the summary. >>
<< Roger Chief. Okay second priority - electronics and specifically commo and PATER's sensors. The ship has suffered partial failure of the main sensor array and communications array. >>
<< Life Support, Internal Gravity and Inertial Compensators were all reported out at one point or another and require complete diagnostic.
<< I'd suggest Morgan, Fixes Things and Bex deal with electronic systems, primarily communications to start with. Check with Blaine to see what he needs to dock and do the same with PATER. >>
<< Got it, Chief, >> Grey nods.
FixesThings opens a channel to PATER, << PATER, prioritized list of damage to electronic systems to my comp and Mr. Grey's. >>
<< The rest of the stuff is primarily structural, as evidenced by big holes and blast marks in the stern and on the starboard hull. In fact I don't think we own a shuttle anymore...ummm...all dorsal and starboard missile turrets offline and they may be permanent casualties. >>
<< Three of the six rider mounts are temporarily disabled due to detonation of their emergency docking clamps. >>
<< TWO, >> Morgan interjects. << The Aslan ship never blew her clamps; we just lost the Aurora's and the Paladin's. They're docked at the spares. >>
Merkle taps a quick note into his handcomp. << Great, we'll be able to get to all those fish carcasses quicker now! >>
<< As far as internal structures go, multiple airlocks have been destroyed, specifically in and around gravlift C compartment. That area is severely damaged and nothing in that area should be trusted! >>
<< There's tonnes of vacuum around too, so keep zipped up. >>
<< Angus, you and I will do a shipwide prowl to check physical and mechanical damage and decide if this bucket is actually *safe* to dock. We don't want to lend our hosts anymore trouble. >>
Well, the inertial compensators are about to all go down. I haven't heard from the bridge do co-ordinate, but we can't wait any longer. << PATER, we're going to shutdown inertial compensators shipwide in 30 seconds. Please alert the pilots to maneuver with caution. >>
Angus begins the inertial compensator shutdown procedure. << PATER, at 15 seconds, please make a shipwide announcement about inertial compensators going off-line. Thank you. >>
<< Be right with you, Boris. >>
Boris gives Angus a nod and continues.
<< Folks our primary concern is being able to dock, so anything that won't help us do that and doesn't endanger our shipmates and hosts, waits until after we dock! >>
<< I'm assuming Chief Munro and the Captain will handle grid repairs. And I think that's all the engineers. >>
<< Oh yeah, the AURORA and PALADIN sustained damage in battle and will also require repairs. Thier masters will know what hands they require, after docking. >>
<< Whoever I've forgotten, please let me know...there is plenty left to do, including reflooding Doejin's pool, and repairing damaged stations on the Bridge. >>
<< Unless I am needed elsewhere I will continue to monitor fuel flow, >> Doejin click-chitters. << The turbulence is considerable there. *Squee!* >>
<< Apologies Doejin, it's nice to have your calm expertise at hand, after all the noise. By the way, is anyone missing the buzz of Silvmane's damned walkman as much as *I* am? >> Boris sighs wearily.
<< Yeah, >> Grey says.
<< Mm-hmm, >> Aaron's voice comes over the comms from aft.
Getting up from his seat on the Bridge, Goughzar steps around and inspects the ship anew, running a diagnostics and listening for all-calls and orders from the Elissa.
The bridge is relatively quiet. 'Vouf and Akhouw have retired to the captain's cabin to discuss private matters, Dr. van der Merwe has assumed command and is focusing his attention on the comm console manned by Zben, which is now producing only muted background radio traffic from Centerpoint. Ettiene sits quietly, observing and listening. Ger is sitting at the helm, his hands folded in his lap. Bishop is silently and effiently manning the computer station.
Ger turns his chair to face the Con.
"Doctor, I'd like to suggest that we use minimal RCS to yaw the ship 180 degrees. That would put us bow-on to Centerpoint and our rapidly approaching welcoming committee. It would also give us undamaged hull sensors pointed at Centerpoint, rather than away from it."
He adds, "I can induce a 15 minute yaw, using minimal RCW burn. The impact on our fuel will be negligible."
Christian looks over at Ger. "Go ahead; notify me when the maneuver is complete."
"Affirmative, sir." Ger replies. His hands begin dancing across the helm, swiftly programming a minimum-fuel yaw.
Christian glances over to Aiwi. "Are the sensors ready to be unmasked, ma'am?"
As no doubt they are, Christian sits back into the chair and stares at the main holo, waiting for the sensors to come online.
FixesThings opens a channel to PATER, << PATER, prioritized list of damage to electronic systems to my comp and Mr. Grey's. >>
After a momentary pause, PATER replies.
_Affirmative, FixesThings. Prioritized list now being uploaded._
There is another pause, the both Greys and FixesThings handcomps BEEP! simultaneously, signalling completion of data transfer. Grey immediately starts to scroll through the list.
| FAULT - yrk-2777-bus-12 | - No response from governor. |
| FAULT - yrk-2142-bus-302 | - No response from governor. |
| FAULT - yrk-1004-bus-31 | - No response from governor. |
| FAULT - poc-A41-44747-3sd | - Packet errors above tolerances. |
| FAULT - poc-A37-44007-4pp | - Packet errors above tolerances. |
| FAULT - poc-A37-22431-4rd | - No reply. |
| FAULT - poc-A37-51511-4rd | - No reply. |
| FAULT - poc-A19-41452-1sp | - Packet errors above tolerances. |
| FAULT - poc-A18-11238-1pp | - No reply. |
| ... |
"Man, oh man. Talk about job security. I sure wish I was on hourly salary." He looks up at FixesThings and Bex. "Well, I guess we'd better head for deck 3 life support." Then he adds, "and we'd better hit up the fab. shop for an extra spool of fiber-optic on the way."
FixesThings ambles over to Grey and says, << We'll follow you. >>. Bex jumps down onto Fixes' shoulder to peer into Morgan's helmet as if to see if there is anyone in there. << We fix the Galley first? >>.
Rafe does not nudge Alliara; he merely opens a channel to her. << Our subjects appear to be splitting up. Shall I follow the Dynamic Duo, or will you? >>
<< We will need another...>> Alliara replies. Then, << When the ship docks, all these 'jineers will swarm out and scream and jump and wave wrenches. BLAST! Where's Sokuku. Ok, thus - you follow Bex, FixesThings and the third one, whatever HE's called. I'll be with Chiaafra.>
<< Got it. >> Rafe shoulders his laser rifle and clomps off after the departing group of three. On the way, it occurs to him to check his PLSS.
Turning away from Rafe, Alliara asks the thin air:
"Pater, please locate Dave Sokuku and inform him that I am still waiting for a decision on the xeno/linguo room."
Just as Ger begins to respond to van der Merwe's OK for maneuvering, the bridge comm comes alive with Akhouw's voice.
<< Mister Bishop, to the Captain's Office. >>
Bishop looks up from his station and immediately begins to rise, thumbing his commo.
"Affirmative, sir. On my way."
As he passes begin the conn, Adrian addresses the doctor.
"If you'll excuse me sir, duty calls."
Intent on Ger's preparations for the delicate maneuver, Christian takes a long moment to react. He looks up and makes a small hand wave at Adrian. "Certainly, Mister Bishop." He turns then to the engineering status portion of the main holo, glancing between it and the helm.
It feels strange, this crippled but alive ship. Many of the noises Munro expects have changed or are gone. The whisper of life support is missing. The *very* thin air conducts hints of groans from Elissa's skin as gravitational and thermal stresses abuse her battered hull. Usual humming, thrumming machinery is shut down; the second power plant now quiet. Even the reactor she and Hur'shurvan tenderly care for sounds different. Munro imagines it laboring to breath on the thin lifeline of fuel allowed it.
A disquiet steals through her. She anaylizes it, trying to convince herself it is just the situation and stress. Nothing she does makes it go away. 'something's wrong' a quiet little voice nags.
<< Pater, initiate level three diagnostics on all systems. Inform me of any results that meet design parameters but are within 25% of nominal extremes. >>
<< Hur'shurvan >> Munro asks quietly << How's it going on your side?>>
<< Quite smoothly, Mister Munro, >> the implacable Virush responds instantly. << The power plant was not designed to run at this level, but appears to be managing the low-current reaction with only occasional fluctuations. We are holding at nine point six percent of nominal output, with a sigma of point three percent. >>
As Andon comes through the hatch to the armory, Lazer glances up from the monitors.
"Good job, Andon. That was quick."
"PATER," continues Lazer, "What are the locations of Capt. Bhyarrvouf, Admiral Akhouw, and Capt. Stubbs?"
_Captain Bhyarrvouf and admiral Akhouw are currently in the captains cabin._ replies PATER. _Captain Stubbs in on the bridge._
"Good." responds Lazer. "Farouk to Captain. I'd like to remain on full alert until we make drydock. I'd also like to suggest that all crewmembers wear *visible* sidearms until told otherwise. We've been jumped once. I'd rather it didn't happen."
<< Approved and so ordered, Major, >> comes the reply from Bhyarrvouf. << Commander Akhouw and myself are returning to the Bridge at once to monitor our reception committee; if there's any trouble, we'll give you as much warning as we can. 'Vouf out. >>
Upon hearing the order for visible weapons, Thul goes into one of his lockers and pulls out a black leather utility belt and straps it on. On the belt is a holster with a venerable .44 magnum automatic. A brass plate on the holster says "Big Thunder" on it.
Thul draws the piece, and inserts a fresh clip, works the action putting a round in the chamber. The hammer is let off and put in half cock saftey position and the trigger safety is set. The piece is then put back in the holster and two more clips are removed from the locker and inserted in their places on the utility belt.
Lazer smiles at the huge sidearm.
"Follow his lead, folks. Those of you that are still armed and armored from the boarding action will remain that way until further notice." As the sour expression begin to form, he adds, "I know. My suit stinks too. We'll get everybody unbuttoned just as soon as we're reasonably sure it's safe."
Next, the steel bar across the laser rifle charging rack is removed. Thul unplugs one of the laser rifles from its charging station and connects it to a small portable computer on the workbench and runs diagnostics. After he is satisfied that the electronics package on the laser rifle is running up to par the rile is put back on the charging rack and the selector switch is placed in standby.
As Thul begins checking the laser rifle, Farouk begins opening the other weapon lockers.
"We've still got an hour plus, before our next contact, or so we're told. I want all the heavy stuff checked again. J.J., you go over the shotguns." Pausing to glare at Horne's fuming cigar, he adds, "and put that thing out before we *all* choke to death!"
J.J. frowns, but complies, carefully stubbing out his beloved cheroot against one of the weapon locker doors.
"Thul, you check out the rest of the laser rifles." Lazer contineus. "Shrike, you and Hfolraw inspect the ARLs. Tar, I want you and Vanessa to take care of the gauss pistols. Rigo, you check the ACRs and I'll cover the gauss rifles."
Tar opens the pistol locker and starts handing guass pistols to Vanessa. Grabbing enough magazines he follows Vanessa to a workbench and begins to start checking both pistols and magazines.
"At once, sir," Hfolraw growls, striding to the ARL rack. He hands one to Andon, and expertly begins to strip and check another, working at considerable speed.
"Seven claws for preparation and the last for action," he comments. "The last is the dewclaw, of course." One fang shows in his grin.
Lazer turns to Azani. "Jordan, I want you on the bridge again, starting now."
"Yes, sir." snaps Azani, who then immediately turns and heads forward.
"OK, folks," says Lazer, as he begins to lay weapons out on the work benches, "Let's get cracking!"
Bhyarrvouf steps out of his office as Bishop is stepping in. He nods to the tall man with a faint smile, and hesitates before the entry to the Bridge. All seems well, with Christian minding the conn and Nanadh preparing to yaw the ship; not routine, but van der Merwe is certainly up to it.
In other words, he thinks, I'm superfluous, at least for the moment.
Letting out a soft 'phoomph', 'Vouf turns away from the Bridge and wanders down the hall. At first, his stride seems careless, aimless, but after a moment it hesitates, then becomes more purposeful. Large, mobile ears track from side to side, a keen nose sniffsniffs the air of Deck 4. Cordite, burnt explosives....a hint of decay, blood and death....the hum of machinery, the throb of air pumps moving large volumes of gas....the engines, the idling plant....and....?
He steps into the Crew Lounge and strides to the outer wall of the ship, running a hand along it for several minutes, frowning. He reaches for his commbug. Stops. Reaches for it again. Stops again. He gives up and turns away from the wall, walking out again, casting suspicious glances over his shoulder as if he's afraid the wall might be sneaking up on him...
Zben watches the preparations for rotating the ship, but is still busy with the routine data stream he's receiving from the Centerpoint transmissions. He shunts much of the info into short-term storage, just in case anyone needs the data. At the same time he sets up a 3D model of the ship on his console, checking if the axial rotation will effect communications capability. Nodding to himself he sets up a program to allow the directional antenna arrays to track opposite to the maneuver, and to hand-off from one array to the other as needed when the ship shadows them. Just then...
Just as Ger prepares to initate the yaw, PATER interrupts him.
_One moment please, mister Ger. Engineering is about to take the inertial compensators off-line. This may affect your maneuver._
As the significance sinks in, Christian blinks. He looks over with an interested expression to see how Ger adapts his plan for *this* wrinkle.
Expressive Darrian eyebrows elevate slightly. "Indeed. Thanks, PATER." He immediately begins checking for any variations. As he does so, the all-call double chime sounds through-out the ship, followed by PATER's voice.
<< _Attention, all crew-members. Inertial compensators are going off-line immediately as a fuel conservation measure. Please take all necessary precautions._ >>
Eyebrows raised, Zben hastily swings up the chairs side arms, and tugs tight the seat belt. He then studies the diagram in front of him, shuddering slightly at the large dark areas signifying battle damage. `It's gonna be rough on some of those areas. Centrifugal effect alone will throw a few people around.' He taps a couple of keys and dots of various colors show up scattered thru the 3D image, each one signifying an active communications device. A large cluster of them is in engineering....
Ger completes his revised calculations and keys them into the helm. He then addresses PATER.
"All-call please, PATER." Pausing for a moment, he continues.
<< Attention, all crew-members. Low-velocity maneuvering is about to begin, without benefit of inertial damping. Brace yourselves for the potential effects. Bridge out. >>
Noting this, Christian taps into the helm program and calls it up into a small display at the command chair. He stares at it, his experience in driving small scout craft proving less helpful than he liked. Shoving such a huge, wounded craft around, without dampers no less! Mentally, he sighed. He fervently hoped that no one else noticed his feeling of inadequacy.
Nodding to van der Merwe, Ger states, "Here we go, sir." and keys the maneuver sequence.
Christian nods in formal reply. His eyes dart from display to readout, gauging the ship's response to such an unusual stress.
Stubbs watches the procedure with interest, frowning slightly as he sees the tall Darrian reconfigure a routine turn into a no-dampers nudge with little or no apparent effort. Almost instinctively, one hand reaches for a guard rail as Ger keys in the sequence.
Zben unconsciously grips his console a bit harder...
A gentle, almost subsonic rumble slowly builds throughout the ship, followed almost immediately by sounds guaranteed to send spikes of abject terror through the hearts of the most experienced spacer; the groan of hull and deck plates buckling and welds tearing.
A normal starship would not notice the maneuver being performed, but the Elissa is no normal starship. After being subjected to a horrific bombardment just an hour earlier, over three hundred thousand metric tons of spacecraft tries to move without the benefit of inertial damping.
Outwardly, Christian maintains his command composure. Inwardly, his guts are screaming at him and his brain presents a horribly vivid visual interpretation of the aural terror. The time passes slowly, so slowly.
'Vouf pauses at the aft air lock door for a moment, but elects not to enter. He turns back toward the Bridge when the Elissa suddenly starts to rumble and shake. Instantly, his legs shoot out to the sides and he drops into a combat crouch against the surging of the deck. His hand once more flies for his commbug, but halfway there he turns the motion into a reach for his data monocular, which he flips down over one eye. Stock-still for the length of the maneuver, four interminable minutes, 'Vouf watches his readouts, flicking between status displays and securecam views of the Bridge and Engineering. He never utters a word, but one hand rests against the bulkhead, feeling every ripple and tug as it happens, tying raw tactile feedback to the ones and zeroes before his eyes. His lip draws back in a faint snarl...
Get to Engineering! No, to the Bridge! Run! STOP! They need me! They....
'Vouf pauses, tensed to spring.
...they DON'T need me. Christian and Ger know what they're doing. Yolanda and the Power Gang do, too. Let them do their jobs. Delegate, then get out of the way. These aren't Vargr...they don't need the lash across their backs to keep them at their posts...let them do their jobs.
'Vouf shuts his eyes, ears folded back flat to his skull.
Stupid old wolf.
The rumble finally settles back down into silence, and 'Vouf lets out a sigh, opening his eyes and perking up his ears once more. He reviews the added damage listings. Popped wall panels, a few ruptured conduits... basically nothing at all... nothing to worry about...?
He looks back over his shoulder at the open door to the Crew Lounge, at the hull of the ship, and his annoyed frown returns. Finally, after having heard Farouk's orders over the All-Call, he gives a forced shrug and stomps over to the Armory. The only hint that anything's wrong is a slight curl to his lip and a folding of one ear.
The all-call for maneuvering catches Munro by suprise. Too late she reaches for the comm button. The rumblings starts, closely followed by the monsterous sounds of a ship flexing to and beyond its capability. Comprehension mingles strongly with abject horror. Yolanda alternates between holding on to the console and calling for data from every available sensor.
"SHIT!!" growls Horne, as pieces of a partially dissassemble auto- shotgun begin to roll off the workbench. With a snarl, Hfolraw deftly palms a laser rifle exciter crystal in mid-air as it slides away from Thul's work area and off the table. The rest of the security team immediately find themselves trying to keep dozens of weapon components from ending up all over the deck as the ship continues to vibrate.
"ACHHT SHEISS!" hollers Thul as laser rifles and other weapons start sliding off of the workbench. Thul stops a couple of them from hitting the floor. "gut ketch, Hfolraw!" noting the save on the laser innards.
Azani, caught halfway between the main worktable and the locker door, lurches to the side. he recovers himself, but not before slamming painfully into a wall. "We're hit! Are we hit? Orders, Mr. Lazer?"
Farouk stands stolidly in place, one hand braced against the wall. "Stand firm, Azani," he says quietly, his one good eye glinting. "They're just moving Elissa, and Elissa's a little bit sore." he seems utterly unconcerned by the groaning and creaking noises.
"Oh." Azani rubs his sore shoulder, frowning slightly.
"Ve had better work on one weapon a piece for a while until this rolling about gets settled down!" Thul grabs a cigar and starts chomping on it. Things in Swedish start getting mumbled under his breath. Even without understanding what is being said it is obvious that Thul is not a happy camper.
Neither is Kor, who is splayed out face-down on her worktable, arms wrapped protectively around a pile of unsecured guns. "You can start here, Thul," she suggests, trying to keep a pistol from slipping onto the floor.
In the doorway of the machine shop Fixes Things braces his feet in a wide stance as the shaking becomes apparent. When it becomes more violent he lets out an low grunt over the comm then, << Hang on. >>, as he reaches up and braces himself between the ceiling and floor like an impromptue cross beam.
Morgan Grey is no fool. When the shaking begins, he looks around for something solid to grab, and finds it in a hurry. FixesThings rides out the shaking with Bex on his head and Grey holding tight to his waist.
A few objects can be heard hitting the work benches and the floor and several lighting fixtures go dark during the peak of the vibrations.
When the noise and movement stop he slowly unwraps Bex from his head and says calmly over the comm to Grey, << Let's go. >>.
<< Yeah, right, >> Grey gulps, letting go and standing up. << I hope they don't make a habit of this. What the hell went wrong? >>
As they move into the Shop, Grey keys over to Munro on the Engineering channel. << Uh, Chief? I guess you prob'ly figgered this out for yourself already, but a simple turn without dampers should NOT have done that much harm, not on a crate like this....we shouldn't even have felt it much, right? >> He swallows. << Which means....>>
<< Shut up, Grey, >> comes Aaron's voice over the comm.
Munro's reply is dry. Anger is in her voice, but not directed at Grey.
<< I've noticed, Mister Grey. Seems Mister MacLaren will be overseeing a bit of ship re-building. Excuse me a moment. I'm going to talk to the bridge about that last maneuver. >>
Grey frowns and returns to work.
Images in the main holo-tank, and on surrounding displays, instantly break up into streaks of red and blue as the passive EMS stern array loses the signal lock. Some displays lose their vertical hold, while others immediately burst into snow.
"What in God's name...!" exclaims Werner, as the deck rumbles under his feet.
"I'm on it!" Abuko shouts as his hands dance wildly over his console.
As the cacophany and vibration begins, Ger's hands flash towards the helm controls, and then stop in mid-air. It's not that bad, he tells himself. It *can't* be that bad. A manual correction will only apply more torque and shear; just let the program run.
"What in--!" Stubbs hangs on tight and glares in mixed anger and concern as the ship starts to tremble. He watches Christian and Ger maintain their stances, Aiwi continue to work, despite the rumbling. He looks over at Tabor, who at least has the courtesy to look as concerned as he does. Tabor, holding on to a control panel to keep from being thrown out of his chair, is muttering something like "Brabble frammis MURDER!" over and over again.
Aaron barely has time to grab a structural member when the deck plate under him snaps loose along one riveted edge, throwing several sheared rivet heads past him like bullets.
"HOY!! WHAT PE...!" screams 'Fraa as the vacc-suited mustelid wraps himself around haut-Frieder's right leg. Aaron scowls, but quietly reaches down and hold Chiifraa with his free hand intil the rumbling subsides. Then he lets go.
Chiifraa slowly recovers his composure and then stares despondently and the loose section of deck.
"Aieee. One more t'ing to fix." he laments.
Thirty eternal seconds later, when the last groans and hull pops have finally died away, Ger turns to the conn with an almost embarressed look on his face.
The noise subsides, decibel by decibel, and slinks into the normal background. Christian exhales in relief, checking up on the assortment of minor damages that have been added to an impossibly long list, just as a verbal blast reaches the Bridge from far aft.
Ger's chagrin is mirrored by Christian's own uncomfortable expression.
Staring at the image on his screen Zben notes further damage occurring as the rumbling builds to the point where he is glad for the earphones on his head. Reaching a heavy hand toward the control panel he prepares for the expected communications onslaught. First to reach the bridge (he would have bet on it...) is:
<< Munro to Bridge! Who's the bleeding maniac that authorized that last maneuver?!? What do you people think you're moving? A pristine out- of-the-yard yacht or a shot to 'ell 300k-tonne 80 year old rebuilt jump tender without any inertial stabilizers!?! You'd better start slowing the yaw *now*, as *gently* as possible, or you'll finish the job those breaching charges started! >>
A tinge of crimson flows through Christian's features as he listens to the Munro tirade. A stiff finger opens the comm channel for his reply, his voice tight and controlled.
"In order, Chief: I'm the "bleeding maniac," I think I'm moving the DazzleShip Elissa, last I checked it was a 300k-tonne 80 year old rebuilt jump tender without any internal stabilizers, and we *are* aware how best to complete the maneuver. I *do* appreciate your input, Chief. Bridge, out!"
Zben keeps very busy with the commo console, routing most calls away from the bridge, and making sure that any emergency calls are handed off to whoever is best suited to handle it, and who ever is closest. One of the calls is a little different:
"I'm sorry about that, Doctor. It *shouldn't* have happened." Ger frowns. "I've maneuvered dozens of capital ships, many bigger than this, without the benefit of dampers, and they've always been able to handle it with ease. We must have much more aft structural damage than I anticipated."
"I'm reasonably sure I can kill the yaw without a repeat performance, but it will take a little more fuel than I had originally calculated."
Christian shrugs his shoulders with a blend of commiseration and exasperation. "No apologies necessary. We are all dealing with a situation beyond our experience and training." Pausing for a few moments, the good doctor examines the flowing data readouts.
"Proceed, Admiral, as gently as you can manage it. Chief Munro would no doubt scream even louder if we aggravate her task much further." A corner of Christian's mouth twitches into a smile at the memory. He nods to Ger in confirmation, then looks over to Aiwi in anticipation of the flood of new sensor information.
At last the rumbling eases off. Stubbs listens to the byplay between Ger, Christian, and Aiwi, scratching his chin slightly, but unless addressed he keeps high peace.
Munro stares at the comm. 'So that's were you are, Mister van der Merwe.' Green eyes glint with suppressed anger. After making a note in her memo application, her shoulders slump slightly, fingers tapping an unknown tempo, eyes gazing off into nowhere. 'Maybe I deserved that rebuttal.' Munro winces. 'Lucky Akhouw wasn't there or I'd probably be picking up my guts by now. Yolanda, you've *got* to put a reign on that temper before it gets you early retirement....again.' A faint beep and flashing light brings her back to the task at hand: keeping the Elissa alive.
As the sound begins, only one thought crosses Angus's mind: "Oh shit." Then the rumbling begins. Angus stabilizes himself against the console and wonders if saving the fuel worth this.
When the cries of a wounded ship die down and no new breaches are indicated, Elissa's Chief of Engineering explodes.
Angus puruses his board for additional damage indicators. It's now time to get out of Yolanda's way! << Boris, we had work do to before and more now. How about we get started? >>
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