Episode 2.02: Rivulets of Copper, Eyes Aflame

[Chev ch'Valk]

Ah, thinks Chev, a Tellarite. Finally someone who doesn't mask their true feelings behind a veneer of logic.

"I'm Ensign ch'Valk, new to the ship," he says to the doctor. "My friends call me Chev, so I assume you'll call me Ensign. I'm here for someone named Voshen? We're on the away team down to the surface. Flying a shuttle through a sandstorm, so you know, we may never see each other again." He shrugs, feigning sadness, then looks to the isolation chamber and adds, "If he puts a Vulcan salute against the glass and starts talking about friendship, I'm leaving."

[Nolmir]

The device is described in detail, and images show it to be easily concealed in the palm. With this information, Tobin suspects they can find it if it's within two meters of a tricorder.

At this point, their communicator beeps, and T'Kiri announces she has obtained a warrant to search the monastery premises; however, two complications have arose: First, V'Kor leadership will not allow it's personnel to conduct the investigation, to avoid any potential sectarian "aggravation," meaning the Starfleet task force has to execute the warrant; second, the region around the monastery has just come under a transporter blackout due to a major sandstorm, and will not be accessible for at least two days. Given that the warrant expires in one star day, a shuttle is necessary to access the site. T'Kiri has been authorized to observe the search as part of the task force, but she is prohibited from participating.

"Well, it's not every day we get to take a shuttle through a sandstorm, Mr. Cole," Tobin says as he programs the device's description into his tricorder. "It ought to be interesting, at least. And there's a silver lining -- if we're right about Kavoran, the storm should at least keep him from attempting any anonymous transporter trips until we get down there."

[socrates200X]

"Oh, I don't know if I was that close to death.  But I certainly am content to remove myself from that chamber." Voshen approached, affixing his shoulder lapel.  His lanky frame loomed over the doctor, and he placed a long-fingered hand on his shoulder. 

"My thanks again to you, Doctor Dourap.  I leave my breath in your eminently capable hands, and not for the last time, I can imagine.  Mr. Chev and I will be removing to the shuttlebay to prepare for our sortie.  Were you to come along, I would return the favor of your gentle ministrations in short order.  It should be an...interesting ride."  His brow waggled playfully, and he regarded the Andorian ensign.

"Mr. Chev, I am Voshen and you may call me such, off of duties.  Shall we make for the shuttle?  On the way, I would be honored to hear your thoughts on the Zaranese language.  I rarely meet anyone with the breath control for it so far from home..."

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: The isolation chamber was behind another door, but I can't let that line go to waste...

"I'm Ensign ch'Valk, new to the ship," he says to the doctor. "My friends call me Chev, so I assume you'll call me Ensign. I'm here for someone named Voshen? We're on the away team down to the surface. Flying a shuttle through a sandstorm, so you know, we may never see each other again." He shrugs, feigning sadness, then looks to the isolation chamber and adds, "If he puts a Vulcan salute against the glass and starts talking about friendship, I'm leaving."

The Tellarite appears...less than impressed, but the slightest amused snort escapes him and he spares a glance toward the open door of the isolation ward, where Lt. Kiunya and an orderly are clearing the light blockers. Beyond, the chamber that was just filled with gases dangerous to all but the occupant is now matched to the ship's normal atmospheric mix.

"Well, if the storm gets you, I'll write something nice to your family to go with the tiny box of charred remains we ship to Andoria," he responds, deadpan. In fact, it's a little difficult to tell if he's joking. Changing tack, he notes, "Your Mr. Voshen is there, Ensign. Try not to make me fill out datawork regarding your demise."

As the doctor returns his attention back to his notes, Voshen exits the chamber.

"My thanks, Nurse Kiunya.  You may inform the doctor of my continued survival."  He moved a hand to his brow in a jocular gesture, took another collecting breath, then turned to don the rest of his uniform.

"Heh, he'll be relieved to know that," Casey quips. "Stop by if you feel any dizziness or headaches in the next few hours."

"Oh, I don't know if I was that close to death.  But I certainly am content to remove myself from that chamber." Voshen approached, affixing his shoulder lapel.  His lanky frame loomed over the doctor, and he placed a long-fingered hand on his shoulder.

Dourap fixes his eyes on the finger and follows it up the Zaranite's arm to his mask, his expression largely unreadable.

"My thanks again to you, Doctor Dourap.  I leave my breath in your eminently capable hands, and not for the last time, I can imagine.  Mr. Chev and I will be removing to the shuttlebay to prepare for our sortie.  Were you to come along, I would return the favor of your gentle ministrations in short order.  It should be an...interesting ride."

"Unfortunately, the needs of two critically-wounded patients prevent me from gallivanting all over the Vulcan desert at the whim of ship's navigators," the doctor answers, not a hit of regret in his tone. "I'm sure you'll get on fine without me."

"Mr. Chev, I am Voshen and you may call me such, off of duties.  Shall we make for the shuttle?  On the way, I would be honored to hear your thoughts on the Zaranese language.  I rarely meet anyone with the breath control for it so far from home..."

The pair find their way to the shuttlebay, where the aquashuttle Dubilier sits on the launch pad. Bigger and more powerful than the standard Type F, the aquashuttle is designed for high-pressure environments, such as jovian atmospheres and underwater applications. They also sport phaser cannons for defense, meaning the Dubilier is only dusted off for specialized missions, such as this one.

Pre-flight checks go quickly, and by the time Voshen is in the pilot's chair and Chev takes the flight operations chair, Captain Treyva, Lt. Cmdr. Les, Lt. Cole, a Vulcan female in civilian clothing, and two security specialists climb aboard.

OOC: I'll leave it here for introductions and a little character conversation. The female Vulcan is, of course, Principal Investigator T'Kiri (not that the newcomers know that).

[socrates200X]

OOC: Passing the narrative mic to others, but as for off-screen action, Voshen would want to (time permitting) add desert provisions to any existing survival kits in the shuttle. Extra water, sun visors, etc.

He doesn't plan to crash, but he's been marooned once in a shuttle.  He doesn't plan to repeat the experience. 😅

[Renny]

"Well, it's not every day we get to take a shuttle through a sandstorm, Mr. Cole," Tobin says as he programs the device's description into his tricorder. "It ought to be interesting, at least. And there's a silver lining -- if we're right about Kavoran, the storm should at least keep him from attempting any anonymous transporter trips until we get down there."

"You're right there, sir", Cole agrees cheerfully, despite the prospect of a potentially dangerous shuttle flight,  "Feels like we're finally making progress here."

[Nolmir]

"Agreed," the science officer replies. "I must admit our suspect has been a quite clever antagonist."

As they board the shuttle, Tobin notes the extra desert provisions. "Good thinking, gentlemen. Never hurts to be prepared." The Trill extends his hand to each of the newcomers in human fashion. "You two must be some of the new crewmembers. Seems that you're getting tossed in the fire right away. I'm Lt. Cmdr. Tobin Les, chief science officer."

[socrates200X]

Wrapping around the proffered hand with two of his own, Voshen bent and regarded each member of the landing party.  "Captain.  Sirs.  Investigator.  I am Lt. Voshen.  Ens. ch'Valk and I will be ferrying you to the Shival monastery shortly."

Nodding towards the pile of added provisions strapped under netting towards the aft of the shuttle, he remarked, "Speaking on fire.  'Thrice burned is twice warned', my people would say.  Becoming marooned once via shuttlecraft is more than enough times for myself, thank you."

Taking a seat at the helm, he began the final round of pre-flight checks, his long fingers dancing over the many switches and monitors.  "At last measure, the sandstorm surrounding our landing target is still in full force.  Cross-winds rated at...23 knots.  I will of course attempt to make our vector as smooth as possible.  But I would recommend the using of the safety restraints on your seating.  Time to landing should be...17 minutes.  Shorter, if things go wrong."  Looking back, Voshen's vocoder emitted a series of quick static pops that could be interpreted as laughter.

[Renny]

Cole couldn't help but laugh at this. He makes an exaggerated pantomime of tightening his seat straps.

"Sounds like we're in good hands, Lieutenant. I'm Lieutenant Cole, Chief of Security. Good to meet you both."

[Chev ch'Valk]

Chev takes the Trill's hand, understanding the gesture of greeting, originally meant to show that a person was unarmed. "Th'irichev Echib ch'Valk, sir, communications. Pleased to meet you."

Strapping himself in, the Andorian cocks a half-smile at Voshen before taking a deep breath, attempting to settle his nerves. He wasn't a fan of atmospheric entry on the best of days; the thought of flying through a Vulcan sandstorm was tightening his sphincter quite unpleasantly.

[Renny]

the thought of flying through a Vulcan sandstorm was tightening his sphincter quite unpleasantly.

OOC: That made me laugh. Nice one.

[Nolmir]

Nodding towards the pile of added provisions strapped under netting towards the aft of the shuttle, he remarked, "Speaking on fire.  'Thrice burned is twice warned', my people would say.  Becoming marooned once via shuttlecraft is more than enough times for myself, thank you."

"I'm quite familiar with that feeling," Tobin says as he takes a seat. He absently rubs his replaced knee. "Don't get me started on warp drive containment fields."

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: By the way, I prefer to use Matt Jeffries' original shuttlecraft concept for the image of the aquashuttle.

With logistics comments and greetings handled, Voshen lifts off and adeptly guides the Dubilier into orbital space, before arcing toward Shival Overlook to begin their 17 minute transit. As they near the Shival region, they can easily see the sandstorm, which measuring 180km wide and nearly twice as long, covering the eastern portion of the Shival Flats (not far from where Cole had taken his earlier respite), the overlook, and at least three municipalities on the leeward side of the plume.

Voshen notes the winds within the storm, which have reached an altitude of more than 2,000 meters, have increased to 65 knots, a more significant challenge than previously predicted.

OOC: We're going to go with a Control + Conn vs. Difficulty 2 for Voshen, assisted by the shuttle's Engines + Conn (5+1). Since he's in the copilot's seat, Chev is also able to assist with a Control + Engineering.

Current
Momentum 0
Threat 10

[Patrick Goodman]

As the shuttle leaves the hangar deck, the captain, who has been unusually quiet since the landing party started gathering, finally speaks up. "I want phasers on heavy stun," he said, his voice subdued. "If this man is the one we're really after - and I believe the evidence says that he is - he has demonstrated a capacity for exceptional violence. I expect trouble, and I want all of you to be on your guard at all times."

[Renny]

Cole pulls out his phaser and double checks the setting.

"You heard the man, people", addressing the rest of the away team, "Check those weapopns."