Phoenix prepares for sector mapping

Moments later, Captain Syntron and his staff from the briefing were back aboard the USS Phoenix and positioned at their respective stations.

"Lieutenant Alder, proceed on course" Syntron commanded to his helmsman.

"Coordinates locked in, Sir. Proceeding now toward optimal cruising speed captain." the cobalt-hued Bolian officer confirmed.  

From the center seat, Syntron engaged ship-wide communication.

"This is the captain. We will commence with the first phase charting the upcoming region in two point nine-six days.  Ensure that all departments are prepared for any contingency throughout this mission. Be cognizant that in addition to the perils associated with the Azimuth Horizon Anomaly and potential subspace fractures, we will also be exploring and mapping uncharted territory. Expect the unexpected."

With that ominous last statement, the captain closed the channel.

Hearing the Captain's final words Commander Riker sent a text only message to all department heads.  Looking back up at the captain Riker spoke

"All departments report acknowledged and you should have all department readiness reports in twenty minutes"

"Acknowledged Commander Riker" the captain responded. "Carry on."

Glancing around the bridge Riker leaned over the science console watching the preparations for the scans and sensor sweeps that were to come.

From his station on the bridge, Lieutenant Livingstone could barely contain his excitement, judging by the way his feathers swelled around his head. Yet, his voice was perfectly controlled and his tone utterly professional as he opened a channel to every science station aboard the ship.

"Bridge to all sensor stations; forward sensor teams, prepare simulation exercises of the space sonar under subspace fracture internal conditions; coordinate with navigation. Lateral sensor teams, prepare to implement automated recording protocols of supplemental data collecting in correlation to Azimuth Horizon current studies; coordinate with tactical sensor teams and department.  All sensor stations will proceed immediately with level 3 diagnostics of all equipement; coordinate with engineering. Astrophysics and subpsace mechanics labs will prepare for in-flight analysis during travel to and through the anomaly. Astronomy and planetology sections, ensure that you will be ready for extensive and detailed charting once we emerge from the anomaly. All scanning stations will also conduct emergency drills in case of sensor failure; coordinate with engineering department. All science stations will confirm readiness in fifteen minutes. Bridge out."

While the X'Ell chief of science readied his department, his Caitian colleague did the same from her tactical station, her intense slitted eyes not blinking even once.

"Chief to all securrity and tactical stations; you will all conduct level 3 diagnostics on all systems forr the rrest of the shift with engineerring, including interrnal sensorrs, brrig, shields and weapon systems. Tomorrrow, all shifts will trrain in simulatorrs forr emerrgency prrotocols of disasterr scenarrios within the Azimuth Horrizon anomaly. Rreferr to USS Arrtemis and USS Lotus logs to prrogrram simulations and coorrdinate with damage contrrol teams and emerrgency medical units. Next day will consist of combat drrills against boarrding action frrom enerrgy lifeforrms, including harrmless neutrrralization of contrrolled victims. Rrefer to USS Spectrre logs to progrram simulations. Everryone, rrevise all firrst contact secufrity and tactical prrotocols. All personnel; acknowledge orrderrs and confirrm rreadiness in ten minutes to centrral tactical brridge station."

While this was ongoing, a new figure was striding to the helm station. Slim and dark-haired, the man wore his thin mustache with the same pride as he wore his lieutenant junior grade pips on the red collar of his grey and black uniform, as if both were medals of distinction. his joyful and self-assured tone of voice said so, as much as his words.

"Rest easy now, brave and bold crew of the USS Phoenix; the best helmsman in Starfleet is here to show you how no storm of blizzard, no rain or snow, no wind or wave nor universe-scorching space anomalies will deter us from our grand purpose!"

He slid with practiced ease in the piloting seat and both his hands at the same time started reconfiguring the helm before the interested gaze of the Phoenix helm crew crowding the station around him. Between them and the main viewer showing the USS Horizon flying majestically before them, Elisha Leône shook her head with a rueful smile.

"Tell me then, O master pilot, how come you are not the chief helmsman of the flagship?"

"Ah, simply because I do not want to; I like piloting, not navigating... All those big ships, they're as exciting to fly as cargo transports. Give me an old Defiant class any day. besides, Aguk Snow is a superb helmsman, well proven and experienced of course... almost up to my unatainable standard... He earned this position by simple virtue of seniority... as he should... and because of the current commanding officer's familiarity with him."

"Favoritism? In Starfleet? Favoritism from Captain Kheren?" retorted the Orion woman, turning to him with a smirk on her beautiful face. 

"No no no no, that's not what I mean, of course; especially not from anyone as pragmatic as an Andorian. No, I meant familiarity; how a commander and his pilot are used to one another, nothing more, nothing less. But have no fear, I will build this familiarity for myself in no time... but with Commander Oseno, mind you."

"So, it's the Polaris you're after. It will certainly be impressive to see this... especially from here," retorted Elisha with a wink.

"Why do you think Snow sent me here in the first place?" he shot back, obviously unfazed by the comment.

"I thought that I heard it was because we needed you as the only other pilot experienced with the anomaly..."

"Exactly; so, instead of having just tossed aside the competition, our crafty chief helmsman just gave me the opportunity to show my skill with this ship. I will shadow the Horizon during the crossing like no one else could... and I will succeed brilliantly!"

"I'm looking forward to see you become Aguk's proud shadow."

This time, the laughing tone of Elisha did frazzle his satisfied countenance. For a moment, he was left speechless. But his typical smugness was hardier than that.

"So... missed me, my dear?"

"Haven't tried to slap you yet."

"Aaaah, tough love..."

Standing behind the center seat, Jessica Albera tried unsuccessfully to restrain a little giggle in response the playful exchange that just occurred. She then presented a dazzling smile and a little wink to the new Orion Ops officer trading bards with the helmsman.

I really like the spunkiness and wit of that woman Jessica thought to herself, as she was equally awestruck by her exotic beauty. She hadn't know any Orions personally, but she had never seen one anywhere as beautiful and striking as Elisha.

With a smile still evident on her face, Jessica was jolted out of her thoughts when she realized that the captain had just addressed her.

Composing herself somewhat, she immediately responded "I'm sorry Sir, what did you ask?

With a slightly raise brow, the Vulcan repeated his inquiry.

"Is there something amusing you, Yeoman?"

Feeling a bit of flushness in her checks, Jessica countered "No Sir," as the smile instantly evaporated from her expression.

"Then perhaps you should carry on with your duties." Syntron noted stoically.

"Yes Sir," she responded as she immediately gazed down to her PADD and scrolled through a list of task listed on the illuminated device with no expression evident on her face.

Elisha was now the one with a slight smirk on her face as she offered a surreptitious smile as Jessica looked up for a moment before they both settled in to their tasks.

After beaming back from the Horizon briefing, David went immediately to main engineering and caught up with Ensign Andrews. He had been left the task of readying the Phoenix’ main systems during his chief’s absence, and David found the young engineer sitting in David’s own office, updating the report that Rogers was actually after.

“So Sean, how does that chair feel?”, David quipped amusingly.

“Very comfortable commander … especially with a hot beverage to aid the relaxation,” Sean retaliated with a grin.

 Getting up from the chair Sean brought his PADD around and offered it to Rogers while assuming a more serious tone.

“Main and secondary drives are functioning at one hundred twelve percent efficiency sir. Also, main and secondary mainframe’s are handling a sudden influx of level three diagnostics from both science and tactical. Those just started a few moments ago. Not too much hardship there though. The nanite infused computers are keeping up quite well in fact.”

 David took the offered PADD and browsed its contents while his second briefed him, noting the main points Sean talked of and also the other details of the Phoenix systems display. Motioning for Andrews to accompany him, David proceeded down the short hall to the main engineering room and took position beside the pool table. The massive pale blue pulses of the ships reactor opposite the table seemed to throb in rhythm with his own heartbeat. Accompanying the Horizon, the Avenger class vessel’s main reactor felt no strain what so ever in keeping apace of the Larger Lotus class ship. Handing the small information device back to its owner, David quipped professionally.

“Nice work Sean. I am due on the bridge, so you have the center seat down here for now. Enjoy your coffee.”
 Taking his leave of the heart of the ship, David proceeded to the nearest turbo lift and commanded it take him up to the bridge. Seconds later he passed through the still opening doors and made his way over to the engineering console, relieving Chief Petty officer Kennedy of her seat and designating the number two console for her. Once seated, Rogers quickly scanned the boards before him and then glanced over at the master ship display to re-affirm the status before swiveling on his chair to face toward the center command area near the center of the large bridge.

‘Sirs,” David addressed the captain and executive officer, “ships status shows green across the board. Main and secondary drive systems at one hundred twelve percent. Ablative armor, transphasic and metaphasic shields off line and ready. Thruster’s reading one hundred five percent efficiency, on standby. Main and secondary computers running departmental diagnostics and still showing one hundred eighteen percent efficiency.”

Nodding in approval Commander Riker smiled.

"Good glad to see that all upgrades are working to proper specifications.  This old girl will be the talk of the fleet if we improve her anymore than we already have."

Nodding to the Captain Commander Riker continued to monitor the scans.

"Acknowledged Commander Rogers" Syntron responded. "Having exceptional conditions aboard this vessel may be compulsory given the turbulent nature of this anomaly,  let alone venturing into unknown territory. Be certain to keep vigilant attention on these systems as we proceed." the Vulcan recommended as his gaze departed from his chief engineer.  

 David turned back to oversee his panels once again, knowing that the ship was as ready as he could make her.

It was not long before the other departments reported their readiness status to Commander Riker.

"Science is working on completing full system diagnostics and testing," chirped the X'Ell officer. "Our researchers are polishing up on anomaly studies and afterwards on spce mapping and charting. Our sensor crews are training for the peculiar conditions of navigating the anomaly and afterwards in maximizing our exploration duties. We will be ready, Sir."

"Security and tactical implementing training and readiness protocols, Commander," then reported Lieutenant M'ata. "Anomaly risks are being prepared for, including possible encounter with possible hostile lifeforms as specified in task group briefing. Tactical protocols for action in uncharted space are implemented as we speak with all four security and tactical shifts."

Entering the last shift changes into the PADD he was holding Commander Riker acknowledged.

"Good, glad to hear it."

Turning to the helm Riker readied for his final report

"Your pilots will be ready for the anomaly by the time we get to the other side, Commander Riker," now assured Lieutenant Moore from the helm with a confident smirk. "I will finish preparing a holodeck simulation of it's conditions for them all to exercise until we get there. And once they will have witnessed actual performance when we will go through it, they will all be quite ready to take over and try to work up to my level of excellence."

"Shouldn't take long," murmured Elisha Leône as she simply and efficiently transmitted her readiness report to the First Officer's armchair PADD.

"Criticism of my actual level of expertise, my dear?" 

"Why, Lieutenant; it is but praise for your excellence as a trainer, of course."

"Of course..."

Smirking slightly at the exchange Riker only shook his head as he entered his final data inputs into the PADD.

"Just remember you two, first one to get me killed... is fired"