The Start of a Long Night

Posted on Sun Jul 22nd, 2018 @ 3:29pm by Captain Liarra Von & Commander Titus Livius Drusus PhD
Edited on on Sun Jul 22nd, 2018 @ 3:30pm

Mission: Weathering the Storm
Location: Main Operations

As the countdown to the storm reaching the station closed on zero, Main Operations was a flurry of activity. Representatives from nearly every major department had been reporting on the status of their respective functions. Strategic Operations and the traffic controllers were monitoring the positions and trajectories of any ships in the area, while the dockmasters frantically found a berth for all of those ships unlucky enough to be caught in the storm's path. Over at the science station, Commander Drusus carefully processed the wealth of information coming out of the Sensor Control Room about the ion storm. And Lt. Commander Prescott had relocated from the engineering monitoring center to Main Operations so he could monitor station systems as well as reassign his crews based on the newest information being reported in Ops.

It was a lot to manage, and at the center of it all was Captain Von. Standing firm at the situation table in the center of Ops, she took mental note of the various reports coming in from around her, and studying the updates to the holographic master systems display projected from the center of the table. With visiting ships safely directed to their new destinations, the holographic display that normally showed the traffic around the station was uncharacteristically empty. But it was replaced by an amorphous construct representing the outer boundaries of the approaching, yet unnamed, ion storm. The name could come later, though she had no doubt the scientists below were already thinking about what to call it. Maybe they'd name it after her, she contemplated to herself with a slight smirk, before shaking the thought from her head. She had bigger concerns than a name. There wasn't much more to do to prepare at this point. The next step would come once the station was hit by the storm, which was very soon judging by the relative position of the two holograms. She couldn't do anything more than wait.

The pair walked deep in talk about initially the Homeworld however things gradually changed towards the present. Starbase 332 was known and well so especially given the recent events that transpired so it was interesting for S'iraa to listen what his fellow Caitian had to say about the Captain. Being an Admiral S'iraa liked to know the key players in any given assignment and as traditional as S'er'in'e was he knew the words spoken would hold merit. Merit however only went so far and the recent attack on the station sent some waves through the command staff especially going by some of the reports that went across his desk .

When the pair walked into Ops, the view screen showing the storm getting ever closer he located the Captain standing next to the situation table.

"Captain, this is Admiral S'iraa." S'er'in'e spoke then indicated the Commander. "This is First Officer Commander Lu..."

"Luciano. Leonardo Luciano." Leo didnt mind one bit the feline couldn't pronounce his last name, even some Humans couldn't wrap a tongue around it.

"Captain Liarra Von," Liarra replied as she stood at attention. She looked a little surprised by the sudden appearance of Admiral S'iraa, especially given the situation. "Forgive me for not meeting with you sooner, Admiral. I was not even aware that you were on the station."

"Captain Von." S'iraa bowed, similar to just how S'er'in'e does. "I apologise for dropping in unexpected, the storm caused me to divert. I do not seek to be an interference." The Admiral looked around at the busy Operations. "Do you have temporary quarters available?"

"I'm sure we can find something for you, Admiral. In the meantime, you're welcome to use my office." Von gestured towards the doors behind her before looking around Ops for someone that could help. With the storm front minutes from hitting the station, she needed her attention on the task at hand. "Lieutenant Darach. Find some guest quarters for Admiral S'iraa," Liarra ordered. "Preferably somewhere near the center of the station. It will be safest there."

"That would be fine." S'iraa replied taking another look around.

"Captain!" Drusus called from his watch position at science. "The edge of the storm has crossed the warning line," he said, his tone grim. "We're about to be hit."

"Alright, people," Von called out loudly. "Let's see if our preparations have paid off. Brace yourselves." On the holographic display in front of her, the shape outlining the storm front neared the station. Just as they were about to overlap, Liarra grabbed the table to steady herself. A tremor shook the station as displays and lighting began to flicker. The initial shock settled down, but the vibration in the deck plates could still be felt. "I want everyone to be on top of their game. The moment one of your departments reports a status change, I want to know about it. Good and bad."

---

Captain Liarra Von
Commanding Officer
Starbase 332

Commander Leonardo Luciano [P: S'er'in'e]
Executive Officer
Starbase 332

Colonel S'er'in'e
Marine Force Commander
Starbase 332

Commander Titus Drusus [P: Whitlam]
Chief Science Officer
Starbase 332

Rear Admiral S'iraa [P: S'er'in'e]
11th Fleet