Jackal Departure

Posted on Wed Mar 20th, 2013 @ 6:58pm by Lieutenant Commander Morgan Kelly & Lieutenant JG Allison Price & Commander Brian Ratchford & Lieutenant Commander Miranda Keller MD, MBBS & Lieutenant JG Erica De'Havean

Mission: Reindeer Games
Location: USS Jackal - Bridge
Timeline: Two days after talk with Von

"I'm telling you, Allie. It was this big!" Lieutenant Kelly held his hands about a foot apart. "You should have seen it."

"I know you're lying now, sir," the young Ensign Price said in response. "I have never seen a spider on this ship, much less one that big." She tapped a few commands on her engineering console. "Besides, if you're right, a simple scan should find it."

"Well that's the thing. As soon as I saw it, it ran right out of the airlock."

"Uh huh, sure it did. I thought you said you saw it in engineering?"

"Well, uh..." Morgan had clearly been caught in one of his tall tales. He was trying think of a response when the port egress opened. "Captain on the bridge," he said with some relief.

Erica entered the bridge amongst the chatter and taking the helm seat. She listened to the various conversations going on around her as she ran checks on helm and operations. Taking note that the exterior scanners were locked down still.

As Brian entered the bridge of his command for the duration of this operation, he couldn't help but smile to himself. For all intents and purposes, for the next week or two, this crew would be his crew, and this would be his ship. At least for a little while.

"Are we ready to get going, Lieutenant?" he asked of his first officer for this voyage, as he took his place at the solitary centre chair on the bridge, surrounded by the command consoles.

"Yes, sir," Kelly answered now back in his more professional mode. "All stations report ready."

"Then let's power this thing up. Computer," the commander said, raising his voice slightly, even though he knew that the computer would hear him regardless. "Release system lockouts. Authorisation Ratchford-Alpha-Pi-Six-One."

System lock-outs released. As the computer reported that the order had been carried out, various consoles associated to the locked out systems - sensors, communications and anything else which could draw on information from outside the ship - lit up and became active for their operators.

"Weapons and defenses are standing by. Systems are already rigged to simulate damage to the Carthage, sir."

"Engines are at full power, Captain. You will have warp speed available as soon as we clear the station," engineer Price reported.

When the "eyes/ears" of the ship became active and fully operation, Erica spoke softly, yet loud enough to hear, "CONN at full operation and capability. Beginning undocking procedures," Anticipation tinged her tone as she focused on getting the USS Jackel from it's berthing and talking with the Docking Master and Station Flight Control.

Miranda walked onto the bridge just as the clamps released, "Sickbay's as ready as I'll ever make it, let's just hope we won't need to use it on this little trip" she said, taking one of the chairs at the back of the bridge.

"Agreed," Brian responded with a grin. "Let's get out there then, shall we? Open a channel to the station."

Once the channel was open, it was Captain Gunning's voice that responded through the ship speakers. "Go ahead Jackal"

"Requesting permission to depart, Captain. We're eager to get started."

"Permission granted. Take good care of her, Commander."

"Will do Captain. Price; detach all docking clamps. De'Havean; thrusters all ahead full. Take us along the route prescribed by the dockmaster."

"Aye, Captain," the engineer answered. She pressed buttons her console, sending the computer the commands to release the docking clamps. The electromagnetic actuators engaged as the ship separated from the station. Electrical umbilicals disconnected from the ship, leaving the Jackal to run under her own power. The hull creaked as the clamps pulled away from the tiny Defiant class. "Moorings are released. We are clear."

"This should be fun" Miranda said, getting comfortable

Erica eased the Jackal from it berthing as soon as the docking clamps were released. Rotated the ship, once clear of the station and eased out on the assigned vector, restraining herself from immediately going to high impulse, keeping the ship at a steady 1/4 impulse as prescribed. "Clearing Orbital Traffic," as the ship eased through the ships parked in orbit awaiting their turn to dock.

"Set a course out of the system and engage at warp four," Ratchford ordered, settling back in his chair. "Then begin a standard patrol route; I'll leave the direction to your discretion. Everyone keep your eyes on the sensors, and report anything out of the ordinary."

Erica growled softly in perfect timing as USS Jackal lept into warp and a smooth increase to warp 4 for the edge of the system and beyond to start the standard patrol of the USS Jackal. "Heading 345 mark 16 neg, in two minutes coming up on Space Taffic Lane 6. After that 327 mark 27 plus, at three minutes Space traffic lane 5. Then onto 289 mark 40 plus, at 2 minutes of travel Traffic lane 4 which bypasses Starbase 332 to points beyond. Then onto course 240 mark 50 neg to Traffic lane 3, Archion System to Akiashiro/Ritorian Cargo Transfer point. Onto Traffic lane 2 on vector 180 mak 40 plus, 6 minute flight to traffic lane 1 on a course of 40 mark 0." Erica spoke softly as she transferred the map with the course overlaid on it to Lieutenant Commander Ratchford's armchair viewscreen.

By the time Erica, finished informing Commander Ratchford, bringing the Jackal out of warp at the two widely spaced space buoys that transmitted in subspace to mark the sectors safe route of traverse and the nearby starbase 332. "We stop and collect data from them for the Intel to go over." As her duel job of Helm and Operation on the USS Jackal already was transferring the information from the Markers to the USS Jackal.

Kelly poured over the incoming data. It was a long process. The sensors passively and actively scanned for any signs of activity. He only knew vaguely what to expect. The Carthage was given a series of tasks to complete, but only her captain knew for sure what was going to happen. "I'm not picking up much, sir. The traffic is pretty light since Starfleet was mostly staying clear of the area. I'm picking up a few transports and couriers. The USS Belize is on patrol near the edge of our operating zone. There's a Bajoran freighter en route to Garus IV..."

"Bajoran?" Brian asked, intrigued. If his mental map of the quadrant was right, then Bajor was a significant distance away. It wasn't unlikely to see their freighters this far away - some he knew operated even over towards Cestus - but as far as he knew, they were rare enough around this region. "Set a course for Garus IV. It's a good enough place to start." The Bajoran freighter could also be the unmanned prop ship that could form a potential target for the Carthage. He also paused to consider the positioning of the Belize. "See if you can connect with the Belize's tactical and operations officers. Tell them that we don't want any data from before we left Starbase 332, but see if you can coordinate to include their sensor data in our coverage from this point on."

"Aye, Captain. I'll get the Belize on the comm," Kelly answered.

Erica worked the controls and sent USS Jackal towards it's next destination, Space Lane 5, liking the feel of the ship under her control. On the newest heading for Garus IV, bringing the USS Jackal up to warp 6 for a quicker intercept. Mentally reviewing legit Freighters would keep to the posted warp 4 to 5 ftl speeds. "Intercept in three hours."

"Lieutenant, begin your first battle drill," Ratchford said, indicating Morgan as he stood to vacate the command chair. "Notify me if there are any changes to the situation."

Kelly turned back to his tactical console. "Yes, sir!" he replied excitedly. He was looking forward to some action, even if it was simulated.

---

Lt. Commander Brian Ratchford
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Morgan Kelly (PNPC: Von)
Executive Officer & Tactical Officer

Lieutenant Miranda Keller
Chief Medical Officer

Ensign Allison Price (PNPC: Von)
Chief Engineer

Ensign Erica De'Havean (PNPC: Akiashiro)
Chief Helmsman
USS Jackal