"There Is No Time Like The Presence, Especially When Looking At The Past"
(Previous Post: "Back To Business")
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Stardate: 60333.0945
The few hours spent near the T-Tauri star known as S-7331 had provided the Shillian scientist as well as the Olthatian Engineer more information about the structural strengths and weaknesses of the USS HATHOR than either officer could have expected. The ship had performed exceptionally well through the varying gravimetric sheer of the star showing only minor design issues that the Chief Engineering Officer and his assistant had been quick to address and solve.
S-7331 had been several hours behind them when the long-range sensors of the HATHOR picked up the trail of their next and final training ground.
"Captain," the Shillian said with a odd comfort in her voice showing that she had gradually taken to her role as Executive Office of the USS HATHOR, "sensors are picking up the trail of the comet."
The last phase of the tests that had been scheduled for the HATHOR involved a thorough examination of a comet heading for an F-Class uninhabited planet designated SENMAAR II. Both the planet and the asteroid had been observed from a distance since neither had displayed anything out of the ordinary, but since the comet had been found to be on a collision course with the planet, it had been thought that this would be a good scientific opportunity. No member of the crew seemed overly impressed by the sight that had been made to appear on the main view screen, no one with the exception of the Chief Science Officer who had been in complete awe of the comet.
"Helm," Lieutenant Commander asked of Ensign Stormind, still finding it a little strange to not have the Hirogen at the Flight Control of the HATHOR, "how long before we reach the comet."
Ensign Stormwind glanced over the control panel and looked back over his shoulder at the woman sitting in the chair at the centre of the bridge. "At our current speed and heading we will reach the comet in forty-five minutes," the half Vulcan officer replied showing that in the last day or so he had made himself completely at ease with the HATHOR and its systems.
"Ensign Rostov," the Commanding Officer of the HATHOR continued with as she turned to look at the Tactical station only the realise the error that she had done. Although it had been over a day since the Nausicaan had been in Sickbay, the hybrid had still not gotten out of the habit of expecting Nico to be there. "Apologies Ensign Uxtar," Serenna quickly added, "what is our tactical situation?"
The Hirogen did not appear troubled by the slip of the Commanding Officer taking it all in strides. The changes in the location and duties of the senior staff had proven to be a little difficult to adjust to for most including Uxtar, so the warrior did not take offence. "Other than the comet and the planet, sensors are not picking up anything else. If my calculations are accurate we will have over three days to study the comet before it impacts on the planet."
"At which time we will be able to witness first hand the effect of such a astrological phenomenon, I mean it is not every day that we get to see a comet impact against a planet and we are even more lucky in the fact that we will have the chance to perform a thorough examination of the comet before is even comes close to the atmosphere of the planet. The scientific value of this event are immeasurable," the Shillian said proving that the scientist had never been far behind the First Officer.
"Bridge to engineering, please ensure that all sensors are functioning to their best or we will have an extremely disappointed First Officer," Ensign Kea said through the open comm channel, glancing at the Shillian before smiling.
=/\= Fairborn here, understood. We will make sure that everything is in perfect working condition, =/\= the voice of the Chief Engineering Officer was heard replying with a calmness and assurance which filled the scientist with even more anticipation. This would truly be a once in a lifetime chance and it seemed as if the experience would match and maybe even surpass any and all of her expectations.
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Ensign Mei had come in to Sickbay to check up on the Nausicaan Chief of Security who had yet to say a single word since he had been brought in following the unfortunate accident which had broken his back in no less than three places.
"How is he doing?" The Counsellor asked of the Assistant Chief Medical Officer who had been on duty.
Elizabeth Halliwell replied by simply shaking her head indicating that there had been no changes whatsoever since the last visit of the Counsellor. No matter the amount of effort the Nausicaan had simply refused to answer or even speak despite the medical reports which clearly showed that the Chief of Security could hear all that had been said and that at any time he could have replied in many different ways.
"Do you know where Doctor Summers is?" Ensign Mei asked, actually surprised in not having see the Chief Medical Officer in the room taking care of the Nausicaan.
"Last time I saw her she was leaving Sickbay with Lieutenant Dawson," the Assistant Chief Medical Officer informed without a second though, her current duties and responsibilities keeping her more than occupied.
Susan inwardly smiled and shifted the focus of her desire to find something to do other than trying to convince Nico to acknowledge her or anyone else. "Any idea where Lieutenant Pravat is?"
"My guess is that he is still in the storage bay," Ensign Halliwell replied before adding a personal observation. "Sulking. It look like he is taking what happened to Nico pretty hard."
"Well we have about thirty minutes before we reach the comet," the Counsellor said leaving the rest of her sentence unspoken as she pivoted on her heels and headed out of Sickbay in search for the Marine Commanding Officer.
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With the knowledge that the next stage of the shakedown cruise of the USS HATHOR involved nothing more than the sensors of the ship, the Commanding Officer of the USS ANUBIS had been able to take things more relaxed, enjoying as much time with her daughter as she could. There was still several days before the comet would impact SENMAAR II and at that time the adoptive mother would make it a point to bring Talia to the bridge once again to witness this once in a lifetime event. Until then though the mother and child duo had a great deal of personal time to catch up on and enjoy, as much as the absence of Enaii could allow.
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"Here we are," Ensign Stormwind announced as the HATHOR dropped out of warp speed and arrived within only a few kilometres of the comet which was on the final leg of a journey that had been going on for millions of years.
"So," the Commanding Officer began turning to look at the Shillia Executive Officer and scientist, "are the sensors working to your satisfaction?"
The Shillian woman appeared perplexed as she carefully read, reviewed and verified the data that the sensors had so far collected on the comet. "I am not sure," the Chief Science Officer said, "according to the sensors the comet is *hallow*."
That announcement caught the attention of everyone on the bridge leading to the new Chief of Security to check with his instruments the accuracy of what the Shillian had reported. After a few moments Ensign Uxtar found himself unable to refute what the Chief Science Officer had said and added his own report to that of the Executive Officer. "The comet *is* hallow and by the looks of things there seems to be nothing more than a large number of hand-size crystals inside."
"A naturally occurring geode hurling through space?" Ensign Kea questioned out loud find the discovery strange to say the least.
"It cannot be a geode," the Chief Science Officer said as she more carefully studied the information provided by the sensors of the USS HATHOR. "The crystals inside of the comet are arranged in perfect groups which appear to be stacked and protected by some sort of shelf system."
"How is that possible?" The half Human, half Romulan Commanding Officer of the ship asked, the discovery in no way fitting what any of them might have expected.
"Until I can study one of these crystals more closely, there is no way for us to know," the Shillian scientist replied hoping that Lieutenant Commander Serenna would not pull away from the chance of exploring this unique discovery.
"Ensign Kea, could we beam one of those crystals onboard the HATHOR?" The Commanding Officer asked of the Chief of Operations who seemed sceptical.
"The rotation of the comet and its composition will make it difficult, but if we concentrate on beaming a single of those crystals at a time, I think we can do it." Carft replied while still working on the specifics of the transport which had not yet been authorized.
"Captain," Uxtar said as the new Chief of Security, "I recommend the highest security measure possible. There is no way for us to know what those crystals are. For all we know they could be dangerous."
Heeding the cautionary words of the Hirogen the Commanding Officer turned and looked upon her Executive Officer who silently seemed to beg for the hybrid not to abandon this discovery. Eventually Lieutenant Commander Serenna made her decision known by motioning for the Shillian woman to leave the bridge and saying, "go to Main Engineering and have Elan established a full containment field to receive the crystal. I will not authorize transport until I receive is absolute assurance that everything is in place and that there will be no danger to the ship and its crew."
The Shillian scientist wasted no time in leaving the bridge and heading for Main Engineering where she hoped the Oltharian would be able to have everything ready for her to see what exactly they had stumbled upon.
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"To see the world in a grain of sand, 2005 post #585
Setting: USS HATHOR, Bridge
Stardate: 60333.1000
Setting: USS HATHOR, Sickbay
Stardate: 60333.1015
Setting: USS HATHOR, Rikar's Quarters
Stardate: 60333.1030
Setting: USS HATHOR, Bridge
Jessica Solarik { maya_992003@yahoo.com }
Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
