Episode 63. Into the Storm
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Wednesday, August 7, 2024 - 16:05
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- NATO Starbase
- USS Enterprise
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Schak'Irra Timeline
- Previously
-
Since the discovery of the Andorian Tarsi on the Moon, the Enterprise has been pulled into a temporal intrigue: Tarsi claims to come from the future of a parallel temporality, provides an implant chip containing logbooks, and reveals the threat of a Tholian intervention. Captain Agnes Rodriguez keeps the matter secret, confronts Admiral Michaux, and forms an unofficial coalition with Colonel Gomard to prevent a clash between factions. While Tarsi earns the crew's trust, Manu joins the bridge as Science Attaché, and the crew reorganizes for a major ground operation.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Tarsi | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Commander | Andorian | Prime Timeline |
| Eric Corda | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant Commander | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Emilie Flores | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Robert Gomard | NATO / Army | Colonel | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Eros Vitos | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Docked at the NATO Starbase |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Tactical | Eric Corda Charlene Savea |
| Science | Manu |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Advisor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers | Tarsi (Confidential) Robert Gomard and his squad |
TL;DR
The Enterprise heads for Earth: Agnes leaves Angie in command for the duration of the mission and boards with Colonel Gomard, his men, Tarsi, and Eros Vitos. During the crossing, the team finalizes the equipment: portable translators, improvements to phasers and tricorders; Tarsi increases the analysis range to map Moscow's underground. The departure is given despite unstable weather conditions and still-high radiation levels, and the descent toward Moscow promises to be perilous.
Story
During those two days, Tarsi, Ensign Vitos, Colonel Gomard, and his men meticulously inspected and improved the mission equipment.
On our side, Angie and I were arguing.
She spent the whole time sulking at me after I told her I would be going with them.
She keeps insisting it is too dangerous.
I am not thrilled about having to leave her like this, but things being what they are, she will have to accept my decision... and assume command of the Enterprise while I am gone.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
Captain, the last Nauvoo ships have left the starbase and are heading toward the Alliance bunkers.
We have received authorization to depart in turn.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Ensign.
It's time.
Angie... my seat is yours.
Use it well.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Is there really nothing I can say to convince you not to go?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You already managed to convince me the mission is dangerous.
That is exactly why you are staying here.
I am counting on you to cover us.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
If anything happens to you or to Herbie, I swear I'll rip your hair out!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You have no reason to worry.
I will take care of your little shuttle like the apple of my eye.
See you shortly.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Mr. Corda... full speed ahead!
Set course for Moscow!
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda (Pilot)
Aye, Commander.
As the Enterprise begins another Moon-to-Earth crossing, I make my way to the shuttle bay, where the ground team is waiting for me.
The class-F shuttles look ready.
Two of them are carrying special equipment fixed to their roofs: the Crabos.
These fairly imposing machines recall marine creatures, with their mechanical forms, sturdy legs for moving around, and powerful claws capable of grabbing rock.
Originally, they were used in the 1970s and 1980s to shape the terrain of the lunar South Pole.
Today, we intend to use them to clear any debris blocking the entrances to the Kremlin bunker.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Come on, Agnes... hurry up.
We're waiting for you.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You're all ready already?
Where is my anti-radiation suit?
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
There's one in shuttle 53.
Vitos and Tarsi are already inside.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Did you check the Crabos fasteners?
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Tell me, Agnes... do you take us for rookies or what?!
My men know their job!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I am not questioning their competence.
I simply want to make sure we do not risk losing one of those machines along the way.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Stop talking!
Move your butt and get into the shuttle to put on your suit.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
♪♫ Yes, Sir ! I can boogie
♪♫ Boogie woogie
♪♫ All night long... long... long...
Still humming and provoking Robert with a sway worthy of a charmer, I climb into the shuttle.
Inside, Tarsi is already waiting for me, equipped with a strange suit, very far removed from our standards.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Hi, Agnes.
You seem to be in a good mood.
Here... here's your suit.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thanks, Tarsi.
Yours is weird.
It does not seem to come from us.
Cmdr. Tarsi
It's a Starfleet suit.
I cannot put yours on because of my antennae.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Nothing to say...
Twenty-sixth-century gear has style.
Have you finished inspecting our arsenal?
Cmdr. Tarsi
No.
But I made a few modifications to all the phasers and mobile force fields.
Eros gave me a serious hand.
Ens. Eros Vitos (Weapons Engineer)
Uh... Captain, she means I followed her instructions.
Personally, I have no idea at all what this is going to do.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
We have no choice, Eros.
We have to trust Tarsi.
Cmdr. Tarsi
I also provided portable universal translators to the colonel, who distributed them to his team.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Oh yes...
You briefly mentioned those to me.
These devices are incredible.
If I understood correctly, everyone within ten meters can understand each other?
Cmdr. Tarsi
Not exactly.
My implant has a range of two hundred meters.
The portable devices are limited to fifty meters.
When we are inside the bunker, we will be able to understand the Russians...
And vice versa.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
In any case, thank you very much for everything you have brought us.
Cmdr. Tarsi
That is not all.
For terrain survey, I increased your tricorders' analysis capacity to ten thousand meters.
From now on, we will be able to obtain a detailed map and the positions of the forces present in real time.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Wow...
That is a serious leap forward.
Before, we were limited to only fifty meters.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Hello, Herbie 53, this is Chen.
The ship is in orbit and stationed above Moscow.
As soon as Manu transmits the weather to you, you will have the green light to leave the Enterprise.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Message received loud and clear, Enterprise.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Tarsi, you watch the radar.
Eros, give me a weather reading.
Robert, I will let you manage your team and the other shuttles.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
And you... you pilot while avoiding getting us crashed.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I promise nothing, Robert.
What color is the sky, Eros?
Ens. Eros Vitos (Weapons Engineer)
Captain, the climate currently presents unstable and potentially dangerous conditions.
Violent thunderstorms are underway, with gusts reaching up to two hundred kilometers per hour, as well as heavy precipitation.
Lightning and thunderclaps have been recorded.
This could pose a risk during the descent to the surface.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I hope the pilots of the other shuttles did not get their licenses from a cereal box.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
No.
They all completed a training course at the starbase this year.
What is the situation on the ground?
Ens. Eros Vitos (Weapons Engineer)
Unknown, Colonel.
According to the Science Attaché's estimates, the region is still subject to high radiation levels, although they have decreased since last July 15.
Wearing the suit is recommended, Colonel.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Take your potassium iodide tablets.
We are lifting off!