Episode 63. Into the Storm
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Wednesday, August 7, 2024 - 4:05 PM
- 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 |
|
| Science | Manu |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Advisor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers |
|
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.
Meanwhile, Angie and I kept 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've received clearance to depart as well.
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
There's no reason to worry.
I'll take good care of your little shuttle.
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 have special equipment mounted on their roofs: the Crabos.
These fairly imposing machines resemble marine creatures, with their mechanical forms, sturdy legs for getting 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 already ready?
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 mounts?
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 hip sway worthy of a seductress, 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 looks strange.
It doesn't look like one of ours.
Cmdr. Tarsi
It's a Starfleet suit.
I cannot put yours on because of my antennae.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I have to admit...
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 was a huge help.
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 understand correctly, everyone within ten meters can understand one another?
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 for everything you've done for us.
Cmdr. Tarsi
That is not all.
For terrain analysis, I increased your tricorders' analysis capacity to ten thousand meters.
From now on, we'll be able to generate detailed maps and locate every force in the area in real time.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Wow...
Now that's 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 above Moscow.
As soon as Manu gives you the weather update, you'll 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'll leave your team and the other shuttles to you.
Col. Robert Gomard Army
And you... just try not to crash us.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I promise nothing, Robert.
What color is the sky, Eros?
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Captain, weather conditions are currently unstable and potentially dangerous.
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.
I recommend keeping your suit on, Colonel.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Take your potassium iodide tablets.
We are lifting off!
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