Just Too Late

Posted on Sat Jan 15th, 2011 @ 11:18am by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Fala Awen & Lieutenant Commander Joseph Thompson & Commander Michael Evans M.D. & Lieutenant JG Malia Jacy & Lieutenant JG Hannah Andeti

Mission: Episode 1.4 - "Confusion in the Cluster"
Location: Main Bridge, USS Pandora
Timeline: Mission Day 02, 1424

ON: [[Main Bridge, USS Pandora, Mission Day 02, 1424]]

"We're approaching the source of the distress call," Robert (NPC) announced, checking the readouts on his console. They'd been traveling along the border at full impulse, which was rather slow compared to what the Pandora could achieve. Unfortunately, it had been a necessity this close to the Black Cluster as they couldn't be certain the warp engines would hold up with all the interference. What was only an hour in real-time felt like an eternity.

Awen sat up a little straighter in her chair. It hadn't really been all that long, but it certainly seemed that way. The question was, where exactly was the SS Markon and was it still in one piece. Well, that and where their attackers were. The Bajoran glanced over at Iluvar, then turned her attention back to the rest of the bridge staff, "Any sign of the Markon or whoever was attacking them?"

"I don't see anything that might have attacked them," Joe replied, "but I think I might have found the Markon..." He frowned, looking at the scans, then sighed. "It doesn't look like there's much left." It was never a happy circumstance to find a vessel in such state as the Markon was now, but it was frustrating to realize that the Cluster's effect on the Pandora's systems might very well have turned what would have been a rescue mission into a salvage run.

Iluvar turned his gaze to the image on the forward viewscreen as they came up on the origin of the distress call. A scattered debris field was all that remained of the Federation merchant vessel SS Markon. "Scan for lifesigns, escape pods," he ordered, resigned to the knowledge that they were not likely to find anyone.

It took Malia a moment to tear her own eyes from the viewscreen and force her fingers to work. The degree of destruction was unnerving - especially since only a short time ago there had been enough of it together that they'd been able to pick up the distress call. The shake of her head was more for her own benefit; an attempt to refocus. Clearing her throat, she didn't bother trying to raise her eyes. She knew they'd just find their way back to the image on the viewscreen. "No signs of life, pods ... or anything, Sir. Nothing."

It was as he feared, but Michael's own sensors confirmed the absence of life signs in the debris. He shook his head as he ordered the secondary sickbay and medical away team to stand down.

Frowning, Awen considered what they should do. Her eyes moved over to Iluvar, watching his reaction to the news, before slowly looking around the bridge. Everyone seemed disappointed - which was only natural in her opinion. The Bajoran knew all too well that not everyone could be saved, but still it was a sobering knowledge to see before your eyes. "Is there anything that could help indicate who did this? Any evidence on the remaining debris? A beacon released by the Markon?"

The counselor shook her head as she watched the debris along with the rest of the bridge crew. The sight of the torn and sheared away metal was more than frightening, it was downright haunting and the Betazoid felt the true weight of the situation come down heavy upon the shoulders of the crew. This might have been exactly the sort of new frontier that many of them had been hoping for but there was no denying that very frontier was dangerous. If they hadn't realized it before, this would certainly bring it home.

Her near retort of 'not someone friendly' was waylaid only because at the moment before her lips parted, Mali realized it could have sounded snide. She shook her head. "We'd actually have to bring aboard some of the pieces, I think. Nothing about this place is condusive to solid fact finding."

"I'm not getting anything, either," Joe said. "I agree with Lieutenant Jacy - we're going to need to bring some of this aboard to really get a good idea about what happened."

Iluvar considered the situation carefully. Due to the interference from the nearby Black Cluster, their ability to scan their surroundings was severely impaired and they were left without the ability to use their shields. It was possible that whoever or whatever attacked the Markon was still in the area, but the only way they were going to get to the bottom of this was by remaining in the area and conducting a full investigation. So far, it was the only lead they had.

"Secure all stations and stand down to yellow alert," Iluvar ordered, "Mister Thompson, keep an eye out for signs of any other activity in the area. I don't want us to be caught unawares if whoever attacked the Markon decides to come back. Miss Jacy, work with Lieutenant Warrington (PNPC) and Lieutenant Rylen (NPC) to bring aboard samples of the debris for analysis."

"Yes, Sir," Joe said. Not that it will be any great help, he added silently. This close to the Cluster, full awareness of one's surroundings was limited by how affected the sensors and other systems were.

"Aye Sir." Mali's brow furrowed at the realization that she was a slight bit excited to see what they would discover. She had no shortage of sadness for the lost crew of the Markon but if they could use this to help ensure that this didn't happen again, it would lend some measure of worth to the waste.

OFF

A JP by:

Captain Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora

Commander Fala Awen
Executive Officer
USS Pandora

Lieutenant Commander Joseph Thompson
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Pandora

Lieutenant Commander Michael Evans
Chief Medical Officer/Second Officer
USS Pandora

Lieutenant JG Hannah Andeti
Chief Counselor
USS Pandora

Lieutenant JG Malia Jacy
Chief Operations Officer
USS Pandora

and

Ensign Robert Johnson (NPC)
Assistant Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Pandora
Played by: Capt Iluvar