Shuttle Trip - Part I

Posted on Friday, 24 December 2021 - 11:37am by Lieutenant JG Maximus Mackenzie & Lieutenant JG Hayashi Hamura & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Lieutenant JG Kay’la

Mission: Operation: Mirror of Madness
Location: Vulcan Space
Timeline: 2394

ON:

Hamura entered the shuttle and started the pre flight prep. It wasn't long before Mac entered and Hamura felt a gentle hand on their shoulder. "You alright?"

Hamura looked up. "No."

Mac slipped into the co pilot seat. "I figured. This is all.... difficult for you."

Hamura said nothing.

"We'll find him. I trust your instincts and I know you're right about all this."

They gave a nod as their hands flew over the consoles.

"Vali and Kay'la should be here soon."

“Sooner than you might think” T’Lanna smiled as she stepped into shuttle with Kay’la following behind.

Kay’la smiled as she greeted Mac and Hamura before taking a seat.

“Right” T’Lanna rubbed her hands together. “Let’s get this rescue mission underway, we’re going to bring Soral home!”

"Closing doors." Hamura said. They hit the close door button and a sense of urgency took them.

T’Lanna looked towards MacKenzie. “Mac...thank you for volunteering to come with us, I appreciate you being here.”

"Soral would never forgive me I something happened to you two and frankly I know this link Soral and Hamura share is spooky but it's there."

Hamura raised an eyebrow that would have made Soral proud. "Spooky?"

Mac shrugged. "Well you know what I mean." He looked over at Vali and winked. "You get me counselor right?"

“Ohh I get you Mac” T’Lanna grinned.

Hamura smiled a little and Mac put a comforting hand on their shoulder. "There, smiling wasn't so hard." He turned then and greeted the nurse. "How's the ships best nurse doing?"

“Me? Ship’s best nurse!” Kay’la smiled trying not to blush at the compliment. “I’m very well thank you Mac. Makes a change for me to get out of Sickbay. I just hope I’m not needed, because if I am it won’t be for a good reason.”

Hamura sighed and turned around. "Lieutenant, you're the boss. We're ready to head out on your mark."

T’Lanna nodded and took her seat. “Right, then let’s get underway, we have a man to save! Let the bridge know we’re departing and we’ll be in touch.”

"Yes ma'am," Mac said smoothly. He contacted the bridge and got the clearance. "Clearance received."

Hamura entered the code given by the bridge and the bay doors began to ring out a warning. They watched as the bay staff scurried to safety and the forcefield fizzed out. " Slow and steady ma'am." Hamura said as they navigated the shuttle towards the exit. When they cleared the bay they brought the shuttle out towards the coordinates. "Course laid in and set. On your mark. We can either go to the farthest point first and work our way back or closest and work our way to the farthest. Your call Lieutenant."

T’Lanna nodded. “Set course for the furthest point and we’ll work our way back from there. If Soral has been left somewhere, it’s more likely to be further away to avoid his detection.”

"Yes ma'am. With your permission too I can do a distance scan on the two points we have as a pre check."

“Agreed” T’Lanna nodded again. “I’ll keep my senses alert for any input from Soral. I should sense him when we get closer.”

"Yes ma'am." They finished keying in the coordinates. "We'll be in safe warp out distance from the ship in thirty minutes then about three hours of warp to the scanning distance of the first section and two more until we reach the farthest point."

Mac looked at Vali and winked. "Hey Nurse I think you need to check me over...Hamura just yielded to command. I may be having an out of body experience."

Kay’la grinned and grabbed her tricorder, walking over to Hamura she ran a prank scan. “Mmmm nothing out of the ordinary here, maybe you’re just taking a liking to T’Lanna here.” She smiled and returned to her seat.

T’Lanna grinned. “Thank you Kay’la.” She looked back at Hamura. “Seriously though how are you feeling? Last thing we need is you going south on us during this trip, you’re our guide.”

"My head is pounding, my vision is shaky but I'm hanging in there." Hamura said.

Mac's brow furrowed. "Maybe I should take over." He looked at Vali knowing if she ordered it Hamura would yield.

T’Lanna nodded as she looked to Mac. “Please do Mac. Hamura relinquish control please, you can stay up front but I think it’s best if Mac takes over the flying.”

Hamura was going to say something but suddenly they felt exhausted. "Yes ma'am."

Mac took control smoothly keeping an eye on Hamura who looked pale. "Ham if you wanna rest..."

"No!" Hamura's hands flew over the controls. "First sensor logs coming in now from area one...no life signs. We're about half an hour from sensor field two."

T’Lanna nodded. “Keep an eye on the readouts, but if you need to rest then do so” She sat back in her seat hoping they’d find Soral.

Hamura looked up blinking away misty eyes. "He's getting weaker."

T’Lanna looked at Hamura in dismay. “We can’t let that happen! Does your bond with Soral work enough both ways for him to gain some strength from you?”

Hamura gave a nod. "I can try. If you can take sensors I can try to meditate...to connect."

T’Lanna nodded. “You’re too weak to do this alone Hamura, so We will meditate, and I’ll provide an energy boost.” She looked towards Kay’la. “Kay’la keep an eye on the sensors, Mac no matter what you keep searching Soral is depending on us.”

Hamura studied her. "No. I can't. One I don't know how all this works, two it could put you in danger and away team protocol does not allow for it," And three, Hamura wasn't so sure they wanted someone to intrude on that bond with Soral. Was that even possible? "I just need to..."

Before Hamura could finish an incessant beeping started. Hamura twisted around their eyes on the sensors. "Second planet scans coming in... it's faint but there are life signs. Recommend all stop to move closer to do a detailed scan."

“Agreed...all stop!” T’Lanna nodded to Kay’la. “Grab your things Kay’la we may need you. Mac bring us in for a closer look.”

Mac gave a nod. "As we get closer we should be getting more detailed information."

T’Lanna nodded. “Hamura are you picking up anything? Is it Soral?”

Hamura sighed. "I...I can't tell. I just..." Hamura sat up. "It's him! It has to be." As if to confirm it the results came flooding in.

Kay’la looked at the readouts as they came in. “Confirmed! I have weak Vulcan life signs.” She looked at T’Lanna. “Very weak, we have to get to him now!”

“Get us down there Mac!” T’Lanna took her seat. “Get the shuttle in as close as you possibly can.”

Hayashi was also studying the readouts and cursed in every language they knew. "It would have to be this outpost! Gods of Vulcan!"

Mac's lips tightened. "Shit! I see them. We're taking the shuttle in onto the small hill we'll have to huff it from there."

T’Lanna nodded. “What is it about this outpost that you two know that I don’t?”

Mac navigated the shuttle down gently and cut the bower. It was only then that he turned to Vali. "This...is a Federation coms outpost but...it was more then that. During the Synth incident and the loss of Mars....well it was taken over by the Romulans and let's just say that it won't be easy getting to him."

Hamura snorted rubbing their eyes. They had become pale and drawn. "Going directly would not be advisable. Think ancient earth archeology booby traps."

“Ohh great! That’s all we need.” T’Lanna sighed. “Right, we don’t have time to waste. Mac as you know this place I want you up front, Hamura I would prefer you stay here with Kay’la but I doubt you’ll want to do that.”

"No offense but no. I need to help him, and frankly I could be useful."

T’Lanna nodded. “I had a feeling you’d say that, right everyone grab what you need we have a friend to save!” She motioned to Kay’la. “Kay’la I need you to temporarily shut down this inhibitor. I’m going to need my abilities at full strength.”

Kay’la gave T’Lanna an uncertain look. “Lieutenant I really need Doctor Rose’s say so to do that.”

“I know” T’Lanna nodded. “But right now he’s not here, I’ll take full responsibility and if anything goes pear shaped I’m sure Mac will love shooting me!” She grinned as she looked towards Mac, before looking back at Kay’la. “Now do it!”

Kay’la nodded. “I do this under protest Lieutenant.”

“Noted” T’Lanna nodded. “Now let’s get to Soral.”

Hamura was already out of the shuttle. Mac placed a hand on their shoulder. "Ham, you need to think on all this."

Hamura sighed. "Yeah." They looked at Vali. "I'm sorry I just..."

T’Lanna nodded. “It’s alright Hamura, just don’t go rushing off half cocked.” She smiled. “Mac is our expert” she looked towards Mac.

Mac sighed. "Yeah Soral was stationed here once...Soral and I were, technically. Okay. We have to go down the south of this hill. I'll lead you all stay behind me and follow my steps exactly."

T’Lanna nodded. “I want to hear more about that, but right now let’s get to Soral before it’s too late.” She nodded to Mac. “Hamura follow Mac, Kay’la you next, I’ll bring up the rear.”

Hamura gave a nod. Soon they moved in a tight formation. The climb down was steep and they had to take a few breaks but when they got to the bottom Mac held up a hand. He motioned for everyone to rally behind a natural cave entrance.

T’Lanna looked towards Mac as they all rallied together. “What’s going on? What did you see?”

"Shuttle, we're not alone. Looks long empty but it's there. Might be worth looking into it. Lieutenant I suggest you and the nurse stay here. Hamura and I will check out the shuttle and loop back."

T’Lanna nodded. “Agreed, but please be careful. I don’t want either of you getting hurt.”

Mac gave a nod. "We'll be back. Ham you take the back, I'll push lead." They hurried away.


To be continued...