S1E4 - Fault Lines

[Charlotte Fawkes]

[Therem Mining Platform #3 | Oaish'le Outskirts | Ciden IV]

Therem had worked with stoic quiet types during month-long mining operations on asteroids, so he was glad that Lt. JG Fawkes likes to share stories. Anything to keep his brain from melting in this heat was a lifeline.

"Oh yeah, it's either company scrip or bartering in some areas. Knowing how to cook also helps, once I used to make little cornmeal pancakes as a side-gig and it ended up making me almost as much money as the mining."

The mining rig was set up on a relatively flat part on a wide mesa, and it was high enough that one could see the edge of Oaish'le in the distance. As the two approached the location of the sensor, Therem frowned. The reason was evident, as the sensor module was a good couple of meters away from where it was supposed to be planted. Modern technology was great, but sensors don't move themselves around.

"I think this is aseismic creep? There's a fault line a few clicks north, but for the fault to expand this fast there'd have to be an--"

He was cut off by sudden, violent shaking of the ground beneath their feet.  Reminded of the pirate attack, Therem's first thought was that the mesa had be hit by explosives of some kind, but the shaking continued for what felt like an eternity.  Luckily the two were not indoors or under any heavy equipment, but the quake was so intense that it felt like the mesa might split apart.
"Holy shit, an earthquake? Are we bad luck or what?"

The rumbling was strong enough that his voice shook with vibrato, but Therem himself seemed fairly calm. However, as the earthquake continued, the entire side of the mesa began to shift. The chunk of land with the mining sensor began to drift away with every shake. Therem instinctively stepped away as he felt the ground beneath his feet start to shift, and he reached out to Fawkes to steady himself as the two made their way back to solid ground. The mining sensors were not so lucky, as they were swept 15-20 meters down the side of the mesa with the rest of the broken cliff-face.

The quake finally relented after 90 seconds or so, but it felt much longer. After letting out a sigh, Therem looked to Fawkes with a look of surprise and relief on his face. He could still feel his legs buzzing from the powerful vibrations, and the quake did, in fact, help him forget about the desert heat for a bit of time.

"Or maybe we are lucky? Not dead yet, at least."

"Attention all available Senior Officers and relevant personnel. I need you in for an all-hands meeting. The planet has experienced a major earthquake, and we will need to provide aid.  Report to the briefing rooms as soon as possible so we can coordinate relief efforts. Garrison out.

[| Lt. JG Fawkes | Science Officer | Therem Mining Platform #3 | Oaish'le Outskirts| Ciden IV]

As soon as Therem mentioned his sensor module, Fawkes began scanning the area with her tricorder to determine the distance between where the sensor was and where the module sat. The difference was 2.3 meters. The lieutenant listened as Estraven spoke about the aseismic creep and the fault line. As she scanned, she was hoping to locate the epicenter. Then came the quake, silencing Therem mid-sentence.

The tremors beneath Therem and Charlotte were steady but fierce. While studying rock formations on Rigel during her final years with the academy, VII Fawkes experienced a 2.5 magnitude quake. This quake was far more extensive and possibly damaging. "Yes! We're bad luck!" she answered Estraven. "This is a six or seven, maybe even an eight!" The lieutenant spread her feet apart, trying to remain level as the rumble continued. Remaining calm was another matter, and Fawkes closed her eyes, but that seemed to worsen things. Quickly, she focused on Therem, who appeared unaffected except for his voice.

"Another day at work for you?" she inquired.

If Fawkes believed in the supernatural, she might have been convinced that she and Mr. Estraven. Just as they both joked about their situation, their situation worsened. The mesa split and shifted. Fawkes thought she might panic but caught Therem as he jumped out of the split's path. She grabbed his hand, betraying her fear with a clammy palm, and ran to safety. Both watched as the mesa collapsed, taking Therem's sensor with it.

"Well ..." Charlotte was relieved it was all over as the two looked at each other. They quipped about them not being bad luck, to which Charlotte could only laugh. "Your senor moved 2.3 meters, more than six feet. That is quite a distance in so short a time frame." Closing her tricorder, Fawkes noticed she was still holding Therem's hand. "Oh! Sorry." Fawkes walked toward the crack, surveying the damage to the land and Oaish'le. A few plumes of smoke rose from the colony. Fawkes pointed them out to Therem. Suddenly, Captain Garrison's voice came across her combadge, calling for an all-hands meeting. Fawkes, tapping her combadge, answered back.

"Captain Garrison, this is Lt. Fawkes. Mr. Estraven and I beamed down to the planet's surface to investigate some unusual seismic activity his geological sensors detected. We thought it might be illegal miners or the like, but in hindsight, I believe it was a foreshock. Currently, Oaish'le looks like it has taken damage. I see smoke coming from the colony. The quake did create a rift that sheered off part of the mesa we're on and extended toward the colony. The epicenter appears to be on the outskirts of Oaish'le, and I'm certain we have several aftershocks on the way. The first will likely strike within minutes or hours of the mainshock. Please advise."

| Ensign Mira | Operations Officer | Deck 1, Ops Center | Outpost Solaere |

Once Garrison's orders were answered, Mira began hailing the colony, ready to assist with any communications. As the mission to Oaish'le would be aid-driven, Mira tapped her console, loading the inventory of emergency medical supplies, shelters, and staples such as food and clothing. Gear for evacuation from debris would factor in the mission, as would the possibility of fire or smoke suppression.

"Captain Garrison. This is Ensign Mira. Emergency aid and rescue essentials are ready to deploy on your order."

[Feeva Drylo]

{Oupost Solaere|Medical}

This sweet summer child. She could sense him faltering. Perhaps she hadn't made her desperation clear enough.

I, um...I'm gonna level with you, Ensign - I only finished my residency like six months ago and I wasn't exaggerating when I said this was assignment number three. Four years aboard Hope under Doctor Ramos and a battle with the Kinshara was quite the trial-by-fire but I'm not sure it prepared me to, y'know, run a team or anything. I'm, uhm, kinda patchy when it comes to paperwork anyw--

She cut the woman off.

"Ah, six months ago is more recent than the exactly ZERO times I did a residency," she noted. "Anyway. Don't worry, as I said, I'll be here, and I am excellent at paperwork. Counseling is mostly paperwork, and being a mother helps," she said, firmly.

Feeva was about to continue when they were interrupted by Commander Said. She smiled, but hung her head a bit. Of COURSE she should have sent Zemi down straightaway.

Well, it's an entire possibility, Lieutenant Zh'Charion...Given you have the highest rank as an officer in the medical department, and the fact that technically Feeva Drylo is station counselor.

Oh!...Commander, I'm so sorry I didn't come to see you straight away but there was a biohazard clean up team and the counselor and quest quarters and a guy who needed cream for his d--"

Fee chuckled. "It IS my fault, Commander. I called her in straight away. My apologies, it won't happen again. Let's go," she said, rising to her feet, feeling a little silly. She'd reveal a stack of books-to prop her high enough that she could make eye contact with other folks when she was behind the desk, instead of being eye-level with people's nether regions. It really was rather inconvenient.

She led the two senior officers out of the room. "Commander, Doc. This way is fastest," she said, as she made her way across the corridor to the Medical transporter. They apparated a few moments later in the meeting room. Fee quietly took a seat, near the back, but made sure she was attuned to the others' thoughts, in case she was needed.

[Outpost Solaere|Meeting room]

Feeva sat listening, interested in this turn of events. Romulan space? Interesting. Things with the Romulans were better, but still not perfect, and they were treading carefully-the Federation, that is. She nodded along, understanding. Then, the Captain threw in a loop.

Well, that's that. We'll need to coordinate relief efforts to help get the people back on track.  and that reminds me. ..." she pulled out two small boxes. "I finally got it approved, but I'd like to promote Counselor Drylo and Lieutenant Dersch.  Congratulations on your well-earned awards. I wish  the occasion wasn't coinciding with an emergency,  but we'll celebrate this  as soon as we can. You've earned this.

Feeva heard her name, and began to speak.

"I'll be ready to receive any survivors...OH! Thank you, Ma'am, that's. An honor," she said, turning pink. "And that is understandable; we can't plan these things, can we?" She said, but sat down. She had waited a while for this promotion-her bereavement leave last year had set her back a bit further than she'd have liked, but Feeva had never had high aspirations for command. She just wanted to HELP people. "Thank you," she said, again. "I'll assis Lieutenant Zh'Charion in putting together a team. She's our new CMO!" Feeva smiled. There was much to celebrate.

[Zemi zhCharion]

[Solaere, Briefing Room 1]

"I, uhm?" Immediately, Zee wanted to shrink into the corner and die. Blushing, she tried desperately to move beyond the CMO issue. "Maybe we could focus on the disaster right now, please?"

She sighed - it was her first day! "Beyond the immediately injured you gotta think long-term-medical here. As logistics collapse you lose clean water, food, and basic medical supplies and that'll lead to infection and disease running rampant. What's the scale of this? I'm, uhm, a little new here, I've not had a chance to catch up on the local settlements yet. Are we expecting a big influx of refugees or are there other settlements that can take people in?"

[J.B Dersch]

Briefing room 1]

Kinley had only bothered to replicate her lab coat  to put over the casual civilian clothes she was wearing previously.  There wasn't a lot of time to waste with civilians's safety on the line here to worry about decorum. It seemed like the others were in similar states of disarray as she was with this sudden emergency. Sven's half-dressed attire was certainly eyebrow-raising, but she wasn't much better, with the retro t-shirt  and overall dress combo she was wearing  so she let it slide, Nodding to everyone as they came in, she started the meeting.

"Thanks all for coming on such short  notice. I know this has caught a lot of us off guard, so I appreciate you guys coming as soon as possible.  As stated, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake has hit roughly  on the borders of the settlement of Oash'le , the Romulan settlement down planetside.  We've gotten  reports down there for help from the people.

She pulled up the message she had gotten from T'Marella. There was only one, likely all communication had shorted out in the time since then.  The woman looked dirty and frazzled.

"Jolan tru, Federation,  This is  Council Leader T'Marella  of the Oash'le settlement. We are in grave need of your help. As you probably know by now, an earthquake has hit our settlement.  Any aid at all from your people will be greatly appreciated. 

The Romulan woman turned to someone in the back, then a concerned look crossed her face.

" I have just been told the reactor for the field generator apparently has been badly damaged and may be experiencing a meltdown.  Please hurry as soon as possible." 

"Well, that's that. We'll need to coordinate relief efforts to help get the people back on track.  and that reminds me. ..." she pulled out two small boxes. "I finally got it approved, but I'd like to promote Counselor Drylo and Lieutenant Dersch.  Congratulations on your well-earned awards. I wish  the occasion wasn't coinciding with an emergency,  but we'll celebrate this  as soon as we can. You've earned this."

She nodded. "I'll need some volunteers to go down to the planet. If I can get a team ready."

[ Lt. JG JB Dersch | Sec/Tac | Briefing room 1 | Outpost Solaere ]

Dersch had quickly made his way to the briefing room as soon as he got the call. He didn't know what the problem was, But he rarely went to that room since his demotion. Once everyone was there Kinley begun.

"Thanks all for coming on such short  notice. I know this has caught a lot of us off guard, so I appreciate you guys coming as soon as possible.  As stated, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake has hit roughly  on the borders of the settlement of Oash'le , the Romulan settlement down planetside.  We've gotten  reports down there for help from the people.

Not good, What about thier power reactors? Dersch thought to himself.

She pulled up the message she had gotten from T'Marella. There was only one, likely all communication had shorted out in the time since then.  The woman looked dirty and frazzled.

"Jolan tru, Federation,  This is  Council Leader T'Marella  of the Oash'le settlement. We are in grave need of your help. As you probably know by now, an earthquake has hit our settlement.  Any aid at all from your people will be greatly appreciated. 

At least our station is active now, I could not have imagined what else could happen if... Then the message continued.

The Romulan woman turned to someone in the back, then a concerned look crossed her face.

" I have just been told the reactor for the field generator apparently has been badly damaged and may be experiencing a meltdown.  Please hurry as soon as possible." 

"Well, that's that. We'll need to coordinate relief efforts to help get the people back on track.  and that reminds me. ..." she pulled out two small boxes. "I finally got it approved, but I'd like to promote Counselor Drylo and Lieutenant Dersch.  Congratulations on your well-earned awards. I wish  the occasion wasn't coinciding with an emergency,  but we'll celebrate this  as soon as we can. You've earned this."
She nodded. "I'll need some volunteers to go down to the planet. If I can get a team ready."
Dersch hesiatated. A Promotion?...I'm seeing things...wait, Nope I am not. Dersch took the box holding the new addition pip. "Thank you Captain, Its a honor" Dersch then took the Junior Grade Darken pip off and added the New Shiny pip, then turned to Kinley.

"You can count me in on the Team, And also, Freya might be able to help in Medic Efforts, She been taking classes from Star Fleet as a Civilian Medic"

[Richard James Litt]

Briefing room 1]

Kinley had only bothered to replicate her lab coat  to put over the casual civilian clothes she was wearing previously.  There wasn't a lot of time to waste with civilians's safety on the line here to worry about decorum. It seemed like the others were in similar states of disarray as she was with this sudden emergency. Sven's half-dressed attire was certainly eyebrow-raising, but she wasn't much better, with the retro t-shirt  and overall dress combo she was wearing  so she let it slide, Nodding to everyone as they came in, she started the meeting.

"Thanks all for coming on such short  notice. I know this has caught a lot of us off guard, so I appreciate you guys coming as soon as possible.  As stated, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake has hit roughly  on the borders of the settlement of Oash'le , the Romulan settlement down planetside.  We've gotten  reports down there for help from the people.

She pulled up the message she had gotten from T'Marella. There was only one, likely all communication had shorted out in the time since then.  The woman looked dirty and frazzled.

"Jolan tru, Federation,  This is  Council Leader T'Marella  of the Oash'le settlement. We are in grave need of your help. As you probably know by now, an earthquake has hit our settlement.  Any aid at all from your people will be greatly appreciated. 

The Romulan woman turned to someone in the back, then a concerned look crossed her face.

" I have just been told the reactor for the field generator apparently has been badly damaged and may be experiencing a meltdown.  Please hurry as soon as possible." 

"Well, that's that. We'll need to coordinate relief efforts to help get the people back on track.  and that reminds me. ..." she pulled out two small boxes. "I finally got it approved, but I'd like to promote Counselor Drylo and Lieutenant Dersch.  Congratulations on your well-earned awards. I wish  the occasion wasn't coinciding with an emergency,  but we'll celebrate this  as soon as we can. You've earned this."

She nodded. "I'll need some volunteers to go down to the planet. If I can get a team ready."

Aqui está a tradução para o inglês:

[Lt. Litt · Briefing Room 1 · Outpost Solaere]

Litt entered the briefing room feeling a slight sense of apprehension. The news about the earthquake had already made the situation tense, but he was eager to better understand what had happened and how they could help. As he listened to Captain Garrison, the gravity of the situation became increasingly clear. The damage to the field generator's reactor was particularly concerning. A potential nuclear crisis only heightened the urgency of their mission.

When the captain paused to promote Counselor Drylo and Lieutenant Dersch, Litt couldn't help but feel a moment of relief amidst the chaos. He smiled and briefly applauded the promotions.

"Congratulations, everyone! You've earned this." He paused, thinking of a way to lighten the mood. "Once we've sorted out this situation on the planet, the first round of drinks is on me. What do you say?"

After a brief moment of levity, Litt refocused on the urgent situation. "Captain, I'd like to volunteer to be part of the away team heading down to the planet. Let's do whatever it takes to help those people."

[Therem Estraven]

[| Lt. JG Fawkes | Science Officer | Therem Mining Platform #3 | Oaish'le Outskirts| Ciden IV]

As soon as Therem mentioned his sensor module, Fawkes began scanning the area with her tricorder to determine the distance between where the sensor was and where the module sat. The difference was 2.3 meters. The lieutenant listened as Estraven spoke about the aseismic creep and the fault line. As she scanned, she was hoping to locate the epicenter. Then came the quake, silencing Therem mid-sentence.

The tremors beneath Therem and Charlotte were steady but fierce. While studying rock formations on Rigel during her final years with the academy, VII Fawkes experienced a 2.5 magnitude quake. This quake was far more extensive and possibly damaging. "Yes! We're bad luck!" she answered Estraven. "This is a six or seven, maybe even an eight!" The lieutenant spread her feet apart, trying to remain level as the rumble continued. Remaining calm was another matter, and Fawkes closed her eyes, but that seemed to worsen things. Quickly, she focused on Therem, who appeared unaffected except for his voice.

"Another day at work for you?" she inquired.

If Fawkes believed in the supernatural, she might have been convinced that she and Mr. Estraven. Just as they both joked about their situation, their situation worsened. The mesa split and shifted. Fawkes thought she might panic but caught Therem as he jumped out of the split's path. She grabbed his hand, betraying her fear with a clammy palm, and ran to safety. Both watched as the mesa collapsed, taking Therem's sensor with it.

"Well ..." Charlotte was relieved it was all over as the two looked at each other. They quipped about them not being bad luck, to which Charlotte could only laugh. "Your senor moved 2.3 meters, more than six feet. That is quite a distance in so short a time frame." Closing her tricorder, Fawkes noticed she was still holding Therem's hand. "Oh! Sorry." Fawkes walked toward the crack, surveying the damage to the land and Oaish'le. A few plumes of smoke rose from the colony. Fawkes pointed them out to Therem. Suddenly, Captain Garrison's voice came across her combadge, calling for an all-hands meeting. Fawkes, tapping her combadge, answered back.

"Captain Garrison, this is Lt. Fawkes. Mr. Estraven and I beamed down to the planet's surface to investigate some unusual seismic activity his geological sensors detected. We thought it might be illegal miners or the like, but in hindsight, I believe it was a foreshock. Currently, Oaish'le looks like it has taken damage. I see smoke coming from the colony. The quake did create a rift that sheered off part of the mesa we're on and extended toward the colony. The epicenter appears to be on the outskirts of Oaish'le, and I'm certain we have several aftershocks on the way. The first will likely strike within minutes or hours of the mainshock. Please advise."

[Therem Mining Platform #3 | Oaish'le Outskirts | Ciden IV]
Once the adrenaline ran out, Therem also found himself in a cold sweat. he didn't think about it until after Fawkes let go of his hand, but the earthquake could have gone a lot worse.

"Another day at work? Hell no, but where I grew up there were lots of avalanches. I even hiked across the rim of an ice cap once to avoid some... people. I think I'd melt if I had to hike out here though, not sure how the refugees manage."

As he spoke, Therem pulled out his PADD and tapped a few buttons. The sounds of machinery halting production could be heard in the distance as the mining rig shut down. Even further in the distance, one could see more smoke spreading and other signs of damage in Oaish'le.

"The rig didn't seem damaged, but with all that smoke in Oasis I shut her down either way. Is the Solaere sending a ground team or something? We could link up with them."

[Nira Said]

Briefing room 1]

Kinley had only bothered to replicate her lab coat  to put over the casual civilian clothes she was wearing previously.  There wasn't a lot of time to waste with civilians's safety on the line here to worry about decorum. It seemed like the others were in similar states of disarray as she was with this sudden emergency. Sven's half-dressed attire was certainly eyebrow-raising, but she wasn't much better, with the retro t-shirt  and overall dress combo she was wearing  so she let it slide, Nodding to everyone as they came in, she started the meeting.

"Thanks all for coming on such short  notice. I know this has caught a lot of us off guard, so I appreciate you guys coming as soon as possible.  As stated, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake has hit roughly  on the borders of the settlement of Oash'le , the Romulan settlement down planetside.  We've gotten  reports down there for help from the people.

She pulled up the message she had gotten from T'Marella. There was only one, likely all communication had shorted out in the time since then.  The woman looked dirty and frazzled.

"Jolan tru, Federation,  This is  Council Leader T'Marella  of the Oash'le settlement. We are in grave need of your help. As you probably know by now, an earthquake has hit our settlement.  Any aid at all from your people will be greatly appreciated. 

The Romulan woman turned to someone in the back, then a concerned look crossed her face.

" I have just been told the reactor for the field generator apparently has been badly damaged and may be experiencing a meltdown.  Please hurry as soon as possible." 

"Well, that's that. We'll need to coordinate relief efforts to help get the people back on track.  and that reminds me. ..." she pulled out two small boxes. "I finally got it approved, but I'd like to promote Counselor Drylo and Lieutenant Dersch.  Congratulations on your well-earned awards. I wish  the occasion wasn't coinciding with an emergency,  but we'll celebrate this  as soon as we can. You've earned this."

She nodded. "I'll need some volunteers to go down to the planet. If I can get a team ready."

"Captain Garrison, this is Lt. Fawkes. Mr. Estraven and I beamed down to the planet's surface to investigate some unusual seismic activity his geological sensors detected. We thought it might be illegal miners or the like, but in hindsight, I believe it was a foreshock. Currently, Oaish'le looks like it has taken damage. I see smoke coming from the colony. The quake did create a rift that sheered off part of the mesa we're on and extended toward the colony. The epicenter appears to be on the outskirts of Oaish'le, and I'm certain we have several aftershocks on the way. The first will likely strike within minutes or hours of the mainshock. Please advise."

| Ensign Mira | Operations Officer | Deck 1, Ops Center | Outpost Solaere |

Once Garrison's orders were answered, Mira began hailing the colony, ready to assist with any communications. As the mission to Oaish'le would be aid-driven, Mira tapped her console, loading the inventory of emergency medical supplies, shelters, and staples such as food and clothing. Gear for evacuation from debris would factor in the mission, as would the possibility of fire or smoke suppression.

"Captain Garrison. This is Ensign Mira. Emergency aid and rescue essentials are ready to deploy on your order."

[Outpost Solaere|Meeting room]

Feeva sat listening, interested in this turn of events. Romulan space? Interesting. Things with the Romulans were better, but still not perfect, and they were treading carefully-the Federation, that is. She nodded along, understanding. Then, the Captain threw in a loop.

Feeva heard her name, and began to speak.

"I'll be ready to receive any survivors...OH! Thank you, Ma'am, that's. An honor," she said, turning pink. "And that is understandable; we can't plan these things, can we?" She said, but sat down. She had waited a while for this promotion-her bereavement leave last year had set her back a bit further than she'd have liked, but Feeva had never had high aspirations for command. She just wanted to HELP people. "Thank you," she said, again. "I'll assis Lieutenant Zh'Charion in putting together a team. She's our new CMO!" Feeva smiled. There was much to celebrate.

[Solaere, Briefing Room 1]

"I, uhm?" Immediately, Zee wanted to shrink into the corner and die. Blushing, she tried desperately to move beyond the CMO issue. "Maybe we could focus on the disaster right now, please?"

She sighed - it was her first day! "Beyond the immediately injured you gotta think long-term-medical here. As logistics collapse you lose clean water, food, and basic medical supplies and that'll lead to infection and disease running rampant. What's the scale of this? I'm, uhm, a little new here, I've not had a chance to catch up on the local settlements yet. Are we expecting a big influx of refugees or are there other settlements that can take people in?"

Dersch hesiatated. A Promotion?...I'm seeing things...wait, Nope I am not. Dersch took the box holding the new addition pip. "Thank you Captain, Its a honor" Dersch then took the Junior Grade Darken pip off and added the New Shiny pip, then turned to Kinley.

"You can count me in on the Team, And also, Freya might be able to help in Medic Efforts, She been taking classes from Star Fleet as a Civilian Medic"

Aqui está a tradução para o inglês:

[Lt. Litt · Briefing Room 1 · Outpost Solaere]

Litt entered the briefing room feeling a slight sense of apprehension. The news about the earthquake had already made the situation tense, but he was eager to better understand what had happened and how they could help. As he listened to Captain Garrison, the gravity of the situation became increasingly clear. The damage to the field generator's reactor was particularly concerning. A potential nuclear crisis only heightened the urgency of their mission.

When the captain paused to promote Counselor Drylo and Lieutenant Dersch, Litt couldn't help but feel a moment of relief amidst the chaos. He smiled and briefly applauded the promotions.

"Congratulations, everyone! You've earned this." He paused, thinking of a way to lighten the mood. "Once we've sorted out this situation on the planet, the first round of drinks is on me. What do you say?"

After a brief moment of levity, Litt refocused on the urgent situation. "Captain, I'd like to volunteer to be part of the away team heading down to the planet. Let's do whatever it takes to help those people."

[Commander Nira Said | Briefing Room | Deck One | Outpost Solaere]

Nira had arrived as most of the officers had. She smiled and shrugged at Stryker's attire - no doubt he was working on a bodybuilding exercise in the holodeck and was in a hurry. It was understandable. And on the subject of attire...well, it was understandable for Kinley's choice of outerwear to go with the uniform; Nira had gotten to know Kinley long enough that she wore it for official purposes and as a reminder of her past life as a science officer, even with the four pips as a Captain.

The news of the earthquake was disturbing to Nira. When she saw the footage, she had a good idea where in Oaish'le the earthquake was.

The fact was, Oaish'le wasn't just a settlement, but it was a regional boundary, but the refugees described Oaish'le as one and the same. Every new settlement was nothing more than a suburb. Given how many refugees there are now at the planet, it made sense for the regional boundaries to be the settlement boundaries, and it was understandable one reason the colonists of New Jericho had objected to the Romulans.

Nira knew where it was by the footage in that she had met T'Marella before. Some of her trips to Oaish'le took her to T'Marella's neck of the woods. That also meant they were bordering a Federation settlement that answered to New Jericho.

Nira nodded with understanding at Feeva and Dersch. The former's was long overdue given how well she had been for the past half year; the latter's was a result of the restoration of trust after his remedial work.

She had heard the comm call from Lieutenant Fawkes, indicating she was already at the surface with Therem. It was a start. The volunteers were raising their voices and Nira nodded in understanding. Litt helping Kinley was good and all, it would make him the momentary first officer on the team. Dersch meant good security, and there was already a medical team arranged.

"Well, in all fairness, Captain," Nira said, "I think you have a good amount of officers for the away team, especially as two of them already have a headstart. I feel that I have to remain on the station to command it, with Lieutenant Aune as acting first officer, and I will need Ensign Rkeran on hand to coordinate with our new Ops officer, Ensign Mira. However, I wish to volunteer the services of the Horizon to transport the team down, to transport the supplies. And I will provide you with the Horizon's buggies for the team so that they can aid you below."

[Lieutenant Savar | Operations Center | Deck One | Outpost Solaere]

As much as all the major officers were in the briefing, Savar still felt it his duty to man Ops. He had a good idea what it was about, given his departmental deputy, Lieutenant Fawkes, had gone down to Ciden IV with Mister Estrevan.

At present, he was having words with one of the leading officers in charge of the Corps of Engineers personnel working on the station. They were in the process of providing a summary, and they were mentioning their progress on the decks and on the outer plating. There was still that one matter, the only place on the station they couldn't access nor make heads nor tails of what was going on.

"I can understand the befuddlement regarding what's under the fusion generators and the lower communication array down on Deck Twenty," Savar said. "We had been aware of the problem since the outpost was reactivated and Starfleet personnel started work there. You can speak to Captain Garrison and/or Commander Said on the matter."

The leading SCE officer, Lieutenant Commander Archibald Masons, nodded in understanding. "Of course, Lieutenant. It's pretty much the biggest obstruction there is in our renovation and revamping efforts at present."

Savar nodded in agreement. He remembered seeing Commander Masons back when he was in charge of the SCE division at Starbase 153, before having to be reassigned to a SCE convoy to work on renovating and upgrading Outpost Solaere, and he seemed more somber and humble, on account that Nira had saved his life when the Horizon repelled the pirates attacking his ships three months previously.

[Lindsey]

[Shuttle bay 7| Outpost Solaere | underneath port nacelle]

Lying on her back trying for the fifth time to adjust the intermix coolent ratios on the port engine.  Try as she might she just couldn't get the thing to play. Probably because her mind wasn't on the task.

*Romulans.. they're impossible to deal with. Always lurking in the shadows, never straightforward, and constantly playing their games of deception. You can never tell what they're really thinking, and half the time, they seem more interested in outmaneuvering each other than in making a deal that benefits anyone. Try getting a straight answer out of a Romulan, and you're likely to end up with more questions than you started with. And just when you think you've figured them out, they change the rules, leaving you wondering if they were ever playing the same game at all..
Vulcans are just as bad with their better than thou attitudes.  But why Romulans?
I spend years trying to get away from those £%#@&'s, to not be a slave, get trapped in deep space and now the pointy eared fascists are everywhere I look.*

Her hand fumbled around for the hydrospanner and couldn't find it.

"wheres that dratted -" She sat up to look and cracked her head on the underside of the engine cowling "- gak fudging □€¥₩♧#" She swore.

Standing herself up she instinctively rubbed her head and then looked at the fresh blood on her greasy gloves.

She swore again.
It was turning into one of those days.

Sighing, she headed to the exit and kicked the aforementioned tool out of frustration - and hurt her foot in the process.

She needed new swear words.

10 minutes later she knocked grumpily on the door of sickbay

[Stryker]

|lt. Sven Aune| Briefing room.

Sven sat quietly as the brass discussed the earthquake.  It seemed odd to him that no one was focusing on the more immediate problem.  Infrastructure, and immediate loss of life.

He decided to chime in.

"As upsetting as a nuclear fusion device was, it's hardly that dangerous.  The product of fusing hydrogen isotopes together is helium, and that is where the largest gain of energy is capped.  This isn't fission... Unless it has some sort of fissible kickstarter.. That would just be cra.... Oh dear God... Could it really be that old?  Okay, shelve that for a second. We should be concerned with soil strata shifting and loss of water, or worse, the movement of any water in the aquifer under the land mass, causing sink holes and other land shifts.  We also need to consider damaged infrastructure such as buildings, utilities and making sure the citizens have their basic needs met.  Where exactly was the epicenter?  How far and deep was the shake?  What about aid to the injured?  Do we have a count on hospitals?

[Jynaral Rkeran]

|Jynaral R'keran| Briefing Room | Outpost Solaere|

R'keran's ears perked up as his name was mentioned. He'd snuck in, his curiosity getting the best of him. In full honesty, he wanted to help, wanted to be involved in some way. Also, in a small, selfish way, this sounded really interesting.

Standing straighter, he offered an affirming nod, as if he knew he was supposed to be here and what all "coordinating with Ensign Mira" meant, but he'd have to figure it out.

his curiosity returned to the moment, as he listened to Lt. Sven ask questions and offer insight, discussing possible disasters. Briefly, R'keran opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again.

"Ah...Lt. Aune, sir?" the huge caitian finally pipped up, only then realizing he was raising a hand in the air like a schoolkid, lowering it down with a chuff.

"If...the settlement followed any standard procedures they would have done some...well preliminary geologic studies, even if it's just ground scans. It'd be...it SHOULD be in every residential database, just in case someone starts digging where they shouldn't. If we can get into one of those databases, then do a comparison with...ah...maybe a runabout scan or...I guess like a portable sensor set up, we could see everything that's shifted...I think....sir."

[Kinley Garrison]

[Briefing room]

Kinley nodded to all the crew who were so willing to go down and help out for a people who had once been an enemy nation to the Federation. She knew some people  * cough   Xolo    cough    * had their own issues with the refugees living on the planet, but Kinley had a pretty good respect for the Romulans thanks to her old XO before she was transferred here. Anyhow, in situations of emergency, people were needing help, and that transcended everything.

"Great. Thanks guys." she said, as  the crew began  raising their own concerns and plans. . Seemingly right on schedule, she heard Ensign Fawkes from science come in on the comms with her report.  It seemed like she was already two steps ahead of schedule, on the ground and ready.  That was perfect.

"Thank you Miss Fawkes. Keep an eye on the situation as you can.  This could be an exciting chance we can use to study the geology of this planet and see why it is the way it is. "  Her past studies in xenogeology were kicking in for her, a first for her in all her career, and while she would love to be down there in the field doing science, she was going to be needed elsewhere. "Your first job is to stay safe, but if you can get some samples and track the epicenter , we might be able to get a better understanding of this planet. " she said This was an amazing chance to study the planet below, and she didn't want to waste it.

"We do have a lot to worry about this earthquake shifting. On Earth,  a 7.5 is considered a major earthquake by any standard. The outer scans from the station estimate that it was 15 miles below the surface, but that might have to be further checked on the ground.  With the epicenter being a couple of miles outside the center of the settlement, it could have certainly been a lot worse, but you're right when you say that we need to be focused  on getting food, water, and infrastructure back up as soon as possible, as well as Search and Rescue. As for hospitals, I do know we've set up a clinic, but that's probably not enough. We might have to send up the most wounded for triage efforts. "

Hearing the Ops officer  come in on her comms, she noted the distraction . "Deploy them.  See if  beaming stuff down works, but if not, we'll load up the Horizon and the other ships and get it down there that way. "

"Indeed, Miss zh'Charion.  In the worst-case scenario, we might have to support a few hundred people on the station.  The Federation settlement isn't too far off, and they seem to have been less affected, thankfully, but I don't think their leadership would be willing to take in an influx of people, knowing them. "

She smiled to Litt and Dersch. " Very appreciated. We'll have need of both of your skills soon enough. If you could fire up the Horizon, Mr. Litt, I'd appreciate it.  I think I want to go down myself, If you're okay with keeping things sorted up here, Commander." she said, asking Nira. it was weird being ranked higher than her former equal, especially when asking for things, But she had grown to trust the woman.

She looked at the crew and nodded. The people down there were in good hands. "Let's get ready and head out at 1200 sharp."

[Stryker]

|lt. Sven Aune| briefing room.

Sven looked to the huge Caitan.

"We are talking about Oashlie, here.  It would be a small miracle if they had records.  I don't suppose that Starfleet corps of engineers would have some historical data?"

He turned and looked to Captain Kinsley.  "Ma'am, with your permission, I would like to take ensign Rkeran, and Lieutenant Martinez via runabout for initial geotechnical services. I believe we also have a resident miner that could be invaluable resource to us.  I want Dersch to put his talents to use on this with a security detachment.  Large scale destruction events like this tend to bring out looters and rioters.  An initial decisive security force would set an expectation, followed by a larger force, used to help with recovery and aid at the epicenter.

I believe the runabout would give us more flexibility with spot areas. And we can cover more ground faster, with two ships."

He looked to Dersch.  A mixed look of apprehension and worry.

This wasn't the place for him to bring up what he was concerned about.  It was a private matter.  But he hoped that Dersch understood the gravity of his promotion, the responsibility that came with it, and how important it was to work as a team.

[Stryker]

Sherry Ecks, Promenade

Sherry Ecks, ambassador extraordinaire, connoisseur of vintage cigarettes, holder of all the keys in a perfect purse, strode about the promenade,  she had on her perfectly form fitting spotted day dress, Jackie-O pill cap pinned to her prefect beehive do, accompanied with black lace and white pins, and perfectly white high heels.  She glanced about her, making snide titch noises as she passed shops that she disapproved of. She didn't stop to shop, and waved a couple of kids away that approached in annoyance.

"Computer, connect me with that commander Kinsley person. I have an urgent message for her.

[Nira Said]

[Briefing room]

Kinley nodded to all the crew who were so willing to go down and help out for a people who had once been an enemy nation to the Federation. She knew some people  * cough   Xolo    cough    * had their own issues with the refugees living on the planet, but Kinley had a pretty good respect for the Romulans thanks to her old XO before she was transferred here. Anyhow, in situations of emergency, people were needing help, and that transcended everything.

"Great. Thanks guys." she said, as  the crew began  raising their own concerns and plans. . Seemingly right on schedule, she heard Ensign Fawkes from science come in on the comms with her report.  It seemed like she was already two steps ahead of schedule, on the ground and ready.  That was perfect.

"Thank you Miss Fawkes. Keep an eye on the situation as you can.  This could be an exciting chance we can use to study the geology of this planet and see why it is the way it is. "  Her past studies in xenogeology were kicking in for her, a first for her in all her career, and while she would love to be down there in the field doing science, she was going to be needed elsewhere. "Your first job is to stay safe, but if you can get some samples and track the epicenter , we might be able to get a better understanding of this planet. " she said This was an amazing chance to study the planet below, and she didn't want to waste it.

"We do have a lot to worry about this earthquake shifting. On Earth,  a 7.5 is considered a major earthquake by any standard. The outer scans from the station estimate that it was 15 miles below the surface, but that might have to be further checked on the ground.  With the epicenter being a couple of miles outside the center of the settlement, it could have certainly been a lot worse, but you're right when you say that we need to be focused  on getting food, water, and infrastructure back up as soon as possible, as well as Search and Rescue. As for hospitals, I do know we've set up a clinic, but that's probably not enough. We might have to send up the most wounded for triage efforts. "

Hearing the Ops officer  come in on her comms, she noted the distraction . "Deploy them.  See if  beaming stuff down works, but if not, we'll load up the Horizon and the other ships and get it down there that way. "

"Indeed, Miss zh'Charion.  In the worst-case scenario, we might have to support a few hundred people on the station.  The Federation settlement isn't too far off, and they seem to have been less affected, thankfully, but I don't think their leadership would be willing to take in an influx of people, knowing them. "

She smiled to Litt and Dersch. " Very appreciated. We'll have need of both of your skills soon enough. If you could fire up the Horizon, Mr. Litt, I'd appreciate it.  I think I want to go down myself, If you're okay with keeping things sorted up here, Commander." she said, asking Nira. it was weird being ranked higher than her former equal, especially when asking for things, But she had grown to trust the woman.

She looked at the crew and nodded. The people down there were in good hands. "Let's get ready and head out at 1200 sharp."

|lt. Sven Aune| briefing room.

Sven looked to the huge Caitan.

"We are talking about Oashlie, here.  It would be a small miracle if they had records.  I don't suppose that Starfleet corps of engineers would have some historical data?"

He turned and looked to Captain Kinsley.  "Ma'am, with your permission, I would like to take ensign Rkeran, and Lieutenant Martinez via runabout for initial geotechnical services. I believe we also have a resident miner that could be invaluable resource to us.  I want Dersch to put his talents to use on this with a security detachment.  Large scale destruction events like this tend to bring out looters and rioters.  An initial decisive security force would set an expectation, followed by a larger force, used to help with recovery and aid at the epicenter.

I believe the runabout would give us more flexibility with spot areas. And we can cover more ground faster, with two ships."

He looked to Dersch.  A mixed look of apprehension and worry.

This wasn't the place for him to bring up what he was concerned about.  It was a private matter.  But he hoped that Dersch understood the gravity of his promotion, the responsibility that came with it, and how important it was to work as a team.

[Commander Nira Said | Briefing Room | Deck One | Outpost Solaere]

Nira nodded. "Of course, Captain. The Horizon is all yours," she said with a smile. "Be sure it's braced to protect against earthquakes, of course. It does have the landing procedures."

Hearing Stryker proposing to take a runabout, Nira nodded. It meant she was left somewhat alone with whatever of the senior officers remaining to man the station, and Stryker was going to make sure Dersch lived up to his new rank.

"Could be a good idea for security matters. Of course, if problems arise on the station, I'll call you back, Stryker," Nira said. Then, turning to Kinley, she added, "Bear in mind, Captain, if something goes wrong, let me know and we'll change places. Per protocol for the First Officer to face the danger for the sake of safety for the Captain."

[Zemi zhCharion]

"Indeed, Miss zh'Charion.  In the worst-case scenario, we might have to support a few hundred people on the station.  The Federation settlement isn't too far off, and they seem to have been less affected, thankfully, but I don't think their leadership would be willing to take in an influx of people, knowing them. "

Zemi nodded along in agreement. "Maybe best not to inflame any existing tensions then. Right!" She rubbed her hands together.

"As, uhm, 'ranking medical officer'-" zee do not to air quotes this will not ingratiate you it will make you look incompetent "-I'm gonna ask that Ens-ahem, Lieutenant Feeva to head up our medical team on the ground." She rounded on the newly promoted councelor. "I know it's not exactly your area of expertise but it sounds like you've been in charge here for a while, I mean y'know at least you're more familiar with the medical team than I am." Back to the group... "I'll stay onstation and coordinate the rehousing effort here. Do we have any facilities to house a large influx of the displaced? Cargo bays, holosuites, maybe empty shops we can repurpose...?"