Part of USS Damascus: M1: Just A Gentle Touch and Bravo Fleet: Blood Dilithium

1) The hail

USS Damascus - Conference Room
November 2400
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The ship had received its orders to get ready for the Typhon Frontier, no surprise there, as most of the crew from the Jaxartes had experience from that region. Sazra was already in the room as she looked outside the window, seeing how other ships were getting ready to leave or arrive at Deep Space 17. The senior staff started to get into the room and take their seat. 

Turning around, Sazra looked at everyone. They were already conversing as if nothing had changed since their last meeting at the Jaxartes. It gave some form of calmness for her as she took a deep breath and walked to the table, “Alright, let us begin with the meeting at hand, all. That means PADD off Commander Valerio. You can do your reviewing of the latest tech updates after the meeting.” 

“How did you….” Adrián shrugs and puts the PADD down, “Fine, I will do it afterward, but this is a violation of my privacy” He shakes his head in disapproval.

“You call it a violation, but you never shut up about it, Commander, so it is only a given period that we know when they publish the next engineering magazine,” Silina winks at him. “Captain, the floor is yours,” She said, ignoring the glare of Adrián.

Giving the nod to Silina, “It was already confirmed by presumption, but Starfleet Command has given us the order to resume our duties within the Typhon Frontier. There we will continue the stellar mapping of the region as best as possible. While the Jaxartes has done 5% of the mapping for the last 7 years. Damascus will significantly boost this operation, and honestly, I look forward to seeing the results. This mission will take as long as we need and be regularly docking at Deep Space 17 as this will be our home base like last time.” 

“Can we avoid doing any escort missions for any species? The last time was a headache, which is a light definition of that mission,” Adrián points out “I rather go back to dealing with born stars and dangerous nebulas than deal with that again.”

Leaning back in his chair, “That makes two of us, Commander” Rami spoke, “To fill in our new members, we had to do an escort mission for the RFS and that when south when the Broken Wings came in, knocking and capturing our Captain. We had to work with the RFS to rescue our Captain from their hospitality,” Rami shrugs.

K’Nala looked a bit, blinking at everyone, “What is RFS?” She asked.

“It stands for the Romulan Free States. We had some dealing with them in the past. I want to remind everyone here that we are no longer on the Jaxartes and that we need to remember that we have new members here that do not know our stories” Sazra stared at the two.

“Yes, sir” Both Adrián and Rami spoke at the same time.

“Now, before we leave the docks to go towards our destination in the Typhon Frontier. Update on your departments, please. One at a time” Sazra looked around the table. 

It was quiet for a second as Kossaal started, “Well, the medical department has got itself ready for the journey ahead. We have received the last medical supplies, and all our staff are in and working as we speak. The crew medical examinations are being done currently, so if one of you has not yet done it, please report to sickbay as soon as possible. That is all from my side” 

“Then I shall go next,” Rami spoke up. “Security personnel is all accounted for and reported in. Armory checks have been done, and I got the green light from the quartermaster. The weapon systems received an update from Engineering and look good. Our shield systems were also tested and are operational.”

The Caitian Ensign nodded when Rami was done, “The ship navigational systems arrre active and checked. They arrre fully operrrational, and I have not seen any engine problems. We are ready to go frrrom a navigational perrrspective”

“Science has conducted various tests with the long-range scanners, and everything has been updated to Starfleet standards that are known as of this date. The scientific supplies are accounted for, and the staff prepares for the voyage. I do wish to note that my department consists of a large scale of specializations open to be used in the Typhon Frontier” T’Path nodded to Adrián to go next.

“Right…” He looked at everyone, “The ship is in perfect condition. We had to update various systems to see that everything was running smoothly. Thought I do not see any future issues to come. We got our supplies, and everything seems to be in order.” His eyes went to Silina. “Take it away”

Silina nodded, “The operational status of the ship is all in the green. Deep Space 17 stands ready for our launch of the mission. Crew morale is good, and I have not received any complaints regarding our mission ahead. As promised, I instructed the various people to steam themselves ready for what they potentially would expect at the frontier. Everyone is in high spirits and looking forward to this voyage”

“That is good news, this means that everyone is prepared and ready for our new adventure,” Sazra said with a smile, “Now, let’s get down to business and discuss what we….” The communication line opened up “…Mmm Sazra here?” 

This is the bridge. We got an emergency broadcast from the Task Force 17 Commanding Officer

Sazra narrowed her eyes and looked at everyone at the table, “Put it through towards the Conference Room” Sazra ordered.

Understood, Captain” The bridge communication cuts off as a new one comes in.

To all ships of the Fourth Fleet, this is Fleet Captain Erill’Yun Mek, Task Force 17 Command. Vice Admiral Beckett has made you aware of the unstable situation in the Delta Quadrant’s Gradin Belt. You will have by now also seen reports of Blood Dilithium spreading throughout the region. Further to Admiral Beckett’s orders, I implore all available starships to rendezvous at Starbase 38 by 0800 hours, stardate 24000111. From there we will proceed through the Barzan Wormhole to the Delta Quadrant, and we’ll get to the bottom of this. Mek out.

While listening to the message, Sazra crossed her arms as she remembered the reports on the Blood Dilithium. The problem seems to have exploded into a severe crisis if they order the starships to rendezvous on such short notice. The message got quiet at the end as everyone looked at each other, and then they all looked at Sazra “Well change of plans I guess” Sazra shrugged. 

“What are your orders, Captain” Adrián spoke quickly up.

Sazra looked outside the window seeing starships that were known to be part of the Fourth Fleet to quickly get active and then looked back at them “Lieutenant T’Path and Lieutenant Th’shrithel get everything from the…” She looked at her side panel, “USS Merevek, they know everything that is known about the situation there. Find out what we can learn from it and not repeat any mistakes that could affect the health of our people.” The two nodded and stood up leaving the room quickly “Commander Valerio get the ship ready for launch and do what needs to be done” 

“Yes, Captain” Adrián stood up and left the room as well.

“Lieutenant Shew, update your security staff on every hostile species in the Delta Quadrant. Reports indicate we are entering quite a chaotic part of space” Rami nodded as he stood up and left the room “Ensign K’Nala get the ship ready for launch and plot a course for Starbase 38, the launch window is 15 minutes.” She jumped up and left the room to get her first orders out quickly.

“Commander Ruslanovna, get the crew in the ship. The emergency launch is in effect.” Silina nodded and walked as last out of the room. Sazra took a deep breath and stood up walking to the window “Well, you just got to wait a bit longer” She tapped the window seeing already undocking from Deep Space 17 to leave as per the order that was given. 

Staring out the window, Sazra finally spoke up “Computer ship wide broadcast” A bleep came as confirmation that the ship wide communication was now available and active “This is Captain Praugol. The USS Damascus and our brethren have received the call for action from the Fourth Fleet command. We are launching the ship within 12 minutes to travel on the maximum warp to Starbase 38. Get your affairs sorted and report to your designated department to start your duties. Praugol out” The channel cuts off.

Now more ships were jumping into warp to join up at Starbase 38 “Time to head out. I guess” Sazra walked out of the room and made her way towards the bridge where most of her senior staff would be present. She had to admit that she was not expecting this to happen. But Starfleet has that magnet to attract danger when possible. Not so long ago, they were involved in a large storm.


Bridge – USS Damascus


Walking onto the bridge as some officers saluted her arrival, she waved it to return to their duties. Sazra walked to her chair and sat down. This chair was new in her experience, and she was used to the Jaxartes chair. Well maybe this upgrade was a good thing “Status” 

“Ship is ready to go” Silina spoke as she sat next to Sazra, looking at the panel of her chair, “Deep Space 17 has granted emergency launch. We are also receiving further orders from Starbase 38 that we are assigned to scientific duties within Delta Quadrant. Further orders shall be received in Delta Quadrant or at Stabrase 38” 

Nodding to Silina “Ensign to us out’” Sazra orders sitting back in her chair. 

“Yes, Captain” K’Nala taps a few buttons at her console as the Damascus clamps are released, and construction bees pull away from her. The ship lights turn on as the engines start to purr “Moving us away frrom the DS17” The Damascus moved out of the docks and into the open.

“Let’s go, Ensign, maximum warp!” Sazra spoke loudly as the Damascus jumps to warp to start their journey to Starbase 38.

Comments

  • I should have known Sazra Praugol and the USS Damascus would be the very first to enter the Blood Dilithium campaign! Your energy and excitement for this crew and campaign can be palpably felt by reading your prose. Through your previous missions, you've done such a thorough thorough job of building up the mythos of the Typhon Frontier, I was almost disappointed that the Damascus was pulled away from it's ubermission -- even though I can't wait to see what BD has in store for them. I appreciate you taking the time to introduce all of the main characters. With so many crews across Bravo Fleet, it's easy to lose track. A new mission, new ship, and new campaign is a perfect time to bring old and new readers up to date. Even more so when you've done such a good job of writing the easy rapport between the senior staff. I particular enjoyed the way they anticipated Adrián multi-tasking through the briefing and teasing him for it. Very very promising for your mission ahead!

    November 1, 2022
  • Like Brendan I also felt a wee bit guilty for pulling the Damascus away from its Typhon Expanse mapping extravaganza! A very solid start though, setting the scene nicely with the buildup and rapid change of plans with them now off to the Barzan system. I thought your characters' dialogue well illustrated that Trekkian sense of camaraderie from the crew, particularly with some of them reminiscing their time on the Jaxartes. Professional yet comfortable with each other! It's like chicken soup for the soul. The tapping on the window from Praugol was (literally) a nice touch, too! That was a great bit of imagery to illustrate her 'unfinished business' in the Expanse. Now let's see if the crew can keep it together and maintain their high functioning ways as they head straight into that Delta Quadrant chaos!

    November 1, 2022
  • This is my first chance to sit down and read the adventures of the Damascus, so I am intrigued to get to know them more. I loved the fact that some of this crew are aware of each other already and that they know they must work hard to integrate one another into this new ship. I am keen to know how a pure science vessel will survive in the Delta Quadrant during the BD campaign. A great start, I shall read more!

    November 6, 2022
  • What a way to start! The fact that you got pulled from mapping to the campaign and the disappointment of losing the task is clear, but your crew seems so eager to begin this mission, as MJ said the crew is so aware of each other and I love seeing that! I think seeing what the mettle of a science vessel can do in the expanse will make this very interesting for all of us watching with anticipation!

    November 7, 2022
  • Alrighty, onto Damascus! This might take me a bit. ;-) And right out of the gate you kick off with a great exchange between Sazra, Adrián and Silina laden with meaty characterisation; in about three paragraphs I think I already know who Adrián is. The sea-change of the crew getting ready for their first mission in the Expanse with their new ship to the sudden scrambling for the Delta Quadrant is an exciting disruption; the status quo felt established and now it's been upended. Sazra rolls with the punches by very quickly and effectively giving her crew the instructions they need, and it showcases her flexibility and strengths (and growth) as a commander. Looking forward to this!

    November 10, 2022
  • I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I love the setup from what has happened to what is going to happen, then changing it all up in the last few paragraphs. That so had a star trek feel to it. I believe the phrase is the best-laid plans or something like that. A good change of plans, a surprise, is a great way to start an adventure.

    November 12, 2022
  • This is a great start. I like the way it’s obvious that some of the crew know each other and have shared history, but there are new crewmembers as well and we are finding out hints of the shared past along with them. There’s some great characterisation and I feel I know some of these characters already! Looking forward to more!

    November 14, 2022
  • Well, I am finally getting up to speed with the Damascus! Great start, I enjoyed interacting with the senior staff members about their departments. It seemed that their mission was all planned out until they get an emergency communication about a sudden mission change into the Delta Quadrant, much like the rest of the Fourth Fleet. I enjoyed how calm they all were in the face of the unknown and wonder if they will stay that way once they get to their destination. Great job at setting this mission up and looking forward to reading the rest of the stories.

    November 25, 2022