Ex Astris Scientia (IC)

[CelestialCelery]

Mei's strong point at the academy was definitely nothing to do with geology; in fact she barely passed the required courses in that field, so some things everyone was mentioning whizzed past her, but the general idea got through. Slowly she stood up from her crouched position, seeing that she could do no more until they were on their way again. She listened to the conversation between the captain and first mate, nodding in agreement with the latter's comment.

After a few minutes, she saw a chance to maybe speak to the commander. As nothing would be required of her it wouldn't hurt to try getting along with some of the crew members despite the suspicious nature she had developed from life on her frozen homeworld. She eased up and came closer, glancing at his tricorder as he tapped at it. "So this sort of thing usually happens here?" she spoke partially to him and well as herself. "I wonder what measures would be taken to block these meteorites if people came to settle here. Or if even blocking them would be a good idea since this planet seems so used to it."

[The Australian]

"Hm?" Charles muttered as he led the survey team back to the shuttle, "I suppose they would have to install meteor deflecting satellites, or have strong materials to build the colony. Personally, this place looks much more suited for a planet-side starbase. The location of this system would make it a good spot, don't you think? The beauty of the planet is also a plus."

As they reached the shuttle, he pressed a button and the door opened, he climbed up and took one last look at the planet.

One Hour Later

As the shuttle landed and he opened the door and walked out, Charles walked up to a comm panel and pressed the button, "All-right, Garrick, we're back." He said, smiling, "We'll be up a few minutes."

[Pockets]

"All-right, Garrick, we're back. We'll be up a few minutes."

Nathan leaned over and toggled the comms system again. "Good to have you all aboard again Sir. We were starting to get a bit lonely up here."

He turned to the bridge crew. "Alright people set instruments for transfer to new personnel at Comms and Helm. Be sure we're ready to get underway immediately if the Captain wishes it." He left the chair and returned to his engineerng station toward the rear of the bridge. He quickly ran over the setting ensuring everything was set and running properly for departure at any time. he made a few months nor adjustments and by the time the landng crew reachdd the bridge the press of a singke buttn would have the engines ready for warp.

[TripMyHop]

He looked out the port view window at the planet as they lifted off and wished it was sunset, or what passed for it on this particular planet. He always liked to see a setting sun when he left a place.

Once they were back on board the Excalibur, he sent Shapiro off to the lab to deposit the samples and draw up a report on their findings. "But first," he joked, regarding the junior officer's dirty uniform. "You might want to grab a shower." The ensign appeared uncomfortable so Sandro added, "Just a suggestion, Ensign. Not an order"

He figured he would head back to the bridge, so Sandro turned to the captain as well as their helmsperson. "Catch a lift together?"--was his nonchalant request.

Maybe they could chat on the way.

[The Australian]

Charles entered the lift and beckoned over to the commander. "Why not?" He said, smiling. Grabbing the handle, he spoke up and said, "Computer, bridge."

"So, commander, I have a friend back on Earth. Admiral Miller told me that he's just be transferred out of the DMZ. He was serving up there with a medical station. Since I think you've noticed that we don't have a Chief Medical Officer, he's a prime candidate." He continued, "The Admiral approved his assignment here, all we have to do is head back to Earth and pick him up."

When the lift stopped, the trio exited and Charles evicted Garrick from his chair, "All-right, Ensign Yong, set a course for Earth and engage at warp factor six."

Charles then swivelled his chair to the Communications Officer, Lieutenant Paxton, "Send a message to the closest science ship. Inform them we are departing from the system and that they can take over the survey. Also, tell Union Fleet Command that we are departing as well."

"Yes, sir." Paxton responded, and tapped on a few buttons and sent the messages.

[Turtlicious]

Kel welcomed the crew back as they entered the command room, "Oh, hey! The conquering heroes have returned, hope you had fun on the planet doing... Well whatever the hell you were doing, I wasn't really paying attention much. I've been playing videogames and enjoying my new chair. I also broke some stuff when I got bored, so you have to deal with that." Kel snickered. He fiddled with some controls and then frowned, "Awwww MAN! Engineering ignored my request to have confetti cannons installed on the bridge. Really those guys are just kind of boring. Someone should tell them to lighten up and have a little fun." Kel barked out another laugh, he had been pretty bored on the ship, and no matter how many simulations he ran he just had an itch he needed to scratch, he hoped there would be some action soon. "Also, I swear to Kelnucka if we do no blow something up soon, I'm going to be pretty depressed."

Kel scratched his neck with his long talons, and toyed with the buttons on his uniform, "How was your trip Captain? Did you bring me anything?"

[Pockets]

Nathan turned and politely greeted the away team members as they made their way onto the bridge. "Captain Nelson," he said. "Engines are on standby and ready to go to warp at your command."

The Captain quickly took over his chair, as was his right and started giving out his orders.

"All-right, Ensign Yong, set a course for Earth and engage at warp factor six." he said and as the ensign entered the appropriate commands into the console Garrick pressed the button which switched engine control from Engineering to the helm. Within moments the sound of the great engines powering up filled the ship, a low hum the set the deck beneath their feet to vibrating ever so slightly and a moment later the view of the planet on the main viewer changed to a scene of stars streaming by so quickly that they became little lines of light in the blackness of space.

They were heading home.

[The Australian]

"Unfortunately not, Mr. Thurzad." Charles said, "I'll be sure to remember for next time. Hopefully you didn't open fire on a passing convoy or something."

Charles pressed down on a recording button on his captain's chair, after having to remember to make a captain's log. "Captain's Log, September 28th, 2327. Our first mission has been completed in a single day. A science vessel is headed to the system to conduct proper studies while we are headed back to the Sol Sector to pick up our Chief Medical Officer, Commander Gabriel Andis. He is a friend of mine from back in the Academy, and served together on our first assignment. I am rather thrilled to have him aboard."

He pressed another button, which stopped the recording and saved the log. As the ship streamed back to Sol, he rose from his chair and turned to Sandro, "I'm going to look over my quarters. You have the bridge, Commander."

Charles walked into the lift and grabbed the handle as the doors swished shut, "Deck three." The computer complied. Charles mused about having Gabriel on board. The last time he saw him, it was on the Cornwall. Charles was a junior science officer with aspirations in the tactical and command fields, whilst Gabriel was in the medical field to stay. Charles ended up hoping from tactical, sciences, and command divisions until firmly landing in command when he ended up as first officer on the Hutchinson.

The doors of the lift swished open and Charles exited, taking in the sight of crewmen talking as they headed to their duty shifts. Some extended salutes, whilst others passed. He didn't take much notice, however. Soon, he entered his room and found it rather bare. His duffel bag was left on his bed, and a painting was left on the side of his bed. He smiled, picked up the painting, and mounted it on the wall to the side of his desk, just above an unstocked bookshelf. Grabbing that duffel bag and walking back over to his desk, he pulled out some books, with titles like 'Foundation', 'War and Peace', 'The Illiad and The Odyssey', 'Les Misérables', and 'The Kriarian Logic' among others, until the shelf was full. He then pulled out some medals and certificates and hung them up on the wall parallel to his bed, and the one behind it. Finally, he pulled out a picture of him, Gabriel Andis, and a young woman, Angela Puchner in cadet uniforms . That was taken about fifteen years ago, back when they had graduated from the Academy, with their arms around each other and smiling, Charles in the middle, Angela on the left, and Gabriel on the right. He placed it on his desk and smiled at the nostalgia.

Finally, he placed the test tube vial on the desk as well, with the dirt from the planet as a permanent reminder of his first mission. He went back to his duffel bag to take his clothes, such as two duty uniforms, a dress uniform, and some civilian clothing, and put them in a drawer.

[TripMyHop]

"I did notice." He nodded attentively. "Ah I see.", after the Captain finished his explanation. A quick detour to Earth. Too bad.

Once on board the bridge he nodded greetings to the other bridge officers and requested a status report from the officer at the science station. Afterward, he sent Shapiro off. His subordinate officer had the good sense to be patient, but he looked uncomfortable in the nerve center of the ship. He obviously had the temperament for the lab rather than where the action was.

"Shapiro, I'd like you to get those samples and the tricorder data to the lab. Let them sort of it out, however. You look like you could use a shower." He smiled, referring to the dirty smudges on Shapiro's face and sleeves.

"Aye, sir." Sandro affirmed, when given command. "Did we miss anything interesting up here?" He asked the two senior officers who had stayed behind. Then he settled into the chair and took a deep breath, finally.

[CelestialCelery]

Mei sat watching the main viewer, glancing occasionally at her screen to check for any updated information of ships in each of the area they were passing, frowning to herself. They would be picking up the Chief Medical Officer, which she would have to report to soon after his arrival to introduce the specifications on her hearing device. She tapped at it absentmindedly; quite honestly she'd had her fill of meetings with doctors to discuss her hearing loss and of course the device itself. However it was routine and she understood it. She didn't have to like it, it was just something she had to do. The thought made her sigh very quietly and she glanced around at the other crew members. She doubted any of them had to go through the same sort of experience everywhere they went and with every job they've had, but drew comfort from the fact the good doctor was an old friend of the captains. Hopefully they'd just get down to business and she'd be on her way without needing to do too many tests.