[Vimyridge] SD941203.11 - Off to the Astroids Pt2 - Vilqa, Nix, NPC Smith

[Kylana ~]

"What's your estimate Lieutenant?" Smith spun in his seat to face the woman
for a moment before return his attention to his own console and vessel
stabilization. A warning beacon suddenly chirped, "Ummm Lieutnant. Sensors
are picking up increased activity on the star's surface."

"About.. three days old, from what I can tell.. and with the flares, unable
to be definite on that.." she said, her gaze snapping over to Smith quickly
at his words. She quickly shifted her scan to the star, a frown appearing on
her lips. "We need to move, quickly.. Find the largest asteroid that we can
use as a shield to help protect the shuttle from a direct hit," she said,
keeping her attention on the sun.

"Affirmative!" Smith felt a bead of sweat slide slowly down his temple and
his heart rate increase and thump strongly. Deftly he turned starboard,
grateful for seatbelts as the vessel nearly did a loop in the tight arch.
"Straight ahead I remember a field." The shuttle less than gracefully
avoided contact with smaller asteroid debris as it arrived, thrusters
suddenly hit to reverse to slow the shuttle and take her into a small alcove
protected by a series of asteroids in a tight formation.

Kylee gripped the armrest as the shuttle made the sharp turns. "Just take it
nice and easy.. this place lends plenty of places to hide," she said,
continuing to gather information as they moved, jarred back and forth as he
manuevered around the debris. She leaned forward as they came to a stop,
quickly launching a probe out to gather as much information as possible
before the flare destroyed it. "Come on.. come on.." she muttered, looking
over all the readings, searching for any clue.

Smith looked over his shoulder, "Take it easy?" Eyes nearly popping out,
"There's a flare brewing and you are telling me to take it easy? I don't
know about you but I've got something good waiting for me to return to
finish up and so I'm going to do what I need to to ensure I get that
finishing up done." All the while he monitored the probe, "Thirty seconds
until destination is reached."

Kylee arched her brow as she looked over, studying him. "Yes.. and we are in
an area that is protected against the flare.. so there is no worry about any
damage.." she stated, before turning her attention back to the data
streaming across her console. She chewed her lower lip, her heart racing
with excitement as she waited for the flare to reach the area. She tilted
her head, blinking as she caught a trail that seemed slightly abnormal.
"There.. that's where the asteroids were sent from. Computer, save data in
separate file, Nix- Alpha Beta zero zero one."

Smith stated the most logical, "Are they not coming from the... sun?" He
asked quizzically..."I mean you know that bright orb thing that just shot a
gaseous ball of oozing goo out our way to kill us?"


Kylee blinked, looking over at Smith confusedly. "What in the hell are you
talking about? I'm focusing on the asteroids.. not the flares.. since the
asteroids are probably the source of the flares... I'm trying to find who
can be behind it.." she said, focusing back on the data, seeking out any
anomalies in the area before the sun destroyed them.

Smith shrugged just as the shuttle's comms chirped and the Captain's voice
spoke once Smith initiated the comms, "This is Captain Vilqa. Please confirm
your status, we are picking up increased solar activity."

Kylee tapped her comm badge as she stared at the console. "We're fine,
captain. Currently taking shelter behind some asteroids to avoid any damage
from the solar flare," she stated, tapping the comm as her fingers tap
against the armrest. "Come on.. just give me a clue. anything.." she
muttered, knowing she had only a few more seconds before the flare destroyed
the probe.

"Be on alert Lieutenant. We cannot afford to lost either of you nor the
shuttle. Are you collecting the data you believed would be available?" Vilqa
asked again while Smith calibrated the thrusters to keep the shuttle as
steady as he could in the temporary shelter. "Lieutenant I am noticing two
of the asteroids are splitting."  Smith said so not only Nix would hear but
due to the open comms to the vessel the Captain as well.Vilqa's voice once
more filled the cabin, "The energy bursts from the solar flare causing
instability."

"Yes Captain, Smith and I are well aware of the danger out here and are
staying ahead of any problems. Currently found some information that
isolates the location of the asteroids' origin,, searching for any signs of
ships that were in the area," she stated, shifting the view on the console
to find a location to stay out of harm's way. Quickly studying the
surrounding area, she isolated a cluster of large asteroids. "We'll make it
back safe and sound, Captain, the asteroid field is far enough away that the
overall energy of the solar flare is far less than the planet.." she stated,
closing the connection for the moment. "Smith, take us to these
coordinates.. We'll be safe there until the flare passes.."


"Captain, shields are holding steady." Smith interjected in hopes to calm
the Captain's worries.

"Thank you Mr. Smith. Ms Nix I suggest you two getting a move on soon. Vilqa
out." Nix had said what the Captain needed to hear and would not call off
the mission -- for now.

"Will do, Captain," she said, focusing back on the area she was searching,
tilting her head as she noted something unusual. "Computer, save readings to
Nix Alpha one zero."

<TBC>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://14th.org/pipermail/vimyridge_14th.org/attachments/20091203/a725cebe/attachment.html>