((OK away team folks.... you guys need to post partials as you see fit from this log forward -- K`y))<br><br>"Bridge to Shuttle MacDowell, you are clear for departure." came the<br>
slightly delayed reply.<br>
<br>
Justin smiled and watched Matthew and his own controls. He wasn't in charge<br>
of the shuttle flight, so his duty was to maintain sensors and shields, but<br>
he wanted to see what this pilot could do.<br>
<br>
Matthew gave a grin. "Acknowledged. See you when we get back" he said as he<br>
closed the comms channel. He turned his head slightly. "ladies and<br>
gentleman, we thank you for choosing the Vimy-Ridge airways. We hope you<br>
have a somewhat enjoyable flight, the turbulance is rough so please fasten<br>
your saftey belts. Stewardess' will be around shortly with complimentary<br>
drinks. i am your pilot, Ensign Matthew Garret, and again, have a safe<br>
flight" he said jokingly. "And here we go" he said as he pressed some<br>
controls. The shuttle took off from the ground smoothly, and it spun around<br>
slowly. Matthew pressed a few more controls and the shuttle sped forward. It<br>
passed the forcefield and was in open space.<br>
<br>
Toby stepped back further as the shuttle powered up and started to take off.<br>
He watched until the shuttle was out of sight and the doors to the bay were<br>
closed, and then he turned and headed for the bridge.<br>
<br>
Justin watched the sensor readings as they cleared the Vimy's shields.<br>
"Radiation levels up 35%. Shuttle shields holding it in check. So far<br>
nothing to worry about."<br>
<br>
Justin continued to watch the readings as they made their way to the planet,<br>
<br>
Nick smirked lightly toward the pilot, funny guy, he mused. He wasn't<br>
sitting near Kat, as she would have liked... but rather closer to the back<br>
to hear the readings, he disliked the lack of any fundamental weapons that<br>
could come in handy... that probably would have come in handy during that<br>
Orion Sydnicate attack... he was still working on looking more into that.<br>
His pale blue eyes scanning over the crew that was tagging along, before<br>
leaning over to Justin. "What's the highest these shields can take?" he<br>
asked softly.<br>
<br>
Kat smirked at the pilot's remark though really found it rather<br>
inappropriate. She looked over at Cait a little concerned about the pixie<br>
like doctor. "you alright Cait?" she asked once her own nerves about the<br>
mission had calmed. A little frustrated that Nick hadn't sat near her of<br>
course she'd almost expected that. Growing tired of the silence between<br>
them, it wasn't like she asked to be attacked it just happened and only<br>
because she was close to him. She lost herself in thought making plans to<br>
visit the holodeck and thoroughly vent. Once again trying to convince<br>
herself not to hate him, he was supposed to be her friend though now she<br>
wasn't so sure anymore even though he told her he was still there some how<br>
she'd begun to doubt it. 'if only Ren were here' she mused missing that<br>
redhead.<br>
<br>
"Yeh, just..ducky." Cait got out between clenched teeth. "Couldn't be<br>
better...Like a Venusian cruise..."<br>
<br>
Kat smirked at that. "Let me know if I can help okay... I mean I'm sure<br>
you'd rather not decorate the inside of your EVA suit with lunch" she told<br>
her.<br>
<br>
"The shields can take about 8 times the current levels, but not for long.<br>
One of the crates in back is a portable fusion reactor. Once we land I'll<br>
be hooking it up to the shuttle's shield system to create a base camp we can<br>
work from. Even then, we will need to wear our EVA suits all the time to<br>
prevent fatal exposure."<br>
<br>
Matt nodded. "Approaching the planet" he said as the shuttle sped towards<br>
the planet "Alright, everybody, hang on tight, things are bound to get a<br>
little bumpy as we enter the Atmosphere. I will try and make things as swift<br>
as possible. One minute to entry"<br>
<br>
Mentally, Cait moaned and whined. Luckily that didn't come out verbally. It<br>
would surely have been embarrassing to say the least if it had. She<br>
swallowed, forcing back the memories. "Do your best." At least with the meds<br>
in her, she wouldn't puke during a rough ride...hopefully.<br>
<br>
Marcus looked at Cait, "Hopefully it will be smoother than we expect" He<br>
smiled warmly. Then he looked at Matt, "Try and make things SMOOTH and<br>
SWIFT." He grinned trying to ease a little of the tension, "For our sake."<br>
"Ensign Garret, take us as close to the caves as possible. We're not<br>
positive on the conditions. Commander Lox, let us know immediately if the<br>
radiation suddenly spikes or we need to change landing location."<br>
<br>
"Radiation levels are increasing... As expected. IF you haven't already<br>
done so, seal your helmet on your suit and go to suit environment only."<br>
Justin said. "Keep us steady Ensign. We don't want to shake things up back<br>
there." He then started the process of reducing the level of environment in<br>
the shuttle to conserve power.<br>
<br>
Marcus nodded to that. "I know these suits are designed to keep radiation<br>
out, but is there any danger that any level of radiation can penetrate? Or<br>
is there a certain length of time we can stay in radiation for?<br>
<br>
Takis nervously triple-checked his helmet and suit to make certain he was<br>
sealed. He wasn't particularly spooked by the irradiated environment into<br>
which he was dropping. He'd studied survival in most any environment, and<br>
frankly he preferred boots on the radioactive ground to the boring safety of<br>
one of these Starfleet flying pillow ships. Not that he minded the ride; he<br>
was just glad there was plenty of opportunity for away missions. He set his<br>
jaw and promised himself he'd do a fine job, so that he'd get to go on more<br>
of them.<br>
<br>
Juard asked prepared for anything, "Does anyone need radiation treatment?"<br>
<br>
Justin looked back at the others "If we stay under the shuttles shields,<br>
indefinitely. Without the extra shielding... about 30 minutes. I hope we<br>
don't need the treatment yet. Levels are still pretty low within our<br>
shields. Once we land, you will be quite busy helping people."<br>
<br>
Nick nodded at that, "Once we land, I'd like to have my security team secure<br>
the sight, under the shuttle's shields still," he said, "Once confirmation<br>
is sent back here, then we can start setting up our base camp," he said,<br>
glancing toward Cait. The little doctor had the final say in anything<br>
involving the mission, but at the same time, he knew that they'd have to<br>
keep an eye out for any security risks, his primary job was to protect the<br>
crew on this mission, and any friendlies they'd encounter,,,<br>
<br>
Kat began to feel the fluttery butterfly feeling in her stomach she patted<br>
her stomach mentally telling herself 'oh no I'm not giving in to the power<br>
of suggestion' she thought as she glanced over at Cait again.She too hoped<br>
not to need radiation treatment just yet she didn't like having to risk the<br>
dangerous radiation but they had a job to do.<br>
<br>
"Everyone was suppose to be innoculated before we left the ship so we'll be<br>
fine for a while even if radiation gets through. Mister Reed, Security will<br>
be out the door first." Cait sat with her eyes closed still.<br><br><<TBC>><br>