The Cosmic Ocean

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"Good, good." Irrin nodded, somewhat distracted by the tactical console he was going through. If the numbers worked out, this should would fare better than the last flagship that had been lost. "You'll be sure to gain much experience on the Ouranos. It will be good for you." He stepped away from the panel just moments after the Commander walked onto the bridge. As expected, she introduced herself as Commander Lightwood. She was shorter in person than he anticipated though she still held the same powerful air he would have expected for the First Officer, the second-in-command, of the ship.

"Inspector Quint. Coalition Intelligence assigned me here to ensure the smooth operation of this vessel and its crew members. In a way, that puts us as having nearly the same job." He looked around at the other bridge staff who maintaining the less vital functions of the Ouranos on their own consoles. "I believe this to be a good crew. Take care of it and look after the ship and they'll take care of you." As he finished speaking, the lift opened and the Captain stepped out.

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With the last of the crew on board the Ouranos, Captain Altius had entered the ship and ordered the docking platform to be withdrawn. It was time to depart and there had been enough time to have passed for everyone to get settled in. She was greeted by several salutes on her way to the lift. "Deck five." She ordered, the computer making its compliance with her and taking her down four levels to reach the bridge. As she stepped in the first group of people she spotted were Inspector Quint, Ensign Greer who she was glad to see at her post, and Commander Lightwood.

"Good to see you all aboard." Almira headed towards her chair placed at the center of the bridge and took her seat, taking a moment to relax from the hours she had just spent standing at the ship entrance and greeting all seven hundred crew members. It was not customary to do so, but if she was going to be serving alongside them, she wanted to make sure she at least met every man, woman, and other aboard her starship. "It's about time we see what the Ouranos can do. When you're ready, Miss Greer, take us out of port." Almira motioned for both Quint and Brianne to come over by her side to explain their current orders.

"The Coalition has tasked us with exploring an anomaly at the far edge of Coalition space. An exploration probe picked up life signs on a planet thought to be uninhabitable. According to the probe's data, the planet had once supported life advanced enough to have been part of the Coalition. Unfortunately, it seems that they were all wiped out some time ago." Even as she spoke, Captain Altius knew that this was hardly a mission worthy of the interest of the flagship of the Corps. Any research team could have been sent to explore the planet but for reasons hidden to her by her superiors, they were picked to look into it.

"Head to the Gravity Rail in this system and plot a course for Star System 498 B, Ensign. I would prefer not to take the scenic route." Like many uninteresting solar systems in their galaxy, this one did not have a designated name other than its reference number. After all, who would waste time naming every star system when thousands were nothing more than lone brown dwarfs with half a dozen asteroids orbiting about them? Or the occasional binary star system isolated from interaction with planetary bodies? There simply weren't enough names to go around.

Pressing a button on her chair to activate the Ouranos's intercom, she leaned to the side of her chair finding it more comfortable than the seat in her last command.

"This is Captian Altius." Her voice spoke clearly throughout the entire ship. "We will be setting off. Those scheduled for duty will report to their posts immediately." She shut off the communication channel and shifted in her seat as she ran through the orders from "higher up" in her mind. Something didn't add up and she did not like surprises.

 

The conversation with Commander Lightwood was cut short by the Captain's arrival. It wasn't like there was going to be much conversation with the Commander anyways, not when she was simply a lowly Ensign. Yvette took her place at her console like she should and prepared as the Captain gave the orders. A small smile spread across Yvette's face as she prepared to take the ship out of port, she was finally getting to fly. She looked forward to getting away from this area and into the vast expanse of space that lay beyond.

"Yes Ma'am." Yvette responded to the command to take them out of port. She soon fired up the engines and set things in full motion, ready to fly. Though she was excited on the inside, that didn't show, not anymore. Yvette fell into a place of extreme concentration as she prepared the ship and making sure each switch was in the right place and the engines were running smoothly before she did anything. This process didn't take too long, perhaps a minute from when the command was given. It was just routine final checks that couldn't be done till everything was running at full capacity.

With everything confirmed good to go, Yvette began to steer the ship out of the port, taking her time. A ship this size was more difficult to get in and out of port than most, so she did not want to rush it. As she cleared the port more instructions were commanded of her. "Yes Ma'am." Yvette acknowledged the command once more. She would love to take the scenic route, but it was not up to her at this time and she knew that. She was here to fly a ship under the command of others, and if they didn't want to take their time then that was how it was. She supposed she understood why they couldn't afford to, but still Yvette's need for open air and space still played at the pack of her mind.

Yvette did as she was instructed still cherishing the feeling of flying the ship and vast expanse of stars that lay ahead of her. Her hands moved across the console in an automatic fashion, knowing where to go and what to push while barely looking at it. Her eyes mostly remained on what lay beyond the ship, admiring the open space, but also watching for any danger. She may have had a habit of day dreaming, but she could control it enough to not put anyone in danger because of it. When she looked away from what was ahead of her, it was only to the console to double check what her hands were about to press or to check their course, ensuring she hadn't started to stay off accidentally.

While everything else happened around her, Yvette was in quiet bliss. Just with the size of crew of the ship, there was always something happening around her, but she chose not to notice it for the most part. Only paying attention to what would effect her. She couldn't afford to be distracted by everything else around her anyways. She long ago learned to tune certain things out in order to focus on what she needed to, and that helped add to the peace she was feeling at the moment. This was where she wanted to be. She was simply no one important flying through the open air with no one looking up to her for anything. She was a pilot and that was it, nothing more. She didn't have to lead anyone and she didn't have to be noticed. She just existed to do a job, and that was it. It was the best feeling she could ask for at the moment. ​

 

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With the Ouranos taking off from its dock, Captain Altius made sure to keep a close eye on Yvette as she piloted them out. Everything went smoothly, just as she expected. There was no doubt in her mind that Ygritte would have no trouble with such a basic task but it was how the young ensign handled it that intrigued her. The girl was a natural and would have no issue acclimating to her position on board the Ouranos. The takeoff was smooth and, with the inertial dampeners in effect, it was impossible to tell that they were even moving were it not for the sight of the station soon leaving their view.

Almira turned in her chair towards her First Officer, Brianne, and sat forward. "I agree, Commander. However, the Coalition has given us so little data to work with that I do not know why this is our first assignment." She turned her head towards Quint, raising an eyebrow. "Perhaps you would be able to enlighten us, Inspector. You are from Intelligence, after all."

"Unfortunately, Captain, I am in the dark the same as you. However I can pull some strings to get you the answers you need." Quint paused for a moment. "But it will require delaying our arranged conversation."

"No need for delays. I trust Miss Lightwood to take the bridge in my place." As the ancient sea captains would have said, this would be "smooth sailing". There was little need for her to hover over her crew when there were no issues to be found. Almira rose from her chair, freeing to leave Brianne to take seat if she chose to do so or stand if she preferred. "You have the bridge, Commander. Inspector, follow me." She started towards the lift and stopped for a moment before glancing over at Brianne and Yvette who would be the primary crew watching over the bridge. "Don't scratch the paint on my ship."

With that, Almira and Irrin left the bridge, taking the lift up towards Deck 2. The brief trip towards the Briefing Room was silent. The Captain had much to say but she knew better than to speak over sensitive matters in public. Still, that did not make the ride up any less awkward.

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Just as Captain Altius and Inspector Quint left the bridge, the screen attached to the Captain's chair flickered on. A synthetic voice came on, speaking up to Commander Lightwood. "Pardon me Commander." The seat turned towards Brianne almost as if asking her to sit on it. "As we approach our destination, I have picked up a signature of a starship exiting Superluminal Burst. They have arrived in the star system we are headed towards. I have detected readings of high powered Tachyon Drives. From their output, I calculate a 71% chance of this ship being heavily armed. However, there should be no Coalition vessels in the area."

The chair swiveled in place waiting for Brianne to sit. "I realize I have not introduced myself yet, Commander. I am the Ouranos AI, designation RITTER. I have been supplemented with a personality approximation in order to best interact with bridge officers." There was a brief pause, intentionally timed to wait a set number of milliseconds to simulate a biological being taking a breath. "As you have the bridge, I believe this would be a good time to test your mettle. What are your orders, Miss Lightwood?"

 

Don't scratch the paint,. Like she would be that clumsy to do such a thing. Currently there was few things to scratch the paint on. It would be a near impossible task to accomplish if she wanted to. Yvette didn't let the frustration get the better of her though, she just learned to pass things like that off and keep going. It was a trick she had to learn young given her role in society back home. There was plenty of things that bothered her that she couldn't let it show. The main thing was simply the attention. She hated it and it frustrated her to no end some days, but it was not proper of a lady to tell everyone to go away, so she didn't. At least, as it seemed, the skill would be put to use here, there was no wasting what she learned back home.

Yvette kept quiet and to herself as she piloted the ship and made sure it stayed on the course that she had set. It wasn't a particularly hard task but that didn't mean that she could get lazy. If something went wrong or an unexpected object came their way, Yvette would have to get them out of danger. She couldn't slack when she had such an important job. She kept vigilant as she went though part of her still wished to be out flying on her own wings and not locked in here. Still this was better than nothing. ​

 

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"I assume you have brought me here to berate me on my previous loss of command." Irrin crossed his arms and leaned against the table at the center of the room, his eyes fixed on the Captain who looked at him with suspicion. Though, upon his words, she tilted her head and raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"That is not what I was going to do, Irrin." She took her seat at the head of table and clasped her hands together, looking up at him. "Only fourteen made it off the Elanus, including yourself. One died of injuries during the escape. Why is it then that, as captain, you did not-"

"Choose to stay behind and allow someone else to escape in my place?" Irrin was almost glad to hear this question posed to him. Other officers who had known him chose to believe the worst in him, thinking he had abandoned ship before allowing his crew to get out with their lives just to save his own. "Believe me, I had every intention of dying that day. The only reason I'm here is due to the fact that my First and Second Officers ripped me out of my chair to throw me in a shuttle. They took command of the ship and died in my stead." He shook his head regretfully.

"And just what happened that day? Every report I've seen has been classified by higher ups."

Quint pulled himself from the table and relaxed, knowing exactly where this was going. "You're concerned for the safety of your crew. Don't worry, my being here won't lead to the same attack that doomed my last ship. And I have not lost my mind because of tragedy, despite what others may think." He allowed for a slip of the tongue, knowing that divulging any information without authorization was akin to treason. "Are we done here?"

Almira's expression softened somewhat as she nodded and motioned for him to take his leave. "Thank you for your honesty. Even if you're not able to tell me more." Irrin paused and glanced over at the captain before she said her last words to him. "You did everything you could, I am sure of that. You're part of my crew now so I expect you to be productive, not wallow in self-pity."

Irrin tapped his hand against the door frame and chuckled. "Of course." The door automatically slid open as he walked through, leaving the captain alone to her thoughts.

He checked his coat pocket, searching for his medication. His species were well-known to be immune to many diseases. With the Peras being one of the oldest sentient species in the entire galaxy, and possibly any other, very could affect his kind. His illness had no cure. It had never even been discovered until the Elanus incident and would have likely killed him and the twelve others who suffered from it had it not been for the rapid advances in medicine made just to make the disease manageable. Irrin withdrew a small black case and opened it, revealing a syringe and its emptied vial. He sighed, knowing the only other place where to receive his medicine. Accommidations had been made for his presence and there was sure to be more in stock within the sick bay. Placing his case back in his pocket, he headed off knowing sick bay to be on the same deck.

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"At this range, I cannot say-" Soon the ship dropped out of Burst, arriving by a planet that appeared to be burnt out. It hardly seemed suitable for life. On the Ouranos viewscreen at the front of the bridge, an image appeared of a ship orbiting the nameless planet. "We have arrived, Commander. The vessel you are seeing is unregistered in Coalition databases but its parts appear to originate from various sources. Illegal weapons modifications have also been detected. On board there is a mixed crew of Maraku and Setesh. 91% probability that this vessel is run by pirates or arms smugglers."

 

Yvette had flown them to their destination in a time that felt all too fast for her. There had not been enough time to enjoy the feeling of flying, but a job was a job, and it kept people from realizing her importance in her own planet. She would take what she could get in the end. "Yes Ma'am." Yvette replied to the command to hold their position. Yvette worked fast to out them in a place of stasis but have it ready to fly as soon as needed. The task was routine enough but still not as easy as it sounded. With a large ship like this, starting and stopping the ship was not an instantaneous thing. She just had to make sure she could move it as quick as possible when the time came.

There was a question about where her co-pilot was and a frown crossed her face for the first time since stepping foot on the ship. She had not even thought about that. So often she would be flying smaller ships by herself she didn't think about the fact that there should be one. "I am unsure Ma'am." She responded to her commander, knowing that whether she had an answer or not, acknowledging the question was necessary. It seemed the woman was calling for him now though, that was good... she supposed. She was not a fan of having to share here job with someone else, she would rather do it all herself, but she knew what was necessary She would just do what she had to. If this was what made everyone feel more safe then that is what she would do. She had to remind herself on occasion that now, here she should take orders and not question them. That was her job. ​