Flyby

Posted on Tue Feb 23rd, 2021 @ 6:49am by Major Samuel King & Lieutenant Samantha Leyton

Mission: Mission 4 - Eden
Location: Shuttlepod Two
822 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

In the shuttle pod bay, the maintenance crews were going over Shuttlepod Two one last time before it's next mission. Word of the large alien ship had spread like wildfire among the crew with at least two dozen theories about it to boot.

Elspeth jumped down the ladder to the shuttlepod and entered the cabin itself. She paused, and then headed for the controls. She knew these pods very well. She sat down and began the start up checks.

Luca arrived a short time later phase pistol on his hip just in case this flyby turned into something more. "Hey, how is it going?"

"Oh hi Luca" Elspeth said as she turned her head. "Going well. Pod is almost ready for departure. Just needing the rest of the away team."

"Glad to hear it." Samuel said as he entered the craft. He had a bag over his shoulder, just in case they were to board, always helps to be prepared. "Ensign McArthur, signal Leyton that we are ready to depart. Rossi, take a seat and we'll get this show on the road."

"Oh I thought the Lieutenant was coming with us" Elseth commented but she sent the comm.

"Nope. She is our liaison to Atlantis. She will be monitoring things from this end whilst we do our little recon. She was we can find, hopefully a docking hatch large enough for the ship to connect with if it is safe to do so." Sam replied as he got himself comfortable next to the pilot. This was so he could have a good view of their upcoming target and watch out for any potential problems.

Nodding Elspeth began the disembarking process. "Lieutenant Leyton, we are ready for departure. We have cleared all lines. Hatches are sealed."

"Acknowledge, Shuttlepod Two, stay in touch and good luck. You're cleared for launch," Leyton responded from the helm console on the bridge.

"Aye Sir" Elspeth replied and there was a jolt as the shuttle disengaged and dropped into open space beneath the Atlantis. She took their bearings easily and the small shuttlepod headed away from its home towards its destination.

Luca braced himself as the pod slipped from the mooring clamp, before he slid into his seat near a view port.

"Gentlemen please keep your seats as we take this journey" Elf quipped as she brought the pod up across the ships bow. "Hmm looks good."

"Strange." Sam said as he stood up at the window and began to survey the ship. "I see no signs of damage, no blast marks, even little pieces of debris. It is almost as if this has been dropped in front of us as a gift." he said as he read something from the panel. "Move us in closer, I want to see in some of the windows. Any lifesigns?" he asked openly.

"Rossi, the panel beside you should tell you what our scanners are showing" Elf said as she brought the pod closer.

Luca ran his eyes over the panel as his fingers danced upon it. "Thanks McArthur. There are no life signs detected Major." He replied.

"Okay, thank you Ensign." Sam replied. "Do a standard sweep of the ship, scan for airlocks, hatches for link up with the Atlantis. We are no doubt going to take a trip over and a secure site do so is a priority. Anything we find we will send back to Leyton on the ship."

Luca ran the scans as ordered. "There is a docking hatch on the far side of the ship. Not sure if it is big enough for the Atlantis though."

"Looks big enough for a POD hatch" Elf piloted the pod over to the hatch. She studied it and considered. "No problem with that linkage."

"Good." Sam said as he studied the hatch himself. "Relay that to Lieutenant Leyton so she can inform the Captain. She has been getting itchy feet just looking at this ship."

Manning the Helm station on the Atlantis, Samantha received the input from the shuttle as a smile came to her face. She opened a channel to the shuttle. "Lieutenant Leyton to Shuttlepod Two, everything looks great so far. How many ports have you discovered in total?"

"There are half a dozen access points on the port side of the vessel. Enough for walkway access between our two vessels." he reported back through the open channel. "Seems to be similar amounts on the starboard side, fewer on dorsal and ventral. As far as our scans go there are still no signs of life, minimal power readings. In my opinion it would be safe to board in a small group or two to start. One for engineering, one for the bridge would be my recommendation."

"Acknowledged Shuttlepod Two. Good work. Bring her back home and I'll inform the Captain. Lieutenant Leyton, out."

"Great." Samuel said with a clap of his hands. "Ensign McArthur take us home."