Heave Ho!
Posted on Fri Jun 12th, 2026 @ 10:05pm by Lieutenant Darla Kennings & Captain Adrian Kellan & Commander Colton Rogers & Commander Kara Sorenson & Lieutenant Commander Robert Brant & Lieutenant Commander Casey Virel & Lieutenant Rayven Mist PhD & Lieutenant Alice Durant & Lieutenant Tuhjer Mil & Lieutenant JG Zaire Byrne-Solwick & Lieutenant JG Aurora Winters & Lieutenant JG Tyler Montgomery & Lieutenant JG Nathaniel Wolffe & Ensign Kalina Solwick & Ensign Sebastian Roydon
Edited on on Fri Jun 12th, 2026 @ 10:07pm
1,384 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2: Mine of Taurus
Location: Scharnhorst at the Radiation Field
Timeline: Following The Hail From the Herophilos
Location: USS Scharnhorst, Bridge
Darla had been trying not to pace for nearly eight minutes when she finally heard Robert say, "we're clear of the field, Captain," and she let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding for too long. She pulled in a lungful of air as quietly as she could and went back to the railing, watching the viewscreen.
Location: USS Scharnhorst, Engineering
Ziare had been working as quickly as he could to get them back online. The lives of those on the medical ship depended on it. After working diligently, he sighed in satisfaction as the engines started to purr and come back to life.
"Engineering to the bridge." Zaire's voice came across the bridge, calm and clear. "Systems will be at full power in less than two minutes. I do not recommend entering that radiation field." He had an idea, pulling them out with a tractor beam, but he would wait for a response from the bridge.
Location: USS Scharnhorst, Bridge
"Go ahead, Mr. Solwick." Adrian called out, assuming that his chief engineer was ready. He was hoping that he wasn't asking for more time. Because they needed to get to that ship. Countless lives where depending on them.
"Yes Captain." Zaire replied and kept the line open as he brought the systems online. It wasn't long before they were back to one hundred percent. "We are back to full power. Engineering is ready to help aid rescuing the ship."
"Lieutenant Mist believes we can extend our shields enough to initiate a tractor beam on the other ship," Robert said to the intercom. "With impulse engines this time, I can have us back to the other ship in seconds. We can then extend the shields over the secondary hull, allowing them to start their engines as well while we tractor them out, which will take half the time as just using our thrusters. If we can maintain full shield integrity for, I'd estimate five to six minutes, we can tow them out. Can you get us that, Lieutenant?"
Casey Virel has watched and listened to the exchanges on the bridge. As was his typical methodology, he chose to only offer commentary when it was valuable or pertinent. This was one of those cases. “Extending our shields that far will reduce their effectiveness to sixty one percent,” said Casey in a matter-of-fact tone.
Adrian looked over to Casey, as he slowly started to walk towards the operations station. "Commander Virel, divert power from secondary systems, we need make sure that beam is stabilized. I want you to compartmentalize power flow regulations. Protect the school and the labs but all secondary recreational activities should be restricted until we complete the rescue." Adrian ordered wanted to make sure they had enough power.
“Yes, Captain,” said Virel with a crisp nod. Crisis resource management happened to be the area that the Ops Chief earned the highest marks…or at least that’s what his performance evaluations reflect.
Tuhjer felt a little like a fish out of water, with his main skills not yet needed in any real capacity. He was falling back onto his other, slightly lesser skills in Engineering and Science, hoping he could be of use. He was still sitting at the engineering station, following the engineering team's activities several decks down.
"Yes." Zaire said after thinking over the plan for a moment. "It is a good plan and we are ready to do our part to get them out of there." The tractor beams were ready and he was glad to be a part of this rescue.
Robert looked back at Casey. "If I can rotate us on the x-axis and slip between the nacelles, we can get a bit closer. Does that buy us back some percentage points?"
Virel’s fingers flew over the panel in a dizzying flurry of minute adjustments. “That will bring us up to seventy percent, Sir."
Bianca glanced around and cleared everything off her screen before she slipped out through the turbolift. If anyone asked her, she was going to go help stabilize some of the power issues. That would be what any junior engineer would be expected to do.
Robert nodded. "Best we can do then." He looked at the Captain. "Helm's ready, Sir."
"Commander let's see your fancy flying skills." Adrian started to say, as he left the operations area and third head back over towards the helm. "Engage when ready Commander."
"Yes, Sir," Robert said, sending them surging forward. With the shields at maximum, the transition back into the field was far less jarring, and they saw the Herophilos rapidly fill the screen. Robert banked and twisted the ship, cutting the engines and pulling them back as they approached. He managed to nestle them close by, their ship dwarfing the older medical ship.
"Brant to Engineering. We're in position. Engage tractor beam."
"Understood." Zaire replied. He immediately engaged the tractor beam. "Engaging now."
They felt the ship shiver as the beam took hold, the new mass now affecting their movement. "Bringing us to one quarter impulse reverse thrust," Robert said. "Commander Virel, keep an eye on the power readings. If shields dip down near sixty percent, let me know."
“Acknowledged,” said Virel. “No measurable deviation so far.”
As the ship got up to speed, Robert watched for signs of instability from the beam. "Increasing to one-half impulse reverse thrust," he said. They came up to speed again, but the ship shuddered a bit from the added strain. "Trying for three-quarters impulse," Robert said.
“Not recommended, Sir,” interjected Virel. “The additional drag, as well as the extended shield integrity field, will put us well beyond the safety threshold.”
"Understood. One-half impulse it is, then," Robert said, bringing their speed back down as the tractor beam stabilized. Everyone held their breath for the longest three minutes they'd ever experienced, until Robert finally said, "both ships are clear of the field!"
"Bring us to a full stop." Adrian called out, having seen with his own eyes on the main viewer that both shed for out of the radiation field. He took a momentary breath.
"Aye Sir, all stop," Robert said as he brought both ships to a halt and disengaged the tractor beam from the other ship, then backed them off slowly to give them some space before righting their x-axis and holding position.
"Commander Virel i want you to assess damage report." Adrian ordered as he waited for the commander to speak.
Casey consulted his status board. “The Herophilos’s warp drive is offline. Main power is currently at fifty-eight percent and falling. Shield integrity is on the low side, but being reinforced by ours. Our shields are holding at sixty-nine percent.”
"Lieutenant Mist, will be residual radiation be harmful to the away team? I want to send over a rescue party and an away team." Adrian called out is he looked over to Rayen.
"I don't believe so, but I do advise caution and the away team should wear a radiation monitor just as a precaution," Rayven responded
"Well that's one less stress. Doctor I want you to treat any wounded personnel, make a quick assessment let me know if it's safe for Commander Rogers team to go over and do a proper investigation."
"Aye, Captain. All medical teams: report to transporter rooms," Darla said, rushing into the turbolift before she even finished the sentence.
Adrian watched her leave. He then looked over to Colton. "Number one when she assess the situation, I want you to lead an investigation team. Discover what happened there." Adrian ordered as he looked to Colton.
"Yes Captain." Colton replied as he left his chair. "I will gather a team right away." He headed off to collect some officers to head over to the ship.
"Thank you Number One, we need some answers, and I know you will get them for us." Adrian said having all the faith in the world for his first officer.
"You can count on it." Colton nodded seriously. He was as anxious as everyone else to find out what happened and to help their comrades out.
"Thanks number one." Adrian said, as he looked around the bridge before sitting down in his command chair.
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