Shakedown Cruise

Posted on Sun Jun 8th, 2025 @ 3:28pm by Lieutenant Daan van Riesen & Captain Winfield Hood & Commander Zhan V'Trell & Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova & Lieutenant Mackenzie Kovaks & Lieutenant JG Liora Valen & Ensign Nusien & Warrant Officer M'Jart S'Rem & Senior Chief Petty Officer Ararni Iko & Lieutenant Williamina Pierce & 1st Lieutenant Marjani Smith
Edited on on Thu Jun 19th, 2025 @ 12:25pm

1,630 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Carthage Rises
Location: Main Bridge - Deck 1 - USS Carthage
Timeline: MD002 1000 hrs

The time had come, the Carthage had received her orders. Everyone was back onboard and the senior staff were on the Bridge.

"Captain, Station Ops says we're free to launch and wish us save travels." M'Jart reported from the Operations Station.

"Thank you, Ops, disconnect all umbilicals and moorings." V'Tell said.

"Aye sir." the SerNumi said as she began the task.

"Once we're under our own power, I want reports from every station." V'Tell

Anahera watched from the XO's chair. The CO was doing well, and she would remain silent until she was need.

"We are free of umbilicals and moorings, systems have switched to onboard power, sir."

"Okay, let's hear those reports." V'Tell ordered.

"Operations, all systems are functioning within desired parameters, Sir."

"Thank you, Ops." T'Vell said. "Next?"

Mackenzie had been going over the science station and checking the readings. She looked up. "Science is ready."

Marjani checked the readouts for the flight console, everything was in the green . "Everything is ready to go Captain, waiting for your command." looking back towards Zhan. She had a beaming smile an excited gleam in her eyes.

"Everything's A okay in medical, Sir." Billie said.

Nusien arrived on the Bridge from engineering as the Captain called for the reports. "Computer transfer engineering controls to the Bridge." The station came to life in the appropriate settings. It showed the readouts for all the systems in particular the warp core. "The ship is performing within normal parameters. Warp drive at your command. Captain."

Daan glanced over his console and given they were just leaving dock there wasn't much to report. However, he looked up towards the captain, "Security and tactical are ready to go sir. We are fully stocked and ready to roll."

"We’re good.” Liora stated.

"Lieutenant Smith, take us out." Commander Zhan V'Trell ordered.

"Aye Captain." Marjani replied, as her fingers gracefully dance across the console to get the ship do as what the commander had ordered.

The words had just left his lips when the Carthage was rocked by an explosion.

Marjani's eyes widened when she felt the explosion.

"Report." He ordered. "Raise shields."

"Aye, captain. Raising shields." Daan confirmed as he protected the ship. On his console a bubble like image surrounded the ship showing full shields, no damage.

"Captain, we are receiving reports of explosions on the station." M'Jart reported.

The Carthage was rocked again, shields taking the majority of the blast.

"Captain, Pylon 3 is collapsing." M'Jart reported.

"Smith, take us to a safe distance." The CO ordered.

A nod from Marjani once more her fingers setting in the commands. Her heart was pounding, and her thoughts went towards Connor and those who were on the Pioneer that had left. How fortunate they were, to not be here. That gave her a feeling of relief.

"Ops, open a channel to the station."

"Channel open, Captain."

"Empok Nor, this is Commander V'Trell of the USS Carthage, looks like our shakedown is on hold, what assistance can we provide?"

"Captain, this is Empok Nor, we have wounded flooding our Medbay."

"Understood, just send the coordinates, we'll do the rest. I'll keep this channel open."

"Doctor, you're with me, we're going to prepare Sickbay for in coming injured. Commander, you have the Bridge."

Nusien ran a quick diagnostic on all ship's systems. He wanted to see if the Carthage had sustained any damage, no matter how minor from the explosion. At the same time he began to look at the damage reports from the station. In due time he would request permission to send engineering teams to assist the teams on Empok Nor to repair the damage.

"Aye, sir." Anahera said taking the big chair.

"Ops, send the coordinates to the transporter room."

"Aye, Ma'am."

"CoB, I want you in the transporter room, to make sure everyone gets where they need to go."

"Aye, ma'am, crowd control it is." The Chief of Boat said and left the Bridge.

"Lieutenant Kovaks, I want you to send anyone in your department with medical training down to Sickbay. Then work with Security and Intel on who or what caused those explosions."

"Aye. I have a few with training." Kenzie sent a message to everyone in her department, just in case there was someone she didn't know about. With the way the ship rocked, she doubted any of them would be asleep.

Daan began exterior scans of the station looking for any other potential devices that may cause an explosion. Starting with anything that may be on the hull of the station and then he would move to more in depth scans. Naturally he was coordinating with the security on board Empok Nor but he understood they would be somewhat busier.

"Okay, Doctor, this is your kingdom, how can I be of use?" V'Trell asked.

Billie was a little bemused, but only for a moment. "Okay, are you familiar with triage?"

"Yes." Zhan said.

"Okay, your my new triage nurse. I want you to categorize the wounded, to make things more efficient and save as many lives as possible."

"Bridge to Sickbay." Anahera ordered.

"Sickbay here."

"Report, Doc?"

"We've got the injured, most have minor injuries, many are suffering from shock. No casualties thankfully."

Marjani was keeping watch on what was happening, maintaining the ship's distance from the station. Listening to the chatter over communications. She was concerned but the best she could was stay at her post.

"How many of the station personnel have already been mobilized to help?" Kenzie asked.

Angela answered "USS Carthage, we have everything well in hand. Thank you for staying and offering your help. We've got this and its not as bad as when the station was last attacked. May the stars be your guide, beam your crew back onto your ship and go have a little bit of fun. This is Lieutenant Angela Abernathy, Chief Medical Officer of Empok Nor signing out."

Marjani looked over to Commander Chernova. "Sir, does this mean we can take the Carthage out and stretch her wings a bit? They seem to have things well in hand, sir."

Kenzie's question had been answered and she agreed with Marjani.

"I believe so, Lieutenant." Anahera replied.

Commander V'Trell returned to the Bridge. "Ladies and gentlemen, sounds like we've got our marching orders." He said. "All hands prepare for launch."

"Captain we're receiving a message from Captain Hood." M'Jart said.

"Thank you, Warrant, put him on screen." V'Trell ordered.

In the meantime while this was happening, Marjani was thinking as to how well this ship was going to be doing against pirates or other situations that might occur. She was liking the feel of being in something that wasn't a diplomatic runabout, and this ship seemed to have a lot of character. She turned slightly in her seat to look at those on the bridge.

Winfield sat behind his desk in the station commander's office. He had handed out most of the assignments in the aftermath of this attack. Well all save for one and it seemed the USS Carthage was all that was left. "Commander V'Trell. I have a mission for you. About thirty minutes ago a vessel departed this station without authorization. It is believed that whoever is responsible for the attack on this station is aboard that ship. The USS Carthage is hereby ordered to pursue and bring all those involved back here."

"Understood, sir." Zhan said.

"Try to retrieve any information that you can about the organization that is behind this as well. Happy hunting. Hood out." Winfield closed the channel and sat as he gazed out the window. He could see the Carthage manoeuver to leave. There was something going on here, something big the Captain could feel it. The question was, what was it exactly.

"Okay, you heard Captain Hood." Zhan said. "Ops send the unknown vessel last coordinates to helm."

"Aye, sir." M'Jart said transferring the coordinates, she'd received from the Station to Marjani's console.

"Helm plot a pursuit course, best speed." Zhan ordered

Marjani's fingers flew to comply with Zhan's request, "Aye Commander." as the ship responded to her urging, the ship turning to the right and followed after the escaping ship. The warp factor climbing.

"Science keep an eye on the sensors." Zhan ordered

Mackenzie nodded. "Aye, aye."

A Joint Post By

Commander Zhan V'Trell
Commanding Officer, USS Carthage