Docking at Orbital Fortress

Posted on Wed Jul 12th, 2017 @ 4:56am by Captain Enalia Telvan & Lieutenant Mona Gonadie & Commander Mal Xustos & Akira Zhuri

Mission: When Iconians Deserve to Die
Location: Bridge
Timeline: Shoreleave Day 0

Enalia was tired but happy to finally be home. Actually home. On the monitor was her orbital fortress that she not only grew up in but had now inherited since her parents had retired. Since then, she had ordered a special docking station for the Hera be installed so that any ship with a saucer of similar dimensions could pull up and plug in with full interactive interface at the side saucer hatches as well as the hatches on the secondary hull.

Ensign Gonadie had the docking instructions and as the 120km wide domed structure filled the viewscreen, she cut speed back automatically as docking beacons lit up the area, guiding them into the cradle awaiting their arrival. "Now running on maneuvering thrusters. Distance 100 kilometers and closing."

Mal leaned in towards Enalia.

"Happy to be home, Captain?" he asked.

"Very happy," Enalia replied, grinning at Mal. "Will you join me for a tour of the family museums later?"

"It would be my pleasure," Mal said, grinning in response. "Thank you. Both for the invitation and for bringing the crew here. This will be good for them. I just hope that Lieutenant Jordan and I don't have to bail too many of them out of the local drunk tanks. There are some very...colorful places nearby for them to visit."

"And many of them are used to getting a little extra latinum on the side. If you run into any trouble, tell them that you're the XO of the Hera and that you're guests of the Artan family and that should help. If not, let me know and I'll make a few calls." Enalia still had a few ties in the system she could flex if she needed to if push came to shove.

"Ten kilometers and closing. Now surrendering helm to tractor control." Ensign Gonadie called out.

Enalia nodded in acknowledgement. "We're in safe hands. Prepare for docking. Initiate opto-data couplers at all docking ports and prepare the holomatrix linkup system. Akira, if this works you and Maica will both be able to walk freely anywhere between the Hera and my home without transferring your programs so make sure it's stable, ok?"

"Yes ma'am," Akira said dutifully, yet unable to hide the enthusiasm and excitement this visit evoked. As they were pulled closer, she coordinated with the station flight controller, and once the ship was properly seated and moored to the gangway, she initiated the umbilical link. "We are now securely moored. Establishing the link up now," she stated as she continued to work. A moment later, the ship's alert lights began to flash blue, indicating their docking status. "The Hera is now integrated with the station's systems and operating on umbilical power, and I'm reading that work crews are already being deployed to initiate repairs," she reported cheerfully. "Holo-systems and Transporters are now fully synced as well."

"Excellent," Enalia grinned from ear to ear. She just had a few more responsibilities to take care of. "Attention all hands. Welcome to the Artan Family Orbital Fortress. I extend my warmest welcomes to every crewmember and hope that everyone has a good shore leave. The plan is for minimum manning for two weeks at half shifts. The first week, half the crew will be completely off and those that are may travel the system. Those that are not off, may make full use of the services of my orbital fortress while off duty. The second week, we will swap which half is working half shifts and who is off. Remember that the alcohol is real in this system and that hangovers are no excuse to be late for a scheduled shift. Enjoy some time off. Captain Telvan out."

"If I may add," Mal said, opening the channel. "The venereal diseases in this system are real as well and some of them are treatment resistant. You've done amazing work and you deserve an enjoyable leave. Just be careful not pick up a gift that keeps on giving. Now, go have some fun!"

"The gift that keeps on- oh...." Akira's eyes were wide as she realized what that meant. "That sounds... unpleasant..." And in the moment she was doubly glad that she was a hologram.

"Yes, I'm sure it is." Enalia stood and stretched as she headed towards her ready room. "Ensign Gonadie, the ship is yours for this first week. Take good care of her while I'm gone."

"Aye, Captain," replied the ensign with gusto as she shut down her station and headed to the Captain's chair.

Mal also rose from his chair. He wanted to meet up with Clio and explore the fortress.

"Good luck, Ensign," Mal said. "I expect to find the ship in the same or better condition than I left it when I return, so whatever you do, don't press the red button!"

The brightly colored Miradonian looked up at Mal confused. "But sir... Half the buttons on the ship are red!"

"If it helps you feel any better, I don't get it either," Akira said as she logged out of her console to hand it over to a relief Officer, having been promised to get her leave time with Daytona on the first shift.

"I'll just have to burn that can of worms when the bovines come home and drink," Ensign Gonadie said with a chuckle. "Or whatever the humans say at times like this. Crew are now authorized to disembark from both airlocks on deck ten, if you'd like to join them. I'm told there's a tram from the main gates to the castle that goes right between a lake and a golf course."

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