The Beginning of the End

Posted on Sat Feb 16th, 2019 @ 8:27pm by Lieutenant Commander Shaille Levine & Lieutenant Renee Salchin & Lieutenant Valeria Mordin

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/5
Location: Main Science Lab

Shaille walked into the primary science lab, a sense of relief washing over her as she steped through the doors. This was it, this was the beginning of the end, at least as far as this ridiculous inter-reality episode went, and right now all she wanted was the end, to be followed soon after by a bikini on a beach with a lot of coconut oil and a very tall, brightly coloured drink that had an umbrella sitting on the side.

Instead she had what seemed to have become her standard cup of coffee in her hand as she glanced around the room, offering a smile. "So our away team is back, everyone is where they should be, how about we get this rift closed so we can get the hell out of here?"

Valeria gave Shaille a nod as she approached, "Everything is set on our side of the event. We're waiting for the readiness signal from the Icarus before we begin the interplex." she explained gently. She knew that Shaille wasn't a science major like herself, but she also didn't feel the need to remind her of this. A simple explanation worked in everyone's favor.

"We expect the ready signal shortly."

"Wellington, this is Icarus." The voice came as if on cue, but was quiet and tinny, "Oh hell... One moment, launch a drone, setting Lima-Mike-Echo." The voice said, obviously not referring to Wellington, then waited a few moments then came over a lot more clearly and recognizable as Renee, "There we go, better signal feed. I've got everything aligned and programmed to your specifications.

"Begin the procedure. Contact engineering to ensure the power flow remains uninterrupted." Valeria cautioned.

(tag)

"This is Cordale in the pit. What can I get'cha?" came the cheerful voice of the ever-positive Thux.

Renee's voice came just over the comm as well, "Good evening Mister Cordale, Chief? Oh bugger that, Cor! This is Renee, not yours, but the other one. I'm awaiting the carrier signal from you so we can get this rift shut from both sides. Valeria, right? I've got all the power ready to feed this rift-zapper from this end when you give the go-ahead."

Corale just shook his head in the Engineering pit, "Another Renee. Remind me to check my sanity at the door next time. Alright, everyone Science across all universes..." the Thux chuckled. "Wellington has all the power it needs. Y'all are all set for whatever it is you guys are doing." there was the sound of someone sipping coffee over the comm.

Valeria composed herself rather well as she initiated the wave-form projector on her end. "We're sending the initial pulse now. Once you receive it, you'll have four seconds to send your pulse. We'll alternate like this until the rift is sealed." a pause, "Icarus..." she hesitated, "Presence of the Emperor be with you."

Normally Valeria wasn't superstitious or even religious. Though, the Icarus could use all the help they could get. She turned those reflectionless eyes towards Shaille, "There are times when wishing someone 'Good Luck' just doesn't seem sufficient."

Finding herself momentarily taken aback by the all too familiar eyes, Shaille paused before shaking her head quickly. "Here's hoping we've given them a fighting chance and not just signed their death sentences," She said quietly. "God speed Icarus."

"Are we monitoring the rift? Make sure any telemetry we get on sensors is recorded so it can be reviewed later, who knows when this information might come in handy again. Lieutenant Cordale, I trust this pulse isn't going to negatively impact the rest of our ship in any way?"

Valeria gave a nod, "We're recording everything, Lieutenant." those four words might normally carry a barb or even the full nature of contempt. When Valeria said them, though, it came across with the respect that only a species as steeped in protocol could produce. "Not just for prosperity, but in the event that this event needs to be explained in full to whomever reads our incident reports." to that, she added a soft smirk.

Cordale's voice came over the comms a moment later. "There should be little to no actual impact, since we've made adjustments to the shield modulation in the event the waveform isn't properly.... oh what's the word... "

"Retro-reflected." Valeria commented.

"RIGHT." there was even the audible snap of fingers, "Right, so in the event the waveform doesn't do that, we'll be fine."

"Well, I'll take your word for it," Shaille replied with an easy smile as she continued watching the screen as she contemplated on the statement Valeria had made. She was right, the recordings were likely going to be needed by whoever it was that would end up reading their incident reports, reports that she was going to have to have a hand in writing, when truth be told, she wasn't even sure she had her head around it all yet herself. "What's the ETA for complete closure?" she queried.

"I figure about five minutes from the readings I've got from this end." Renee called over the comm from Icarus, "In case comms get cut off before this finishes? Thank you and God Bless. Luceat super vos, Wellington."

"Five minutes for a proper seal, I'd estimate seven for a complete job. It'll ensure not even subatomic weakpoints exist." Valeria commented, "No offense, but the Shalti aren't proper guests. They are ill welcome in our home further." a terrible insult in Ts'usugi culture indeed. Though, it sounded silly to those unaware.

Shaille suppressed a smirk at Valeria's insult, covering the quirk of her mouth by taking another sip of her coffee, keeping her gaze steady on the screen.

It was barely six minutes later when the signal to the Icarus fell silent. The chatter cutting off in the midst of what was likely to be another inappropriate comment from the alternate Renee, who, scarily, was all too similar to their own Renee.

"Is it closed?" Shaille asked quietly, almost not wanting to hear the answer.

"The sensors indicate the rift is completely sealed Lieutenant," came the reply.

"Really closed? Like, not even a milimeter of space left?" Shaille reiterated, needing confirmation more for herself than anyone else.

"Really very closed."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Shaille managed a slight smile. "Thank the GODS for that!" she said with a slight laugh. "Lieutenant Mordin and Lieutenant Cordale, if you could please get reports through to me with what ever action was taken to close the rift it would be appreciated. In the interim, thank you."

Without waiting for a reply, Shaille turned and walked out of Sciences, her mind already going over the reports she needed to start writing. The only consistent thought in her head being an incredible sense of relief that this entire situation was, at least for all intents and purposes, finally over.

=/\=

Lieutenant Valeria Mordin
Chief Science Officer
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Cor Cordale
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Shaille Levine
Chief Security Officer
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Renee Setine
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Icarus