Stardate: 60704:2150
Title: Quarantine Measures
Author: Captain Scott Deadilus
Time: After "Reflections & New Arrivals" & "Arrival"
Scene: USS Horizon, in orbit of Tharan 3


Captain Deadilus stepped back onto the bridge from the Ready Room, having finished discussing the plans with Admiral Foster at Starbase 9.

"Sir, we have Runabout Trinity on standby. They are requesting permission to beam over Ensigns Cul'Dumok and Drenden" The young ensign temporarily manning the Operations station stated.

Captain Deadilus tapped a couple of the buttons on the chair console, opening up a communications link to the Runabout.

"Permission to come aboard granted. Please beam over directly to Transporter Room 1" The Captain stated.

[Captain, we have been apprised of the current situation. Do you require the Trinity to assist?] The piloting Ensign queried.

"Negative, Trinity, but the offer is appreciated. Horizon out." The Captain closed the communications link, and turned to Ensign Johannsen at the Operations station.

"Once Ensigns Dumok and Drenden are onboard have them report to the bridge, and prepare for atmospheric entry."

"Aye, Sir" The Ensign replied, already initiating communications with the relevant departments and people.

~

"Ensigns Cul'Dumok and Polean Drenden reporting for duty." The yeoman introduced the newest crewmembers onboard the ship.

Captain Deadilus stood to attend to them both.

"At ease, and welcome aboard the Horizon. I trust you had time to review the schematics on your flight here?"

Both Cul'Dumok and Drenden replied in the positive, to which the Captain smiled and led them over to the Bridge Security / Spec Ops and Tactical stations.

"Ensign Dumok, your section head is currently planet-side and we have commenced procedures for planetary atmospheric incursion. We are still awaiting arrival of additional crewmembers. As such, I'm afraid you're dropped in the deep end!" Captain Deadilus motioned to the Security department terminal and Dumok stepped into position, quickly familiarising himself with the console layout and entering his access codes. The Captain smiled again as he moved closer to the Tactical station, relieving the crewman stationed at the console.

"Ensign Drenden" The Captain commenced "I am afraid the situation is much the same for you - we are currently a little short-handed in the Tactical department. Can you commence preparations for several quarantine units to be assembled as soon as we touchdown. Medical has already started on the arrangements."

"Aye, Sir." Polean replied, moving her hands swiftly across the console and likewise entering herself into the ship's systems as the Captain moved back to his chair.

"Helm, commence descent. Steady as she goes."

"Aye, Sir" Ensign Hill replied, gently nudging the Horizon out of orbit and into the atmosphere, already laying a course around the severest of the ionic disturbances.

The design, size and geometry of the Nova class allowed it easier entry into the atmosphere of a planetary body, although it was never a task to be taken lightly, and as Peter guided the Horizon in a gentle descent through the stormy atmosphere, Scott maintained a constant watch on system status and automated reports.

"Captain, we are now detecting the Away Team on long range sensors" Ensign Dumok informed the Captain.

"Thank you, Ensign" Scott replied, tapping his combadge.

"Captain Deadilus to Lt. Commander L'Cir"

[L'Cir here, Sir. It's good... hear your voice.] Although not a flawless transmission, the Captain was glad to hear the COS's voice.

"Dathan, we have commenced our approach, and expect to rendezvous with you in approximately ten minutes. Have Autumn prepare for the quarantine measures and filtering we discussed." Captain Deadilus scanned the chair console quickly, reassured that everything was, so far, going better than planned.

[Sir, we have detected multip.. ..lifesigns heading into the city. It woul.. ..ppear that some of the survivors are alread.. ..n the move.]

The Captain frowned, unknowingly a reflection of the expressions of the faces of the crew at the other end of the communications link.

"Understood. Handle as you see fit. Horizon out."

The Horizon suddenly felt as if it were dropping through the atmosphere like a brick, and Deadilus was unsure if Peter had overheard the conversation and increased the rate of descent a little or if he simply were willing the ship to touchdown that little bit sooner. Checking the status of all systems once again, the Captain was reassured to see the landing struts and anti-gravity footpads already energised and ready for deployment.

A judder ran through the ship as they entered the upper layers of the ionic disturbances, causing a momentary fluctuation in the power matrix, but otherwise passed without event. Scott noticed Peter tapping his console a little more quickly, obviously helping reconfigure the inertial dampers and making them perform a little better for the descent. Another judder ran through the ship again a few moments later as they exited the disturbance layer, but passed almost unnoticed and without incident. Deadilus smiled once again, more and more impressed with the efficiency and effectiveness of the crew as every moment passed.

"Landing struts engaged; Anti-gravity footpads online. Final approach looking good." Peter calmly called out.

"Helm, commence landing procedures. Put us down as close to the Medical Research Facility as you can." The Captain ordered.

As the three landing struts folded out of from the ships body the disturbance to the air flow around the vessel became apparent, slowing them a little more and sending a quiet, low frequency tremor through the ship.

"500 feet to surface - Anti-gravity footpads engaged and energised" Peter called out once again. "300 feet to surface... 150 feet... 100 feet... 50 feet..."

The Horizon landed softly and squarely outside the Medical Research Facility. Ensign Hill turned in his chair to face the Bridge crew.

"Touchdown!"

"Nice job, Mr Hill" the Captain commented, smiling and turning towards Ensigns Drenden and Dumok. "Proceed with the quarantine units. Full biohazard procedures are to remain in effect until otherwise ordered..."


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Captain Scott Deadilus
Commanding Officer
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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