Stardate: 60610:2316
Title: Into the Void
Author: Lieutenant Maxine Jenna
Time: During "The View From The Top"
Scene: USS Relentless


With the endless exercises had come a newfound confidence from all those in the Science Department. Although currently a little short-staffed they had managed to gather the data, process it and compile reports within the timeframes allotted to them. In the process minor discrepancies in the sensor arrays had been picked-up, logged and (for the most part) repaired.

All in all, a good week's work!

Although much of the technical aspect of the ship had been hidden from them before leaving Starbase 9, it was hard to hide these items during the tests, and by the end of the drills the team was buzzing with excitement about the host of upgraded sensors, modified probes and enhanced weapons.

=/\= A Short While Later =/\=

With the announcement of an orbital drop coming up, Maxine had informed the crew on-duty and started to compile a list for the Chief Operations Officer to process. To her disappointment a few of the more senior members of the department elected to 'sit this one out', as one of them had phrased it. Although not compulsory, it was nonetheless a good team exercise, a break from the laboratory and some useful training to be up-to-date on.

Having checked the suit, Maxine sat down to read the stats on Stanton 12. In all, it was a good choice for a practice assault - With a diameter of approximately 3000 miles and a planetary composition similar to Earth, the gravity would be significantly less than 1g; however, the terrain was harsh in locations and the icy ground presented other features that might make navigation harder.

=/\= Drop Time =/\=

Those designated as Alpha Drop had assembled in the main ventral airlock, and were busily checking their own and each other's suits prior to depressurization.

The Captain could be seen checking everyone, whether it be close or far, but Maxine wondered if there was any niggling doubt as to the functionality of his own suit. Although she doubted anyone would have tampered with it, she had been shocked that Lt. Kell had threatened the Captain, and she knew that much of her staff felt the same, but she also knew that some people still thought the Captain was guilty of something.

As the airlock depressurized and opened, the small ice world in filled the view in front. With the 'go' signal, Maxine stepped forward, out of the airlock and into the void.


====================
Lieutenant Maxine Jenna
Chief Science Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
====================