ECS Panopteles
Bridge
The hustle and bustle outside the ship’s bridge - visible through the vast floor-to-ceiling forward window of said bridge - reached a frantic peak, then began to sharply fall off as the number of people within the ship’s already-cramped bridge sharply increased. Though this was of slight annoyance to the ship’s captain, one Ramiel Aemilia, he could understand his crew’s excitement - but, on the other hand, could also understand why Konishi Kiyo, the ship’s executive officer, was getting more and more irritated.
Best to get underway before our XO explodes from her pent-up rage.
"Well, then," said the Captain, his expression carefully neutral to conceal his aforementioned concern over Kiyo's mental state (and impending explosion). "Is Dock Control ready for our departure, Mister Asellio?"
Icarus checked a couple of screens and nodded to himself, "Affirmative captain, everything looks good, takeoff route established. Although they've requested a delay, checking with them now."
"...I guess that answers that," was Ramiel's response. "Miss Konishi, please go welcome our guests aboard and find out who they're replacing; while we wait, all stations check in.
Taharial had enjoyed her time relaxed in the medical bay, but knew that she would have to report that medical was ready for departure after the call out. She put down her notebook, stretched and then spoke calmly "Medical here and ready, looking over the list of people on the ship, I think everyone seems clear for their medical check ups. But the medical bay is open and ready to recieve people if anyone feels that they need an check up, or to voice a medical worry."
Emiko's signature synthetic voice piped in from behind her station, the Plebeian manning it raising her glance back towards the Captain! "Science reporting in, all sensors appear ready Captain."
"All tactical systems online." Benhisel reported.
"Pre-flight checks complete and all control units sending good return signals." Came the stoic voice of the raven winged brother.
"Visual confirmation on flight controls is good, engines warming nicely and directional manoeuvering is reading ok.
"Engineering here. We're ready ta rumble, captain!"
"Noted, everyone," said the Patrician with a barely-suppressed chuckle. "Now I suppose we wait until our crewmates have boarded - or been scared off by Chui Konishi."
Power Armor Bay
With a
whoosh, a
hiss, and a
thud, the landing ramp of the
ECS Panopteles lowered in front of the two newcomer Patricians - and their escort of Seraphs - to reveal the distinctly tiny and distinctly unhappy form of Konishi Kiyo, who was holding a comically small datapad in her hands. "Identify yourselves," she commanded in a very frosty tone, "explain exactly why you are running so
extraordinarily late, and provide a reason as to why I should even bother letting people as tardy as you two currently are onboard."
The Mini-Nekovalkyrja planted her hands on her hips to assert dominance.
"Now."
The half-dozen Seraphs stepped aside with noiseless chatter as the blonde angels behind them saluted. On Konishi's left, the first to speak explained, "Arcturus Mavenbolt, biotechnician. Resources and Logistics notified us only within the hour that we are to depart with you - given the short-term notice, it would not be a surprise to learn your device has only now notified you of our transfer."
The one on her right, a nearly-perfect replication of Arcturus, followed suit. "Gaius Mavenbolt, biotechnician. You will find the services we provide to be beyond essential for running a starship, especially one beyond its typical service life such as the
Panopteles." The twins' words were honeyed in delivery, but with the two of them towering over the miniature XO and working together, it almost felt like a threat against her authority. Almost.
The Chui rectified her lack of dominance (or attempted to, at least) by ascending upwards so that she was eye-to-eye with the extremely tall birbs who had the audacity to try and threaten her; before Kiyo could unleash a pint-sized can of whoop-ass hell onto the twins, however, her NanoPad
let out an almost cute-sounding
bWING! to signify that it'd received new data. With a
sigh and a roll of her eyes heavensward, the Mini-Neko checked the aforementioned NanoPad
; with a grimace, she realized that the two extremely tardy Patricians (and, in Kiyo's mind, their squad of cheerleaders/minions/etc.) were, in fact, part of the
ECS Panopteles' crew. For obviously reasons, such a fact greatly displeased the Mini-Nekovalkyrja; orders, however, were orders - regardless of how much Kiyo hated them. "Very well," the Chui finally said in a voice that was equal parts annoyed, defeated, exasperated, and defiant. "You two and your... toadies may board, however, we WILL be discussing your tardiness at a later date,
Semeais. Report to Engineering once you're onboard."
With that, the Executive Officer spun on her heel and angrily floated her way back into the
Panopteles; once onboard, she said "Mnemosyne," waited for the
tone to play, then continued, "Please inform Aemilia-Taii that two newcomers plus six Seraphs will be joining the crew and coming onboard momentarily" as she waited for the Patricians (and their cohort) to actually board the ship.
The Mavenbolt twins weren't keeping the Mini-Nekovalkyria waiting, much to her displeasure at not having another reason to chew them out. Instead, they and theirs marched quietly on board the
Panopteles and made short work of their immediate tasks. Two Seraphs took the twins' cargo to the dormitories while the remaining four and their leaders made for the ship's ancient heart, nodding to their XO with the most modest amounts of respect.
The ship would no doubt be ready by the time they'd arrived.
Bridge
(Background Theme:
Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Leaving Spacedock)
The
distinctive beep of the ship's computer broke the momentary silence that had fallen across the bridge; a moment later, said beep was followed by the synthesized - albeit pleasant - voice of the Mnemosyne. "Lokhagi Aemilia, Chui Konishi has instructed me to inform you that two Patricians and six S20 Seraphs will be joining the crew and coming, correction, have come onboard. Shall I close the Power Armor Bay doors?
"Acknowledged, Mnemosyne, and yes," said Ramiel, who then winced internally as he realized that he'd have to redo the crew's bunk assignments for the third or fourth time
and commit the horrific sin forcing Kiyo to share her room with Elysians; after mentally steeling himself for what would likely be a decidedly... explosive reaction from Kiyo, the Patrician continued, "Mister Asellio, I'm guessing Dock Control has finally granted us permission to leave?
Icarus queried the dock controller once more. "Affirmative, cleared for takeoff, route unchanged and clear."
"Splendid. Maneuvering thrusters ahead, Mister Asellio. Take us out."
"All crew, artificial gravity is now being established, prepare for ascent." The pilot said as he engaged the gravity systems, while it wasn't strictly necessary during an atmospheric takeoff Icarus had always found it minimised injuries and damage internally if anything were to happen on their way out.
With skilled precision he gently brought the craft up off their pad and nosed upwards towards the sky, following their designated route to the letter.
Emiko peered into the sky from her science station, placing a hand over her stomach. The Elysian was perhaps a little giddy as her eyes stared at the open sky in front of them. Thankfully, no one could see her dumb old grin due to her cybernetics...
"Doesn't look like anyone's horning in on our path, should be ok to move into escape speed." Icarus said quietly towards the captain while keeping an eye on the exterior proximity readings.
"Noted, Mister," was the aforementioned Lokhagi's response. "Steady as she goes."
The vaguely avian-like shape of the
Panopteles soared heavensward, piercing through the occasional cloud or two as it traveled up through the dawnlit sky, which turned blue, then indigo, then black as the starship traveled higher and higher.
After a little over two minutes, the ship finally broke away from the planet's gravitational pull, prompting the CO to say "Bring up the CFS, Mister Asellio. Ahead zero-point-four of lightspeed; once we're clear of the Hill Sphere, set a course for the Athenais system at maximum hyperspeed. Let's see what this
Panopteles-class starship can do."
"As you command, Captain." Icarus fired back, following the orders given and taking the ship out away from the planet below with the grace of a seasoned pilot.
"Course set and confirmed, at your order sir."
"Engage," said Ramiel as he settled back in his chair - and with that, the
ECS Panopteles set off for the location of its first mission, the rays of the Elysia Novus star peaking out over the edge of the identically-named planet to illuminate the exploration ship from behind as it set off for the first of its many dates with destiny.
(JP by Frost, Liza, Scarlet, Soban, Arbles and Club.)
