The Evacuation - Shipside

Posted on Thu Jan 19th, 2023 @ 2:45am by Captain Xavier Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine & Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Lieutenant Commander Rutherford (RJ) Milton & Lieutenant Etan tar-Lexros & Lieutenant JG Kiara Rahl (Jansen-Carey) & Lieutenant Xystos Nisu & Lieutenant Geiger Zaal

Mission: Evacuation
Location: Ship
Timeline: Concurrent with 'The Evacuation - Planetside'

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Scene: Drive Cargo Hold
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Xystos had a keen eye on the cargo hold that they were shuffling people from the Drive Shuttlebay down to the Lower Drive Cargo Holds. Security checkpoints were throughout the lower decks to ensure that the refugees stayed in their areas. Those that were pre-screened already on the surface by the local authorities, had their backgrounds sifted through when they got on the ship. The lower cargo hold was the final processing area, triage for any medical concerns and clearances and then once they got through, they would start to be filtered to their locations on the ship.

They had hoped to get mostly everyone that they could into quarters, double and triple booked.

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Transporter Room 1
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Galaxy class starships were amazing machines. In theory, capable of just about any mission type and able to evacuate a significant percentage of a planet's population in a matter of hours. Unfortunately, in practice, when the ships were put to stress, it required a great deal of creativity and labor to keep the ship running near capacity. With each call of Energizing from the transport tech, every Ops officer - from maintenance to personnel staff - in the transporter rooms was wincing at the high-pitched hum of the primary transport coil. Etan tapped his commbadge when it was finally too much and they were hitting redline with the most recent batch of refugees. For an evacuation, this was running smoothly - and the fact that the Ops officer had been 'floating' between the various sections, ensuring that there were no crises, helped.

=/\="Transporter Room 1 to Bridge, Lieutenant Tar-Lexros speaking. We'll need five minutes to depolarize the primary transport circuit. We'll be at fifty-percent capacity while we're on auxilliary. We're going to do a rolling maintenance after that so that we only have one transport at reduced cap at a time. That should keep us flowing without any outages. We're on time."=/\=

That was when he was passed a PADD by another Operations 'floater' who passed through to confirm the situation. He started reading down it, looking around. This was his element, the orderly business of Starfleet - it was the worst day in the lives of the people they were saving; but to the crew it was (for the most part), a Tuesday. Until something went wrong, Etan actually looked like an officer in command for once. He looked at the NCO who was in charge of the board.

"Chief, you have your orders. Drop primary, five minute depolarization, bring it back on. Signal Room 2 when you're done. If needed, comms are up."

"Aye, sir. Primary's coming offline now. And, Lieutenant? Good luck."

Etan nodded and walked out of the room as the next call went out.

"Energizing on Secondary."

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Scene: Saucer Shuttle Bay/Cargo Hold
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Geiger was one of many non-security personnel that was on hand to help with the evacuation of the planet surface shipside. Lonén was off with a teacher for now, and when Geiger's shift was over, he would go and get him, while his wife was still planetside working on the evacuation from their standpoint. They had been shifting between a handful of people that were being transported into the different transporter rooms, the cargo transporters were also being utilized, and the shuttle bay had just received their first set of passengers.

Commander Doctrine was helping greet colonists as they offloaded from the shuttles and aiding the operations people assign quarters where possible. Otherwise there were ‘campsites’ set up is the larger cargo holds and holodecks.

Sky was going back and forth doing her best to help settle those people assigned them into quarters, and those who weren’t into finding spaces in the campsites. It was a lot to organise but she was doing her best to keep people calm, so far all was going to plan.

Going through the items that Operations had secured people to different sites throughout the ship, all Geiger had to do was making sure that people got to their predesignated areas. Thankfully, any special requests were being fielded now, and would be honored if possible once they had all their evacuees on board.

Xavier walked into the shuttle bay, raising an eyebrow with all the commotion. Shuttles were leaving and returning constantly. Things were being beamed up. "Looks like things are starting up." He replied walking up to the three. "Won't take long just want a report."

Sky smiled as she handed over for a moment to fill in Xavier. “I’ve aided as many as I can to various shared quarters on the ship, there’s also plenty in the campsites we’ve got running. So far things seem to be going smoothly.”

"Lets hope it stays like that."

Milton was near the shuttle landing area with a Tricorder out, the minor wounds and such he was directing towards a small triage he had set up in an adjoining cargo Bay. "No worry Folks, we will get you settle in two shakes." Seeing a little girl Milton made a flurry of his hand and produced a lollypop. "You take this and enjoy. While she unwrapped the candy Milton scanned her and guide her and her parent to the triage to get some scrapes taken care of.

It was a short walk from the Transporter Room to the shuttle bay and cargo hold in the Saucer section. It seemed that most of the officers were gravitating here, though Etan didn't expect to stay here long. He was working as one of the 'floaters' today, using his rank as a means of ensuring that any work which needed doing ended up that way, and that his mostly non-commissioned staff had the clearance to do whatever was needed. He was also doubling on for Science to perform the same function - Paige's warrant carried them far, but there were times you needed an Officer's signature. He approached the Captain, and the others there.

"Status report from Ops section. We're going to be cycling transporters to keep up a steady rate. No transport errors noted yet, and we're going to do everything we can avoid them. We may need to get some of the additional shuttle-licensed crew who aren't Helm or Ops on standby within the next two hours to comply with mandatory rest periods, but my projections say we'll be able to manage that without an issue - Ensign Element and I have that in hand. No concern from Miss Bryant or Lieutenant Hamilton yet. I've updated Strat Ops on the transporter situation, and I'm waiting to see if there's any need. Q Division have requested that we close waste disposal sections to all non-essential personnel and reduce atmospheric levels to them, as the sudden increased strain on the system may have... unwanted olfactory side effects. Can I go ahead and approve that request, sir?"

"What ever is needed Lieutenant." Xavier replied "We don't want the ship to smell like an outhouse." He looked around. "Ask around, I am sure the civilians have experience as well... assign them with an officer of course so nothing happens." He took out a padd out of his pocket. He created a search for officers and civilians on the res with the necessary experience. "These should be able to help you."

Sky looked to Xavier. “How long do we have left to get the rest of these people out of here?”

"We have until we have contact on long range sensors." Xavier replied. "But we will remain until the last possible moment." He turned "Ill be on the bridge."

As Xavier started to turn, Etan took the PADD from him with the list of experienced civilian personnel, and approved the ticket - in moments he had reports of the sections whose bulkheads were dropped, and which areas were no longer under life-support, updating ship's mapping. It wasn't a large amount of the ship, but it would require some rerouting for crew getting between certain sections. But since the Turbolifts were running correctly, they'd adjust. "I appreciate the assistance, Captain. Sensors have reported no disturbances yet; but I'm not privy to any private department reports sent to Ms. Bryant." With any other department, or any other department chief, that wouldn't have been a necessary statement - of course Ops wasn't privy to intradepartmental reports. But in this case, he felt a need to voice it. However, report granted, he returned to his 'float' duties, nodding to Sky as the Captain stepped away.

Those that were flagged as requesting shuttle transport to the ship over the transporter required additional screening and scrutiny before they left the planet and as they arrived on the ship. So far, most of those that were requesting it were the elderly who grew up during the infancy of the transporter. There were a few others that Xystos had been flagged for. He had an extra PADD with the information handed over from Security and handed it over to Commander Doctrine.

"The latest, ma'am," he stated before heading back to the general area.

"Great, thanks," Diane replied taking the PADD and reading it. After a few seconds she handed it back to Xystos, "So far so good. No issues. Let's hope it stays that way."

Pix was buzzing around and halting to visit with the children she saw coming aboard; lapping up the children's wonder in seeing what is thought to be a live fairie right before their very eyes. The sheer wonder of it made Pix brighten ; quite literally.

Sky grinned as she watched Pix with the children, seeing how much it quite literally made Pix shine, she knew once her own baby arrived that Pix would be a natural around her.

Xystos nodded and returned back to his station and continued working with the refugees wondering how things were going down on the planet. The rule they had in Intelligence: no news was either good news or things gone wrong. Considering that they were having waves after waves of refugees coming from the planet, he went with the former, not the latter.

Etan walked over to the Intelligence staff on his way out, looking to Commander Doctrine. His usual soft-spokenness suited the situation at this time, as he looked between Diane and Xystos. "Commander, The section shutoffs are due to maintenance need, not security or intel concern - the Captain approved them. No weapons have had to be removed or deactivated from any persons transported so far, and no individual has triggered an alert. If there's anyone my section should look out for, please let me know via PADD message, and I'll inform the appropriate transport crew directly."

Having made that report, the Efrosian walked away, continuing on his circuit through the vessel.

The sound of bells chiming as the glow of Pix pulse in a crowd of the young children, none above the age of four. Pix seemed to make almost sign language type motions. The children were giggling.

"Real-ly?" A little girl asked Pix. "We be okay then?" Pix jingled her speech a little more.

"New house?" The nearest little boy had his question. "I had to leave toys." Pix hovered over to him and put her hands on his cheeks and she spoke; the bells chimed with each move of her lips. Nodding as if assuring the boy, she giggled with him. "New toys!" the boy exclaimed. "How you know?" Pix spoke again with chiming on each move of her lips. "They told you that?" Pix winked. "I won't tell, i be like no one told me." Pix kissed his cheek and moved towards the center of the group.

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Resolution Bridge station
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Qurick was at his station with the screen changing with each task he had going, the fingers of both hands seemed to dance over the controls. He was coordinating the flow of shuttles between the three ships; his connection to the Resolve and other two Flight Control Officer were barking orders to their respective shuttle for flight times; arrivals to planet as well as the shuttles dropping colonists.

On another of the screens he was monitoring the computer projections from all the transporter activity; from transporter rooms to the cargo transporter pads the flotilla were updating the counts of colonists received. Along with all this he had to keep track of the projections of personnel and timetables for getting the full complement of Passengers on board. The numbers of people at the staging areas was dwindling, if they kept this pace of recovery the combine flotilla might get the Staging area cleared 2.37 hours early of initial estimations. Then the teams could go door to door for any stragglers that are reluctant to leave and offer a final change to get away from the impending danger.

Xavier arrived back on the bridge, with most working on the evac, there was only minimal here. "Lieutenant Qurick. How does it go?" He asked walking over to the console he was working at.

"The exchange of personnel from planetside to the ship seems to be going as we had planned and projections are if there is no interference we will be done several hours ahead of projections from the Landing Zone." Qurick explained. "Then we can put resources to the stragglers that might need a last chance to leave before we do. All in all the profit margin from planning to executions is favorable."

"That is good to know." He replied

Xystos had received word from the surface that the Treaty of MacQuth had been invoked. He made his way quietly over to the Captain to inform him. "Word is that the Treaty of MacQuth has been invoked on the surface and Lieutenant Rinne is currently in a debate with the colonists having invoked the Treaty of Sinapse in response. They have requested to speak to the one in charge. I'm still waiting for additional information." He had a small screen that he had attached to his arm to get constant throughput of intelligence from the security forces on the ship doing the screen, the screening on the planet, and any news from the Marines staged on the surface.

"Alright... what is this... treaty of MacQuth?"

Qurick was listening while keeping his 'majority of focus' on the information he had streaming. He wondered if these references were privy to the division of territories when the deal between Federation and the Cardassian started to divide up disputed star systems between them? This displace Bajoran citizens and it was also said to be the event that launched the Marquis.

"Computer, please define the treaty of MacQuth." Xavier inquired.

"The treaty of MacQuth was formed in the early days of the federation. It's a mutual cooperation and resource sharing agreement between the Quath’Mar and the Federation."

"Doesn't seem that hostile... however that would leave no one with command experience." He paused... "Seeing as there doesn't seem to be much of an emergency here..."

"Commander Stoffels can you come to the bridge please." He replied as he pressed the chime.

~Be right there, sir.~ Tony had been helping out housing the evacuees as well as had Melor Pallara. It was rewarding to help settle the frightened children and to give them a bit of new hope.

Five minutes later she arrived on the bridge. "Commander Stoffels reporting for duty, sir."

"I apparently am needed on the surface. Are you well here?"

She blinked for a moment not sure what to say. She was still so tired and the short occasional mind fog was not completely over. But Xavier knew about all that and he seemed to trust her. "Yes sir." She replied.

Sky looked towards Xavier. “Do you need me on the surface Captain, or shall I remain here to help?”

"I should be alright." Xavier replied as he adjusted his uniform.

"If you can brief me, sir. I have been busy helping the evacuees adjust all day so I am not up to speed on what is happening on the planet, sir." Tony said.

Through scuttlebutt and oblique references in the reports from the Ops and StratOps departments, Etan had come to understand that there was likely to be a move from Command regarding the evacuation. Unfortunately, he had no idea what that move would be, and decided that it was time to 'float' his way up to the Bridge. He arrived at the back of the Bridge right after Commander Stoffels requested a briefing, and stepped forward, hoping that he wouldn't either be dismissed from their CLO briefing, or that the Captain would at least give enough information on the Bridge before retiring to the Ready Room that the situation would become clearer. From the Ops side, it looked fine. People were coming up and getting quartered smoothly. There was some fear, of course, and sorrow at leaving their homes behind, but overall he hadn't heard about any major Security incidents.

The Efrosian lowered the PADD he'd been reading from and looked at the Captain, hoping to understand what was going on - and try to figure out what he could do best to keep things running smoothly.

"There seems to be a treaty being invoked on the surface. I'm not entirely sure if they are wanting to talk to security or the person in charge of the entire situation, regardless, I will be heading down." Noticing the chief operations enter. "Our marines are required elsewhere, so that leaves us with a little more space to take on additional civilians.

Tony nodded. "That is good. And good to hear that it is all proceeding peacefully." She hesitated for a second. "Can I have a word in private before you go, sir?" She looked at Xavier and Sky.

"My ready room." He replied as he looked over to the operations chief. "Lt Tar-Lexros... give us ten minutes in the ready room, when the commander comes out, I believe Commander Pallara is down assisting with the settling of the colonists into quarters. If you can help him with the influx of new colonists, it would be appreciated."

Sky followed on behind Xavier and Tony, given recent events it was best she remain with Tony.