Into the Aftermath

Posted on Sat Sep 19th, 2026 @ 4:45am by Ensign Emily Douglasdale & Commander Thomas Carey & Lieutenant Commander Mattys Plaatjes & Major T'Ria & Ensign Kynian Th'kyrheth

2,038 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Ashes of Vega Colony
Location: Vega Colony

Ensign Douglasdale since the Meridian left Denobula to Vega IX, she had spent the last twenty-four hours getting the ships prepared to be launched. The shuttle bay was packed with various crew members from the armory, medical, engineering and science departments which loading equipment until the shuttles. Shuttle pod one would head down to the surface to get the layout of the situation on the ground, then the other two shuttles would follow.

When the Meridian had arrived in orbit an hour ago, the damage could be been seen from space. The fires that had been spreading was finally contained for them part. But there was still a high risk of more explosions since the mine was still technically unstable and the issues which cause the explosions wasn't entirely resolved. Climbing into the shuttle, Emily was eager to resolve these issues and save people as she powered up the shuttle.

Walking into the shuttle with a phaser rifle set to heavy stun, as well as armour and several side arms. He nodded to the ensign as he took a seat, "Carey to the bridge, shuttlepod one, is prepping for departure."

Taking a look over at the Commander, the helm officer raised an eyebrow. On her hip was a single phaser. "Is all of that really going to be necessary?"

"Preparation Ensign. Plus, once we get down there, we may be able to use the help from locals. They should be able to use these to assist with securing the scene while waiting for everyone to arrive." Thomas replied as he looked down. "You obviously, no offense Ensign haven't dealt with scared civilians, when there is nothing known. A person is reasonable. A group... paranoia and fear can spread faster than the bubonic plague. before you know it. shit hits the ceiling."

Emily took in everything that Carey had said. "Let me get that vest over there," she replied, grabbing it and securing onto her person. The last thing, she wanted was to be unprepared. "It's been a very long time, since I have had to deal with such a situation."

"Not saying I expect or want it. But, we never know the situation, until we see it for ourselves."

'I find the more weapons you carry, the more skittish people get,' Plaatjes said pleasantly as he stepped into the shuttlepod, catching the end of the conversation. He patted his phaser pistol in its belt holster before stowing his engineer's investigation pack. 'The pistol is usually enough I find. But this is a philosophical debate ... we should get to the surface as soon as we can to ensure no-one else gets hurt.'

"We will survey the lay of the land. But we aint going to be caught with our pants down. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best."

Eight security personnel entered the shuttle as the looked around for a space to sit in the back. Each were wearing body armor, carrying rifles and a pistol on their hip. The highest-ranking individual in the group was a Petty Officer 1st class who nodded to towards the Carey as a sign of respect.

Going through a couple of final checks, Douglasdale hummed in approval as everything checked out. "The shuttle is ready to go as soon as Kynian and T'Ria arrive."

Kynian stepped into the shuttle a moment later, carrying a load of scientific equipment which he carefully stowed. He looked around a little uncomfortably at the number of people carrying heavy weaponry before settling into his seat. “I’m ready whenever everyone else is.”

"Very good. Close the hatches lets get out of here." Thomas replied as he gestured to the ensign to proceed with exiting the Meridian.

Grabbing the seat crosswise across his body in each hand, Plaatjes closed his eyes and hummed quietly to himself as the shuttlepod broke free of Meridian. He was fine aboard large crafts. But landing in shuttlepods was his least favourite activity to partake in. Concentrating on his breathing, he waited for it to be over.

Piloting the shuttle from the Meridian down the surface started off fairly but upon hitting the atmosphere the ride was slightly bumpy. The pollutants in the air made navigating a tad bit difficult. Which was to be expected when the helmsman put together the flight plan. A few minutes later the shuttle pulled through the worse of it as they continued onto the colony. The closer, they got the plant in question could be seen. Next to it was a crater that once was one of the reactors. Smoke continued to rise to the sky as a team of first responders did their best to maintain the chaos. Most of the danger had been contained, but there was still quite a bit that needed to handled.

Looking around, Emily spotted the landing port, that had been designated for the Meridian's shuttles. It was far enough from being having them at risk, but yet close to get there quickly. Bringing the shuttle down, the Ensign looked back, smiling at the passengers. "Another smooth landing by yours truly."

T'Ria had spent most of the descent studying the sensor readings, and occasionally glancing toward the viewport as the shuttle passed through the choppy, polluted atmosphere. She watched the colony emerge below them—the damaged mining facility, the crater where one of the reactors had been, and the columns of smoke still rising into the sky.

It was Emily's statement regarding, what only T'Ria could surmise was some form of boast, that pulled her from her own mental meanderings.

The Vulcan physician looked up from her PADD and inquired, "Was it?"

Emily looked over at the doctor through the corner of her eye. "Smooth based on the current conditions. Not crashing down into the landing port is something that I am quite thankful for."

T'Ria regarded Emily for a moment, her expression remaining composed, though there was the faintest hint of curiosity in her dark eyes.

"I believe a more appropriate assessment would be that the shuttle arrived at the designated landing port without sustaining damage or causing injury to its occupants. Am I to infer, then, that the 'smoothness' you described would appear to be a matter of subjective interpretation?"

"A much shorter and straight to the point version of everything you just said," the helm officer answered. "Though your interpretation would likely be the one I would use for the after action report."

T’Ria tilted her head slightly, regarding Emily for a moment as she considered the exchange. There was nothing particularly significant about it, and yet - the Vulcan woman had found herself on the opposite side of another small cultural divide. Given the data, personal observation, and commentary, she postulated that in this particular instance, perhaps smooth meant they had landed safely under difficult circumstances? How...inefficient? Why not say exactly what one meant?

To T’Ria, the statement had required clarification, qualification, and an assessment of what, precisely, constituted a smooth landing. An exchange truly lost in translation...it was yet another small reminder that Humans and Vulcans could technically 'speak' a common language, they did not always convey the same thing by it.

“I believe,” she said at last, her tone perfectly composed, “that I understand.”

Emily simply smiled as she opened the hatch to allow the away team to exit. Outside the shuttle several individuals from the Colony security made their way over. Led by a short male who looked a bit disturbed by the presence of Starfleet. Immediately spotting the Commander, he bypassed everyone and approached the leader of the away team.

"I'm Jonas Creed, Chief of Colony Security. Here to escort you and your people to the site."

"Commander Thomas Carey, First officer, as well as chief security onboard the Meridian." Thomas replied as he turned, and introduced the rest of his team.

As the Colonial Chief greeted Carey, Plaatjes took a moment to look around the planet. Vega was beautiful, similar to Earth from what he could see here. It was marred by the clouds generated by the explosion though, dark stains against the sky that sobered the spirits.

He leaned into T'Ria and asked quietly, 'which team are you heading on, Major? The one with the Engineering team I hope,' he added with a gleam in his eye.

"I will attach myself to whatever team is heading towards the blast epicenter." T'Ria hefted a large rucksack over her shoulder that was packed full of emergency medical supplies.

"If you come with me," Creed spoke to the group. "The transports will take us directly to the site."

The away team boarded the transport bus which not only consisted of them, but also members of work crew headed to the site. Passing by them were various other transport buses and medical vehicles moving away from the scene they were on their way too. "I'm going to be honest, that I believe that we can handle this situation on our own. But Administrator Venn insists that Starfleet be involved in this process. And to give you a heads up, Chief Investigator Silas Renn for the mining company arrived on the scene about hour before the Meridian arrived in orbit."

"I'd suggest looking into this Investigator. Some companies hire people to hide things when they are supposed to be the ones to find them." Thomas replied

"We're definitely on the same page regard that."

Turning his attention to Plaajes. "You will meet with the Mine Operations Chief Rourke Tomas. He's responsible for the mines machinery and safety systems. Typically does a good job of handling things and there have never been issues prior to this situation."

'Chief Tomas it is,' Plaatjes replied with a nod, hiding the put-out feeling he had that T'Ria would be off somewhere else on the planet. Duty first he reminded himself, firmly pushing the memories of their gym session together to the back of his mind. Tomas might be a bit prickly if we suggest anything was his fault. Better tread carefully, he thought.

"Doctor, you will meet with Doctor Liana Chen our Colony Physician," Creed addressed. "She has been on the scene handling things nonstop. I know she could definitely use the help and is need of a much needed break. Though I seriously doubt that she will take it."

T’Ria turned her attention toward Creed, giving him a slight nod.

“Understood. I will assist Doctor Chen.”

She glanced briefly toward the smoke-darkened sky beyond the transport’s windows.

“Given the size of the...incident, I anticipate she will have sufficient work to occupy both of us.”

"It would be most appreciated doctor," Jonas acknowledged. It was clear that he had been up and running for a long period of time with no sleep.

T'Ria dipped her head slightly in a gesture she hoped was a neutral acknowledgement and gestured for Jonas to...show the way?

Looking to the Andorian science officer, he briefly lost his train of thought trying to recall the name of the geologist. "Ensign you will likely want to meet with our Chief Geologist Doctor Varek Thalen. Currently he is working on reconstructing the explosion to determine if this was an accident, neglect or sabotage."

Kynian nods. “Doctor Varek Thalen, got it. I’ll be happy to help him however I can.”

Creed turned his attention back to the First Officer "Commander Carey you get to stick with me for now. We're going to pay Mister Renn a visit and see how things are going with this investigation."

Emily looked over at the team who all had been given a task. "Commander Carey, I will be on standby to bring down additional personnel as requested. Unless there is anything you need me to do in the meantime?"

"In the mean time, thats everything from me. Please bring down the additional personnel." Thomas replied before turning over to Creed. "Lead the way Chief."

=================
Commander Thomas Carey
Executive/Chief Armory Officer
USS Meridian

Lt. Commander Mattys Plaajes
Chief Engineer
USS Meridian

Major T'Ria
Chief Medical Officer
USS Meridian

Ensign Kynian Th'Kyrheth
Science Officer
USS Meridian

Ensign Emily Douglasdale
Helm Officer
USS Meridian

 

RSS Feed