Posted by Ensign Luna (Security Officer) in Shuttle Bay - Nakuto and Stone prepare to take flight (others welcome to join)

Posted by Lieutenant Mike Stone (Chief Engineer) in Shuttle Bay - Nakuto and Stone prepare to take flight (others welcome to join)

Posted by Civilian Kara Nakuto (Civilian, Former CO) in Shuttle Bay - Nakuto and Stone prepare to take flight (others welcome to join)
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻
OOC: If anyone else would like to join Nakuto and Stone on their flyby of the Viking then please feel free :)

IC: The shuttlebay. Kara had always felt a degree of discomfort in the cavernous, echoing space. With two of their four shuttles permanently out of service and the others usually undergoing some manner of emergency maintenance, it was not an area that received a great influx of traffic. She hated the way that the shadows seemed drawn to the room’s four corners, as if biding their time for the optimum moment to strike. She hated the irregular pattern of lighting that threw small patches of floor into great illumination, only to intensify the gloom everywhere else. And more than anything, Kara Nakuto hated the control booth, from where unseen spectators could gaze down, unhindered, at those gathered below.

Always in this room she had the sensation, as of a thousand eyes scrutinising her every movement, registering her every word and action. Visually, she appeared to be completely alone. But one was never too far from company on the Viking. Company that, were it to step into the light, would drive all others from it, screaming.

Naglfar. The primary active shuttle of this starship’s compliment held special significance for its half-Klingon former captain. It was within the walls of that small vessel that she had first bonded with Akirel Ros. It was there that, later, they had chosen to consumate their relationship in a passionate and violent dance of poetry and punches. Almost impossible now, for her to remember the man that he was in those more joyous times. Before he had turned. Kara still had no idea what had caused the shift and, since her return, had made no enquiries as to his current whereabouts.

But Naglfar had also played a central role in another key event - her only away mission as the leader of this crew. Chased by moving, sentient statues, she had piloted the craft to a curious world, where the flora had fingers and the architecture held malevolent intent. Her landing moves had been…less than optimal. It seemed that the engineering crew had worked hard since then to return the shuttle to its former, capable state.

And now, as she paced nervously, eager for Stone to arrive, her mind was focussing almost exclusively on one, singular question. Was it still out there? And would she and this particular nemesis once more find themselves face to face?

Kara Nakuto

Luna had been on patrol when she spotted captain Nakuto enter the docking bay. She followed the captain and shure enuff it was her “c-captain “ Luna said as she aproched. She was still a little shaken by Loki’s return. Seeing the Captain now was just as much of a shock.
Ensign Luna

“Not anymore, Luna,” the half-Klingon shook her head, her expression a clouded cocktail of relief, sadness and resignation. “It seems a lot has happened here since I…left. A great many changes have occurred, hopefully all for the better.”
Recalling the young woman’s attachment to Loki, a smile spread across Kara’s lips . At least someone on this ship was attempting to find happiness amongst the chaos.

Luna could not help it she hugged Kara. “ I thought you both were dead. you know Loki and I were an accident right nether of us were looking for echother. We have a doughter” Luna said as she stepped. She thought for a moment. “ Loki missed the first year or so of her life but she somehow recognized him. Thank you for coming back with Loki” Luna said smiling.

“You must be relieved to have Loki back? Almost as relieved as he must be to be back.”

Kara returned the hug with genuine affection. Luna was a curious yet dependable and noble member of the crew. It was truly good to see her again.

Her announcement, however, was slightly more unexpected.
“A…child?” Nakuto echoed. Two children now trapped on this floating maelstrom of chaos. Kara could not even begin to imagine how ones so young and so innocent coped with the daily horrors spewed up by the USS Viking. No child should have to live in constant and unmitigated fear. But how could it be any other way when surrounded on all sides by such nightmares? It was, however, a concern that she chose not to voice at that time.
“Congratulations,” she offered instead. “To both of you.”

“ thank you, between you and me she is just like her dad” Luna said giggling.

Stone had mentioned he was taking out one of the shuttles and left the schedule with the senior shift supervisor. When everyone had departed for their respective assignments for the day, Kristi had approached the man. “Sir, I wish to request to go to the shuttle bay to assist Stone.” She had been nervous in asking, unsure how her suggestion would be received.

“Oh? And what makes you think the Chief Engineer,” the title spoken with enough gruff that it was as if the man were speaking of some lofty royalty, “would want the help of some Ensign?” He had crossed his arms half expecting the same reaction from the relatively new Ensign as most of the engineer personnel. They usually shrugged, intimidated by the man who stood an easy 5-8 inches higher than the young woman, and kept his permanent stance in the form of someone about to swing their fist at the most minute slight.

But Kristi was used to being treated different. She was a redhead, a female, a technician with an affinity for anything mechanical and had been in the top levels of her class. She was used to being bullied, challenged and ground to a halt. This was just another of those moments. Her mind worked as quick as her mouth. “The Viking has a mind of her own. Do you truly think you would be able to work today knowing the Chief is out there, in a shuttle, away from the ship, with no one to monitor him? If I am there, I can react faster than the bridge on a view screen.” She crossed her arms to mimic the man before her.

Braxton looked at her a moment and smiled. “Stone was right. You are a ball of fire.” He chucked his chin the direction of the door. “Go on. But I mean it, anything happens to the Chief, I’m not gonna lie that I’ll make you feel guilt like never before.” He uncrossed his arms, turned with a smile and shake of his head and walked away.

Kristi dropped her own arms and smiled. Moving to the gear locker, she grabbed a simple away team pouch and moved towards the bay. Some simple tools, a small cutting tool and a tricorder were in the sachel as she went down the hall towards the shuttle bay to keep an eye out on her boss, who she had to admit was starting to affect her as more than merely a boss.

Ensign Kristi O’Larria
Engineer

Mike arrived to the shuttlebay just a bit after Luna. He had to bite his tounge almost not to adress Nakuto as Captain.

“Sorry, I hope I haven’t kept you waiting for too long.” He said to Kara. “Hi Luna.” He said and waved to the SEC that was also there casualy. He already knew Kara Nakuto was back on the ship, but not everyone did.

“There was an emergency, but when is it not.”

The hangar doors opened and Kristi walked in as well. Mikes expression went from neutral to a slight grin instantly, which he wasn’t even aware off.

“Ah, Ensign O’Larria… come meet our former boss, Kara Nakuto. ” As she aproached he wispered to hear ear “She’s one of those went missing I told you about.”

Lt. Mike Stone, CE

“Lieutenant Stone,” Nakuto commented at the sight of the approaching engineering chief. “I am glad you could find the time to join me.”

The woman at his side was a stranger to Kara. She had grown accustomed, as the days since her return crept ever-forward, to noticing unfamiliar faces amongst a crew she had once known inside out. But this would mark the first direct interaction with an individual she had not previously commanded. The prospect was liberating. A fresh start. A clean slate where the reputation of Captain Kara Nakuto had not yet had the opportunity to tarnish her actions and her words.

Still, there remained her native world and people to do justice to. Nakuto pulled herself up to her full height and, assuming the demeanour of a true alpha female, held out a hand to the newcomer.

“Good to meet you. I am Kara Nakuto.”
No rank or title to offer. Her name was the only thing she had left.

Her brown eyes shifted to Stone, her expression silently requesting an introduction to his companion.
“And you are?”

Kara Nakuto

Luna only watched the newcomers.
Ensign Luna

Tal happened to be heading by, when she grew a bit curious, following someone, indirectly, towards the bay. She wondered of the gathering of these people, bright eyes painted with inquiry. “Is there a party that I wasn’t invited to?” Tal questioned, jokingly, as if both adding a comedic turn and announcing her arrival, so she wouldn’t seem so.. stalkerish.

Beveres

Kristi had stepped back as others approached. “Kristi, O’Larria, Ma’am…” she managed to mutter as the others began talking. She didn’t know the woman, personally, but Mike had told her about some of those missing he had known well. This woman was one he had well respected. Her disappearance had affected him more than he admitted. And she admitted, it was one of the driving forces behind her obsession to fix the ship and help them figure out the root of the oddities.

As the others spoke, she merely stuck to Stone’s shadow.

“Not a bad idea, but no.” Mike replies. Not everyone knew Kara was back yet, and Mike realised that a welcome back party doesn’t sound so bad. The question was of course if Kara would even like something like that and extra attention. If he was trapped for a yet, he sure would prefer to simply forget about it as soon as possible, and not be reminded of it.

“We’re just planning to take one of the shuttles out for a little spin.”

Lt. Mike Stone, CE

OOC: Would Nakuto like a party? Does a bear do the proverbial in the woods? Haha!

IC: Nakuto made no attempt to mask her delight at the appearance of the counselor.
“I would be delighted for you to join us, Tal. Lieutenant Stone and I have a need to catalogue the condition of the vessel on its exterior. And also…”
She paused, her gaze moving slowly from one individual to the next.
“…it will do us all good to escape the confines of the ship for a time.”

Moving towards the shuttle, NE Poe concluding his flight readiness checks and handing the half-Klingon a PADD bearing the results, Nakuto cast a glance back over her shoulder with a wry smile and added, “although I am surprised to see some of you step into a shuttle with me at the helm so willingly…considering our last outing.”

Kristi tapped Mike’s shoulder and pointed up to the observation room on one of the catwalks. “I’ll be up there, Stone. I have your back.” She smiled and moved silently away without another word.

The cockpit held a reassuring familiarity for her. It was her sister, Mirai, who held the noble position of pilot for the Nakuto family. But Kara herself was not without skill at the controls. Although this crew could be forgiven for believing the opposite in light of her previous crash landing.
Settling herself into the seat, the former captain took a few moments to allow her hands an unrestricted dance across the controls. It felt good to have immediate purpose once again. It felt good to be…useful.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats,” she called out, activating the impulse drive and allowing the steady hum of controlled power to reverberate through her body. “We leave in five minutes.”

Kara Nakuto

“Just try not to crash it… ” Mike commented as he took the co-pilot seat. He liked flying the shuttles and he half expected him to fly it, but Kara simply took charge and he didn’t want to deprive her of the fun. Instead he just observed her, at the ready if he had to step in.

Lt. Mike Stone, CE

Luna hesitated she had left Crenity with Loki and the last time she had left the child with him it ended is sickbay with a broken wing. She did reluctantly climb onboard the shuttle with the others choosing to sit next to the consuler.
Ensign Luna

As the power came up on the shuttle, Kristi tapped the comm, =^=Shuttle, this is O’Larria. Comm check for control room one.=^= She wanted to be sure she always had a lock and voice on the shuttle as they went out for their ‘spin’. She didn’t like the idea of more disappearances or trouble on her watch.

Ensign Kristi O’Larria
Engineer