Bridge - Deck B

Mark looked at Gunther, then Poppy who was ready to over ride the safeties and vent the shuttle bay, On the command center screen Mark could see the two engineers at the sealed hatch and the plate that they had used to help seal thee door , Mark hated giving this command, it could kill two of his friends, or it could save the boat

" OK vent it Poppy "

Mark whispers as he watches Ryan and Brandon on the monitor

Mark Ho Chang

Poppy said a little prayer for the men in the cargo hold as she closed the circuit to open the shuttle bay doors. She watched as the display showed the door opening while flashing bright red as the bay depressurized. Whatever was in there that wasn't tied down was now floating in the black. She hoped it wasn't the engineers.

She watched as the atmospheric gauges reached zero in the bay. Mercifully no alarms were triggered in the cargo hold. In fact all appeared to be normal. A broad smile swept across her face as she triggered the doors to close once more. The pressure began to build back up as the atmpsohere returned to the bay.

=Good job boys! Looks like its safe to go back inside.= she announced triumphantly, so all the ship could hear.

-Poppy

Mark sighed in relief as he watched the shuttle bay button up and atmo return to the bay, Gunther was relieved as well , the venting had altered their course and they needed to get that fuel leak fixed ASAP or they would sail right passed Persephone and into the systems sun

=" Bridge to Ryan and Brandon, we need that fuel leak fixed ASAP, Do you fellas need a hand down there at all ? "=

Mark was already standing fully intent on lending the engineers a hand down below, he knew that Dale would not be happy with the solution, but the big man would soon understand that the plate had saved the boat and any loss would be covered my insurance

In front of them the refueler had adjusted course to stick with the Atlantis, Poppy had no engines, not even thrusters due to there being no fuel , Gunther was quiet letting the new skipper handle things , the man was in thought as the crew of Atlantis went to work ]

Mark Ho Chang

Zuzutoo wrote:

Poppy said a little prayer for the men in the cargo hold as she closed the circuit to open the shuttle bay doors. She watched as the display showed the door opening while flashing bright red as the bay depressurized. Whatever was in there that wasn't tied down was now floating in the black. She hoped it wasn't the engineers.

She watched as the atmospheric gauges reached zero in the bay. Mercifully no alarms were triggered in the cargo hold. In fact all appeared to be normal. A broad smile swept across her face as she triggered the doors to close once more. The pressure began to build back up as the atmpsohere returned to the bay.

=Good job boys! Looks like its safe to go back inside.= she announced triumphantly, so all the ship could hear.

-Poppy

= "It does indeed. We'll open up the doorway again and after that we should be able to refuel the ship. Ryan out." =

James M wrote: Mark sighed in relief as he watched the shuttle bay button up and atmo return to the bay, Gunther was relieved as well , the venting had altered their course and they needed to get that fuel leak fixed ASAP or they would sail right passed Persephone and into the systems sun

=" Bridge to Ryan and Brandon, we need that fuel leak fixed ASAP, Do you fellas need a hand down there at all ? "=

Mark was already standing fully intent on lending the engineers a hand down below, he knew that Dale would not be happy with the solution, but the big man would soon understand that the plate had saved the boat and any loss would be covered my insurance

In front of them the refueler had adjusted course to stick with the Atlantis, Poppy had no engines, not even thrusters due to there being no fuel , Gunther was quiet letting the new skipper handle things , the man was in thought as the crew of Atlantis went to work ]

Mark Ho Chang

= "I'm guessing that the damage itself is nothing too fancy; I think Brandon and I can manage. I'll keep you updated. Ryan out." =



-Ryan Bow

Mark replied

" I'll be listening for you two, Make a list of any improvements you want to that fueling station and we'll get it done on Persephone, "

Mark took the command seat and pulled a dumbbell from under a console and began doing wrist curls , this was one way of passing the time while the two engineers worked their wonders down below , He glances over at Poppy knowing how she must be feeling with no way to correct their course, they were drifting now with the refueler patiently waiting to gas them up

" Frustrating aint it Poppy, can't even nudge her right now, just keep running the numbers for our course correction burn OK "

Mark Ho Chang

="Ryan to bridge, we're all done here. Fill 'er up!"=

Mark smiled as he tapped reply

=" Great work there fellla's come on up to the bridge, I'll have Kundan set us up with some refreshments for our meeting, OH and I'll remember to have them wash the windows and check the oil while we gas up "=

Then he turns to Poppy

" Ok there Poppy lets talk to our friends out there and gas her up "

Mark knew it would be a challenge for the pilot, but he had confidence in her, the only thing she could do was hold her steady while the refueler lined up, Unless she had stashed some fuel in the engine pods, the best pilots knew this trick to keep residual fuel in the lines for these situations , Mark let Poppy take over the talking with Silstar, He watched her closely as Kundan brought refreshments in for the meeting

Mark Ho Chang

"Copy that sir." she responded to Mark. It was a little odd looking to the big guy for orders, but he had been the chief pilot before, so she was used to looking to him to speak first.

=Silstar Tanker, this is Atlantis. Our mechanical difficulty is cleared up and we can resume fueling procedures. Please be advised, we are completely empty on fuel. I might manage a couple shorts out of the reaction thrusters, but we are pretty much non-responsive. I will keep her straight and steady.=

That had been a somewhat graceful coupling of two great ships passing in the night had now near become a case of necrophilia. Atlantis for all her streamlined curves and aerodynamic shape, was about as responsive as a manatee in a cigar boat race. Poppy felt sorry for the old girl and caressed the flight board as she watched the bulky tanker slowly come in closer. "It'll be ok, just a little longer, you'll be right as rain." she stated to the ship.

-Poppy

All Mark could do is watch Poppy do her best to keep her steady as the big tanker lined up and made a successful coupling with the Atlantis, then the precious fuel began to fill her tanks at a high rate, soon they would be able to fire up the engines and make course corrections, then the tanker would dock with Atlantis for transfer of Gunther
Kundan had set up a refreshment table and some extra chairs, this was the first time a meeting would be held on the bridge and most likely the last, Mark wanted everyone to be there including the pilot as this was a big meeting
The crew slowly filtered into the flight deck, each one checking in at the entry hatch as per protocol, Dale their passenger was escorted in as well for security reasons
Gunther watched Poppy at work
" Well I know this old girl is in good hands, your one of the best pilots I have seen, I think this boat likes you "

James / GM

OOC: I am going to let folks post their arrival on the bridge, then the big speech will commence and we will say goodbye to Gunther

Sue and Jelena entered the bridge and found their way to two of the empty chairs. Jelena wondered what this meeting was and decided to do such out loud.

"What's this meeting about?" she asked to no-one in particular, "Is it important? Because I was inventorying stuff. I like t'at".

Sue looked daggers at Jelena and muttered sotto voice to her friend,

"Jelly, be patient..."

- Fire Duo

Brandon and Ryan came onto the bridge and took their seats as Jelena wondered out loud.

Brandon couldn't help himself but look for Morgan, but he understood Jelena's question. He was wondering what was going on himself.

~Engineering Duo~

"What I would like to know is how this ship keeps falling apart when it is supposed to have been through some major check-ups", Ryan added to the conversation. He was clearly very angry about everything that kept going wrong with the ship. "No offense to Brad", he added realizing that it probably wasn't the man's fault, since he had always delivered quality work, "but this just isn't normal. If I didn't know any better, I'd say somebody's sabotaging the ship!"

-Ryan Bow

OOC: Back from vacation and just in time for the meeting! Let's add a little bit more trouble for our new captain. ;-)

-Mischa tpo Ryan

Poppy was just breathing a big sigh of relief as the fuel filled the empty tanks. The tension was broken for only a minute as the engineer made his comment on Sabotage. Few words sent chills through a crew than the idea that one of their own might be trying to bring about their mutual demise. She actually turned away from the gauges to look at the engineer and worry about how Mark would respond.
-Poppy

Brandon raised an eyebrow at Ryan's implication, then looked at Gunther to see how the captain would respond. Gunther carried himself like a hardened military man, and Brandon assumed it wasn't just an act - he would take talk of sabotage very seriously.

"For what reason?" was all Brandon could think to ask. All of the malfunctions did seem rather odd, though. "It's not like a bunch of weight lifting equipment would be reason to sabotage a ship. Is there something more valuable we're carrying?"

~Brandon Miles~

Poppy's heart sunk in her chest. They did have something potentially valuable, and motive for sabotage and even murder to acquire it. Her usual smile had faded from her face, which had become quite ashen by comparison. The courier tube was not for the general crew to know about, specifically for the reasons they were facing. She became mindful that she had tucked it in the pouch on her co-pilot's couch. When she spun the seat around it moved it from plain view, but she was now very conscious of it sticking out.
-Poppy

Jason Andersen wrote:Brandon raised an eyebrow at Ryan's implication, then looked at Gunther to see how the captain would respond. Gunther carried himself like a hardened military man, and Brandon assumed it wasn't just an act - he would take talk of sabotage very seriously.

"For what reason?" was all Brandon could think to ask. All of the malfunctions did seem rather odd, though. "It's not like a bunch of weight lifting equipment would be reason to sabotage a ship. Is there something more valuable we're carrying?"

~Brandon Miles~

"Me?" Jelena quipped, "I'm pretty valuable. At least I was back in my fighting days... Ow!"

Sue smiled as Jelena moved to rub her leg after the former had kicked it to keep the latter quiet. Jelena glared at her friend, then realised that silence is sometimes golden.

"Sorry, my leg slipped", Sue said.

- Fire Duo

"XO on the Bridge!" Morgan called out as she walked through the hatch. She looked up and saw she was the last one to arrive. Well, if the Captain(s) hadn't announced she was XO yet, she just did it herself. She blushed slightly, then instinctively stood near Brandon. "Sorry I'm late, what did I miss?"

Morgan O'Doyle

OOC: Sorry for the delayed post, I normally get email alerts when this thread is updated, but apparently that hasn't happened for the past week or so. -Nicole

Brandon smiled when he saw Morgan, but was taken aback by her announcement. He kept his voice low, but Ryan and anyone else within an arm length could hear him.

"Not much, just waiting for the Captain to start. Chief was wondering why the ship keeps falling apart when it just got an overhaul. Thinks maybe sabotage."

He looked at her with an expression that mixed bemusement and apprehension. "XO? Congratulations." His voice betrayed the concerns racing through his head. He wasn't about to ask what her being XO meant between them with the present company within earshot. Even without the XO title, he himself wasn't sure what was between them. They hadn't even shared that drink yet, so he didn't dare consider it as anything, despite what he hoped for.

~Brandon Miles~

Gunther looked around the now crowded bridge, All the family had gathered, Out in front the refueler had done it's job and was now in a stand by position to dock with the Atlantis, Mark was coordinating with them over the radio
Gunther speaks to the group

" I have gathered you all here to say good bye, Family has called me and I have decided to retire from active service, this is not easy as you all have become like a second family to me, I have decided to turn the ship and the business over to Mark as he seems to be fit to handle the mission and carry it on, So as of now I am a passenger and Mark Ho Chang is your captain, the ship is his as is his concerns for the crew, It has been more than an honor to serve with all of you folks and I am sure you will work with big ole Mark here and be loyal to him as you have been loyal to me, Now I will let your new captain speak "

Mark turns from his screen and stands in the midst if the crew , His crew and his friends

" Not long ago I joined this crew as a pilot, I love to fly and it shows, I've been around the 'verse and have seen some of the crap the Alliance deals out to the rim folk, I have watched them as they took my parents at this academy where they were studying the mind , I made a choice way back then to help the under dog on the rim, When I found this boat I knew it was destiny so here I am walking the edge, Being on this boat has been good to me, When I was in trouble this crew came to my aid and saved my life, I pledge that if it ever comes to it I will lay my life down for any of you folks, As your captain I am launching an investigation into the problems we have been experiencing on this boat with her mechanical systems, If any of you have need of something let me know, I want my crew satisfied "

Mark pauses for s second them continues

" You all got on this boat for different reasons, But I believe we all want to help those in need on the rim and bring them justice, lets pool our skills and make it happen "

Mark looks at Morgan

" Morgan I need you to continue as my XO, I need a good gunner at my side and your the best "

Then he taps Poppy on the shoulder

" Atlantis needs a chief pilot and you have demonstrated the skill to take the slot, pack up your gear and move into my old quarters "

Mark ponts to the open door on the port side of the bridge that was the chief pilots quarters, then he looks at Ryan and Brandon

" We're going to look into these malfunctions and find out just what is going on here, the engine is first rate, but to see things breaking like I have concerns me , I am going to wave Brad and get his people on it "

Mark looks at Jelena and Sue

" Once we see Gunther off to his ride, I want to see you in my quarters OK "

Mark looks around at the group

" Any questions anyone ?"

Mark Ho Chang

Ryan didn't catch half of what Mark had said. Captain Lindemann was standing down? The chief engineer got the feeling that suddenly the floor had disappeared under his feet. The captain was giving up? After all that his crew had done for him? After Ryan, like many others, had stayed around the ship, vouching to plan some sort of rescue when Gunther had been taken by the Alliance? No, he needed to calm himself. The captain would never simply abandon them. But Ryan couldn't help but feel that Gunther was doing exactly that. Reason told him that the captain wouldn't stand down unless there was absolutely no other choice, but his emotions kept trying to take control. Gunther Lindemann, the man that had taken him in what seemed like ages ago and had always believed in him and his contribution to Gunther's greater goal. And now he was abandoning that goal himself.

Ryan looked down at his hands and realized that he had balled them into fists which he was squeezing very hard. He opened his hands and took a few deep breaths. "Why leave us now, captain? Is there anything going on that we can help you with?" Ryan already knew what the answer was going to be, but still he had to try.



-Ryan Bow

Morgan knew what was coming, but it was still hard to hear. She put on her best poker face - chin up, staring directly ahead of her without focusing on anything, hands carefully relaxed at her sides. She could tell by Ryan's voice that he was taking this hard, as well. He had been on the crew even longer than her, so she knew this was a shock to him.

Now was not the time to get emotional, though. Not in front of the departing Captain, and not in front of the new crew. Later, when the refueling was finished and the Captain had left and there was some downtime, she had plans to share a drink or ten with Ryan - and Brandon, too, if he wanted to join them - so they could reminisce and share what were sure to be highly-charged emotions. She was determined to keep what was left of their little family together, now that she was the XO.

Morgan O'Doyle

Sue and Jelena were very surprised to hear this; they had no idea that this was coming. With Mark taking over, things were likely to be very different. Both the women were speechless; it took Sue to break the silence.

"Captain", she said, looking clearly at Gunther, "I humbly suggest that someone gets some glasses and something alcoholic, because we really ought to thank you for what you have done for us. You got me out of a cleaning job, so I'm glad on that part".

Jelena took a couple of seconds to twig what was going on.

"Thanks, sir", she said, "I agree about the toast".

She got up and headed for the galley, intending to get something reasonably alcoholic to toast the Captain with. It was very much the end of an era and she wanted to mark that in some way.

- Fire Duo

Brandon hadn't been on the ship long enough to get to know the Captain. He'd really only sat down to two meals with him, and they hadn't conversed much on anything besides business.

But he could tell from the reactions of the others that this was a shock, and a huge loss. He stood there awkwardly, not sure if he should say something or not, running his hand through his hair.

Morgan seemed to be taking it well. Since she was the new XO, she probably already knew about it. At least if she showed some sadness he could feel like doing something to comfort her, but it was the Chief that seemed to be taking it the hardest. Words that formed in his head sounded hollow, so he kept his mouth shut.

Instead, he simply stood there looking a bit lost and confused and not at all sure what this meant for any of their futures.

~Brandon Miles~

Gunther could sense some of the reactions from his now former crew, Even from Mark who was taking over , Ryan was projecting some strong emotions and looked like he was going to crush his own fists, Gunther loved this crew

" I am not giving up at all, I am just taking a more supportive role in the mission of this ship, A large estate has come my way and I plan on using the proceeds to support this ship, You folks will always have financial support and a place to set down on, I am needed on Ariel to settle this estate , then I'll set up the funding for you all "

Kundan produces some double malt scotch and some glasses from the serving cart, he halts Jelena

" I was considering toasting the captain as well "

Mark stands to his feet

" Gunther you have been like a Father to me and to this group, yeah I agree to a toast to you sir "

Kundan hands everyone a glass and fills them with a little scotch in each

Mark looks over at Jelena

" The honor is yours Jelena "

Mark Ho Chang

Jelena raised her glass.

"To Captain Gunther Lindemann. May you never have to worry about atmo venting again".

- Jelena Markov