Episode 1: Fading Sun

"Certainly, Commander." Reiter actually isn't all that interested in a tour, because stations are all kind of the same in his book. But he's aware that they're guests and they need to be interested in what's on offer. "Unless, Captain, you have something else you need me to do while the Venture is away?"

"A simple 'yes' would have sufficed, Lieutenant,"Sabin says to the eager Trill. His eyes dart back and forth between Paja and CDR Johansson as he asks, "Will the tour go near any restricted areas?"

"Splendid. I thought we'd look at ops first, then take the turbolift our new science labs. Our engineers should be starting to fit the new equipment by now. Then perhaps we can go through main engineering on or way to the shuttle bays you're so familiar with. Oh, I appreciate the concern, Lietenant Commander Jiral, but we don't keep restricted information around. I'm sure you can keep an eye on our visitors in case we slip."

He walks over to the door, which opens to show you ops. The main view screen is focusing on the Osarin sun, which most of ops seems to be focusing on. There are currently four crew members on duty, two command staff, one engineer and one science, all lieutenants. A Vulcan science officer comes up to Commander Johansson as soon as you come out of the ready room, and speaks in a hushed tone.

Johansson turns to you and excuses himself. "I'm sorry, I need to look at the duty roster for tonight. Perhaps Dr. Mosa can continue the tour."

"I'd be delighted." Turning to the viewscreen, Dr. Mosa points out the most interesting features of the star, and the areas they are hoping to get better data from. "...Especially this area. It seems the energy is disappearing somewhere between the photosphere and the corona, but we need better readings to understand exactly where, and what happens to it. I have some simulations of different thesis down in the lab. Speaking of, let's take the turbolift down." She walks up to the main turbolift and calls it.

Meanwhile Commander Johansson has gone over to the science console where he's speaking softly with the Vulcan.

It would not make sense for us to separate, Commander Reiter. I am intrigued by the idea of a station tour. It is always good to see how the Federation is being represented throughout the galaxy, as well as what kinds of experiments are being carried out. Sumek says as he follows Johansson into Ops.

"Of course, sir." Reiter dutifully follows his captain on the tour. On the way to the turbolift, assuming the science station isn't far, he'll inquire of the Commander, "Everything alright, Commander?"

Briefly looking up from the screen, Johansson replies dryly. "All fine, Commander. We're seeing some heightened activity in the Osarin Sun, but that's routine here, nothing to worry about. You'll probably get a better overview over that situation from the science lab. And I better get on to those duty rosters. I'll catch up with you before you leave." He nods to you, but stays at the science station.

Meanwhile, the turbolift has arrived and Dr. Mosa has stepped into it.

Reiter follows Dr. Mosa to the turbolift, but tries to get close to Lt. Jiral.

Realizing that CDR Reiter is talking to him, Sabin clears his throat and casually brushes his fingers across his Lt. Commander pips on his collar before discreetly responding.

Stepping onto the turbolift Reiter comments, "I may swing by my quarters quickly for a short 'fresher stop. We're headed to the lab, is that right, Doctor?"

"Oh, yes, sure. That should be ok." As you all get into the turbolift, along with Captain Tajenko and her guard, Dr. Mosa orders the llift to crew deck 1. The doors shut and it starts moving downwards.

A short way down the light starts to flicker. You all look to each other as the station shudders and the light goes out. The lift starts falling, and for several tense breaths you experience weightlessness in total darkness as the lift enters a free-fall. Then the light flickers again and the emergency brakes kick in to halt your fall. You are all thrown violently to the floor of the turbolift.

A few heartbeats of silence follow as you take a stock of the situation and gather your senses. The emergency lighting kicks in, and you are all bathed in dim red light. Moments later, the station shudders again, dropping the turbolift a few feet more. Sounds like something just exploded above you somewhere.

Sumek braces himself as the lift falls, and tries to brace himself when it halts suddenly.

Codral tries to time his jump for the average time it should take the emergency turbolift brakes to kick in, according to the technical manuals.

When the lift goes, your Starfleet training kicks in and saves you all. All, except Jiral, who in sensing his fellow officers from the Venture being on top of the situation, but Dr. Mosa being taken off guard, sacrifices himself to safeguard her. Throwing himself across the room in pitch darkness, he manages to make sure she get's a grip on the safety railing. He himself is caught off balance in the act, and hits the floor hard in the final impact.As the emergency lightning turns on you see you all made it, more or less. Dr. Mosa seems a bit frightened by the drop, the two nausicans look to be in high-alert mode, and Captain Tajenko isn't quite happy at this new development.

"Is this what you call Starfleet engineering?" Standing up and dusting herself off, she looks furious. "It seems Starfleet isn't all it's made up to be. Now get me out of here!"