Leashing the Beagle to Starbase

Posted on Tue Dec 16th, 2014 @ 4:38pm by Lieutenant Carl Baumann

Mission: Bloodpath
Location: Docking area
Timeline: concurrent

ON

The Base was coming into full view; Baumann stood on the nose section of the Beagle, stepping down onto the foremost Nose Section of the Ship. The metallic doors covering the portals slid aside the outline of Star Base 80 growing in the portals. Baumann moved to the small control panel and pressed the switch to open the lower section of the flooring so he could look at the lower sections of the Star Base became slightly enlarged with the magnification through the Clear armored aluminum.

He had been commanding the Beagle since her christening, the first assignment would be Star Base 80, Baumann knew that the ship would be here for some time as the sectors around the Star Base had planets to explore and seas to plunge into.

The second of the Privateer Class vessel it still had that new ship feeling about her, her sleek lines were more comfortable under the waves rather than in space. The Engineers had brought the idea to life, a submarine with all the equipment and vehicles designed for aquamarine exploration into a neat package. Nearly all her equipment remained experimental; approved for use but not readily issued.

While in this backdrop of space she was about as useful as a lightly armed freighter; the warp engines were only meant to get the Beagle from planet to planet at warp speed rather than having to be broken down or towed to her destination. The matter anti-matter reactor that powered the star ship were as efficient when it came to the Impeller Drive under the waves. After all a power source is merely the heart of the ship pumping power through the systems, not caring what systems the power is used for. It was better than the old style Nuclear reactors of submersible vessels, Baumann had to admit the added power was utilized like any science ship.

The Deep Submersion Vehicle Beagle took the top level of a science vessel and adapted her for the environment of the sea rather than space; the subtle differences of pressure and water surrounding the ship had caused a few adaptations. Like the first Federation vessels; the NX class, the Photon Torpedoes were just that a modern variant of a solid projectile that would work in space the same as she did under the waves but excelled in the aqua environment. The wavelength of the Phasers were also adapted for a wet environment. SO the Beagle could defend herself and under the waves or in an atmosphere she was a formidable fighting machine, given a limited theater of operation.

“Slow to Vne quarter speed.” Baumann commanded as he watched the ship approaching the station. “Prepare for dead slow.” He moved to the center of the observation section.

The DSV Beagle was slowing as the ship was readying the final glide distance to the Docking section.
The utility craft of the Beagle ranged from adapted diving gear, GYM deep diving suits, a small two person miniature submersible with a Hunley Class shuttle classified ‘Star Fish’ by the manufacturers that adapted the classic ‘Manta Ray’ style body design for both aerodynamics above and especially below the surface.
“Bring us to Dead Slow.” Baumann commanded as the Beagle was on final approach to the docking moorings assigned the ship.

“The Station has given the docking instructions.” James ‘Sparks” Conner announced from the Communications Shack of the Beagle.

“Acknowledge the signal.” Baumann ordered. “Helm...” He kept vigil over the docking of the station. “Stop engines, inertia should do the final connections.” The Beagle can to a soft nudge of the Docking Clamps. The automatic systems were making the connections of the exterior cabling as the lights dimmed and blinked for a second as the Station’s power feed started to power the ship.

Moving to the control panel he closed the protective screens again and while the covers moved into place Baumann took the few paces to the steps leading to the Main Control Room. The sounds of whistles, beeps and other computerized sounds, these sounds were soothing to him as he was so used to them.

“Begin shut-down procedures.” Baumann ordered while he walk the length of the Control Room. “Lee?” He called out near the center of the Control Room.

“What do you need Skipper?” The soft voice of Lee Manchester asked as she came back from the Helm, and Navigation Consoles. “We are on standby power, batteries are charging and the ship is being secured.” The Duty jumpsuit fit her almost what seemed casually yet she filled it out very well and a woman like her could have been a model or something?

“You will have the Conn.” He announced as he was heading to the end of the Control Room. “I need to report us in and see what kind of a Science Department we will be reporting to?”

“It is all yours Sir.” Lee winked as she knew it was a tease of his Commander persona that he had while on the Control Room and duty. “I will just have the quiet time while you wade through the red tape Sir.”

Baumann went up the ladder to the ‘Sail’ and would use that docking hatch to cross over to the Station. Two of the security men followed him and would stand guard outside the main hatch. The smaller size of the Beagle compared to more traditional ships was a two-fold reasoning, she is sleek in the water and her double hull was designed to adapt her with the improved integrity fields to dive under pressures that would normally crush her like a can. Her cigar shaped hull was the most efficient under the waves but did not allow for much room for crew after all the gear was settled in. She felt like a smaller class of scout vessel but her modern amenities did allow some creature comforts.

Baumann trudged through the Docking tube to the reception area of the station Docking Area, it was good to smell differently filtered air, but still nothing was like coming onto the deck of the Beagle after the sea had been split by her hull, the deck awash with the remnants of the ocean trickling off her deck and the sea spray in the wind as she sailed.

“Good Luck Skipper.” Younger the higher ranking of the Security men bid Baumann.

“Tanks, I vill need it.” Bauman head off to the nearest turbo Lift and up to the Control Deck of the Station to report the arrival of the DSV Beagle.

He hated the formalities of his job.

OFF

Lt. Carl Baumann
Commanding Officer
DSV Beagle