8. Mars

[Renekin Skywalker]

In Engineering
Mensk quickly learned that any further attempts to modify security protocols were locked out. As Jessica was placed in charge of the ship’s security, it seems she’s the only one, other than the Captain, than can modify the rules.

But, what with the ship having not, yet, landed, Mensk does have a larger worry (which the GM wanted to point out, as much for drama): one of the ship’s engines did suffer (hopefully) superficial damage when the ship hit the frozen breadloaves. This would be one of the two engines the ship needs in order to maintain a safe airspeed on the landing approach. How’s it doing?

On the bridge
Everyone settled into their stations: Foreman piloting, Tawfeek navigating and Jessica at the engineering station.

In medical
It was no mean feat to secure Mr. Johnson against the buffeting the ship was about to face (something an ambulance shuttle paramedic would have some experience with, I suspect).

Across the ship
Tawfeek sounded general quarters (the standard procedure for a re-entry), then went on the ship-wide speakers.

“Attention all crew and passengers. This is the captain. Hi.” He began. “We are about to begin our entry and landing on Mars. As we are all aware, this is a risk to portions of the ship due to damage to the hull and engines. We will do what we can to make it a smooth safe ride. However, we will need everyone to buckle up.” He paused (those on the bridge saw him glance at a read-out. “Landing time will be in about 2 hours, and it will be 9AM local time, with moderate winds, and a surface high of -10 degrees Celsius. So we’ll break out the coats when we land. Remember to remain buckled in until the light has switched off. If there are emergencies, contact the bridge. Thank-you.”

And the speakers beeped off. “Alright. We have a green light. Begin entry, foreman.”

What the GM will need:

From Foreman:
Piloting, navigation rolls, reading sensory equipment

From Jessica
Computer operations and engineering rolls, read sensory equipment

From McKenna
Nothing specific, so long as she buckles up.

From Mengsk
Anything for engineering, read sensory equipment

[Dome]

Foreman sits into his seat and tightens up the straps. He reaches out to the controls. He pauses only briefly to whisper under his breath, _{"I'm a leaf on the wind."}

He checks the plotted course, and the sensors for any possible objects. He did not want to see another loaf of bread, especially out of the viewport.

He then grips the controls and tries to move the ship to the planned course.

Toggling comms to the planet he says, ["Mars control, this is The Galaxy moving into preplanned course and begin descent for mars landing."]

To the bridge crew he says, "here we go boys and girls." He leaves any internal communications to the Captain.

[dice=100](72)Computer Operation 82%
[dice=100](23)Navigation: Space 45%
[dice=100](18)Sensory Equipment 45%
[dice=100](76)Radio: Basic 70%
[dice=100](55)Pilot: Spacecraft: Heavy 60%
[rand=721754361697029996946358351954711270416519478698737342214159709486]

[Mierin]

Jessica then starts to vent the water hull.

Computer Operations [dice=100], pass
Mechanical Engineer [dice=100], pass

(OOC: Jess doesn't have the read sensory equipment skill)
[rand=011285153056848185492035572219445850156996427741059851069625387763]

[dakota]

After more arguement than she wanted, McKenna finally got Mrs. Johnson to leave and go strap in with the other patients. She then secured Mr. Johnson and finally buckled herself in at her desk, in front of her computer terminal. She pressed the intercomm button," Medical secured and ready of planetfall."

[Dome]

Flip smiles and can't help but respond to medical, "please don't say fall right now," he says as he toggles comms on long enough to respond, then back off.

[Renekin Skywalker]

On the bridge

Jessica can't read readouts?!?!?! Well, it's a good thing the bridge has windows. There was no steam, yet, but she could see a little bit of water streaming out.

"Cargo ship, Galaxy." The comm said. "This is Mars flight control. We have you entering the atmosphere. Please state conditions and stay on path. Rescue vehicles are waiting at the designated port."

Tawfeek shrugged. "Must not have heard." He says (Foreman's radio failed). "Mars, this is the Galaxy. We are unchanged. The patient is secure. We will follow planned course."

At the moment, the ship seemed to be flying true.

"Remember, when the water hull hits a boil, you will have a make-shift lateral thruster to compensatre for until we hit full atmosphere." Tawfeek said, his eyes on the port side for a moment, then the readouts again.

Throughout the ship
The standard buffeting of entry began, almost re-assuring in its pattern.

McKenna could hear medicine bottles rattling in their cupboards.

Back on the bridge
The ship very soon started to glow with re-entry heat, and Foreman could feel the pull to the right from the steam now visibly trailing off the port side. However, for the most part, he was on course.

Tawfeek was fixed on the information readouts in front of him.

Jessica could tell that her program was working, because she wasn't getting warning lights about over-pressurized water cells or bursting valves. Of course, they're down about 10% off the port water supplies.

Tawfeek looked up. Through the noise on the bridge, he said. "Oh, a low-press - URE!" the sudden lurching drop interrupted him as the ship approached the head of a storm on Foreman's flight-path. "Ahead." He finished weakly as the ship levelled out.

Foreman: new rolls!

McKenna: Things are shakey, but Johnson's not going anywhere. THrough the stress might be doing harm to the area that had the bleed earlier.

Jessica: AOK

Mensgk: Engineering rolls!

[dakota]

McKenna sat braced in her seat. Even being strapped, the landing was throwing her around and certainly not doing her patient any good either.She tried not to think about it as she closed her eyes and tried to relax despite being shaken by the descent.

[Dome]

Foreman cringes as the ship shudders. He thinks, 'great as if we weren't having enough problems.' He toggles comms to the ship, "HOLD ON EVERYONE!" he yells as he tries to keep the ship on course and navigate the storm at the same time. Compensating for the thrust from the venting water, he keeps the ship on its mark.

As he maneuvers the ship past the edge of the storm and into its heart, he takes a moment to look at the sensor readout and operational reports from the ships computer.

[dice=100](21)Navigation: Space 45%
[dice=100](4)Pilot: Spacecraft: Heavy 60%
[dice=100](28)Sensory Equipment 45%
[dice=100](73)Computer Operation 82%[rand=20273132356884265464459393545675121153371699933685956768910816006]

[Mierin]

Jessica continues to vent the water from the hull, keeping a close eye on things to make sure nothing goes wrong, bracing herself when the ship hits the storm.

[kurff]

Mengsk was monitor hull integrity and ships systems. His eyes spotting for signs of damage from that wayward loaf of bread or whatever it was. His report that captain wanted nearly done was saved on his hand held in case of computer failure..

engineering:
Mechanical: 60%
[dice=100]
[dice=100]
[dice=100]
Electrical: 60%
[dice=100]
[dice=100]
[dice=100]
RSI: 50%[rand=136755577521398666794512122869492418690280057489877828027904033661]

[Renekin Skywalker]

In Engineering!
The engine’s sputtering! They’ve hit atmosphere and the engine’s sputtering due to FOD (Foreign Object Damage)! It turns out one of the breadloaves did have ham in it! It was a ham sandwich after all! We’re all doomed! Doomed I tells ya – wait… no it’s starting fine, now. The sandwich must have been oven toasted on re-entry… it was just particles slowing things down.

The engines are running fine and the damage was really just cosmetic, in the end.

All other systems are functioning well. Even the computer systems seem to be fine. It couldn’t pass an English literature exam to save its life, but no other failures are being recorded.

The hull shows no other damage, though someone on the bridge seems to have vented nearly a quarter of the water hull’s supply through the hole.

On the bridge
Tawfeek watched nervously as the atmospheric engines kicked in. “We’re officially not going to die on re-entry. You can close off the water hull, now, Stephens. Then go check on the internal temperatures.” He said, the ship powering through the Martian storm. "Mars flight control, this is the Galaxy. We are in atmosphere, and beginning landing approach."

"Galaxy, this is Mars Control. We read you. Welcome to Mars."


In Medical
The ship seems to have levelled off and is flying fairly easily, now.

[Dome]

Flip smiles as the turbulence dies down. His face showing relief. He levels the ship off as they continue their descent. He says over his shoulder, "guess we're mostly clear now."

He then toggles comms to ship wide, "ladies and gentlemen welcome to Mars. We have cleared the atmosphere and are making our final landing approach. Please remain seated with your seat belts fastened and tray tables and seat backs in the upright and locked position until the freighter comes to a complete stop."

[dakota]

With things settling down, McKenna turned on her computer to try to connect with Mr. Johnson's medical readouts "Now I know why I never went planetside very often."

Comp op [dice=100] pass

Med diagnosis [dice=100] fail[rand=0948972395770165176722345348457133519726636228883708287860146417059]

[Mierin]

Jessica nods at Tawfeek and starts to close off the water hull before going to check the internal temperature.

[Renekin Skywalker]

GM needs:

One more set of atmospheric piloting roll from Foreman for the landing

One more set of engineering rolls from Jessica to close off the water

One set of medical diagnosis rolls from McKenna

and one more set of engineering rolls from Mensk, just to make sure the engines, landing gears, etc., which would be needed for a safe landing, are all functioning normally.