Space Explorers : Away Team

*..still getting fluctuating diagnostics. Re-modulating the phase dampeners had no differentiable effect, sensors are still unable to penetrate the ionization of the upper troposphere. We're trying to recalibrate the quantum stream conduits but until then transporters are offline, any emergencies will have to be dealt with by physical translocation ..*

Uhh .... captain?

*Oh! Sorry ensign, it's de-caf day. In short we still can't see for shit on this obsolete heap of junk and the transporters still aren't working so you'll have to stick with the shuttles.*

Frankly speaking ma'am even if we get the transporters working before the end of this tour I'm still sticking with the shuttles. I like my organs on the inside.

*Hahahaha ... can't say I blame you. How are things looking dirtside?*

Well now we're past the interference in the atmosphere we've got some good scans. Tell Lidera she's going to have to pay up, it isn't a super caldera, it is definitely an impact crater.

*Just told her, she didn't take it well. Do I want to ask what the bet was?*

That she would clean my quarters for the next three months. Wearing a skimpy French maids outfit.

*Oh that is just pure evil. I may have to promote you. Anyway what are you seeing down there?*

The impact happened quite a while back, we're seeing local vegetation regrowth all the way down to the floor of the crater; large amounts of metals that we haven't found elsewhere on the surface, in high localised concentrations. Presumably the remains of the impactor, due to the metal content assigning a high probability of a solid asteroid as the culprit. Life form readings are ....weird.

*Can you clarify that ensign?*

Sorry ma'am but if I could clarify I wouldn't have said weird. I think the metallic content of the crater base is interfering with my life scans, there's vegetation not fifty yards away but the scanner barely registers it at this distance, it's even worse in the shuttle, they're having to fly nap of the land to get clear readings. Hence why I'm trudging around in the dirt with a fishbowl over my head.

*The price we pay for science Ensign Wildheart.*

Yeah tell me about it. At least the suit really shows off my butt, all those hours in the gym were not wasted. If there was anything down here capable of appreciating it.

*we're fully capable of appreciating it up here ..*

Sorry captain didn't catch that.

*Oh just talking to Helm .. still no joy on the animal life then?*

Nothing more complex than an insect equivalent, looks like the impact took out anything further up the food chain. Also explains the sparseness of the vegetation and all the crap in the air.

*Head of Science agrees, must have been one hell of a bang.*

Yeah bigger than Commander Turdoks birthday party ... hang on more of those fluctuating readings .... coming from near one of the concentrations of metals. I'm moving closer, see if I can get a better reading.

*Just be careful.*

Careful is my middle name ma'am.

*I thought it was 'really likes anal'?*

My other middle name.