On board the Battlecruiser AphroditeAs the ship approached the designated anchorage position, the Nav Officer looked over to the XO.
"Sir, we're still moving too fast to catch a mooring line. Our speed is still 1000 meters per second."
The XO looked over at the Helmsman.
"Helm, bring our nose up ten degrees."
"Helm, aye sir. Up bubble ten degrees aye Sir."
Suddenly, alarms began sounding throughout the CIC. The sudden change in pitch was placing a massive strain on the entire starboard side of the ship. Frantic shouts could be heard throughout the headsets of the CIC comm personnel. Those voices were coming from the DC crews working EVA topside and around the starboard pod. The XO called back to the Helmsman.
"Helm, bring our nose down ten degrees."
"Helm, aye sir. Down bubble ten degrees aye sir."
As the ship settled back into her previous position, the Nav Officer looked over at the XO.
"Sir, forward momentum is now 100 meters per second. We're still going to come up to the marker too fast Sir."
The XO grabbed the comm mic on the Command Table.
"This is Aphrodite to Supply Station, our forward momentum is still too fast to catch marker, over."
A second passed before a voice came across the speakers in CIC.
"Aphrodite, copy. Continue to marker six. Tugs are standing by to assist, over."
The XO keyed the mic.
"Copy that Station, Aphrodite out. Allright people, looks like we're shooting for marker six. Nav, what's our distance?"
"Sir, distance to marker six is ten thousand meters and closing slow Sir."
"Good. That should make it real easy for the tugs to guide us right into position. Nav, keep sounding out our distance."
"Nine thousand meters out."
The XO was surprised that the Commander wasn't in the CIC yet. He knew the old man was tired and worn out more than everyone but for him to not be present when they were getting ready to cast their mooring lines wasn't like him. For now, the XO couldn't afford the luxury of finding out where the Commander was.
"Eight thousand meters out."
The ship slowly continued towards its destination, numerous small positioning vessels, or tugs as they were affectionately called, awaited their arrival. The XO would be glad when the ship was fully stopped. He knew as soon as they were, Fleet repair personnel would be swarming all over the interior and exterior of the ship like ants at a picnic.
"Seven thousand meters out"
All the crew could do for now was anxiously await. The fires were fully extinguished now and the search for bodies was in full swing. Estimates already were that close to a thousand persons had perished, most from the tylium and ordnance exploding in the starboard pod.
"Five thousand meters out. Helm, adjust to starboard eight degrees."
"Helm aye, course adjustment eight degrees to starboard, aye Sir."
The XO looked over at the young female Helmsman.
"Steady there lass, you're doing fine. Place your rudders amid ship."
"Helm aye, rudders amid ship aye Sir."
The XO stood there, staring up at the Nav console above his head. The forward cameras were on, which was surprising that they were even functioning at all, considering a nuke had hit them in the Forward section of the ship. Still, a clear view was provided of the anchorage spot they were sliding up to.
"Three thousand meters out, still on course for link up."
The XO called over to the Engineering officer.
"Engineering, back one quarter, three second burst."
"Aye Sir, engines aback one quarter, three second burst."
As the engines fired up in reverse, the entire ship shuddered, briefly. As suddenly as it began, the engines were once again brought back to idle.
"One thousand meters and closing, nine hundred meters, eight hundred meters."
At that moment, the soft thump of several tugs coming alongside the ship could be felt. A voice came over the CIC speakers.
"Aphrodite, this is Station Tug Five. We are now in control of your mooring. Stand by to receive lines, over."
The Comm specialist replied.
"Station Tug Five, Aphrodite. We copy and are awaiting mooring lines, over."
"Mooring lines being extended now Aphrodite."
"Copy Tug Five"
The XO grabbed his comm and keyed the mic.
"Attention Deck Department, mooring lines are now extended. Begin securing lines."
"Con, Nav, we are in position to designated anchorage marker. Mooring lines have been received Sir. The ship is all stop and now anchored."
As applause went up in the CIC, the XO bowed his head, a sigh of relief coming from his mouth. Looking around the CIC, he saw the looks of relief on the crew. They were now stopped and the crew could finally relax somewhat.
"Attention throughout the ship, we are at anchorage and all stop. Set Condition Three throughout the ship. All departments check in with CIC as to your status, this is the XO out."
Looking at the Comm specialist, the XO gave the order to notify the Station they were at anchorage.
"Supply Station, this is the Aphrodite, we are now at anchorage, Aphrodite out."