Crossing and dotting

Posted on Fri Aug 30th, 2024 @ 2:18pm by Commander Rovak & Lieutenant Commander Alex Flynn & Lieutenant Rune Thul & Doctor Intharia T'Zor & Lieutenant Atna & Lieutenant Alph & Lieutenant JG Grace Douglas & Ensign Abra Akzhouri & Ensign P'Lar & Warrant Officer Bart Cage & Warrant Officer Seth & Petty Officer 1st Class Linda Chau & Navigator Korusca & SubLieutenant Attania Viren
Edited on on Fri Aug 30th, 2024 @ 2:31pm

755 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: DownTime [1]
Location: Senior Staff Briefing Room, DS13
Timeline: 0745 - MD02

Once the last arrivals were seated, Rovak spoke from his seated position in front of the window. "Thank you all for coming. At 0900 hours, we will launch our survey mission of Dreizhen V and its moons. Lieutenant Atna will be leading the mission, and will take the briefing from here." The Medusan Navigator Korusca began to clap, before quickly realising he was the only one doing so, and that may not have been a correct response.

"Thank you, Commander." Atna said, tapping the surface of the table, causing a holographic display of Dreizhen V and it's twenty-five moons to appear. "Initial scans show that at least five of the moons should be habitable. Ordinarily we would perform the survey in the Faraday, but circumstances have limited us to auxiliary craft."

Alex didn't say anything but looked equal parts politely amused and annoyed and raised her hands at elbow height, palms up, in a gesture that seemed to say 'what?'.

"Three teams will perform the survey mission. I will lead the first team in the runabout Hou Yi, and I will be accompanied by Lieutenant Alph, Navigator Korusca and the Romulan Sublieutenant Viren. We will be surveying the gas giant itself, starting with upper orbital scans and moving in as deep as the environment permits." Atna explained, as a hologram of the Delta-class runabout appeared, descending into the atmosphere.

"The second team will be led by Lieutenant Douglas, they will be focusing on the outer thirteen satellites in the Runabout Gascoyne. She will be joined by Officers Cage, Chau and Seth." As Atna described it, the path of the Danube-class runabout appeared.

"The third team will be led by Commander Flynn in the runabout Cupid. She will be supported by Ensigns Akzhouri and P'Lar, as well as our new civilian consultant, Doctor T'Zor. They will be surveying the inner twelve moons." The final piece of the display appeared, the path of the other Delta runabout.

"Doctors Pfeiffer and Fink will be aboard the shuttles Bellerophon and Superb to provide any needed support. Did you have anything further to add, Commander?" Atna asked Rovak.

"If I may, I have to insist that each away team have a security and a tactical officer, I realise I am new here but I am responsible for personnel safety and while I trust you all have basic tactical training, but you may wish to go planetside or some unexpected threat may endanger the auxiliary crafts." Rune Thul turned to Rovak.

Rovak did not turn away from the display, he had brought the proposed teams up on the surface of the table, squinting slightly as he had not brought his glasses. "Perhaps Ensign P'Lar could be swapped with someone from your team, Lieutenant?" Rovak asked Atna.

"An acceptable alteration." Atna said simply, quietening her internal disagreement with the changes.

"I have every confidence in Lieutenant Douglas' abilities to lead the mission, but perhaps Lieutenant Thul should join them, in case of emergency. If you do not have any objections, Lieutenant?" Rovak asked Thul.

"None," Rune smiled. "How large is this system? I do apologise as I am new here."

"Seven planets, four terrestrial, three gas giants." Flynn explained when nobody else spoke up right away. She always liked to share what little scientific knowledge she had.

"Centurion Artolonok and Ensign Qiil will be aboard the Bellerophon and Superb, respectively, in case of emergency." Atna said, hoping the reassurance would settle any doubts. "With that in mind, our scans have not detected anything unusual. This should be a routine orbital survey, I do not expect we will encounter anything justifying armed intervention. It would be in my view unexpected if we could justify even getting out of our shuttles."

"I trust this meets your expectations, Mr Thul?" Rovak asked.

Rune smiled at Flynn and nodded a thank you before turning to Rovak. "It does sir," he turned to the Chief Science Officer and smiled. "I appreciate that this is merely routine, but this system has not been explored yet, correct?" He asked and grinned. "A favourite saying I have learned from humans is 'Expect the Unexpected', I will accept a 'told you so' once we are back aboard the station and none worst for wear." He trailed off as he let the rest of the possibilities hang in the air.

"As you say, Lieutenant." Atna told Thul. "Is there anything else, sir?" She asked Rovak.

"I have nothing further. Proceed." Rovak instructed, dismissing the assembled crew of the briefing to their mission.

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