Hostile detours (Part II)

Posted on Thu Jul 1st, 2021 @ 5:56am by Lieutenant Commander Amber Quinn & Lieutenant JG Ronen Kym & Captain Ka'Tock & Lieutenant Azusa Nakano & Lieutenant Remy Boudreau & Lieutenant Zuub & Lieutenant JG Paris Deville
Edited on on Wed Jul 7th, 2021 @ 11:46am

1,312 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Caverns of the mind

[PREVIOUSLY]

'We could, actually. I'm sure there's an appropriate space we can think of whizzing up to make it feel like a party,' replied Boudreau thoughtfully. 'And we won't dominate the one lounge on the ship.'

[CONTINUED]

Azusa walked into the briefing quietly and took a seat trying to not make eye contact with anyone. She didn't feel perfectly comfortable after what had happened previously.

Boudreau turned a sympathetic glance in her direction, 'Lieutenant,' he said softly as he leaned across the table, 'would you care for a drink or anything?'

"Coffee would be nice" Azusa replied with a small smile.

He nodded, got to his feet and headed to the replicator, briskly keying in a combination for one of his favourites. Low caffeine content, but a deep flavour.

Boudreau walked back the mug, and placed it down in front of the Engineer with a nod and a smile. Returning to his place, he scanned about the room a moment, before pulling up his PADD.

"How are you, Azusa?" Kym asked.

Azusa looked over towards the counselor and gave her a small smile. "I'm alright". It was pretty obvious that she was far from 'alright' to the trained eye, or even to the untrained eye. Immediately after answering the counselor she glanced over at Trei before looking down at the table.

Kym looked at her for a long moment and nodded. “Come talk to me this afternoon. I’m free.”

Azusa nodded and simply smiled back at the counselor.

Kym nodded back and smiled warmly at Azusa, hoping to help her feel better.

"Now that we have the personnel we need." Ka'Tock said calmly as he wanted their attention. "I will make this as simple as possible." He hated speaking like this, he much preferred the individual briefs to this. "We are altering course. A distress signal from a Federation Colony, seems they are under an environmental type attack from a hostile alien craft and WE are to be the first scouts to evaluate the situation."

Putting a projection on the holographic display showing the planet with a craft in orbit; a very large craft equivalent to a Borg Cube in volume.

"This is an alien and not the Borg. It is controlling terraforming units planet side. We are to get in and take the scans and do what we can ..." He put up a hand for emphasis. "But not to engage; observe and evaluate initially."

'We're just to go have a peek?' asked Boudreau skeptically, 'no helping the actual colonists, sir?'

"If our mission is to observe and evaluate the situation then that's what we should do." Paris replied, unexpectedly, before adding with a smirk. "However, should the option to help the colonists become open to us, our previous observing and evaluating, may prove advantageous in figuring out a way we can help put a stop to that thing and whatever its planning on doing to the planet." He looked around the table for a moment before emphasizing. "I don't know about you guys, but a craft that size with pals to boot, looks like it carries some pretty heavy firepower. A Nova class, like us, may not stand much of a chance unless we learn more and determine someway to stack the deck in our favor."

'I agree with Lieutenant Deville as to the method of operation,' Boudreau said, 'our orders seem to preclude us doing anything to help our own citizens, regardless of whether we find a way to, ah, stack the deck in our favour.'

Zuub's antennae started to droop, as she became bored. The mission was likely to have very little to do with her. On the bright side, perhaps there would be something or someone interesting on the ship to explore. After all, she had not yet had much of an opportunity.

"While the orders say to observe and report, I believe that if we find something that requires our intervention, Starfleet will give us permission. I cannot believe they expect us to walk away and leave the colonists in danger." Amber glanced at Zuub. "There will likely be colonists in need of your assistance."

'Good enough, I guess,' replied Boudreau noncommittal, 'how long until we're in sensor range so we can check on the colony, scan this terraformer?'

Paris smirked slightly before saying. "You know..." He began as he placed his arms on the table, interlocking his fingers, as he continued. "If you give me a modified shuttle, and maybe Remy with one or two others, I can get close enough to scan the thing. We can keep the Aurora at a safe enough distance as to not draw any attention. Provided we can keep incognito long enough we might even be able to get an assessment of the colony and those big guys little helpers." He shrugged slightly, looking to Amber first, before looking around the table. "It comes with its risks but I am willing to bet a shuttle will be able to move faster and avoid detection. The bigger ship doesn't look like it maneuvers all that great so that, plus my piloting skills, maybe give us an upper hand should we get spotted and have to think on our feet."

Amber raised an eyebrow. While the Aurora could move faster, a shuttle would be more maneuverable and less conspicuous.

"As I have said, there are few details right now." Ka'Tock said. "Our primary objective is to observe and get information, something of that size is out of our class to be aggressive." He told them. "I am not one to go with Blazing weapons, I do have an observation as the colony has not given any information on casualties as yet I am wondering how aggressive this alien is?" Continuing his thoughts. "I believe since Terra-forming is at hand the Medical teams will be getting busy on countering the effects on the colonists as well as Science investigations. Both may be required to work together in this." He nod.

Zuub perked up at the mention of medical teams being involved. Her antennae stood up and then leaned forward. It was true that medical would be needed to counteract whatever effects the biological warfare was causing the colonists.

Changing the angle of the planetary display to a site on the other side.

"There are two major settlements on this colony, opposite sides; typical for new colonies to give better percentage chance of success. The second colony has not been affected as yet and is becoming a type of refugee place of refuge from the First settlement. The alien is focused in orbit above settlement one area and unmoving. I am told non-essential personnel are moved to Settlement Two."

"Which is why I said we should keep the Aurora out of sight and get information with a small shuttle or two." Paris replied towards the Captain before adding. "Plus, just because there are no casualties, it doesn't mean they wont become aggressive if we show signs of trying to stop them. They may be determined to get this job done and could consider us enemies for trying to stop them." He shrugged slightly before concluding. "Then again, this could easily be resolved with a simple phone call. Opening a channel. Asking their intentions. Laying out an option to allow us to relocate the colony if they are resolute in getting this planet for a reason that's important to them."

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant Remy Boudreau
Chief Science Officer
USS Aurora

Lieutenant Azusa Nakano
Chief Engineer
USS Aurora

Lieutenant Zuub
Chief Medical Officer
USS Aurora

Lieutenant JG Ronen Kym
Counselor
USS Aurora

Captain Ka'Tock
Commanding Officer
USS Aurora

Lieutenant JG Paris Deville
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Aurora

Lieutenant Commander Amber Quinn
Executive Officer
USS Aurora

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