Complications (Part 1)

Posted on Mon Sep 12th, 2016 @ 11:21am by Commodore Samantha York & Colonel Damon Raine & Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Tate & Lieutenant T'Pral & Lieutenant Arnon Barak MD, PsyD & Lieutenant Illise Hale & Lieutenant JG Victoria Drani M.D. & Chief Petty Officer Markos Ileos
Edited on on Mon Sep 12th, 2016 @ 12:06pm

1,129 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Shadow Dance
Location: Jenefran Royal Palace
Timeline: Day 2, Afternoon

ON

The tours were over, but it was still more than two hours before the wedding was to begin when the Calypso guests from the night before were called down to the planet to meet with the Jenefran Council.

They were asked to meet in the Council Room as there was a matter of some import that the King and Keelan wished to discuss with their guests.

***

Sam had a gut feeling that something was terribly wrong, but she couldn't put her finger on the cause of her unease. She wasn't clairvoyant, and so far there had been nothing to give her reason to be concerned. Maybe it was simply that things never seemed to go as planned for her or the Calypso.

She was in her quarters when she got the message, going over the pot and the cleverly-concealed information it contained. She carefully put the pot away and went to find Damon.

"We've been called back to the planet," she told her husband. "To meet with the Council."

He frowned and looked at the chronometer. "That's odd. Did they mention if it has something to do with the wedding?"

Sam shook her head. "The message just said that our presence is required. It was signed by both King Mrowen and Vizier Keelan."

Damon shook his head. He clearly didn't like the sound of it. "This is more than just a little irregular." He lifted off the couch where he was relaxing and walked over to the bedroom closet. "Then we better not keep them waiting." He pulled out a simple service uniform and began to change. "I'm not usually one to overreact, but something about this isn't sitting well with me."

"Me, either," Sam said, shaking her head. She followed him into the bedroom and changed out of her jeans into her uniform. "I've got a bad feeling about this. I just hope it's not something we can't fix."

Damon nodded. "Or maybe it's nothing." His optimism sounded unconvincing. "But to be on the safe side perhaps we should ask communications if there is any increased comms traffic. It might give us some indication of what's happening before we get there."

"That's a good idea." She gave him a quick kiss. "Have I told you lately how much I appreciate you?" She grinned and turned to grab a bag she used for away missions.

=*-*=

Arnon was in his office reviewing the patient files of one of the recently graduated clinicians he was supervising when he received the commodore's orders to report to Jenefra's council chamber. He sighed.

Nothing is ever easy...

He tapped the comm button on his desk.

"Markos?" Arnon said to get the attention of his chief assistant.

"Yes, Doctor Barak," Markos replied. "I've pulled a phaser, a medkit, and a medical tricorder for you."

"Markos," Arnon replied. "You know I..."

"...Really don't need a medical tricorder," Markos finished for him. "Yes, Doctor, but Doctor Drani was quite clear that you were to bring one on away missions anyway."

"You know, Markos," Arnon said. "Technically, I outrank Doctor Drani."

"Yes, sir," Markos said. "And I double dog dare you to tell her that. Shall I let Doctor Drani know that you will meet her in the transporter room?"

"Sometimes, Markos," Arnon said. "You are a bit too clever for your own good. Yes. I'll be out in a moment to pick up my equipment."

"Of course, Doctor," Markos replied.

Arnon set his desk in order, finished his tea and walk out of his office and over to Markos' desk. There he armed and equipped himself.

"Well," he said. "I'm off to the great unknown! Try not to miss me too much!"

"I'll do my best not to expire from despair," Markos said. "Godspeed, Doctor. I'll see you when you return."

Arnon chuckled and left the counseling center headed for the transporter room. He arrived in good time. Actually, he was the first one there.

Victoria swallowed hard as she entered the Transporter Room, carrying her standard Medical Tricorder holstered at her waist. She wondered what the big emergency was, but the room she stepped into terrified her. She clasped her hands to keep them from shaking. She would rather take a shuttle but knew from the message that whatever had happened sounded urgent and transporting was much faster than taking a shuttle down. She forced a smile at seeing Arnon despite being nervous.

Arnon knew how Victoria felt about the transporter. That she used it at all was a testament to her willpower. The transporter technician was behind the console making some last minute adjustments, oblivious to Arnon and Victoria. Arnon returned Victoria's smile and walked over to her. He kissed her gently and quietly on the cheek.

"Once more into the breach, my love," Arnon whispered softly in her ear. "I am here for you, always."

Sam and Damon walked into the transporter room. "Hello," Sam said to the two doctors.

"Hello, captain," Drani replied, taking a deep breath. "Any idea what this is about?"

Arnon managed to step back to a professional distance before the doors opened as not to embarrass Victoria or in anyway diminish her authority. Interested in hearing the commodore's reply, Arnon chose to indicate greeting in a non-verbal manner as to allow her to respond to Victoria.

"None at all," Sam replied to Drani. She nodded back to Arnon.

Jennifer entered the room having already switched to her standard uniform and tying her hair back quickly into a ponytail. "What's going on?" She asked seeing York and the two doctors having already arrived.

Illise walked through the doors and into the transporter room. She was wearing her standard uniform with a tricorder and phaser on opposite hips. Her hair was braided back and tucked underneath in a simple style. Noting that the Commodore had already arrived, she gave the others a quick nod and moved into the room. The summons felt a little strange, especially since they were not due back for two more hours. She still had some fussing to do over her outfit for the wedding.

T'Pral entered silently, walking to a position near, but not too near, the assembling group. She was still processing the tour she received of the Jenefran facilities. This early assemblage felt a bit premature to her, but she knew the reason would be revealed shortly.

When everyone had arrived, Sam sent them down to the Jenefran Palace in groups of six.

(To be continued...)

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Colonel Damon Raine
Chief Strategic Operations Officer

Lieutenant Arnon Barak
Chief Counselor

Chief Petty Officer Markos Ileos
Counselor's Aide

Lieutenant Victoria Drani
Chief Medical Officer

Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Tate
Intelligence Officer

Lieutenant Illise Hale
Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant T'Pral
Chief Engineer

 

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