Lining Up the Ducks

Posted on Tue Aug 16th, 2011 @ 8:10am by Lieutenant JG Talia "Phoenix" Richards & Lieutenant Kevin Benning-Wexler & Lieutenant JG Ronnie Wolfe & Commodore Samantha York & Ensign Mak Free [Lynx] & Lieutenant Commander Preston Wexler

903 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Shades of Gray
Location: Calypso Conference Room

ON

Samantha sent out a memo to meet in the conference room at 1100 hours. Information was coming in that would impact their relief efforts -- indeed had already impacted them.

Now the question was, what were they going to do about it.

Ronnie was the first to arrive. "Hi, Sam," she said as she replicated a glass of orange juice and sat down at the table. "Why is it we always find the strange cases? Why can't this be a simple supply run?"

Sam took a sip of her carrot tea and chuckled. "Where would the fun be in that?" she said facetiously. This trip, things were not looking good and Ronnie knew it.

"Is it true about Mangalia?"

Sam nodded her head. "He's in sickbay, but it looks like he'll need to be evacuated to a medical facility for treatment. He's stable, but that's all the doctor can promise at this time."

Talia entered next. "Ma'am, Lieutenant," she said, nodding to the other women.

"Ensign Richards. Hello. Grab yourself a drink and have a seat," Sam said. She hadn't met the fighter pilot before as she rarely made it down to the fighter bay -- unless she had to talk to Lieutenant McGraw.

Talia nodded and got herself a bottle of vitamin water before she, too, sat at the table.

Lieutenant Commander and Lieutenant Wexler entered shortly behind, taking opposite positions across the table.

Since Marek was on the surface and Tavish was busy, Mak was ordered to the meeting though over his objection that was noted in the log. He turned up at the conference room and took a seat.

Sam looked around the room and noted that everyone was now seated. "Since our arrival we've detected a number of irregularities on the planet. As most of you have pieces to this puzzle, I thought it best to sit down and discuss them. Let's start with Ensign Richards."

Talia nodded. She entered a code into her PADD and the large viewscreen on the wall displayed an image of the planet. As she spoke, it highlighted various parts of the planet. "We ran a series of scans over the planet. Most planets have areas with varying degrees of technology, but this planet is bizarre. We've found a dozen different technologies. Everything from steam to nuclear to antimatter. We've also found Romulan, Cardassian, Federation and Vulcan technologies. It's like they're scavengers -- or pirates."

"My superiors found that as well, though they had detected Borg technology as well." Mak chimed in.

"Is there any sign of Borg or just their technology?"

"They said just their technology." Mak confirmed with relief.

Sam nodded. That was very good. SHe didn't relish running into the Borg any time soon. "See if you can find out when they acquired the technology. That may help us track down where it came from."

"Aye," Mak said then frowned. "Umm Captain sorry but how might I go about that?" He asked for he was genuinely unsure.

"Work with science and operations. See if you can look into their archival records or their libraries. See if you can find any records of missing ships or lost cargo in the area," Sam said.

Mak smiled weakly. "Right. Now?"

"No. After this meeting is soon enough," she said kindly.

"Commander and Lieutenant Wexler?" Sam said, turning to face the two officers. "What have you discovered?"

Preston extended his hand towards Kevin, indicating for him to take the lead.

"I don't think that the major concern is how they acquired the technology. It appears that most of it would have been salvage and the parts that clearly aren't salvage could have been traded for in most cases." Kevin half smiled.

Preston nodded in agreement. "That would comport with our findings. The government doesn't seem to be stable enough to carry on such large scale operations that would be necessary in acquiring this technology by force. Frankly I'm surprised they manage to breathe..."

Sam tried not to chuckle at the comment, but still couldn't keep from smiling. "Having met the governor, I can't say I disagree. Could there be an independent group behind the scavenging? It's hard to think of an entire planet of scavengers -- although we can't rule out that possibility."

"Captain, if I may..." Kevin Wexler began. "I think that is exactly what you have... A planet of scavengers. If the primary infrastructure appears to be held together with bailing wire, duct tape, a little chewing gum and a prayer, it's hard to imagine that any other sect would be better equipped lest they would have already toppled the government."

This intrigued Preston as he glanced over at Kevin. Had the younger partner outwitted him?

"An excellent observation, Lieutenant Wexler," Sam said. "I would much rather deal with a planet of scavengers than a group of pirates. Keep looking, Lieutenant. Let me know if you find any more corroborating evidence."

Kevin smiled and nodded. "Yes Ma'am." He glanced over towards Preston who didn't seem nearly as pleased. The older Wexler looked conflicted.

Sam looked at the others around the table. If there's nothing else, you're dismissed.

OFF

Captain Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Commander Preston Wexler
Mission Advisor
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Kevin Benning-Wexler
Structural/Environmental Specialist
USS Calypso

Lieutenant JG Ronnie Lancaster
Chief Science Officer
USS Calypso

Ensign Talia Richards
Squadron Leader
USS Calypso

Ensign Mak Free
Engineer
USS Calypso

 

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