JDL | "Looking Ahead" | aCO, CSci, CSsec | Cmdr Neyes, Lt Roswell, Lt. R'heil
Posted on Wed May 8th, 2013 @ 8:38am by Captain Landon Neyes & Lieutenant JG Saia Roswell
818 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Secret Meetings
Location: Astrometrics
Timeline: Just after going to warp
=/\= Astrometrics =/\=
"I've asked you here to look into the local area of space." Landon said to the small group he'd convened in the astrometrics lab. In it's own right the massive hall which housed the even more impressive holo-display was daunting. Neyes had spent a great deal of time there on his own as the helm officer, but now he needed his crew to do the heavy lifting.
The local area of space was uncertain. Landon had his own doubts about their mission, but he was certainly not going to be voicing them here. His main concern was finding out what dangers they might face ahead of them. With the President on-board, he didn't want to take any unnecessary risks.
"Lt. Roswell, what do the scans of this sector tell us?", he needed a science officer's view on this. She would certainly see possibilities he would overlook. "Ms. R'Heil I'm going to be looking to you for a tactical analysis of this information. Don't hesitate to tell me if you see anything suspect. I need to know if something is going to jump out at us."
The feline officer stared intently at the screen, wagging her tail and poking at her teeth with an outstretched claw. "If anything is out there, they'll wish they hadn't messed with us."
Neyes slowly turned to observe the security officer. In truth the Caitian race made him uncomfortable. Trill were largely xenophobic to begin with, and many of his fellows found the cat-inlaid humanoids to be interesting, but only on a scientific basis. She was... unusual to him.
"I'd rather not have to pop into a fight with the Federation cabinet head on board." He moved in towards the other of his kind, looking almost over her shoulder.
Saia was still staring at it, "Well, anything could happen anywhere...." Her tone was more haunted than usual. "However, the only real threats and risks I can quantify are these nebulas with high levels of radiation and this planet which we've been informed have recently been looking into space exploration. They have a few man-made satellites and sent shuttles to their moons, but we've not been given clearance for first contact. Those are easily avoided though. There's a smaller risk by taking the small detour, but it would just interfere with scans for about 15 minutes as we pass it."
Neyes eyed the screen. "Avoid the planet. Last thing we need is another unprepared society popping on board to try and ruin their own society." Landon was chomping at the bit to get this mission over with. He still couldn't get a hold of the Captain, a truth which worried him more and more as the hours passed.
"Yes, sir. I'll see about compensating for those 15 minutes. Perhaps a Marine detail for naked eye scouting?"
Landon held back a chuckle. "I wish. Prepare as you see fit. Launch a probe to investigate before we arrive. I'd like to not be surprised at what we see when we get there." Neyes wasn't particularly feeling too keen on surprises, especially since Lansine left. The man always seemed to know how to handle a situation rationally. Now, Neyes was nearly on his own in regard to command, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that.
"Aye. However, they will also be affected. It's not lethal, but there's a bulletin that the area muddles scans. Something about a very complex recipe of particles. It's better, than nothing, though. At least we can get a better idea of the size of the affected area."
"We'll stay at alert status inside the blind zone." He feigned a smile, trying not to let his inner-voice get the best of him. He kept having to fight back the sensation something was wrong, but he didn't have the facts to back any of it up.
He'd have to go and get them.
Landon nodded. "I'm going to be at the President's suite for the next little bit. Prepare the probe and keep me informed. Good work."
"Thank you, sir."
He stopped, picking up on something in her tone. "You okay, Roswell?" He'd seen some odd behavior out of her before, but it had seemed to be replaced with distance. She spoke quieter, used fewer opportunities to speak out. Now, he felt obligated to do something about it.
"Just on edge, sir. Trying to watch my words." No one needed to know she was doing that long before this mission.
Landon looked at her intently for a moment, before nodding acceptance. He certainly wasn't done inquiring about her odd mood, but it was neither the time nor the place to be bugging someone about their feelings. The Commander turned and left the room, chasing his hunt for answers, and leaving Saia to continue her work.
=/\= END LOG =/\=
Commander Landon Neyes
Acting Commanding Officer
USS VINDICATOR
Lieutenant JQ Saia Roswell
Chief Science Officer
USS VINDICATOR