Preparations for the Next Unexplored Region
Posted on Wed Sep 11th, 2019 @ 8:40pm by Captain Gary Alexander & Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Kincaid & Lieutenant Ciara Perlit & Lieutenant Fiona Stanzel & Lieutenant JG Alexandra Campa & Lieutenant JG Serenity Hayes & Lieutenant JG Jennifer Bullock & Karina Tell & Lieutenant JG Talia Flowers
3,350 words; about a 17 minute read
Mission:
Mission 1 - Leaving Sigma Iotia II
Location: Sigma Iotia II
Timeline: 2168/07/11 1145
Gary wondered what Nick was doing. If he had any sense of fun, he would probably be training any number of the Iotians. They seemed to learn everything by imitation and Gary was making full use of that with a number of the Iotian females.
However, the culture was still primitive. They had not developed warp drive and they were just barely becoming an industrialized society. Gary estimated it would be a couple of hundred years before they would become capable of warp travel. Mentally, he shrugged. Such a shame to leave but their mission was exploration and he knew that Horizon had learned everything that they could possibly learn here. Therefore, he contacted his Yeoman and let her know to have everyone meet at the rendezvous point so that they could leave this planet and find something else new and interesting.
KAT received the hail and would begin to relay it to the rest of the crew on behalf of the Captain. After all, it was quite obvious that he was tying up loose ends and preparing for the next great adventure. She, on the other hand, was enjoying the interaction on the planet.
It wasn't easy for her to connect with a culture that more than happily mimicked every one of the crew that they had come into contact with. There was something intrinsically wrong, KAT felt, with attempting to connect with a less-technologically advanced culture, and even more wrong to influence them simply by their presence.
She observed all of these things and knew that as an aspiring Ambassador, that she would have ample opportunities for more interaction the more they explored.
Besides, smiling all the time had really taken its toll on her cheek muscles. This whole visit had almost felt like they had been amongst children... so impressionable.
"Tell to Kincaid. Commander, come in."
Nick was enjoying a conversation with a delightful young woman who, when they first met, spoke in a completely unfamiliar accent, but a couple of hours later sounded exactly like him. She had mastered his accent, his mannerisms both physical and verbal, and even used his turns of phrase naturally. It was uncanny. They were getting along swimmingly, discussing art and literature, when Nick’s communicator chimed and he heard KAT’s voice come through. “One moment, please,” he said to the Iotian woman before standing from the sofa they shared. He flipped open his communicator. “Kincaid here. What’s going on, KAT?” Another pair of young Iotians, a man and a woman, caught his eye and waved to him, as they recreated the art from his pocket-sized notebook precisely.
"Well, Commander, it seems that the Captain would like everyone to meet at the rendezvous point." Succinct, wasn't it?
That way, "If you have anything to take care of before leaving the planet, Sir, if you could perhaps wrap that up as, "clearing her throat, she continued, "as delicately as possible." Besides, KAT needed to contact Horizon to let them know that the troops were coming home, so to speak.
“Agreed,” Nick replied. “I’m going to take the main road back to the rendezvous point. Contact Perlit and Campa and have them start walking. I’ll contact Hayes and Bullock. Hopefully we’ll all run into each other on the road, but if we don’t, we’ll see each other at the meeting point. Kincaid out.”
He closed his communicator and then reopened it to call first Serenity and then Jennifer.
Serenity had been sitting in on an art class when the call came through. While they embraced imitation, there were still those among them that retained a unique voice and she could appreciate that. She had been getting in the long shadow shapes on the live model when her combadge chirped. Reluctant to leave, she had to force herself to put down her pencil and excuse herself. She slipped into the corridor and said, "Hayes here."
“Time to head back, Lieutenant,” said Nick. “I think you’re not far from me. I’m passing in front of the school hall momentarily. Meet me outside. Kincaid out.”
She sighed quietly, a nearly imperceptible sound and then went to make her hurried goodbyes before heading out of the building to meet up with the ship's first officer.
"Tell to Perlit," KAT began and relayed the Captain's order.
Ciara caught the comm and decided to head to the rendezvous point on her own. "I hear you KAT, heading that way."
"Acknowleded," KAT responded. "See you at the shuttle. Tell out."
"Tell to Campa," continued KAT. "The Captain wants us all at the rendez-vous."
Alex stood up from a table where she was eating with some Iotians and flipped open her communicator. "Headed that way, Tell. Campa out." She flipped it closed and waved to her dining companions. "I have to be heading home. It was nice meeting you all." They grinned. A few of them hugged her or clapped her on the shoulder. She didn't let the goodbyes go on too long, pulling away as she started along the street towards the library.
With the hails completed and answered, KAT made her way to the rendezvous point, smiling politely and taking her leave from the Iotians. It really was uncanny, and she might have thought the inhabitants might have been making fun of her, but they were dead serious, taking on her mannerisms, idiosyncrasies and vocal pacing.
There was only the briefest of concerns; after all, once they left the planet, what she wouldn't have given to be a fly on the proverbial wall as their culture faded, she hoped. There was a sinking feeling in her gut about how the planet might return to their evolution.
She was fully awash in her own thoughts, using the shortcut to arrive before the others. It wouldn't do to seem disorganized, would it?
Bullock had been at a communication center speaking with Earth. It was the first chance she had to talk to Tia and she had longed for it. She may not have a chance again for some time since this was a rare occasion where enough ships were in the right location to allow a relay for virtually real time communication. There was a minor lag between each persons message but it was acceptable enough to work.
As the image appeared on the view screen, Jennifer could tell something was wrong. Though Tia was smiling and to most it even appeared sincere, the two were too close for Jenn not to realize she was hiding something.
"Tia, what's wrong? I know that look, something's bothering you", Jenn commanded.
"It's just, I've been doing some thinking... and... talking to Doctor Tennant, and we both agree... it's best that I... we... break this off." The woman's tone was shaky and uncertain.
"Best for who", Jenn demanded as tears began to fill her eyes.
"Well, let's be honest. Those Daedalus class ships don't see Earth very often. I mean, we knew this was it, and it's not like we can't still be friends. But we both need more than just a letter, even daily. This isn't fair to either of us", Tia argued as tears started to flow down her face like a river.
"So... that's that... it's over... I don't even get a say in this", Jenn protested.
"I'm sorry Jenn. I'll always love you. You were my first love, after all."
Jenn began to cry as the words cut her deeper than she had ever been cut before, "You were mine too... Please... please don't do this. I'll leave, I'll come back to Earth... whatever it takes, please."
"That's not fair Jenn, you worked too hard to get where you are and if you do that, you'll resent me for it. No... this is best for both of us", Tia replied.
"But... I love you", Jenn argued.
Tia nodded before speaking, "I know, and I love you too." Jenn was about to argue more when the com link closed. Tia was done and it was over. Jenn knew her now ex-girlfriend well enough to know that this was the end.
Just when Jenn thought the bad news was over her communicator chirped. She flipped it open and got the message about the rendezvous. She then acknowledged the message and set off to the rendezvous site.
All calls made, Nick stepped outside the library where he had been talking to people. It was a sunny day on this part of Sigma Iotia II, and Nick was happy to enjoy a casual stroll back toward the rendezvous point. The school where Ser was working wasn’t far. He also saw another woman wearing a Starfleet uniform coming from the other direction. He waited for her to catch up.
Alex hurried her step to catch up with the XO when she saw he was waiting for her. "These Iotians really are remarkably imitative!" she said. "I think a few of them have a taste for redbat burrito now. By the way, that was a beautiful illustration in your book! 1931 Cadillac V12 if I'm not mistaken." She clasped her hands behind her back as she walked. "Probably not too long before they have something like that here."
“I know, right?” Nick said as they walked together. “Almost a shame to leave the book here. But I’ve read it enough times. I’ll be glad for some other people to enjoy it as much as I have.”
"I wonder what they'll make of it," she asked, seeming thoughtful for a moment before her smile returned. "Maybe they can avoid some of the mistakes we made. Prohibition? Or maybe alcohol? One or the other." She couldn't help but laugh a little. These people were so friendly and clever that it was hard to imagine them struggling with the troubles of 20th century Earth.
"Or even if they just have a good time learning about another world's history," Nick suggested. "Reading about criminals can sometimes get morbid, but dull people they were not. It's an entertaining read." The road they walked on starting going up a hill, and Nick pointed to the hill's crest. "I think Ms. Hayes is just ahead, and our Captain probably isn't far."
"They might learn something about law enforcement," Alex speculated. "Not that they seem to need it. They're friendly people. I can't imagine much crime." She hurried her step slightly as they moved to catch up with Serenity.
Serenity stepped out of the school and walked forward to where a statue stood at the end of the walkway. She admired its lines and wondered, not for the first time, what it must be like to have the time, space, and resources to work on a project of such magnitude. It seemed like wherever she went, one or more of the three were always at a premium. As she stood there, lost in through, a light breeze teased a tendril of hair across her face and as she reached up, she caught sight of two crew members heading her way. Annoying hair strands forgotten for the moment, she headed over to join them. "I'm almost sorry to go," she said.
Gary snuck up behind Serenity and gave her a playful tap on the shoulder. "You look lost. Now, I have found you. Time to get back to the rendezvous point." Noticing Serenity's wistful look, he asked, "Are you going to miss this place?"
"A little, yes, sir," Serenity said as she stepped back out of range. "I was just waiting for Commander Kincaid."
Nick and Alex crested a small hill and met up with Serenity and the Captain. He gave Ser a quick smile before addressing his superior officer. "Good afternoon, Captain. I trust you've been enjoying your time with the locals?"
"Captain," Alex said with a grin. She had enjoyed this planet but she was ready to fly.
Serenity offered a quick smile, a flash gone almost before it registered, and returned her attention to the Captain.
Gary caught Serenity's smile. So, were she and his XO an item? Well, good for him! He told Nick, "Of course I have. However, I think that we gotten all that we can from these people, don't you? We have so many other things to explore."
“That we do,” Nick agreed. “Come on. The shuttles are this way, and we still need to find Ciara, Jennifer, and KAT.”
Jenn had heard the voices vague as being similar to voices she knew. Having spent much of her journey trying to wipe the tears from her eyes she hoped the signs were gone as she approached. She waved her hand and called out.
"Captain, Commander, Lieutenant's", Jenn stated trying to avoid looking any of them in the eye. She hoped it would help hide the vulnerability she was feeling at the moment.
"Any last words before our next new adventure? Putting out more bouys to extend the communications for the Federation?" Gary asked wishing for an extra few minutes. He was sure that there was another trick or two that he wanted to impart on the impressionable Iotians.
Nick thought a moment. Last words before their new adventure? "Hmmm. Well. We came. We saw. We learned and shared what we know with the locals. We made friends. But as with all things, this too must end. But the end of this adventure is just the beginning of the next one."
Ciara was late to the party, which was fine. She didn't say anything, waiting to see if anyone noticed her there. Normally she was overly chatty, but this time she wasn't for whatever reason.
Gary laughed at his XO's comments. True they might be but his phrasing made it more humorous. Soon, there was a whole new part of this universe for them. The further from Adrina, the better. As Ciara walked up, he had to smile. She probably had been doing what he had most of the trip. The French vixen had a high libido and the occasionally relieved each other's urges. "Worn out, Lieutenant?" he asked Ciara.
Serenity, who had moved to stand slightly to the side and behind the Captain, kept her expression shuttered and neutral. Being a telepath had its disadvantages when one lived and worked among humans; as she often did, she focused her efforts on strengthening her mental shields against unwanted images and thoughts.
Eying Gary, Ci shook her head, "I was only exploring, Capitain. None of what you are thinking of."
Laughing, Gary answered innocently, "I have no idea what you are talking about." He looked around and counted all of his officers mentally. "Everyone here? We ready to shuttle up?" He shook his head and said, "No, wait! Where's the Doctor? Has anyone seen her?"
Fiona came running up to the Rendezvous point. "Sorry, got tied up with the locals." She said with a smile as she approached the group.
"Easy to do," Gary admitted. "I'll expect everyone's reports when we get back on board. Lieutenant Campra, are you ready to shuttle us back to Horizon?"
The shuttle door opened and Yeoman Tell stepped out, PADD in hand and at the ready as usual. Stepping off the ramp and to the side, she surveyed the members and began logging final details and information regarding everything to do with the locals and the Horizon Crew's final moments on the planet.
Pausing briefly mid-log, she leaned in and quietly said, "Everything's ready when you are, Captain."
The Captain turned to KAT as she leaned in toward him. The woman knew how to get his attention. He resolved that he would have to make it a point to find a good excuse for KAT to come to his quarters this evening. Gary whispered into KAT's ear as he boarded the shuttle, "Just make sure that engine stays warm after we arrive."
Nodding professionally, KAT murmured, "Of course, Captain." Smiling politely at everyone, she waited for the others to board, not seeking closeness from anyone and keeping herself at a polite distance. She hadn't even physically touched the Captain during their conversation. She didn't need to.
Noticing the private interaction between Gary and KAT, Nick smiled to himself. In the past year, he’d seen the Captain flirt shamelessly with most of the women aboard, and had heard through the rumour mill that he’d bedded a good amount of them. He never bragged, but apparently enjoyed physical pleasure and variety. He seemed to have something special with KAT, but given his womanizing tendencies, Nick wasn’t the least bit bothered that he flirted with her too. Nick wasn’t a womanizer; he sought stability and monogamy, though hadn’t found a true romantic partner aboard. His friendship with Ser had become truly special and he flirted with a few others, KAT included. He still hoped she would let him draw her one day.
He sat in the copilot’s seat of the shuttlecraft Thales, waiting for Alexandra to sit next to him.
Alex took the pilot's seat and settled in comfortably at the familiar controls.
KAT watched quietly as everyone took their places aboard, waiting until the last person had sat down to take her own place. She tried to perform her duties as unobtrusively as possible since the ship needed to run smoothly and no one needed to know how it was done. Well, at least the Captain didn't. He needed to focus on keeping everyone safe. She needed to make sure that he was secure enough aboard to do what he needed to do to make him run. It had been working well so far.
She imagined herself aboard once more, heading off into space for places unknown. She breathed in deeply, closing her eyes and enjoying the moment of complete peace. All that needed to happen was lift off and they would be home.
Fiona took her seat and relaxed somewhat, at least she would be heading to her home on the Horizon. It was turning out to be an interesting assignment to say the least.
Jenn took her seat and couldn't help but watch the Captain and KAT. She rolled her eyes thinking back to when she first met the Captain. Pig, sexist pig, that was all Jenn could think. She changed her eyes to the XO and gave him a friendly nodding smile. She didn't know him well but he didn't come onto her like a drunken frat boy so she already liked him more than the captain.
Shields firmly in place, Serenity founded a seat as far to the rear as she could and settled in. The body language and quick glances told many things she wasn't sure she wanted to know and not for the first time, the idea of transferring off the ship returned to the forefront of her mind.
Apparently oblivious to anyone's interests, KAT sat and took notes, complementing the computer's direct recordings with her own insight. Never having officially met everyone, she smiled politely at the rest of the Crew and continued her observations.
It was interesting to see how everyone and their individual personalities worked in a smaller space. She supposed hers would have to be included. Even the observer could affect the outcome of an experiment...
"Everyone ready?" Alex asked, going through her pre-takeoff checklist before glancing to the Captain and then back to her controls. "On your command, sir."
Without even looking up from her PADD, KAT nodded. "Absolutely," she responded. Glancing up for a moment, she smiled politely at Alex, eyes crinkling with the affirmation. Then it was back to work because the tasks of a Yeoman seemed never to be quite done.
Gary told Alex, "Take us back to Horizon now. It was a nice reprieve but we have a mission to accomplish."
"Aye aye," Alex said as she worked the controls once more. The shuttlepod took off from the surface and soon escaped the atmosphere, headed for the ship and then the mission beyond.
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