Shuttle Ride

Posted on Mon Dec 27th, 2021 @ 7:19am by Commander Jennifer Baldric & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Lieutenant Commander Sandra "Phantom" Risa & Commander Dean House & Lieutenant Commander Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell

Mission: Gamma Quadrant
Location: Shuttle
Timeline: Current

Commander Jennifer Baldric strode into the shuttle bay, phaser on one hip and tricorder on the other. As she entered she spied two officers who would be Lt House and Lt Bonnie Durnell. Both would be beneficial to have along on the away mission and would round out the skill sets of both herself and Commander Savar. She wasn't overly sure that the acting captain leaving the Sunfire was a good idea but that wasn't her call to make.

"Lieutenants" she greeted, nodding to each of them before entering the shuttle to see if Commander Savar had arrived yet.

Savar was seated in the passenger compartment of the shuttle, he was sipping tea and contemplating the upcoming First Contact mission.

"Commander," Baldric said simply as she entered the shuttle, seeing him seated and reviewing some data. "I take it the shuttle is ready to go? Or are we waiting on some last-minute modifications?"

Standing up from what they were working on, Dean glanced at the two of them. "Um...not to be rude, but what are you two doing here? I thought we were going out in a few minutes real quick and back."

Bonnie allowed a side-eye but kept her nose down and in her work. She knew better than to question the senior officers and their sudden change of plans. Her job was to act as a mission Engineer, keep her mouth closed and do her job. Besides, Commander Baldric was intimidating as Hell, and just a wee bit attractive.

" We're here to make First Contact with the Grand Chancellor, and you both will be accompanying us. Mr House, the helm please" Jennifer's tone was strong and authoritative, she was very used to getting her way by sheer intimidation.

She may be used to most waning to Jennifer's intimidation, but it was a given that Dean wouldn't. Then again, that's just how he is. Depending on the situation at least. "We're not finished with the torpedoes, Commander." He could get with Bonnie's thought about her being attractive, even if it wasn't said. Dean was thinking the same thing. There was also a like for her demeanor.

Savar spoke up. "How much longer do you require to finish the modifications to the torpedoes?" He looked to Jennifer, "Commander a word with you if you please."

Dean glanced back up after looking back to the work, "I'd say, seven or eight minutes maybe, sir."

" Of course Commander" Jennifer headed into the cockpit and left both House and Durnell outside to finish the modifications.

Savar stood up, please come with me Commander." He replied as he turned to go back to the passenger compartment.

She followed him wordlessly and waited until he addressed her, keeping her expression as neutral as possible with only the barest hint of sarcasm.

Once they were alone Savar turned to face Jennifer. "I am interested in knowing your opinion of this race we are about to meet and what we can learn from this meeting."

" From what I gather, they're a highly xenophobic species who have survived the last several major galactic wars by hiding as they are doing now. I would consider them unpredictable in their behaviour as this is well outside the norm for them. Caution would be advised" Jennifer replied without missing a beat. This was what she lived for - meeting new races, challenging current ways of thinking, and advancing her way through the ranks until it was time for the chair to be hers.

Savar took what Jennifer said in silence. He listened as she outlined her points as well as expanded on them. He could she her reputation was well deserved. She was level headed and well spoken, her arguments well constructed and delivered. When she had finished he spoke. "Would it surprise you that is my conclusion as well? That we must be very cautious in our dealings. They may even try to take us hostage as a bargaining chip. However I do think there is the potential for success in these talks."

"If I may ask, what are we hoping to accomplish with these talks? We hold the advantage, they just want to be left alone." She challenged, keeping her tone level.

"Hmm.." having kept an ear in that direction. "Not about me for once. I wonder why that particular line of discussion couldn't have been said in front of us. Or Aurora not here. She's the Counselor after all. Diplomacy should be her thing." Said quietly so hopefully, only Bonnie could hear him. "Or even addressing the senior staff for options before doing this.."

Whispering under her breath while giving side-eye glances, Bonnie scolded, "You shouldn't listen in to a senior officer conversation. This isn't a democracy, not really. Why do you always push yourself to be in trouble?" She had watched him time and time again question authority and knew he was already in Savars doghouse.

Tag Dean

Savar answered Jenifer calmly, "We are hoping to open a dialogue with this race Commander to let them see they have nothing to fear from us. You are correct we do hold an advantage however might is not always right. If we took what we wanted it would only increase their fear of outsiders and make them more difficult to talk with. Not to mention the next ship that stumbled upon them might be destroyed because of our inability to see beyond today."

"With all due respect they are a xenophobic species who don't want to be found. We should post a series of warning bouys around the ion cloud on our way out and respect their wish to be left alone" Jennifer replied, pressing further. She didn't agree with the ships commanding officer leaving the bridge to head the away mission, and if he was going to do so, she wanted a damned good outcome, of which she wasn't sure they could actually achieve.

"Your objection has been noted Commander." Savar replied calmly, "However it is illogical. They have been found and by their own actions, They were the ones that initiated first contact when they sent out their fighters to meet and attack us. They opened the door. In addition if we follow your suggestions, they would never believe us and would again try to destroy us which would only lead to their deaths. This is way is better. We are setting foot on their world, we are meeting on one of their defense platforms. So technically their world still has not been found nor have any outsiders set foot upon it."

She put her tools away and awkwardly announced, "Shuttles ready for launch when you are." And then she tucked her head low and entered the runabout.

"As you wish Commander" Balric replied, nodding at his explanation. Whether she agreed with it or not he was still the ranking officer on this ship at this time and she was bound to follow his orders. She turned and faced Bonnie and Dean who had finished prepping the shuttle. "Thank you team, let's get going shall we?"

Dean was busy writing up a report about what has been said that he heard between Balric and Savar. Sending that off to Balric since she was the current Executive Officer. Standing up and getting those tools put away. Moving onto the shuttle. "You're welcome." Once they were on however, he turned to Savar. "Is there any particular reason you want to break regulations? Your wife is much more equipped for this type of mission, or do you not trust your own wife, sir.

You being a Vulcan as suppose to be logical, it would be logical to disregard the possibility of danger over feelings. Or have you been compromised and letting your feelings get in the way." Giving a thought also while that was being considered and what was about to happen with what he said. Tapping the side console, "Ms. Risa, please report to the shuttle bay."

Picking up her tool kit and backpack, Sandra headed as fast as a gazelle being chaste by a bear. Finally she slid into the shuttle deck, "Reporting as ordered sir," she said.

Savar looked past House and to Sandra, "Please go to the cockpit and help Lt. Durnell with the preflight checklist." Savar turned his attention back to House. his cool eyes locked on the man. "Your curiosity does you justice Mr. House. However you are out of line in your statement. I have not as you so crudely put it been compromised. If you cannot accept that and wish to not accompany us. You may leave."

Jennifer listened to the conversation with interest before settling into her seat and getting ready for the shuttle to leave. This would be an interesting first contact indeed. As they prepped to leave Chief Mitchell sent a downloaded copy of the planets historical database through with a succinct summary attached.

"Sir, they're xenophobic due to a plague from nearly a thousand years ago brought by outsiders" she explained as she read the chiefs words. " That explains why they're so damned scared"


A short time later the 5 of them lifted off and set a course for the disabled weapons platform to meet the Grand Chancellor.

Tbc