Distress Call
Posted on Sun Nov 20th, 2016 @ 9:14pm by Captain Liarra Von & Commander Titus Livius Drusus PhD & Lieutenant Commander Le Austin & Commander Soleck
Mission:
The Solaran Plague
Location: Main Operations
There was something about the atmosphere in Ops during that first hour of the morning shift that made Titus Livius Drusus so content. Perhaps it was the fresh faces of the officers and NCOs going about their business with that first thing in the morning energy? Maybe it was the soft murmur of a dozen quiet conversations of workmates chatting about their night as they worked through the more routine start-up tasks for their shift?
All of those things were lovely, but really, it was the coffee. Replicators may not be perfect, but, in Drusus’s humble opinion, they made damn good coffee. And just about everybody in Ops had a steaming mug with them as they got their day underway, which meant the entire chamber was filled with the sweet, comforting aroma of caffeine.
Drusus took another sip of his drink of choice and continued retelling the story to his audience. “He rushed back into the Jefferies Tube like a cockroach when I ordered the lights on, but he was panicked and had a lot of trouble closing the hatch,” he said with an amused tone. “I pulled open the hatch and he squealed at me – he actually squealed. I reached in and pulled him out by the ankle.”
Liarra Von chuckled between sips of her caramel cappuccino. Sitting at the end of the station's master systems display and situation table in the center of the room, she had a wide angle view to all of the stations in Ops operating around her. It was her favorite perch when she wasn't working from her office, her home away from home away from home. But at the moment, her attention was focused on Drusus and his story. "What'd he do then?"
"Well he wouldn't stop squealing!" Drusus said, playing up his frustration. "I sat him down on a nearby stool and had to cover his mouth to shut him up and even then he kept squealing into my palm -" he tapped the palm of his right hand for effect "- for a good fifteen seconds or so. Then he just sat there dumbstruck for another five minutes before I could get him to talk and explain what the hell he was doing in my lab."
"You spoiled Federation folks," Austin teased from his perch over the Station Ops console nearby, "We used to regularly have six or more kids running through our work areas at any given time back when I was with the Resistance. Mostly because they didn't have anywhere else to be," He said, chuckling. "Nerves of steel as a result."
Soleck arched an eye brow and seemed to consider that over a sip of his own cup of coffee, "It does explain your extreme patience, Lieutenant Commander," He said with a hint of a grin. "What was the child doing in your department, Commander?" He asked, turning his attention back to Drusus.
"That's the thing," Drusus said, an amused grin on his face. "Turns out he wasn't a child, but was one of those Ferengi brothers that run Alexander's; Karx." He took a sip of his coffee and let that wash over the senior staff. "He claimed he was looking for his pet Talavian Squirrel - apparently, her name was Gerty."
"And I'm guessing that sensors didn't pick up any pet Talavian Squirrels," Von replied, rolling her eyes. She hadn't had any direct run-ins with the Ferengi brothers, but she had heard a few stories.
"To my great surprise," came the science officer's sarcastic reply.
Austin laughed, "I've had run ins with those fellows before. Caught one trying to build a stil in the cargo bay. He told me it was for water purification purposes," Austin said, laughing. Even Soleck had a pleased expression on his face.
Drusus chuckled. "I don't know that we'll ever know the full extent of what those two get up to," he said. "But, in any case, I'm thinking of having lunch at Alexander's today," Drusus added with a mischievous grin. "Just to find out if he ever found poor little Gerty."
"Would you like a security escort? You know, for Karx's safety?" As Von spoke, a communication officer handed her a PADD. As she read over the contents, her expression changed from jovial to concerned. "You might have to postpone that dinner reservation. It looks like we're picking up a distress call coming from Solaris III. The details aren't really clear, but it sounds like some sort of plague that has spread quickly over the planet." Liarra handed the PADD over to Drusus. "The Solarans aren't on the best of terms with the Federation, usually saying that we meddle too much in other people's affairs. But it sounds desperate if they're asking for help."
"Plagues are fun," Austin quipped sarcastically. "Do they give any details on that bit there? Seems vital information to me," He said.
Soleck stood and walked over to lean over Von's shoulder to look at the PADD with her, "Indeed... no they do not, Mister Le. Most peculiar," He mused.
"Do they want an evac or... what?" Austin asked.
Von shrugged. "All they're asking for is assistance. Beyond that, it was pretty vague. We're the closest outpost in range, so whatever they need, we'll need to be the first responders."
Austin nodded, looking over to Titus, "Doc, the Monty is ready to go. She's been scoured stem to stern and there's no trace of anything weird on her. She'd probably be the best bet, don't you think? We can get there fast with a response team, keep the Carthage on stand by in case they need heavy evac?" He offered.
"It is a sound plan," Soleck said, nodding and between Titus and Von for their opinion.
"Sounds good," Von replied with a nod. "Commander Drusus, I think you can handle this. Assemble a team and take the Montreal and see what we can do. If we need more support, don't hesitate to contact the station. We'll talk to fleet command and see if we can have some hospital ships meet you there. But until then, you'll be on your own. Let's get to work."
Captain Liarra Von
Commanding Officer
Commander Soleck [P: Le]
Executive Officer
Commander Titus Drusus
Chief Science Officer
Lt. Commander Le Austin
Chief of Operations
