Posted by Lieutenant Commander Paris Carisi (Chief of Security) in Taking a Break

Posted by Commander Mason Black (Executive Officer) in Taking a Break

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Paris Carisi (Chief of Security) in Taking a Break
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

Snip

“Well since it is an unexplored planet I am not sure if there are brain-sucking animals or not but to be on the safe side how about I go check the weapons hmm,” she said in an upbeat tone.

“Good plan” Mason nodded to her, “brain suckers haven’t got anything on a good phaser. The landing site is coming up, let see what this paradise has to offer.”

Five minutes later the descent was complete and the shuttle’s door opened. The heat and humidity hit the pair like an oven. Paris tilted her head to the side, back and forth several times as if that would help ease the instant rush of heat coming up from her neck as the uniform added to the sweltering temperature. Paris was careful however not to start complaining already. While it was hot, it was not face of the sun hot as her father called it.

Mason moved from his seat after locking down the shuttle and took one of the Phasers from the locker, then stepped out beside Paris as he slid it into his holster. “Wow” he said as he looked around and shielded his eyes from the sun, “Didn’t they say in the briefing that this was their cool season?”

“Welcome, welcome, welcome,” a man in a dark suit met them at the end of the ramp with his hands spread. “I am Jaxon Smythe. I was told you were coming. We are so happy to have the Federation seeking to develop on our little corner of the universe,” he said. “Chellron Industries was pleased to have the Federation as a partner in their efforts to colonize. We supply the initial infrastructure and you the eager, intrepid and adventurous colonists.” As with any civilization, there was the symbiotic creatures that worked in conjuncture with another organism. There was also the parasitic ones and Chellron was the new breed of entrepreneurs. They found a planet and instead of colonizing it themselves they brought in anyone to provide the people. They provided the shops and businesses making a killing in profit. The Federation was not thrilled with such ventures but even less thrilled to have a real estate market that could allow Dominion or Romulan neighbors.

“Well we are just pleased as punch to know that you will try to make these colonists life the best they can be for a price,” Paris said in a snarky tone. While this was a formal delegation, Paris could not keep nice in check seeing the swarthy representative.

Lt. Commander Paris Carisi, COS

“Good morning, Mr Smythe” Mason said, after very obscurely giving Paris a slight elbow nudge and stepping forward. “I’m Commander Black of the Asimov, I’m sure you know, but we’re here to evaluate the progress the colonists and yourself have made in the last few months and send our report back to Federation headquarters.” He turned and indicated his away team, mostly engineers and scientists that specialized in the fields that they were here to check up on. “This is our Chief of Security, Lt Commander Carisi. She’s going to take a look at the colonies security measures and make sure that no shortcuts have been taken in protecting our colonists. How about we head into the compound?” Mason said looking back at the man in the suit and holding out his hand as if he actually lived on the planet and was inviting Smythe himself to accompany him.

Cmdr Black, XO

“Of course. Of course. I have refreshments and I can show you to your rooms. We saved the ambassadorial suite for you Sir and the rest of your crew also has the tops rooms but for you, nothing but the best Chellron has to offer.” The man had an oily quality to his voice. It was slippery as if nothing he said held true but sounded like something wonderful all the same. The group walked past a common area and past a series of what looked like governmental offices until they reached a set of tube-like elevators.

Mason stopped and looked over the doors to the elevator’s, not just any old door these seemed able to withstand something heavy or an immense amount of pressure, they looked thicker and more reinforced that the doors to a turbolift. “These certainly seem designed to keep something out” he observed quietly to Paris.

“I thought we were going to go to our rooms,” Paris asked as they stood in front of the military steel grade doors.

“Yes but you are not staying on the workers level. Come come,” he gestured for the group to enter as the doors slid open.

“You mean colonists,” Paris raised an eyebrow as she cast a side glance to Black.

Mason had heard about the Chellron types before, although never actually met any. He was aware of the more businesslike mindset of the company and the way in which they viewed everything, absolutely everything as a resource or an investment and stuck rigidly to long term and short term goals. On paper, they ran an impressive operation with numbers that always beat budget and time projections. In reality, they were regarded as ruthless and slimy operators who treated people like their pay grade. He knew that his fiery little wildcat wasn’t going to be able to keep her snark to herself for long, and if by miracle she did, he was going to hear all about it very soon. “Colonists, I think the correct and required term is, indeed, Mr Smythe” Mason said to the Suit, “especially as they are Federation Citizens.”

“Does the term really mean that much to you,” Smythe asked a bit annoyed.

“Yes. Yes it does. My daddy always said you can’t bull crap a bull crapper. Commander do you smell something,” Paris asked Mason. After all their time together, Mason would be able to tell his petite blonde was about ready to call a spade a spade.

Lt Commander Paris Carisi, COS

“It could be the Electro Plasma Grid running this lift” he said, narrowing his eyes at a nearby inspection panel, and quietly trying to deflect their diplomatic inspection from becoming a polite request to leave within 4 minutes and 30 seconds of their arrival.

“Or maybe it is just the smell of hard work,” Paris said looking at Mason with a blank expression. Shifting slightly towards Smyth she sniffed the air and shook her head. “Nope has to be the plasma grid. The smell of an honest day’s labor is not apparent in here.” Paris could not stand the pompous types that droned on and on about the affluence of their culture, planet, business. Whatever word they wanted to fill in it was always the same. The people in power often forgot it was the little guys that kept them smelling elegant in their hundred credit colognes.

“Or maybe they have used some substandard parts or purchased second hand goods from a Ferengi merchant” Mason said to nobody in particular as the doors opened and he stepped out to look around at their surroundings, finding that they were now high above the colony in one of the towers in what looked to be a reception hall with glass windows all around, short sets of stairs to the next level and what appeared to be the more ‘affluent’ suites.

Paris opened her mouth to verbalize everything the occupants in the elevator could see. The hard, metal, echoing infrastructure had disappeared during the transporter ride to be replaced with a modern, clean, and shining area far above the ground.

“Note that down, Ms Carisi” Mason said to Paris as he looked at her with a very straight face, “The contract here was to provide a first class facility for the colonists, I’d hate to think that the Federation funding has been spent on anything less than that, and I am sure that Starfleet Command will want a report on anything out of place.” Not waiting for any kind of comment, Mason walked to the nearest window and looked out over the colony below. The entire planet seemed hot and arid and largely inhospitable. Altogether not a place one would think to settle but with terraforming technology the way it was these days, the forecast was that in 20 years these people would have a lush, green and beautiful world to call home.

She closed her mouth knowing that Mason cut her off to be the ever diplomatic XO. There would be time to voice her concerns and then Mason would get an earful.

“I understand that there is some kind of dinner or function this evening?” Mason said, still looking out the window, “I expect that the head Colonists and Engineers are going to be there to fill us in on their progress before we run our inspections tomorrow?.” His query, although it sounded like a question, Paris would recognize as being more a statement of expectation at what should be happening.

“Of course,” Smythe said waving his hand as if he was a magician revealing a surprise. “Dinner will be eight pm sharp. Please feel free to explore as you like and we can discuss and questions over dinner. Now I must sadly leave you. Etheria does not run its self. Commander, Lt. Commander,” Smythe bowed and quickly left before anyone could pin him down for a moment longer than he wanted.

“Sir, would you like me to check out that turbo,” NE Erlick Trician asked Mason. “I am not sure the chief’s comment about smell was related to a mechanical failure but I think you did hit on something?”

“Ms Carisi I’d like you in my room after you get yourself settled into your quarters, we have a few items on the agenda to discuss before the function and inspections and I know we were a little rushed for prep time before we departed the Asmov.” He threw Paris a sideways glance with a slight smirk that vanished almost instantly, and anybody watching wouldn’t have known that the smirk had even been there, certainly not one as oily and self absorbed as the Suit who had met them.

Cmdr Black, XO

“Uh huh,” Paris said nodding but not really acknowledging his request. Her mind was running a mile a minute.

==================
THREE HOURS LATER

Mason might have thought it was going to be a lackadaisical day lounging about in an apartment that brought to mind a city in the clouds from a long forgotten movie yet he could not have been more misguided. No sooner had he dropped his bag at the entry to the door, the console beeped showing an incoming message from the powers that be back in San Francisco. Since this was not a real weekender type event, Mason and his crew were still technically on duty even if they were not on the Asimov. After three hours of discussion about what was now being called the Ferengi Affair, details about the upcoming mission, and finally mind-numbing prattle about which Admiral was trying to scramble to the top while the Admirals speaking to him at various points was trying to stop it, Mason heard the sound of his freedom. A soft chime at his door indicating someone was seeking entrance.

“So Mason have you thought about transferring to San Fran,” Admiral Boxlight continued either ignoring the chime or not caring.

Lt. Commander Paris Carisi, COS

“I have considered it once or twice, but the opportunity was never right or available at the time” Mason said, trying to be diplomatic. “I’m also a Starfleet explorer, Admiral. Being out amongst the stars is where I really want to be.”

“Wait, Sir… you’re breaking up” Mason said, suddenly looking confused and straining to hear the Admiral, then squinting as if the screen had gone fuzzy. “There seems to be some interference, maybe this colony is having....... an issue with it’s receiver, I am going to have to look into that..... let… me ....try… and clear......” he said as he reached forward, and shut off the perfectly clear and functioning communication in the middle of whatever sound the Admiral was making. “Drats” Mason said with a disappointed tongue click, “Lost him.”

After that, he stood and moved to the door, knowing it was Paris that was finally there. Pressing the chime, he opened it, then as soon as he saw Paris looking back at him, he launched into his small rant. “Three hours?” he said, drawing out the word hours. “Three? How long exactly does it take you to get settled into your quarters Paris? Did you have to fumigate it then wipe it down or something? Three Hours woman? You put me on Paris Time didn’t you?” He said to her, and folded his arms in a very judging sort of way.

Cmdr Mason Black, XO