[snip]

Looking over the data they had the population looked mostly human like, save for having darker skin tones and slightly above human average strength/endurance. All intel showed the Klingons had fully left the system, meaning no ships or personnel were left behind. Intel also showed the Klingons had a soft fist approach to their rule during their time there. On one hand they used the populace hard for mining and other such efforts on the planet. Those who worked hard and towed the line got favorable treatment and status, those who were weak did not and felt the brunt of harsher punishment/encouragement to work harder and such. This over the past 25 years had meant that the society firmly believed that those who were strongest ruled by a divine hand of their face and through the agents of their Gods.

“So then,” Glen said after reading the data, “This Starfleet data seems to say that the natives look almost Human, and that no Klingons remain on the planet at all.” This cheered up Glen immensely. “So, I want us to check this ourselves with scans and a recon, but I think that may be one less problem to deal with. The main problem we will have is how to actually deal with these natives. We can’t appear to be agents of their Gods, yet they will only respect agents of their Gods. I’m open to any suggestions?”

Max walked in very late to the Department Head meeting since he just arrived at the ship. He was hoping to sneak in and not cause any problems. When he walked in, no on was talking much so Max said something, “Sorry for my late arrival, I am new to the ship and was dropping my stuff off. Sorry if I missed much and sorry for interrupting. I am here to listen for now.” He was hoping no one was upset with him.

“Don’t worry, you didn’t miss anything. We are just discussing how to tackle the latest mission we have been given,” Glen recapped. “I suggest we begin with a small covert landing party that doesn’t make any contact but observes and checks the intelligence we have been provided is correct. I also want as many scans carried out as is feasibly possible. It sounds like this mission has the potential to get violent. My first priority is the safety of this crew, and it is not necessary for us to get involved in any kind of conflict. Indeed, any kind of conflict would be a failure of this mission. So, we do as much virtual and covert monitoring as is possible first.”

Max was relived. He was kinda expecting to get yelled at or someone might be upset with him. Max was curious if it would be worth having an Engineer on an away mission like this. Seems like a reconnaissance mission and did not really require an Engineering officer. Max was ready to get some items finished up in Main Engineering since arriving to the position. He wanted to make sure everything was in tip top shape with the ship and everything was working as it should be, if not even a little better. He then said to the Captain, “I hope its alright, but it seems like an engineering officer would just be in the way for this type of mission. ” He then waited for a response and to hear what else was going on.

“Yes, I think so,” Glen replied to Max, “but you’ll get an opportunity later. There have been some very odd problems on the ship lately. Blocked valves and such. I’d rather you found out why and got those sorted out.”

As if to ephasis these strange issues a comm chirp by the wall broke up the meeting for a moment, once answered the voice of an NE came over, =/\= Sorry to interrupt Captain, but we are getting some error logs down here in engineering, some of the water processing valves on deck 10 near the botanical lab are showing clogging errors. Could we request Lt Mullins presence? Also we’re trying to find Ensign LaMarr but they are not answering their comms at the moment. =/\= Came the NE’s request.

OOC: Aka they’re awol and i’m trying to provide a spot for them to jump back in....

Cross raised her hand then blushed and was quick to put it down, the last time she did that was when still in primary school ‘’Captain, may I suggest to the new CSO to get her medical.... doctor Hunter would be in sickbay’‘ .

Verity cut her eyes at the woman. Dr. Cross was like that kid in class who blurted out to the teacher after dismissal, “Hey, you forgot to give us homework!”

The female doctor did observe that Glen would say something and then jump to something else entirely, besides the last thing she wanted was anything similar like what had happened to Lance.

“Yes, I don’t want to have any more surprises,” Glen replied. “But Cara Meow and Stanley Wong would have had theirs when they first came aboard. You surely can’t be that far behind?”

Verity stood and said, “I guess I should head to sickbay to get my unnecessary medical exam completed....if that is okay with you Captain.”

“Certainly, and it isn’t unnecessary if it discovers something that will later affect the mission,” Glen replied. “Though I get it that no one likes excessive and pointless testing, the last mission demonstrated what happens when there is none.”

“Yeah, yeah…I know.” She said annoyed. “I can assure you they won’t find anything wrong with me. I was examined before I left Starfleet and I was given a clean bill of health.” She flashed a glance at Dr. Cross. It wasn’t the woman’s fault she had to get a medical exam, and Dr. Cross had only reiterated what the Captain has said about her needing one, but Verity needed someone to be annoyed at.

“Unless anyone has anything else, I would like to wrap this up,” Glen said. “Joe, would you like to lead this recon party?”

Joe who was never a big fan of meetings but who tried hard nonetheless to be at least a bit useful in them had finally drifted off a bit. While he did pay attention anything of importance seemed to be filed away for future access as soon as he stopped thinking about other things. In this particular case he was wondering if the ships replicator might be able to produce a breakfast like the one that was served at Lonnie Cahill’s in his hometown. Even as the captain asked him the question Joe’s stomach began to growl.

Hearing the captain Joe snapped his head up and after only a few tries he did come up with the information he had missed. He cleared his throat embarrassed at drifting off, but he came back rather nicely he thought as he said. Aye sir if you’d like. And with your permission I would like all members of the away team to be armed with the smaller Type-I hand phasers. They’re small and can be hidden. And if I may suggest personnel? Since this is just a touch and go mission, I would like to have our COS and one other security person. I’d also enjoy having out new science officer so we can gather a lot of raw data. Later on, we can take larger parties but for now I think that this should be enough unless you think we should add some more sir.”

“Take weapons, yes,” replied Glen. “And I agree, four people sounds good too!”

Verity giggled at Joe dozing off, but she also observed that the man must have a high level of intelligence as he was able to quick get back on track and rejoin the conversation.

Cross stood up ‘’Are you suggesting that there is no need for me as a doctor to be a part of the team? ‘’ the doctor asked trying her best to sound calm ‘’If that’s the case I’m going back to Sickbay and just a small suggestion ‘’ Cross went on ‘’How about changing your uniforms and get down in casual cloths.The minute the inhabitants recognize you’re from the Federation, as the Klingon’s made us look diabolical and horrendous...... ‘’the doctor shrugged after all there was simple nothing else to add.

The doctor was clearly not happy about not being chosen to join the away team however Verity could not blame her. She would feel the same way.

“Actually, no Miriam I don’t. ” Joe answered Cross. ” This will pretty much be a mission to just show up and see what happens. If there is a violent response, I would sooner have our medical staff on board where we could quickly be transported and treated. In later missions yes. This one no unless the captain thinks it necessary. And that is a good idea about dressing although at some point I think we would have to go down as ourselves. ” Joe looked to GleThen then for a decision.

” The disguise idea is exactly the kind of thing that I had in mind, so that’s a great idea,” replied Glen. “And there will be a chance for everyone to go down to the planet later. I’m quite sure we are going to be in the system for a long time!”

“Well off I go,” said Verity, “Captain, Commander, then she looked at Dr. Cross and said Lieutenant.” She was anxious about the exam and hoped it would take a significant amount of time to complete because she wanted to be with the away team when they beamed to the planet.
As soon as she left the conference room, she hurried to sickbay for her exam.

“Miriam,” Glen said to Doctor Cross in a quieter moment, “Don’t take this personally. Your medical skills won’t be required here. This isn’t a punishment for insubordination, or even about your tendency to disobey orders and run off. Joe just needs a very tight team to go in, and get out again quickly. The disguise idea is actually vey helpful.”

Cross smiled ‘’I understand ‘’ she replied, then took a deep breath ‘’Captain would you give me permission to speak to the Cmdr in private? ‘’.

“Lance,” Glen asked asked the COS, ” do you have anything to add from the security angle?”

Glen, CO

GM CockRoach