[Snip]

Kit reviewed the data, young Deshara had done the standard and routine science scans in accordance with regulation, she was not at fault for the situation at hand. The away teams scientific data was hazy and disjointed at best, what images and data they had transmitted though intrigued her. She tapped a few commands in the PaDD pulling up some data. What she pulled up was similar in nature to what she thought: Domain – Eukaryota, Kingdom – Animalia, Phylum – Chordata, Class – Actinopterygii, Order – Gymnotiformes, Family – Gymnotidae, Genus – Electrophorus. In other words a form of Caecilian. She instantly thought of what she needed to do, modify and launch several Class-7 probes.
Kit looked up and smiled at Cadet Deshara, “Cadet I can assure you that you are not responsible for this. If what I suspect we are dealing with, a new class of Caecilian, then you most likely would not have found them with the standard and routine science scan protocols called for in regulations. Commander I request that we launch twelve Class-7 probes to the surface, after I have modified them. This will give me greater detail on the ‘natives’ of the planet.”

Lieutenant Kitiuas Thenis, Science
USS Leviathan

Oliver stepped back, recognizing the importance of actively listening and engaging with the perspectives of the crew. “I think that’s a good idea, Lieutenant. However, for those of us who might not be as versed in the sciences, would you mind elaborating on your theory?”

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

At that moment, Ash Mavix crossed the threshold into the briefing room, “Hope Ah’m not too late Commander, what have Ah missed?”

-Lieutenant Ashara Mavix: Chief of Security-

Oliver raised his hand as if to reassure the security chief “That’s okay, don’t worry, Lieutenant. I understand you’ve been getting your security teams ready for a rescue, so I think we can all be excused for a little bit of lateness. After all, we can’t be in two places at once.”

“The cadet has explained the situation. It seems that we are unable to get close to the planet or use transporters due to the electromagnetic radiation caused from the life forms described only as large sentient worms capable of defending their habitat beyond the capability of this ship. The cadet will be able to share her findings. Science will be conducting extensive investigations using probes, and we hope that this will give us an insight into how and what we should do. I’d like for you to work with Tactical and RTF if a more… aggressive approach is required to return our away team.” The idea of having to cause harm to the species was not one Oliver would take lightly.

“Anything from medical?” He asked.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

“Not much yet, sir,” Bradley reported. “Once we get more data from science, I’ll get my people working on countermeasures to any effects this radiation might cause on the body.”

Lieutenant Bradley Maxwell
Chief Medical Officer

“Feel free to proceed, Lieutenant, and it goes without saying to have medical teams on standby. We won’t know the condition of the away team, and I’d prefer to have all bases covered,” Oliver clarified, glancing around at the officers. “Does anyone else have anything to contribute?”

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

Lieutenant Nyman was still slightly concerned about the situation with Conners, but perhaps it would be better to talk details with Oliver later. The issue at hand was still the stranded crew members, who would probably need significant medical and phycological support after rescue. Additionally, the rest of the crew were also under a bit more pressure than usual.

“Per protocol, I will be putting together a plan to assist any rescued crew members who may be stuffing from emotional shock. Just so the resource is available if needed.” he started, leaning more forward in his chair,

“I would also just like to remind everyone to be on alert for any… erratic or unusual behavior from anyone in your respective departments. Knowing that the Captain had been - for lack of a better term stranded - will cause a significant increase in stress among the crew. Even in this crew, which I know is more prepared than most to deal with these sorts of issues. As usual, please don’t hesitate inform the counseling department if you notice anything concerning.”

His gaze shifted around to the other officers at the table. His request for the others to keep a lookout for odd behavior wasn’t just about the current stressful situation. It could also help them determine if Conner’s case was going to be an isolated incident. Again, he could talk details with the Commander later.

The commander wholeheartedly concurred with the counsellor. The well-being of the crew was of utmost importance at this critical juncture. While he was firmly in command, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he hadn’t entirely earned the crew’s trust. Moreover, he remained uncertain about whether he had gained the Captain’s trust, which explained her insistence on leading the away team herself. “Lieutenant. Thank you for raising a very valid point. People on this ship may have friends or even loved ones on the planet. Please, put out a shipwide announcement that if any crew member requires some reflection time, Holodeck One will be reserved for that purpose and that department heads are to permit crew to take time from work if required and that their work is not critical to the rescue attempts of our away team or the running of this ship. Lieutenant, could you take charge of organizing that?” he asked, acknowledging that the counsellor was far better positioned to facilitate such an undertaking. Nyman speaking up reminded him that he needed to speak to him about the other matter on the ship but decided to leave that to last.

Deshara attentively listened, her gaze fixed on Thenis as they dissected the data before them. The class-7 probe not only offered a means to study the aliens, but it also held the potential to bring the away team back home. “I believe it could work,” she spoke the thought in her brain out loud with a nod. “What if we launch the probes and leverage the EM Field pattern to charge our transporters? It would be a temporary solution, but if we can pinpoint everyone on the surface, we can lock onto them and beam them back. Naturally, we’ll require someone to monitor the probe, someone to operate the transporter, and another person to locate each crew member on the surface. It needs to be a synchronized operation.” A smile finally graced her face. “We should even be able to reach them if they still have their communicators.”

Toussaint, Science

[crosspost]
“Commander, it seems the away team is trying to make contact but the quality is too bad. We don’t know what information they were trying to relay.”

Ynuchausti, Comm. Officer

[OOC: inserted my two cents above where it made sense. - Ava]

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

=^=Understood, Lieutenant. We’re wrapping up here. Please keep trying to raise the away team and unscramble their transmission from our current position.=^= Oliver turned his attention to the cohort of officers (and the cadet). “I don’t think I need to remind anyone of the importance of our tasks. Lieutenant Thenis, please work with the cadet to prepare the probes. You have my permission to launch as soon as possible. Just notify me when that has been done, and we will monitor it from the bridge. If needed, bring in some engineers for the technical aspects.”

Deshara nodded, “Understood, Commander. I’ll get the probes ready for launch immediately,” she affirmed.

Turning to the security chief, he continued, “I want a full tactical analysis of the situation we may find, including a worst-case scenario. Given the potential for an attack on the life forms, have your teams use Holodeck 2 to conduct simulations and be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.”

Addressing the two medical officers, he added, “Please be ready to receive the wounded. Additionally, I would be interested in learning more about those creatures. I believe you may have personnel suited to studying their genetic makeup. Perhaps it will give us a way of countering their electromagnetic effects.” This time he stood up straight, concluding with a firm directive, “You have your orders. Brief your departments, and let’s get our people back.

Before Lieutenant Nyman and the Security Chief left, “Can I have a quick summary of what has been happening on the ship.”

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

Kit replied “Aye sir. One last thing to add, tell the ground team to stop all scans with tricorders and unfortunately the Levi also. If I am correct the ‘aliens’ gain energy from the scans as well as can home in on the scans.”

Lieutenant Kitiuas Thenis, Science
USS Leviathan

Deshara nodded again.” Lieutenant, I can coordinate with the transporter operator to lock onto the crew members once the probes are launched. While you are configuring and monitoring the probes to ensure they’re functioning optimally. Once we successfullylaunchthe probes we should be able to establish a briefconnectionwith the away team.” With that she headed out the room to meet up with Saoir in the transporter room.

Toussaint, Science

Oliver acknowledged the Science officer, “As soon as we can get a communication to them it’ll be one of the prioritise” he excused the rest of the officer before turning his attention to Nyman.

Warning: Beyond this note this post may contain materials related to self-harm
“If you or anyone you know has been affected by the content, please reach out to the command staff for support and sign posting.”

“I have some more information about what happened earlier, sir,” Nyman said, with a calm yet serious demeanor,

“The incident involved a crew member, an Ensign from the Engineering department. He is currently in sickbay under observation, per protocol for these types of things.”

He pulled out a PaDD and handed it the Oliver, “Cadet Webb has written an engineering report regarding what we know so far. I’ll be working with medical to get a report together about the Ensign’s condition as well. For now our Ensign appears to be recovering, physically at least.”

The summery of Cadet Webb’s report would have gotten the Commander up to date on what engineering had found. Ensign Harlow Conners had entered his quarters about 20 minutes before Nyman found him unconscious. No one else appeared to have entered the room in that time. The environmental controls were set from inside the room: 40 degrees Celsius, relative humidity was set to 10%, and Nitrogen levels were increased to 58 parts per billion. The summary also mentioned the looping program that was somehow installed by bypassing safety and security protocols.

Most interesting, and most concerning, was that it appeared it was the Ensign’s own access code was used to initially set the controls and activate the testing mode.

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Oliver meticulously absorbed the information presented before him, concern etched on his face as he inquired, “And the Ensign, is their well-being being attended to?” A surge of overwhelming guilt gripped him; the extent to which someone would go indicated a profound burden they felt unable to bear alone. “I earnestly wish to be kept abreast of any additional insights, and once the Ensign regains consciousness, I will maintain a respectful distance, affording you both the space to carry out the necessary investigation and recovery procedures. Should you require any assistance or support, please do not hesitate to inform me.” Oliver’s commitment to staying informed and offering assistance reflected both his genuine concern and willingness to contribute to the well-being of those involved.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan