Posted by Rear Admiral CockRoach (GM) in Conference Room -A, Staff Meeting
[snip]

“Thank you,” Amber smiled and nodded accepting the cup then falling silent once more as the others arrived.

Paul smiled and handed the cup to Amber and poured himself another. He drank quickly and seemed to relax.

Myasnikov came through the door and looked around. He nodded at everyone present and said “Reporting as ordered, Sir.”, his thick Russian accent making his words sound almost confrontational. But the obvious excitement on his face showed, and he quickly took a seat next to Amber.

Myasnikov, Navigator

Chief engineer T’Pria entered next, but no such excitement could be seen on her face. Instead the Vulcan wore an expression of complete indifference as she offered her new Captain a perfunctory “Lt T’Pria reporting as ordered, Sir”, then crossed the room and silently slipped into the vacant seat next to Hudson.

• Lt T’Pria (CE)

Commander Černý walked in shortly afterwards, and slipped the tape from the Bridge before into a slot on the computer terminal before taking his seat.

How did we all arrive at different times, if we left at the same time? he wondered but did not ask.

– Ivo Černý, XO/CSO

Having been down in security, giving her officers a thorough talking to, Quinn was last to arrive. She strode into the room and gave off a somewhat imposing air, despite her relatively moderate stature. Her fiery-red hair was tied up in a tight knot and she now wore her red shirt, black trousers and boots. All in all, she appeared to be a far cry from the bubbly, bouncing woman whom the other senior officers had briefly seen on the bridge. “Lieutenant Phy-Knight, reporting as ordered, Sir,” she declared sharply, before taking her seat at the table. Forgoing the coffee, she took a drink from a small metal bottle that had hung from her belt and set it down on the table. Geez, Quinn, you can loosen up a little without devolving into your usual mental self, she thought as she waited for the Captain to begin the meeting.

Th’ellin looked around the room, nodding to Cerny as he popped the tape into the machine. He flipped a rocker switch on the panel and the screen came to life with the information from the memory tape.

“Most of you heard the call when it came in, but for those that missed it… We’ve been chosen for a milk run to the Colony on Deba. We’ll drop off needed supplies and conduct a scientific survey before we ship out again. On the display, you’ll find our course and heading, as well as some information about the Deba Colony. Questions?”

The Andorian looked around, meeting the eyes of his staff in turn. He hadn’t touched his coffee yet.

-Zarath, CO

A deep frown settled on the Vulcan’s face. “A…milk run, Sir?” she questioned, unfamiliar with the phrase being used - unless they were to engage in some primitive farming activities?

• Lt T’Pria (CE)

Talk about irony. First job out of space dock and I’m hauling supplies to a colony like I was back on a freighter. Quinn laughed internally. Well, those had a habit of attracting trouble. Maybe this one will too. She then looked over at the CE, “it’s an old earth military term used to describe a mission that is simple and straightforward. In other words, downright boring,” her gaze drifted to the Captain, “right, Bossman.” Internally she swore, I said to lighten up, Quinn, not drop some of that old earth slang at your first senior staff briefing.

Lt Quinn Phy-Knight Security Chief

A buzz and chirp and whir came from the computer as on the nearby display their course to Deba colony was pretty straight forward taking them about three sectors just outside explored space near Deep Space K-2. About a day later they then would arrive at Deba colony one of the most frontier worlds currently setup. It was home to roughly 200 or so colonists. Roughly 100 men, 75 women (4 registered as pregnant), and 25 assorted 1-17 year old aged children were on record at the mining colony at last check in by comms three weeks ago. The colony had been first surveyed and soon after setup in 2248 where it had been settled upon a rich deposit of assorted mining ores and minerals. An equally rich farming community also had been setup nearby where the local dairy cows imported to the planet produced a rich and highly sought after milk and milk by product of produce. While the mineral and ore was used locally for colony construction and products, the exports of milk and byproducts as well as a healthy supply of Deba wine were key exports for the region and merchant ships near K-2.

All in all this definitely looked to be a literal milk and booze run, with a short stint for basic colony check ups and maintenance if needed.

“So,” said Černý tentatively after the Captain had finished outlining whatever information he deemed relevant from what had flashed across the screen.

“Is there anything in particular you feel the scientific survey should cover, Captain?” Th’elin would be able to tell from having known Ivo for years, that even though the question was a perfectly appropriate one to ask, the real purpose of asking it was to convey that the Commodore’s request for a survey was an entirely arbitrary waste of time.

“You know, with the guidance from the Commodore being what it is,” he added on at the end, as if to draw an underline on the subtext.

– Ivo Černý, XO/CSO

Amber listened. This seemed like an easy shakeout run. But something about the way the others were reacting made her wonder just what the issue was. Her own notes listed along the side of her notes of the meeting were meant for her eyes only and for speaking to the Captain later. Whatever was underlying this, it felt… off…

She hoped it was just her ‘first station’ jitters and over thinking.

Amber
Comms

“I think I see what you’re getting at, Ivo,” Th’ellin replied to his XO. “I think you’re safe doing cursory scans only, but do keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. It’s a young colony and there’s bound to be enough fluff to pad out a report with the local flora and fauna interactions. However, we never know.” He knew Ivo well enough that it wasn’t laziness or disregard for the job that made the man inquire as to this, but he understood his First Officer would bristle at being told what to do by someone who didn’t give a rip about real science or discovery.

The Andorian was picking up his coffee finally when a thought struck him as odd. Pausing, cup halfway to his lips, his brown eyes turned to Amber. “Ms. Josen, the colony hasn’t made contact in three weeks, which is a bit long for usual check-in updates, would you see about making contact? Let them know we’re coming and make sure they inform us of any other needs we might be able to meet.”

Then the coffee met his lips as he looked around for operations updates from his other staff.

-Zarath, CO

As the crew sat and talked and hopefully wrapped up the conference soon the computer beeped and whirred waiting any further requested processing of information.

GM CockRoach

”whats the medical supply situation. I assume they brought some medics with them?” he asked looking around.

Doc Hudson
CMO