<snip>

Of course .. why was it that he felt that a misplaced sneeze could damage the delicate negotiations. What was delicate about it? Dagen thought all it needed was a few t’s crossed and then sign. That said he had never met a king before, and neither had any of Thor’s previous hosts so this was a first for him and Thor. He glanced to Reia to gauge her ‘opinion’ of this pomp and sent her a ‘oh ancestors, dress uniform again’ look of general helplessness. In truth he didn’t mind wearing it and it didn’t fit poorly like many complained about. It was the readying it and keeping it glistening that grated on the unapologetic ‘messy’ that he was.

The woman on the screen seemed quite lovely, but quite unable of picking up the first officer.

• Reia, CIO/Comms

Dagen, CE

Leaning back slightly in her chair, Surra observed the CE’s reaction and the unspoken communication between him and Reia. Then she returned her attention to her console, ensuring the data logs were up to date.

Lieutenant Almikaz
(CSO)

“Captain…Commander,” she said in a low tone that indicated one of them should say something. Neither man probably wanted to leave the ship to be attended by the second string however, orders were orders. Giving it another few seconds, Vanessa spoke up. There would probably be hell to pay later but sitting here listening to the chamber music was driving her slightly batty.

Magnus didn’t react to Vanessa’s urging only glimpsing briefly at the Captain, he didn’t like the warning tone in the message, young species always liked to flex their political power and the Federation was always happy to let them, it was standard diplomatic procedure to make newcomers feel welcome.

=/\=The shuttle is not necessary. We will use our own shuttles. We will be down there within the hour.=/\= Vanessa never liked the idea of being stranded or trusting someone to get her home.

Magnus nodded at her statement, her speaking up didn’t bother him as much as it would usually, it was a slightly worth it diplomatic slight, something they’d have to ignore because it wasn’t that big of a deal.

=^=We welcome the generous invitation of your King and your planet.=^= He smiled warmly but briefly as some cultures didn’t like smiles, or overt gestures. Not that he thought this was one of them given how broadly they hyped up their king.

=^=It is not our general protocol to land our nine most senior officers off our ship, but due to our high respect for your King we not only will disregard this protocol, but we ill do so happily.=^=

Calvin waited to the connection to end.

Magnus did his best not to ogle the Captain, that was one of the most impressive acts of sucking up he’d ever seen and he’d spent years working with career diplomats. He made a mental note to quote this in his log later.

=/\= As you wish,=/\= the woman stated with a slight hint of annoyance to her tone. =/\=We will be waiting for your arrival. Please take your time.=/\= The second sentence was widely open to interpretation of whether the woman was irritated or just stating a fact. The comm clicked off and the crew was left in silence.

“Security, I would like advanced security protocols for the ship and whatever ideas we have for the landing party. I don’t expect treachery but what better time would there be when all of us are exposed.”

He nodded to the Lieutenant who be in command if everyone left the ship. “Any order of any type coming from the planet - even to beam up and ant - would require a code, queen to queen’s level 3 with the counter sign queen to king’s level 1. Do you understand?”

Marius CO

During the communication exchange, several things would have been discovered by any crew running long-range scans. The Kelbonite deposits were throughout the crustal layers about 50 to 100 feet deep. Only in one area was the crust free of enough Kelbonite that a clever engineer or talented transporter officer might be able transport people on or off the surface. The problem was this spot was in an open desert about 100 miles away from any sort of civilization.

Scanning local communications would show several things. The people of the planet seemed to be relatively happy. The new stories were mostly feel-good pieces and weather reports. One thing that might be odd was a segment about the lunar and solar cycles of the planet that seemed to be repeated much like the weather every hour. It was as if lunar cycles were common news the people wanted to know about.

Basic details from Starfleet reports and a general survey of the Beltran’s technology showed that the military had numerous bases all over the continent King Artemis ruled. No rhyme or reason as to where the bases were placed could be immediately discerned as tactically important. They were scattered about almost haphazardly. There was also a small number of military personnel as compared to the general population with only .o5% the population being military. One thing that might be of importance was the fact a Starfleet security contingent was set up on Beltran. It was led by a Lt. Zachary Dean and consisted of a six man team whose entire purpose was to provide additional security to any Starfleet group that came to the planet.

From a medical point of view, the people of Beltran seemed to have very little chronic conditions in their databases. It was not like they did not have the typical ratio of illnesses or conditions to a population but a drastic lack of information once many went into the hospitals. It was as if the conditions were magically fixed so that only those that were super healthy.

GM Kate

As she sifted through the information gathered from long-range scans, local communications, Starfleet reports, and medical databases, several intriguing details emerged.

“Commander” she said as she spun around in her chair, ” I have uncovered some information about the planet and its inhabitants we might find useful,” Surra remarked. “The Kelbonite deposits are extensive but concentrated in the planet’s crust, making transportation challenging except for one spot in the desert, quite a distance away from civilization.”

She glanced at the chief engineer, knowing that her expertise in engineering and transportation might shed some light on potential solutions to this logistical challenge.

“Furthermore,” Surra continued, “local communications indicate a generally content population, with an uncanny interest on lunar and solar cycles.”

Turning her attention to the medical data, Surra’s brow furrowed with intrigue. “And medically, there’s something peculiar as well. While the population seems healthy overall, there’s a lack of chronic conditions in their databases, almost as if certain ailments vanish once they enter hospitals.”

She folded her hands on the console, a thoughtful expression on her face. “It appears we’ve uncovered more questions than answers?”

Lieutenant Almikaz
(CSO)

“Well, at least with only ten minutes notice, we won’t have time to change into dress uniforms?” Thomas offered.

COS

“Challeging…so not impossible,” Calvin asked in response to Surra’s report letting his glance move the CE’s station. There was a world of difference between the two. There was always a workaround but it was best to know all the options and obstacles before leaving the Genesis.

Calvin Marius CO

Reia elected the COS and couldn’t help but grin. Ah those dress uniforms. All one had to do was replicate a new one and reattach any vital things, medals commendations etc. Who needed 10 minutes for that?

“Yeah, cool to the touch. All right let’s fix this and get the hell out of here. I am really tired of this freak show.”

• Reia, CIO/Comms

He smiled at Reia’s comment. Direct and to the point and rather undiplomatic. Refreshing most times but in this case .. hmmm.

Dagen had been musing over the pervasive deposits. There was no quick get around with that and 100km circle about was not very near to anything. Oh for an easy to beam down short range vehicle like one always saw in holos that could be beamed down. He would have to get the boys - and girls - to work on that. This seemed to be rather missing in this universe. “Lieutenant Almikaz,” he said, knowing they didn’t have much time. “Are the kelbonite concentrations any different around cities like the one we will be going to? General construction, subbasements and the likes may mask the effect in the case of streets and pavement and simple excavation for foundations could make for a reduced interference.”
- Dagen, CE

The kelbonite deposits appeared to be the same depth all over the crustal surface at 50 to 100 feet deep. Going lower would have the crew find geology without them but they would still have to transport through them resulting in a very dangerous action. As the scans continued it would show that there were only two continents: the one where the Beltran cities were and a completely deserted continent. The two continents were equally spaced on the planet’s surface so when was experiencing day the other was experiencing night. On a deeper inspection, the science officer would notice that on the far side of the planet, the kelbonite deposits were more shallow at only 10 to 20 feet deep but there was no sign of civilization.

GM Kate

Magnus shook his head “Dress Whites and fruit salads for all” He said with a nod to the Captain, wearing the Dress Uniform with their clusters and medals would be an impressive enough sight. The aforementioned fruit salad of medals he, the Captain and other long-serving members had to wear would serve as a reminder on how seriously the Federation and Starfleet took the negotiations “Put Delta shift on bridge dutty?” He asked

XO

“You heard the XO people. Everyone in the hangar bay in one hour. Delta shift has the conn,” Calvin stood up from his seat and walked to the turbo..

Calvin Marius CO

Thomas sighed and headed to the turbolift himself.

“I just had to go and open my big mouth,” he muttered, resigned to being both anxious and uncomfortable at yet another diplomatic function.

COS

Magnus half-jogged after the Security chief, slapping the man on his oversized back and grinned at him “Come now, I bet you’ll look quite dashing in your blues”

XO

“Of course I’ll look good,” Thomas said. “I just will feel miserable.”

While the others trotted out Dagen hung behind waiting for Reia. “Guess we get to get ourselves all gussied up. Yes, that was a term that I got from your grandmother,” he said with a smile even if he totally didn’t quite get the term he got the gist of it. “An hour. Lots of time really,” he whispered with a wink as he let her precede him to the lift.
- Dagen, CE

Reia winked as she passed by to walk in front of Dagen. And I would be just enough time. Replicating a new dress uniform to hang your medals and ribbons from was really quite simple. Why did everybody throw such a fit she wondered.

“Yes, gussied up, that’s brown for you right there. But who knew that gussied up usually meant deciding which pair of flip-flops the boys get to wear with their budgie smugglers right? Just put a little more time into it this time love. We’re meeting a whole new race of people not just some old friends.”

• Reia

COS