[snip]

“Okay!” Kahuna announced as he sat down in the Captain’s Chair, “Reports please! Communications, Navigation, Science! Where are we and how are we doing?”

“The Merrimack remains in a stable orbit of the EP19,” replied Pokorski. “All systems are operating under normal parameters.”

Cara reported, “I’m detecting lifeforms, both on EP19’s surface and underground, so they haven’t been exterminated yet! Shields at maximum. Weapons standing by. We have Impulse and Warp power. Life Support is at optimum levels. All other operating systems within normal parameters… Oh! Sorry, Sir! He said that already…!!”

Also showing up on screen after a while and on scans was the large comet that had originally drawn their attention coming to the planet. As planned on its flight path the comet came within about 500km of the planet’s atmosphere a few chunks of it breaking up and burning up quickly from the planet’s gravitational pull. The flecks that broke off, and the large cometary dust cloud also were pulled down shedding an invaluable amount of dust particles and minerals across the planet from east to west. No doubt on the planet it would look like a long streak appearing in the sky from the larger brighter presence of the comet. As they would recall the locals knew of its approach and had seen it, considering it to be a sign of some sort from their deity Va for good will and guidance. How that would play out was anyone’s guess, though nothing was stopping them if they wanted to drop a small surveillance probe to get close to the native areas to listen/observe their reactions if they wanted. In addition scans of the dust and minerals and ice particles showed they were rich in many different types of common ore as well as H20 and such that would get cycled into the planet’s atmosphere and biome.

“The comet has now reached its closest pass by the planet,” Dariusz Pokorski added.

The comet’s passing took all in all about 30 minutes and soon was on another course from the planet’s shift that would eventually see it burn up in another 5 or so hours nearing the center of the system’s solar body.

Faith had still not left the Bridge. She watched the comet pass across the viewscreen like the rest of the Bridge crew. “Wasn’t it Einstein who said that he was convinced that God does not play dice with the Universe. He said nothing about Gods playing marbles did he?”

Faith left the Bridge. She was heading back to her Quarters to write a strong letter to the Federation Planet Peace Committee about the recent events. The role of that committee was to ensure peace and cooperation between all the planets in the Milky Way Galaxy. There would probably be a rally and demonstration called when they found out.

Glen returned to the Bridge to leave behind EP19 and return to DS4.

“Captain on the Bridge!” exclaimed Kahuna, who stood up and offered the Captain’s seat.

“Thank you! Set a course for Station Deep Space 4. Ahead Warp 4!” Glen confirmed. He seemed deep in his own thoughts.

“Did you not mean Deep Space K-5, Sir!” asked Dariuz Pokorski.

“Ah! Yes, DS K-5, that’s the one! Second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning!” replied the Captain. Glen could probably use some sleep around now, what with his sudden illness and the stresses of the meeting with the Ascended being Josan.

Cara asked, “Captain, permission to release two probes before we leave, to continue to monitor the inhabitants of planet EP19? Josan was agreeable to us doing that!”

“Yes, agreed!” replied the Captain. “Delay us getting away until those are sent off..... I’m still not sure whether we will be honouring the bargain that we struck with them or not. They will have a better quality of life with the income from their Dilithium mines. It won’t make any difference to them whether we continue to have friendly relations with their gods or not. Our continued presence here has to be better for them, than washing our hands of them and this nasty business… We might still change the views of the Ascended over time, though a fat chance of that! But I think mainly, that i just don’t want to ask this crew to lie about a mission again. Telling the truth is usually the best option. For relationships, truthfulness makes social bonds, and lying and hypocrisy break them. If people can’t deal with the truth then that’s their own problem.”

Once the probes had been released and sent off, the Merrimack got underway.

-Glen, CO