[snip]

M’Mera looked around, “I haven’t seen the Chief, is Mullins herre? And Sharrp and Fleegman? Captain, I would like at least two Securrity in the firrst grroup to beam down to set up a perrimeterr.”

Sharp who was at the back raised his hand ‘’I’m here ma’am ‘’ he replied.

Guy arrived, out of breath. “Sorry, Ma’am! A mix up with the phasers!”

Eros went down the list, matching the names with the faces then nodded. “You are correct M’Mera. Lt. Mullins has yet to report here.”

“We’ll give him five minutes more and then start with the first group,” Glen told the Transporter Chief.

Eros nodded and stepped into the transporter and took a spot on one of the right side pads.

Hunter not so enthusiastic followed,stepped on a pad near Eros while putting the sling of the medical kit around his shoulder .

“Mrr. Fleegman and Mrr. Ssharrp, you will beam down with the firrst grroup. I will come with the ssecond. Set up a perrimeterr arround the away team upon beam in.”

“Aye, Ma’am!” replied Guy, who took the pad farthest left.

Captain Glen took position on the front pad.

‘’Aye ma’am ‘’ Sharp replied following Guy .

The crew arranged themselves into two groups with the two Security Crewman joining the first group who beamed down. The transporter officer looked up at the Captain, “Sir, I am placing you in a park area on the South East side of the colony where there is less interference for the beam in. There is a large hub just the North of the park that is in walking distance.”

Young Ashley hadn’t been on board the Merrimack for long but she was yet assigned to an away mission. Which means her check ins will have to wait. She then went up to the captain. “Hello captain. I am Lieutenant J.G. Ashley Walker your new engineering physicist. Tell me where you need me and I’ll do it.” She said as she was super eager to get to work on the planet surface. She then however stood there awaiting orders from her commanding officer and uses her tricorder to run scans.

“Yes, I’d like you to join this Landing Party too,” Glen replied. “There may be inspections of mines necessary and the determination of their safety, so we can always use another engineer.”

“Whenever you are ready!” Captain Glen told the Transporter Chief.

When both groups were finally beamed down they found themselves in a round park area, surrounded by jungle foliage with two paths that lead out to the North and South. Mist weaved itself through the canopy but blue sky could be seen right above them. The air was humid and warm, the team might find that their uniform jackets would be too heavy to wear once they started hiking.

When ever Lance beamed anywhere he always felt the overwhelming urge to check he had all his limbs in the right places, he had got good at not making it obvious and was once again glad to see he’d come down in one piece. He felt the heat first, “We really have to get better at weather reports when we land.” he muttered. He took out his tricorder and began initial scans on air quality, pollution, and life forms. He looked over at Stella “Fancy scanning for radio and media broadcasts?” he asked her, he would normally added it to his list but having more people to help was a bonus.

Unlike Lance who had managed to keep it a secret, Hunter on the other hand seeing he was still in one piece thanked the Gods ,then the nausea hit but the doctor had always managed to keep that to himself knowing it would soon pass. He then took out his medical tricoder to search for any life signs in the vicinity.

Glen checked that everyone had arrived and waiting while scans were performed and Security officers took up their flanking positions before asking them to move on. Given that the choice of path was North or South, and that there was a large hub just the North of their present position, the direction they should take was a no brainer. However, he wanted to see if the surface scans threw up anything they had missed from the Merrimack in orbit.

Sharp his eyes darting around, one hand on his phaser just in case he needed to take it out .He did not waste anytime taking his position outside the group, knowing that as a security he was the first line of defense . He knew Hunter was scanning for any life signs in the vicinity in what ever form and he was not about to take any chances .

Ashley then heard something about mines. “Captain. Did I hear you say mines?” As she wasn’t sure if she heard anything right. But she is now that she can do what she needs to do. It’s her job to be that engineer that can do her job. So she went ahead and did her job with no hesitation.

“Yes, that’s right, mines!” replied Glen, “Niobium Dilithium Hard Rock Mines! Not Anti-Personnel Mines!”

• Glen, CO