Scientific Inquiry

Posted on Thu Jun 6th, 2019 @ 11:53am by Captain Wilkan Targaryen
Edited on on Thu Jan 2nd, 2020 @ 5:32pm

1,347 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Atlantis
Location: Ready Room, Starfleet One
Timeline: 2429-12-02, 12:30

Admiral William Teagarden sat at on the couch opposite his work area looking through the books that had been brought out of storage. He had always had an impressive library in his office of classics - not only of Earth literature but also from other Federation members and allies. It brought a bit of grounding to the futuristic universe in which they lived. The reminder of where they were and where they were going was always present through books.

He couldn't help but smile as he picked up the copy of "The Dream of the Fire" by Klingon author K'Ratak. General Worf had given him a copy of this book ages ago - insisting that the Klingon Empire had perfected the art of literature with this book - they of course disagreed, but it was thoughtful. He only hoped that Worf could forgive him for what he'd done as the Ambassador to the Klingon Empire and as the Arbiter of Succession. He hoped Worf would understand.

"Meditations on a Crimson Shadow" by Preloc was the next book he pulled. The Cardassian novel focused on the aftermath of a Cardassian/Klingon War in which the Cardassians had defeated the Klingons and claimed their space as their own. He placed the book next to "Anslem" by Jake Sisko, debating between the two which would be placed on the end stand next to the couch. Maybe he'd actually get time to read on this assignment.

The door chimed as the Admiral looked at his copy of "The Dictates of Poetics" by Vulcan author T'Hain. He tossed it on the coffee table as he looked up at the door.

"Come in," he ordered as he returned his attention to the books and slid them around.

The door swooshed open, and Carla stepped in. "Hello Admiral, you asked to see me?" Green said in her best professional voice.


"Hello, Commander, thank you for joining me," the Admiral said as he glanced up. "I was just trying to pick a book to look through and had narrowed it down. Any good suggestions?" He asked as he leaned back in his seat holding a copy of "A Tale of Two Cities" in his hand.

Observing what was in his hand, and what she could see on his shelf, the Cscio shrugged. "It would depend on your mood, and your tastes, sir. I'm more of a romance and fantasy girl myself, although I do enjoy a good technical manual when the need or desire emerges." She stepped over to his shelf.

"Looking at what I'm seeing here.." she thought about what he might like. "I might recommend the the Iliad, the Odyssey, or something of more tactical taste, Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae by Steven Pressfield."

"Excellent suggestions, Commander," he said joining her at the book shelf. "Thanks."

"Thank you, sir." Green said.

As he placed the book on the end stand he turned back toward his Chief Science Officer, "So, now that that's out of the way, how have you been, Commander? It's been a while since we last spoke and I wanted to see how you were doing. I know that you were with Mister H'wii when the Thalaron Generator went off. I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"It's...fine." She said it firmly, but there was a tremble in her voice. "I'm hurting still. I can't believe what happened. But, I'm managing. I've never had anyone die in front of me so violently before. And, there was nothing I could do to stop it." Carla found herself feeling sick inside. She pushed it back mentally and emotionally. "It's a lot different in a battle. This felt more like a planned murder. H'wiii saved my life. And everyone else's."

She turned to face him. "I'll be okay sir. I just need some time."

"You take whatever time you need, Commander." William answered from the couch. "For what it's worth I am happy to have someone of your talents as my Science Officer. I'm hoping for a long and prosperous voyage for us."

The Admiral lifted a PADD from the desk, "Case in point we have a mission. We're going to investigate this signal," he gave her the PADD with its distinctive waveform pattern that was almost the same as that of a Federation communications system. "It looks like ours, but it isn't."

Carla intrigued, looked at it. She squinted slightly as she examined the pattern. "It looks like old Earth type signals. Not exactly Federation, but maybe a variation of it?" She looked at the Admiral. "Are you thinking this may be a first contact situation, sir?"

"That's my hope, Commander," William answered. "Once we get underway to investigate I would like you to begin scanning the area looking for anything that is of concern. Just to be safe. This is an unknown and I like to be prepared for anything."

"Understood Admiral, and not a problem. I'll take care of it, and if for some reason I'm off the bridge at that time, I'll forward the need onto my relief." She put her hands behind her back. "First contacts are very delicate. Are you planning an away team to survey from the ground first, or are we just going in and if they can be contacted, sending them a message?"

"All depends on the situation. Cryptography believes this to be an emergency signal. If someone knows us well enough they'd know we would have to respond to it. Adding the signal similar to a Federation one just sweetens the deal," he sighed as he walked toward the window and looked out it. "We will be on the farthest reaches of the Federation with this mission, no help will come if this goes wrong. It could be anything, but my fear is this is going to be something."

"Fear sir?" She looked sharply at him. "Meaning more then first contact? Or, you suspect a possible trap from an enemy?" Images of H'wii dying suddenly hit her, and Green stiffened a little, forcing herself back to reality, "If the latter is true, yes Admiral, we need to take every precaution."

The Admiral considered his answer, "It's an old habit of mine, Commander. I always go worst case scenario in any eventuality. That way I'm surprised when things go smoothly. Full sensor scans, sweeps if you feel it necessary, when we find the source of the transmission. Anything of concern please report immediately to myself, Commander Bishop, or Commander Hawkins."

"Of course. Admiral." Green said. "Whatever you need. Will that be all sir?" He could tell something was still eating at her inside. Obviously she needed more help then she was saying due to the death of H'Wii and the incident.

And the Admiral had caught on, "No, it won't. I want you to meet with Commander Rigby at your earliest opportunity. You had a very traumatic incident not long ago. I want you to take care of yourself, especially now, in the face of such trauma."

Green was about to protest, but the look on his face told her different. That and the nightmares that continued to come. She sighed with a deep resignation. "Yes, Admiral. I'll do that. When time permits."

"You will make it a priority, Commander," he answered in his Admiral's voice. "Nothing is more important to me than the health of my officers, be sure that you are taking care of yourself. I know what you're going through."

The intensity of his command startled her a bit. Reluctantly, she nodded. "Yes sir." Her voice was stiff. "I'll do that sir. Will there be anything else, Admiral sir?" Her body was tense, now locked at attention. _Why am I here?_

"Not unless you have something, Commander," William answered.

"No sir. I think we're finished." she nodded. "Thank you, Admiral. She did an about face and headed to the door, exiting.

The Admiral watched as his Science Officer exited the Ready Room and hoped that she was doing better than she hoped she was.

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