[USS Charon, Bridge]
Shiarrael entered the bridge amidst a cacophony of noise. From the science station she heard someone speak "detecting several thousand life signs on the planet's northwest continent. They appear to be emanating from a cluster of small settlements."
"Several thousand?" Shiarrael asked stunned by the number. So there were several survivors? This was now somewhat different from what she expected. The young man at science twisted around and nodded his at her in confirmation. "Command Katris I want you to lead an away to team to one of the settlements. Take Lieutenant Dlya, Lieutenant Doyle, Doctor Bai, and a contingent of marines with you. You are to use extreme precaution when interacting with the local populace- there may be an infection down there. Your first priority is to find out what happened and whether or not these people require aid." It felt awkward calling her people, 'these people'. Shiarrael waited as Katris nodded her head and walked to turbo lift.
As soon as Katris was off the bridge Shiarrael pressed her commbadge "Commander Marcus report to transporter room two, I am sending you to the surface to join Lieutenant Tyrax and Ensign Dicari." She paused and pondered who else to send down to the surface. Finally deciding on a more 'native' member of the crew she pressed her commbadge "Arrain tr'Kethry I am sending you on an away mission. Report to transporter room two."
"I am occupied." Came the stale voice through her commbadge.
Shiarrael's teeth gnashed at the backtalk. This fool, she smiled forcefully to keep the tension on the bridge as low as possible "you can either be occupied on the planet or occupied in the brig. The choice is yours."
"Understood. I will occupy myself on the planet."
Inhaling deeply Shiarrael closed her eyes and then slowly exhaled. Opening her eyes she looked at Ch'Tan "Commander, I must look into some matters. I will merely be in my ready room. You have the bridge- be vigilant. There is no doubt in my mind that we will soon have company." She stood and casually made her way into the ready room.
[IRW Knvuk]
"Long range sensors are detecting another vessel already within the system."
"What?" Terrh's voice held an irritated edge as he leaned forward "what vessel?"
"The signature is not Romulan- it is Starfleet."
"Aha." Terrh snapped his fingers and leaned back in his chair "perhaps fate truly exists." He smiled and laughed "how long until the other ships arrive?"
"One hour: the IRW Y'has, IRW Jahae, IRW Stainless, and IRW Utarro'a were all sent by the lord governor."
"A great prize truly awaits us." Terrh said "prepare the Memento Mori for planetary dispersion."
"I thought you had another target in mind?"
"That can wait- first we should rid ourselves of this meddlesome bunch before they have the opportunity to discover anything."
[End]
