Gathering the Crew

Aboard the USS Phoenix, Doctor Kathleen Friedman went through her proposal and requisitions list for the fourth time. A waste of time, the small voice in her head told her, but this needed to be perfect. Captain Syntron will not even open any proposal it if it’s not comprehensive and thorough. And to make matters worse, she didn’t have the clearance to look at potential candidates for the away mission.

With a frustrated sigh, she commanded the computer to save and exit. A run would be just the thing to get rid of the tension that were cramping her muscles into tight bunches.

What if...what if I concentrate on the people I need? She thought to herself, instead of trying to all this by myself. Those who know their jobs will know exactly what will be needed to make this mission successful!  She slapped herself up the head mentally. At last a sensible thought!

I will need a linguist,she started at the most basic need, then someone from Ops to monitor the Spires, someone on site that can see problems before it happens and correct it, a pilot for the Sagan, a medical officer...well, in this case an EMH will be just the thing, a computer specialist to access the alien data base and an engineer to hook us up to the planetoid’s energy source, someone to monitor the stars, just in case the planetoid does more than play with a teeny bit of time travel and who better than to note changes to the planetoid itself, Ryan Philips?

Not wasting any more time, she activated her computer again.

“Computer, please search for personnel not on assignment in the following fields,” she listed her requirements, “and request their presence in the secondary conference room on deck nine in one hour. Please transfer the list to my personal PADD.”

After a few minutes, the information she requested appeared on the screen:

·         Ensign David MacGyver, Position: Computer Systems Specialist

·         Lieutenant JG Tomi Bristol, Position: Shuttle Pilot (Second Position: Biologist/Xenologist)

·         Lt. Commander E.M.H Theodor Gray, Position: Medical Officer

·         Lieutenant JG Alenis Leeta, Position: Language Specialist

·         Ensign Craig Parker, Position: Matter/Energy Systems Specialist

·         Ensign Ashley Chao, Position: Operations Officer

·         Lieutenant JG Anita Muller, Position: Astrophysicist

·         Ensign Ryan Phillips, Position: Geologist.

She nodded approvingly. Sometimes bits of help, even from a computer, are much appreciated.

The Draylaxian's notification to all of the potentially involved crew members inviting them to a meeting in the conference had made their way to each individual. This allowed each of the invitees time to sort out any particulars within their schedules while also allowing her time to continue working on the details of her mission proposal before the meeting would commence..

As the time approached, Kathleen began transferring her own mission specifics to her PADD, before she hastened her way to the secondary conference room on deck nine.

After quickly exiting the turbolift, Kathleen tried to calm her heartbeat nearing the entrance to the room. It’s still early; another half hour to go before the start of the meeting... she reminded herself as she paused for a moment. A soft susurration through the closed door grabbed her attention.

Surely there were no other meetings today?She opened the door and seven faces, well eight, counting the EMH, turned towards her. She laughed incredulously.

“Aren’t you all a bit early for the meeting?” Kathleen questioned curiously as she sat down in the chair at the top of the table.

When the door swished open to admit Doctor Friedman, Craig swiveled his seat around to face the noise. The summons almost an hour earlier had piqued his curiosity and he had quickly found his friend Ensign MacGyver, of his own Beta shift duty roster, in order to tell him about the summons. Since they had both read the debriefing of the Sagan incident, a first-hand account of the pocket universe experience endured by Friedman had been on both their minds lately. It came as no surprise then that Parker learned that David as well had received a summons.

 Now, rising to meet the doctor in person, Craig nodded at her inquiry and responded in kind.

"Speaking for myself Doctor Friedman, I couldn't pass up the chance to meet a famous inter-universal traveler."

Kathleen smirked.

“And here I thought you were attending this meeting to verify the rumors of Draylaxian females!” she teased. “As you can see, Ensign, I do have a tail!” She playfully tapped her chest with the tip of her tail.

“But,” she turned serious, “we are not here to comment on each other’s lack of extremities or the abundance thereof. “

She pointedly looked each person in the eye before continuing. “I am in the process of compiling a proposal for Captain Syntron for an extended away mission on the planetoid. At this point in my proposal, there is no scheduled deadline for completion. Therefore, this undertaking may take a couple of months, or stretch out even longer. There will be no vacation, no relief and no resigning from your task once we are down there. We leave when the job is done or when Starfleet pulls us out.”

She leaned back in the chair.

“Your participation in this away mission is totally voluntary. If you are not up to staying on a planetoid with a toxic atmosphere, crowded quarters, personal space problems and spending most of your waking hours inside an environmental suit, you can decline without prejudice.”

She stood up and walked towards the replicator.

“I will give you all some time now to discuss and to decide on your potential involvement in this mission. I personally need a strong cup of coffee before we continue any further with this meeting. My nerves are shot.” The group’s sympathetic laughter turned into an animated discussion.

Within seconds, a cup with a steaming beverage appeared in the replicator.  She grasped the cup and then carefully sipped the hot brew that smelled like coffee but unfortunately did not taste like it. Kathleen was idly staring at the darkness outside the viewport when someone entered her view.

Reluctantly, Tomi Bristol walked slowly toward the Draylaxian. He was ambivalent about this possible mission about as much as he was about his current position on the Phoenix. He kept his head tilted slightly to the side to bring less attention to the scars still present on his face from a previous biochemical accident many years ago. But these dermal scars were far less significant than the ones that he carried internally.   

After the accident, he switched his professional attention toward being a pilot. It was the one thing in his rather mundane life that presented any interest to him. He had no companionship or family aboard the ship or even back on Earth, and went from an important officer on Earth down to a mere Ensign in Starfleet. His hope was to be a pilot on this new science starship, but he was out-ranked and not as experienced as most of the other flight crew members. His biochemical skills, degrees, and experience had most likely earned him a spot on the Phoenix, even though he applied really to be a pilot on the starship.

After a few deep breaths, he mustered up the strength to address the Draylaxian.

"Lieutenant, I was just wondering... why did you select me?"

((response from  Kathleen))

Replacing her empty cup back into in the replicator, Kathleen walked back towards the table where expectant faces looked up at her. Surprisingly, no one had left. She let a relieved sigh slip. So far, so good.

“All of you are joining the mission?” Kathleen asked. When all crew present confirmed their participation with nods or remarks, she continued.

“Great! But before I give you any information regarding our stay on the planetoid, I want to stress the utter most confidentiality of anything you may hear, see or experience. Tell no one, not even your superior officer. They will be informed of your new position before the next shift change; that is if this mission is approved.  Any questions so far?” She looked expectantly at them yet no one responded.

“Right! Let’s continue!” She tapped on her PADD. “I am transferring the relevant information regarding your individual job descriptions to you right now. “

As the members picked up their PADDs, she continued speaking to them.

“As you can see, every one of you has one or more tasks to perform, above your designated duties. I expect all of you to stay within the time limits set down, because the more we do, the less time we need to stay on the surface. Believe me people, it’s not a very hospitable environment, as some of you already know.”

Kathleen allow an additional few moments for each member to peruse through the details listed on the PADDs.

“Now, I expect all of you to have your requisition done and transferred to me within the next two hours. When Captain Syntron comes back from the planetoid, he will expect my proposal with a combined requisitioning, on his desk for his perusal.”

“Any further information will be given to you when we have set up camp on the planetoid itself. You will have to bear with me in this aspect. I cannot reveal anything to you without prior permission from the Captain.”

She stood up and looked at the eager faces around her.

“Thank you, all, for joining me in this unique opportunity. I will let you know what the Captain’s decision is. Any other questions?”

After the doctor finished her synopsis and requirement’s briefing, Ensign’s Parker and MacGyver put their heads together and hashed out a small list of their own. As far as matter and energy systems, most anything would do to see the team through the expected tie frame of the mission, but MacGyver had some worries of his own specialty that would likely need to be addressed. He stated as much to Craig as they wound up their mini meeting.

“I would have to insist David. But it is a long shot that the captain would grant the away team this one item.”

 Nodding in agreement, Parker heard Doctor Friedman’s last request for questions, and the pair rose and walked over to the scientist.

“Doctor Friedman,” Ensign MacGyver began. “We’re both gung-ho to go, but I will have to make one very specific request.”

Having the Draylaxian’s attention, Craig continued.

“In order to have sufficient computational resources, I am positive that this mission will need the most robust computer we can take along. Moreover, being that the Phoenix staying is out of the equation, I must ask that the Captain grant us use of the Firebird. The yacht has the largest computer system on board as for as shuttles are concerned. We will need her data base if this mission will be undertaking what I … sorry, we believe it will encompass.”

Glancing at Ensign Parker for moral support, David continued.

Besides that, the yacht sleeps six and is capably armed. And,” he added for Craig’s benefit,” her engines are far more powerful for energy requirements than a couple of type 9 shuttles would be.”

 Watching the Doctor as she thought this request over, Ensign Parker added his opinion on requests while they had her somewhat alone.

“Lieutenant, we would also want at least a pair of class three planetary probe’s and one class six communications/relay probe in inventory. Not to mention probably a class seven probe launch from the Phoenix before she leaves.”

“I agree, Ensigns Parker and MacGyver. But the Firebird only sleeps six and our little group consists of eight members, including the EMH.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Though it will lighten the load on the Sagan. I am worried that the power requirements will be too much for it if you fail to draw power from the planetoid itself. The Sagan sleeps eight, but space will still be at a premium, given our need for extra replicators for equipment and oxygen.” She nodded thoughtfully. “Asking for the Firebird makes sense in this instance.”

 “For the probes, Ensign Parker, that is a definite requirement. But you still have to quantify and qualify your request for it.”  She looked at Ensign MacGyver. “You will probably need to do the same with the Captain’s yacht! Remember, we are mostly going to observe and monitor. Non invasive measures as far as possible.”

Smiling up at them, she continues, “Now, use the correct requisition forms and make it official. Remember to send it to me when you are done.”

She turned towards the turbolift. Several pings from her PADD drew her attention. The first of the requisition forms had arrived. Trust an EMH to have it ready within minutes of the meeting!

Feeling positive about the outcome of the proposal for the first time since the Captain the requested it, she returned to her quarters to start the last few additions and corrections to it.

((Any other responses?))