Diplomatic Endeavours
Posted on Sun Nov 28th, 2021 @ 8:07pm by Lieutenant JG T'Sehn & Commander Peter Horn & Commander Merik tr'Sei
1,631 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Episode 4 - The Fires Of Hades
Location: Runabout USS Plutus - Returning From Ba'ku
Timeline: Mission Day 14 @ 1000 Hours
ON
Peter turned back towards his team as they set back en route towards their new home. "I believe we have made some very good deals," he stated as he regarded his small team. "I also believe that having somewhere to send small expeditions for training purposes is a very good place to start. And this may open up other trade opportunities as well. What are your thoughts? Any concerns we need to make the captain aware of?"
"Well from what I have seen things looked fairly secure. It may have to take a few more trips to check it out but, it seemed okay." Kaylee responded. "Ensign Teach seemed to be popular when he fixed that disabled windmill and turbine that helped to bring in water to the town." Kaylee gave a bit of a smile towards the operations officer. "I thought I saw some young men trying to see if their muscles could match up with yours."
She looked over to T'Sehn. "What did you find out there?" Then looked at Peter. "Sir, did you have a good conversation with one of the town leaders there?" Kaylee having thought she saw some smiles there at least from the town leaders there.
Teach chuckled and looked to Kaylee. " Just doing my bit to help a budding relationship with us and the Ba'ku. " Teach shook his head. " That and young bucks are always wanting to test their strength, who knows perhaps I'll even show them some arm wrestling. " Teach stroked his beard for several long moments. " Do ya think the Ba'ku would let us grow some crops of our own? Of course, I'd give them some of their own to grow as well. I was thinking maybe some Wheat, Rye, Rice, Barley, Malt, and Hops. Maybe they'd like some fruit trees as well. There's not enough room on the station to grow everything we want or need, it could really help and lessen our reliance on importing every bleeding thing we need. "
"With Chief Stoun endeavoring to return the replicators to a functional state we should not need a ready supply of fresh produce. I believe the issue was with the waste reclamation systems not recycling the waste matter and depositing it into the matter reservoir" T'Sehn spoke up from the back of the runabouts bridge compartment carrying a padd that he had been pouring over for some time now. "And to answer your inquiry Lieutenant, I found some fascinating flora with some rather intriguing restorative properties and I was also able to secure some much-needed medical supply from the Federation representative from Starbase 308. I believe he will be returning to the Starbase and making the arrangements for a steady supply chain!"
Teach spoke up. "Lieutenant T'Sehn Sir. The Wheat and Rye would be to make my Mum's homemade Wheat and Rye bread. The rice, barley, malt, and hops could be used in a number of recipes or combined to be brewed up for a tasty treat for the crew. That and any fresh fruit from a tree is a treat, I think it would be hard even for you Sir to turn down a nice crispy, and juicy apple. Replicated is fine, but you can't beat fresh Sir."
"I do agree the artificial food does lack some of the flavor however the caloric and nutritional values of replicated food far surpass that of natural foods... Please also note that we Vulcans do not find handling our food to be an activity we are comfortable with!"
Finally settling down in his seat to the right-hand side of the cockpit and placed the padd down on the console. "I do also believe that several of our civilian shipmates will be setting up their own trade connections with local suppliers. The promenade should be a commerce and trade hub within a short time!"
" The more the pity Sir. I would be willing to bet that with Vulcan logic and precision that they would make some damn fine chefs. I mean there are plenty of Vulcan recipes out there. Someone had to make them, And I rather enjoy a good plomek soup myself every now and then. And to be honest with ya, I'm looking forward to seeing the Promenade bustling and teeming with activity. It will make the place feel more like home to me, I was born on a starship, I feel more at home amongst the stars than on a planet. "
"I find Vulcan food to be extremely bland," Peter pointed out, "but with my many food allergies, I have to be very careful with what I eat anyway. I do not eat meat, but I do prefer Human cuisine, it has more flavor. I would welcome a variety of eating establishments, even if the ingredients are replicated. Food is food, regardless of the origins."
"Indeed" T'Sehn offered as he noticed something on the console he was now sitting at. "Commander I am reading an unusual energy displacement coming from starboard... I am unable to localize it!"
"What kind of energy displacement," Peter all but demanded, "Teach prepare for evasive maneuvers just in case. T'Sehn, prepare to raise shields." He looked towards Serra. "Can you try and identify the source?"
Teach responded. "Aye Sir!! Ready for evasive maneuvers on command! Shall I bring the weapon system to standby Sir? If the contact proves to be hostile, we might need it just in case."
"Better be safe than sorry," Peter commented, "Any headway yet on identifying the source?"
"I am working on it, Sir." Kaylee responded, The distortion seemed to be a familiar shape. The blonde woman scanned, "So far can't penetrate the cloak but I have an idea." she remarked.
Teach brought the weapon systems to standby and then glanced towards T'Sehn and hoped he had a reading of the shadowing vessel soon, in case running became a futile option.
Romulan Warbird Khazara
"They know we're here, Commander." one of the Centurions said.
"No, they don't. Our improved cloaking device is too good for their sensors." Merik said with conviction. "All we did was let them know something is out there with them. I would've been surprised if they hadn't noticed something as massive as our ship when it's right beside them." he returned to the center seat and sat down. "Put some more distance between us and them. Let's see what they will do next."
Runabout USS Plutus
Teach spoke up. " Commander Horn Sir, If I may be bold enough to make a suggestion. We have a small asteroid field at bearing 217 mark 55, We're small and maneuverable, if I pull a bootlegger I could have us there in two minutes. That or we could hail them and see who they are and what they want. "
His tactical mind awhirl, Peter stayed silent for just a few seconds. "I do not know what a bootlegger is," he confessed, "however I do agree with your suggestion to make for the asteroid field. Keep scanning however, if something is out there, sensors will find a way to detect it."
"I can send out an antiproton beam which should help us identify what is out there, either a Klingon ship or a Romulan ship." Kaylee commented.
"Hold off on that beam lass until I finish this maneuver, this should catch him off guard." Teach slammed the runabout into a sharp turn with the heavy use of thrusters and brought the ship into a sliding 180, he then increased speed towards the asteroid field. "Alright lass, light him up with your beam!"
"Assuming something or someone is out there," Peter reminded them both, feeling the increase in power as he was pressed into his seat by the sudden acceleration before inertia dampeners could compensate for the change.
Romulan Warbird Khazara
"Ah..!" Merik perked up as he noticed the sudden course change of the small Federation ship. "It seems the game is afoot. Where are they heading?"
The Centurion at the Helm responded quickly and to the point. "Their course leads them to a nearby asteroid field, Commander. Its density doesn't allow us much room for maneuvering."
"Hm, interesting move. But it doesn't change anything. We can wait outside the asteroid field if we have to." Merik pondered while saying his thoughts out loud. "I assume there are metreon gas clouds inside the asteroid field as well?" The question wasn't directed at anyone particular of his Bridge crew, but he expected an answer nonetheless.
"Yes, Commander. Some are particularly dense."
"Good." A smirk appeared on Merik's face. "It will make this game so much more interesting. Keep following them, but triple the distance between our ship and theirs."
"Yes, sir."
Runabout USS Plutus
"Commander!" T'Sehn interjected, his fingers dancing across the communications system display. "I am reading a communications relay in the patch. It has an identifying code as that of the network Commander Carter was instructed to establish... Should I attempt to connect and seek assistance?"
"If Commander Carter has instructions to identify the network, then yes, by all means, lieutenant, attempt to connect to it," Peter answered, "but do please tread with caution."
"Aye, sir!"
The Vulcan was no master at communications networking... in fact, he wasn't even a qualified bridge officer but needs must. Slowly he started to make connections with the network access that was in range and very quickly he found he had a green light.
"Runabout Plutus to USS Cerberus or Deep Space Twenty One, respond, please. We are in need of assistance!" he kept the plea for help as vague as he could.
"Plutus this is the Cerberus, hang on we're on the way." came a very clear, crisp reply from Commander Carter.
To Be Continued...
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