The Plans

Posted on Thu Jun 1st, 2017 @ 1:55pm by
Edited on on Thu Jun 1st, 2017 @ 1:55pm

728 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Unknown Life, Unknown Dangers
Location: Chief Engineering Officer's Office; USS Dreadnought

James had returned to his office following the staff meeting with the other senior officers. He had not had the opportunity to meet any of them upon his arrival of the ship and, hadn't bothered trying at least not for the moment. He sat down and picked up a PADD in order to begin making preparations for his engineering team to board the freighter upon their arrival.

BJ arrived at O'Connell's office fifteen minutes after the staff meeting had let out and she now wore a utility belt around her waist with a variety of items in it. In addition, she carried a few more over her shoulder, each filled with a Type II phaser, two extra power cells, a pair of restraints, a Security tricorder, a gas mask and a small medkit.

She reached out with her free hand and tapped the chime before adjusting the half a dozen belts on her other shoulder.

"Come in." James called without looking away from the PADD in his hand.

BJ entered the office and automatically took a look around from force of habit. She was always aware of her surroundings and each new place only intensified the scrutiny that she gave his office. "Lieutenant Commander," she said in greeting. "Looks like we've got some work to do."

He nodded and, indicated the small sofa inside of his office for her to sit as he stood up and walked around the desk. He sat down in the chair next to it and looked at the PADD in his hand, "I was considerin' three teams o' four engineers each. Shoul' be enough I woul' think."

"That's too many for an initial survey, Commander," she said after she wondered if her universal translator was broken while she listened to his odd dialect.

"I'd suggest no more than one team and two people on it to see what's what first, then bring in more as needed."

James took a sip of coffee from his mug, "O' course after the initial team checks into the situation. I will be leadin' the initial team."

"Then you'll need one of these and one for your other Engineer," BJ said as she handed him two belts equipped with everything she had assembled.

He reviewed each belt carefully and gave her a slow nod. They seemed to contain most of the standard equipment of any away team. "Wha' do you think happened to them? The crew o' the freighter I mean."

"Speculation is pointless until we actually arrive and send a team over," BJ responded. "I've learned that whatever you see at face value isn't always the case and speculation only leads to misconceptions. I'd rather get my hands on a full sensor scan before we even leave the ship."

James nodded in understanding, "Tha' is standard procedure..." He took a sip from the coffee mug, "Scannin' the ship before an away team is sent in."

BJ gave the coffee mug a longing glance before she turned her mind back to business. "Okay, so it'll be two Security for every four members of the away team. I want to go in first after we get the sensors and make sure the way is clear, then you can come in with the others and begin to check the ship. Do you have any other recommendations?"

James noticed her looking at his coffee mug and stood up from the desk. He stepped over to the replicator, "Coffee..." He turned back towards her so that she could tell the computer the rest if there was anything.

"I would prefer a strong Raktajino if it's not too much trouble, Commander," BJ said with a grateful smile.

He ordered it and watched as it appeared there before handing it to the security chief. He sat back down and sipped out of his own mug, "Tha' is the only recommendation that I 'ave." James said and made a few notes on the PADD before handing it to her, "T'is is my strategy for the away teams."

She took the offered coffee and took a sip before she reviewed the plans that the Engineer had and gave a nod. "It looks good, Chief," she said as she came to her feet with the mug. "I'll see you when the away teams are ready to transport," she said. With that, she got up and headed out.

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