The Word Comes In.

Posted on Mon Feb 27th, 2023 @ 12:00pm by Captain Ethan De Havilland

1,008 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Ethics, Morals & The Prime Directive.
Location: Ready Room.
Timeline: MD1: 09:00Hrs

Ethan had so far met with a few members of his senior staff though he was still a little perplexed by the lack of an appointed First Officer. It was not unusual that a ship would leave without one only to rendezvous with one later along the plotted course, but there had been no word so far. Standing at the viewport that looked towards the rear of the ship down its considerable spine he wondered how everyone else was settling on board this behemoth. Before him lay the largest, most advanced starship in service and yet doubt was still a companion. He was sure an Admiral would have pegged the ship for his own flag, or that it would be a testbed by Starfleet Engineering. Yet here he was. He rubbed his chin as his mind was about to switch to another line of thought when his computer chirped, demanding his attention.

He sighed, not a moment's peace. Taking his seat he rotated to face it seeing that it was Vice Admiral Gisu. A tug on his tunic, a second to compose himself and then he made the connection. "Admiral Gisu."

"Captain De Havilland. How are you settling in?" Gisu asked. Gisu was a man of Asian descent, with white hair, an almost stern-looking face even relaxed. He'd overseen many projects in his years and the Valkyrie was one of them. Secretly he was glad to have it back after its last mission but as with all things, the good ones leave the nest sooner or later.

"Fine Admiral. I have been reading up on reports, status updates, and personnel records. They are still arriving and wanted to get a quick glimpse of the people I'd be working with on my staff." Ethan replied, not yet willing to let himself relax a little just yet this early into the conversation.

"I have your orders Captain." Gisu spoke, a smile on his face apparently pleased.

"I understand Admiral." Ethan couldn't help but feel anxious, a mix of unease but relief.

"Several years ago a civilian entity began planetary atmospheric reprocessing of a Class L planet on the edge of Federation space. The project showed considerable promise so Starfleet assisted initial setup by transporting the larger components needed. Once delivered then civilian freighters and transports would be used." Gisu sent Ethan the project outline and presentation. "You can peruse this later."

"Yes, Admiral." Ethan making a note to do exactly that, any information could be valuable.

"Starfleet had been getting regular updates on the project for assisting in setting it up, the information seemed promising, terraforming was yielding enhanced atmospherics at a steady and positive rate. About a year ago they started to run into trouble, raiders. At first it seemed like a random event, to the point where attacks were so infrequent that there was little reason to believe otherwise. 8 months ago a freighter went missing, no distress signal, nothing. Updates from the colony however read as all normal."

"Did the owner of the freighter file a report?" Ethan asked.

"No, the owner was part of the crew. Apparently, the ship was subcontracted." Gisu answered. "Long-range probes have detected increased traffic in the area, it was impossible to detect who or what because it was on the extreme range of the probe."

"Sounds like there is a situation, but exactly what is not known nor it's severity," Ethan spoke, speaking what his mind was already telling him.

"Indeed. I'd like you to take the ship to the planet and assess the situation firsthand. Not only an in-depth update of the terraforming project but also a resolution to the raider issue and if possible, answers about the missing freighter." Gisu spoke, his tone taking on that expected 'Admiral' command to it.

"I understand, are there any special considerations or requirements for this undertaking?" Ethan asked, again, the more information he had the better he could carry out his orders.

"No Captain, you have everything you need." There was a pause, but only briefly. "Captain, something feels...off about this situation and I am not meaning the missing ship. The updates that were sent, though the information was promising, it read a little too easily. Due to it being a civilian operation, we have no right to demand further information, which is where you come in. Get the answers we need, find out what is going on there and if possible, that missing ship."

"Understood Admiral. Just one thing, I have yet to be appointed a First Officer. Will one be sent before my departure?"

"No, we are hopeful to have a candidate meet you en route, but as of yet, no. I would suggest having the next ranking officer on board serve that function. I will keep you updated should a candidate present itself." Admiral Gisu remarked and though his demeanor showed a genuine wish to help, orders had to come first.

"Understood Admiral, we are conducting final prep and crew boarding as we speak. I will depart the moment we are able." There was an underlying tone of assurance and confidence in Ethan's tone. He wanted to get underway as much as the next man but doing so before being ready would only pile additional risk onto ship and crew. When the channel closed Ethan held a renewed sense of purpose, though there were still many questions he felt that perhaps his place at the moment was less vague or obscure. He had his orders, a direction, a purpose, now all he had to do was wait for everyone else to be ready within his 48 hour deadline.

His orders were simple sounding enough but he knew that underestimating a situation could lead to ruin, so he tried to focus on what he'd been ordered to do, prepare the ship and get the crew on board. He could only hope what the Admiral had said about a First Officer was accurate but that would be a luxury, one of many he didn't have or could afford in his current position.

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