Into the Unknown

Posted on Fri Jan 27th, 2012 @ 10:12pm by Captain Vorn Krace & Commander Acle Walex & Commander Jordan Gunning & Lieutenant Commander Zim Drex & Lieutenant Commander Sara Archer & Lieutenant Elena Valdez & Lieutenant Elizabeth Lynn & Lieutenant JG Emily Hamson & Ensign Alistair Ross

Mission: Heart of an Explorer
Location: USS Iapetus - Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD02 0900hrs

"We've been given a new mission from Starfleet," Captain Krace told his officers, as they all sat around the briefing room table at the scheduled morning meeting. He didn't fight to hide his emotions as the hint of a smile played about the corner of his mouth. "We're being assigned to a six month exploration cruise, out past the boundary of current Federation exploration barriers around Xelis."

Acle remained quiet, having already been briefed with the Captain. Instead, he looked a the assembled crew, evaluating their reactions.

Jordan's eyes fell on his PADD. Exploratory missions always created a slight issue with the readiness of his security teams. Especially out here in the Delta Quadrant, he had no idea of the kind of threats that they could expect.

He collated all the data he had on Xelis and began to skim-read it. Official designation MW-DQ-2384-1-AA, for all the good that would actually do. He continued down the page. Eleven planets in the system with a base on Xelis Delta. Gunning presumed that some small exploratory expeditions may have been undertaken from said base.

"Is there any indication of what we can expect to find in the immediate vicinity?" He asked tentatively. It paid to be informed, even if there was no information available.

"Starfleet has sent a number of unmanned probes into the region, and studied it from afar, but the data we have is limited to those studies," Krace replied. He consulted one of the PADDs he had brought in with him. "There are numerous stars which show signs of having orbiting bodies, a few nebulae and other stellar phenomenon." He smiled as he looked back up. "Just the kind of space that this ship was designed to explore."

The Tactical officer offered his captain a curt nod, taking a note to examine the reports from the probes in more detail. There were only two types of Starfleet officer with a dislike of the unknown; tactical officers and intelligence officers. Unfortunately, he was unable to look upon the idea of an exploration cruise with the same saucer-eyed delight of his Captain.

Lieutenant Elizabeth Lynn, ever the pragmatic counselor, issued a much more vocal disdain, "This will be rather difficult for some of the crew. There are a fair few people who don't particularly adjust well to deep space exploration. I would imagine you'll need to allow for a few extra holodeck uses over the next few months just to give people a bit of a relief from the tedium of deep space. I think the only person that won't be bored on this little excursion will be me..."

Elena Valdez, sitting across the table from Lynn, heartily disagreed with the counselor. Finally, they were actually going to do some exploring! This was why she had joined Star Fleet in the first place: to fly through the strange, uncharted expanses of the universe, to uncover the mysteries of worlds far from her home, and to experience through her own eyes the customs and cultures of the alien races they were sure to encounter. Her brown eyes sparkled at the news, and a sunny smile stole across the doctor's face, but she said nothing, preferring to hear what her crewmates had to say.

The captain nodded at the counsellors request. "Agreed. It'll take us about a month to get out past Xelis anyway, so I want you all to work with Commander Walex on a new shift rotation for the time being; try and give your people as much leisure time as you can."

"I would like to do an upgrade on all the sensor grids and primary ship systems with the assistances of Commander Drex." Emily stated bluntly.

If he was taken back by the woman's sudden request, Krace didn't show it for more than half a second. "We've already got one of the most advanced sensor arrays in Starfleet, but if you think you can eek a bit more out of it, you're welcome to."

"I'm happy to help add any additional technology that might help us, Lieutenant." Drex mentioned with a smile. He couldn't wait to get his hands on some of the weird technology they would undoubtedly encounter out here as well.

"If there are no further questions," the captain said, leaning forward and placing his weight on his elbows atop the conference table, "then we'd best start getting the ship ready."

"Commander," the captain looked towards his chief engineer. "I want you to oversee the ship's repairs. Make sure to go over any system overhauls and maintenance whilst we're here as well, we won't have much chance to visit a drydock once we leave."

"I still have a team working on the main computer. Repair teams are recalibrating the EPS matrix but we should be ready to get underway in about six hours." Drex said promptly.

"Lieutenant Hamson, download all of the data collected so far on the region we're heading to, and have your staff begin studying it. As we've already covered, there isn't much, but I'd appreciate knowing what there is to know beforehand anyway."

"Yes Sir." Emily nodded and made a note. She wondered how much data she has assimulated whilst she was with the borg when they had explored that area, she couldn't remember at this moment but she would access those memory files later.

"I want all of you to collate a list of supplies, materials and parts that your departments might need. We've been given permission to stock up on all ship supplies for the period we're out there, so order double of everything, and include any items which we may only need once in a blue moon, just in case. We've got two weeks here before we leave, so see to it." Krace nodded to all of them, signalling that the meeting was over. "Dismissed."

----------------------------
Captain Vorn Krace
Commanding Officer

Commander Acle Walex
First Officer

Commander Jordan Gunning
Chief of Security

Lt. Commander Zim Drex
Chief Engineer

Lt. Commander Sara Archer
Chief Intelligence Officer

Lieutenant Elena Valdez
Chief Medical Officer

Lieutenant Elizabeth Lynn
Chief Counsellor

Lieutenant JG Emily Hamson
Chief Science Officer

&

Ensign Alistair Ross
Chief Operations Officer
USS Iapetus