Catching Up
Posted on Sat Jun 30th, 2012 @ 4:21pm by Captain Vorn Krace & Commander Acle Walex & Commander Jordan Gunning & Lieutenant Commander Zim Drex & Lieutenant Commander Sara Archer & Lieutenant JG Emily Hamson & Lieutenant JG Nicholas Tenebroso
Mission:
Heart of an Explorer
Location: USS Iapetus - Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD40 1700hrs
"Arjin - the alien that we beamed aboard - is recovering nicely." Doctor Tenebroso's voice spoke through the observation room speakers, his visage on the console behind the captain's chair, everyone in the room turned to face him as he spoke from the chair in the medical office. "He shows no sign of ill health, but I'd like to keep him here for another day or two for observation. He suffered prolonged oxygen deprivation and lack of heat, and I want to ensure that he has his strength back before he leaves sickbay."
"Thank you Doctor, keep me informed." Krace turned away from the screen as it returned to a schematic of the Iapetus and faced the rest of his senior staff. "Commanders; what have we learnt of the craft he was travelling in?"
"The vessel has very basic technology. It has a worthless navigational system so plotting an actual course is virtually impossible. The interior is small and not very efficient. The warp core doesn't use anti-matter. It's very similar to the late earth's version of a nuclear reactor." Emily answered.
Gunning shot a glance across the room towards Hamson. "The Lieutenant's right. It's not an advanced craft by any stretch of the imagination but its purpose is still largely unknown. It's not a warship though, I'll tell you that for free."
Drex pointed at the other two officers and smiled and nodded. "What they said. Although surprisingly no space cockroach stowaways." He beeped a few buttons on the PADD.
The captain nodded. "That matches up with what our friend told me in the medical bay." He leant forward across the table, and rested his elbows upon it, clasping his hands together. "Apparently, it's one of five prototype vessels; the very first warp-capable craft his world has constructed. We're the first proof of alien life that any one of his people has seen, at least as far as he's aware."
Sara nodded intently, the gears turning in her head. "If they didn't have any proof of alien life, then why would he head out on a one-way trip?"
"Apparently his world - Meltorra - is suffering some sort of global pandemic. Apparently the disease 're-animates the dead', though I'm not sure on how metaphoric he was being about that. Whatever the disease is, he says his people have been unable to find a cure and became desperate enough to construct five of these ships and send them out into space in the distant hope that one of them would run into an alien race with sufficient technology to be able to help their world."
Gunning inhaled sharply through his teeth. "Zombies." He exhaled in a loud whistle, taking note of the bemused looks falling on him all round the room. "A disease which raises the dead."
Emily looked at him confused "Zombies sir? Is that a species or a condition? If so I am not aware if it."
"It's..." Gunning hesitated for a moment. How did he explain the idea of a zombie to someone that used to be part of the Borg Collective? "...they're a thing from Earth fiction. The undead rise up from their graves with the sole intent of consuming the brains of the living."
"Sounds.... interesting. I may do research at a later date." she stated.
"Remind me and I'll lend you a couple of movies," Gunning replied with a grin.
"Careful, Commander," Krace grinned. "We wouldn't want to scare her," he said, and paused as a few of the other officers laughed.
"In truth, Commander Gunning's eccentricity notwithstanding, the symptoms Arjin described are very similar to the 'zombies' of ancient earth myth. The bodies of the dead are some how reanimated, but their minds retain only very basic instincts; primarily the desire to eat. The situation apparently started with the consumption of some livestock, but quickly progressed on to attempts against the world's sentient population once the condition spread to the towns and cities."
"Ooooooohhhhhh!" Gunning moaned, trying to imitate the 'scary noises' his mother used to make when she read him ghost stories.
Sara ignored Gunning's noises. "If it started from consumption of tainted livestock, then it's unlikely that it was some sort of biological weapon. Still, I wouldn't be doing my job if I discounted the possibility."
"We've identified the most likely system that Maltorra should be located within on sensors, and we should arrive within a matter of hours. I want full biological containment protocols implemented until we identify the infection; no samples are to be carried outside of a level-four containment unit, the bio-filters on the transporters are to be configured for maximum decontamination, and hazard suits are to be worn by all personnel travelling to the surface. No away teams are to leave the ship without the authorisation of myself or the doctor." His set of instructions successfully rolled off, Krace sat a little straighter in his chair. "Any questions?"
Acle had remained silent throughout the meeting, having done his usual task of ascertaining the gathered officer's moods. As usual, a faint aura of excitement filtered throughout the briefing room, and steady confidence radiated from each of the officers. As for himself, Acle had never been one for superstition, but, then, he had never come face to face with the notion of zombies before. He gazed silently back at his captain, face impassive.
"I'll get some security personnel briefed." Gunning said, returning a nod of sincerity to his speech.
Emily was looking forward to this mission, it would be a good chance to observe something new. Something the borg hadn't seen.
"I will brief my science staff and do further research." she stated.
"Dismissed," the captain said, dispelling the meeting.
Captain Vorn Krace
Commanding Officer
Commander Acle Walex
First Officer
Commander Jordan Gunning
Chief of Security
Lt. Commander Sara Archer
Chief Intelligence Officer
Lt. Commander Zim Drex
Chief Engineer
Lieutenant JG Emily Hamson
Chief Science Officer
&
Lieutenant JG Nicholas Tenebroso (NPC)
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Iapetus
