Getting A Head Start

Posted on Fri Sep 29th, 2017 @ 7:00am by Commodore Jason Myers & Captain Michelle Bartlett & Commander Rostra Tang

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Runabout 2
Timeline: June 15, 2399 @3:15 PM

Gervais was at the helm of the runabout, trying not to say too much to his company as they caught up with each other outside. He was in the midst of making sure everything was good to go, and aside from a few hiccups, it was. He was disappointed that the transporters were down but it at least gave him something to do. Just a few more checks... and it was done. Things were good to go.

"Commodore. We're ready when you are, sir." Gervais said.

"Thank you, Mr.... I'm sorry, what was your name?" Jason asked.

"Gervais, sir." he replied.

"Thank you, Mr. Gervais." Jason responded. "Shall we get started?"

"Let's do it." Michelle said as she got aboard.

Each form of the Dalacari made their way aboard the shuttle, and made it to their seats. "I really shouldn't complain about Federation shuttles. I've been on a few different types." she said with a smirk. "I mean, Dalacari shuttles are nice, cause they..."

"... pilot themselves. Ts'usugi shuttles are either luxury or military, and even their military transports are more comfortable than they sound."

"Self piloting shuttles?" Gervais said. "I'm okay with this. Hand me a glass of Aldeberan Whiskey and let the damn thing fly itself!"

"Wouldn't that sort of put you out of a job, Ensign?" Michelle asked playfully.

"Yeah.. there's that, I guess." he responded.

"Oh it's not all bad. They still have manual controls in case of a real..."

"...emergency, but for the most part yeah, drone shuttles. Form a local subspace..."

"...network with attendant drone scouts and let the Thinking Engine do..."

"...all the, well, thinking really. Well not really, we aren't allowed to research..."

"...unrestricted AI computers. A little too close to the Borg for everyone's taste." Rostra assured.

Gervais shuddered at the thought. "Yeah, I don't really feel like a bunch of unrestricted AI handling everything and getting us into a war or something. You guys are probably right to steer clear of that technology." he paused a moment. Shuttle 1 to bridge, requesting clearance to depart.

"Shuttle one, you're cleared. See you in a few hours." Ross's voice said over the comm system and the doors opened.

Jason sat as the shuttle slid out of the bay and into space. "So.. what more can you tell us about this Ts'usugi?"

Rostra gave a nod, and pulled up an image on her PaDD. The image was of a male Ts'usugi in his dress uniform: A drab olive green with a light hexagon pattern. Gold trim on the apparel, and a wrist band of sorts on one forearm stretching from the wrist to the elbow. A full compliment of medals and accolades hung from his neck and chest, and while he looked very young his eyes told a different story. "Daisan Tukal. Shipmaster at thirty two, graduated with honors from maritime tactical academies, majored in diplomatic actions and interrogation ..."

"...minored in starship design. He knows every inch of any ship he's serving on before he steps foot on it. Rumors say he's got a photographic memory but the truth is ..."

"...he's a genius. Hobbies include the Ts'usugi version of Chess, gardening, and linguistics. He speaks six languages, and yes... one of them is Earth standard." even Rostra sounded impressed.

"He specifically requested this assignment, and he specifically requested the ICF Nebula Flare, a Destroyer class craft. Popular theory around the region is he..."

"... took the posting to ensure no one with an itchy trigger finger would. He has an infant son, named Hiru, and his wife Mika." the images on the PaDD changed from the Shipmaster's portrait to the design of the ICF Nebula Flare. An imposing figure in space, no doubt.

Then it shifted to an image of Tukal, and his wife and newborn child. "He's a father. He took this post to keep the Nebula Flare out of the hands of war mongers. He wants peace. He'll want justice, but he'll settle for resolution and peace."

"Let's just hope the Klingons don't piss him off. Legally, if they attack... That places the Federation in an impossible position." Michelle said. "Do we fulfill our obligations to a member world? Or do we honour the treaty with the Accord?"

"Brief him on what to expect. Imagine he's coming into this blind." she advised. "I mean, take our pilot for example. Good afternoon Pilot Gervais." she called to the front of the shuttle with a smile.

"Now, if we briefed the Pilot to expect, say, comet activity in this sector there's a good chance he already knew, but if we take the time to tell him..." she started,

"... then it shows compassion and an openness to communicate. Thank you Pilot Gervais." she said with a smile.

"Assume he knows nothing. Take the time to talk to him, bring him up to speed. He'll appreciate it. It'll make him less inclined to open fire." she paused, "Now consider that..."

"... his inclination to open fire is already zero because of what's waiting for him back home." she smirked.

"All you have to do is keep the Klingons from firing first. Because I assure you, they'll fire first." she then switched the PaDD image back to the external shot of the ICF Nebular Flare.

"He'll fire last." she paused, then shook her head, "Sorry, dramatic I know, couldn't help it."

"Sounds like we've got a good man on our side if we can just not provoke the Klingons." Michelle said.

"I've ordered two Galaxy Class starships into the region to assist the Starfleet blockade. It's peculiar that the Klingons haven't cloaked and ran past it... It's as though they're waiting for orders from someone." Jason said.

"That or they know that we'd pursue them somehow or alert the local authorities at the very least." Michelle said. "We lead them into a scuffle with the Dalacari AND the Ts'usugi? It would be the shortest conflict in the quadrant."

"They're either waiting for orders from an outside party, waiting for instructions from their central government, or they know running now won't help their case." Rostra summarized.

"The number of guns brought to the table is meaningless." Rostra's other half pointed out, "Mostly because Dalacari guns don't count." she said with a smirk.

"Do you think Commander Mo'Bri was right about some kind of plot?" Gervais asked.

"Hard to say." Jason said. "I mean certainly, I think there's something about this situation that truly is off. But to be honest, Ensign... I haven't been on board long enough to get a feel for it. And I likely won't. Hopefully we'll sort that out."

"Commander Bowman was sure making friends." Michelle said. "You think she's Organization?"

Jason pondered. He had been surprised many a time before. But if anything she just seemed too uptight. "I think she's too uptight to consider betraying the Federation. More just an uppity careerirst than anything I suspect."

"Just because she's unfriendly, impersonal, and downright rude doesn't automatically make her part of some unfriendly, impersonal, and downright rude conspiracy." Rostra pointed out, with a smirk.

"I've met plenty of people who don't like Dalacari specifically because of the fact that our military tactics seem to gravitate towards 'harass at range and send..."

"... in the drones'. Something about wanting to be as close to danger as possible seems to coincide with trustworthiness." she mused. "I worked hard for my certification but..."

"... I hope to Dia I never ever have to use it. Ergo, I'm the monster." at that, both forms smirked.

"I don't know how the hell he's survived with that woman." Jason said. "Nobody like that would have even been a department head on my ship."

"Because up until 4 months ago, she was simply impersonal." Michelle said. "It's not her father's death. There's something else going on there. We all know it, but good luck getting close enough to figure out what it is."

"Excuse me, Commodore, Commander. We're cleared to dock." Gervais said, cutting into the conversation.

"Proceed" Jason and Michelle said in unison as Michelle smirked a little at the awkwardness of that.

"Well.. shall we go and prepare for tea?" Jason asked.

The twin forms of the resident Dalacari both gave a nod. "Yes." "Let's."