Lt. Pholin Duyzer: Pretty please? (Columbia)

[Pholin Duyzer]

((Bridge - Deck 1, USS Columbia))

((Time Index: Several Weeks After The Awards Ceremony.))

:: The days after first going back to duty had somewhat blended together. Work, eat, sleep. His and Nelis' schedules, unfortunately, didn't line up much, so the last quality time spent with him was four days earlier. He loved his new job, he didn't quite understand what other people hated about paperwork, but the hours were long. ::

:: He sat in the secondary science seat finishing up the requests for the use of the sensor suite. He didn't know that many people needed the suite, and they almost needed the auxiliary to fit everyone in. The puzzle fitted just perfectly, however, and Pholin laid down his PADD. He knew they were approaching Losaria but it was not yet in visual range. His sensors told him, though, that that could change any second. ::

Duyzer: oO Come on, don't be shy... Oo

:: He fully realized that he was anthropomorphizing a planet, but he didn't care. He was quite excited to finally see that planet, and wouldn't mind if it would finally show itself. His console gave a quick beep, and Pholin didn't know how quickly he could press a button to put the planet on the viewscreen. ::

Duyzer: We're in visual range. ::as professional as he could manage in his hype::

:: The blue marble grew quickly as clouds became visible. Underneath the clouds, it was filled with lights coming from every part of the planet. The planet seemed to be entirely filled with cities. This truly looked like a capital of a galactic commonwealth. Not long after two of three planets appeared on the screen, a pinkish gas-planet and another grey rock that looked more like a big asteroid. ::

:: The captain rose from his chair and stepped over to the navigation console the Andorian was sitting at. He put his hand on Jona's shoulder and admired the beauty. ::

Whittaker: Excellently done, Lieutenant. ::he said approvingly, looking down at the young chen before he looked back at the orb of Losaria on the viewscreen.:: Impressive, is it not? ::he said to nobody in particular.:: An entire city spanning the entire planet…. a true modern day wonder of the cosmos. ::he grinned.::

Any: ?

:: The idea of a city spanning the entire planet, literally, was quite hard for Pholin to fully grasp. He tried to run a quick scan to find out just how many people were down there but received plenty of errors instead. This was not a number that the computer could easily give you. ::

Duyzer: I am reading at least twelve different species, sir. ::beat:: I could give you a population number, but can't promise you that that wouldn't overload the sensors. ::grinning::

Any: ?

:: The bridge crew kept staring at the planet, everyone presumably trying to grasp just how such a city worked. The captain broke their stares, however, as he turned to the first officer. Pholin saw the captain's face now, he seemed eager to beam down. ::

Whittaker: What do you to rewarding the crew for their hard work lately with a spot of shore leave, Commander Thoran?

Thoran: ?

Any: ?

:: Pholin couldn't agree more, they deserved some downtime. Pholin quickly sat on the tip of his seat though, hoping he would get permission to leave that second. Looking around, he surely wasn't the only one. Pholin slowly assembled his PADDs getting ready to stand up. ::

Haneer: We’re receiving instructions from the Imperial Palace, Captain. The Royal Court will receive you at 2000 Hours.

:: So it seemed only the diplomatic crew got the luxury of meeting Her Majesty, his smile widened in envy. ::

Whittaker: I suppose I make sure that my dress uniform still fits. ::he said with a chuckle.:: Commander Ezo, Ambassador Nicholotti- shall we go over royal protocols?

Ezo/Nicholotti: ?

:: The Royal Protocols. That sounded like a lot of hassle. Wouldn't going down in a dress uniform be enough? He silently wished their queen had some formal greeting, like how the humans used to kiss the queen's hand, maybe the Losarian queen liked her feet kissed? ::

Whittaker: Excellent. ::he smiled at them appreciatively and then looked to Jarred.:: Number One- you have the bridge. Please ensure that the crew are all rotated to the planet for shore leave.

Thoran: ?

:: The captain along with Ambassador Nicholotti and Commander Ezo left the bridge as Commander Thoran moved himself to the center chair. He sat down and the crew went back to work, Pholin had something else to ask first, however. ::

Duyzer: So... ::beat:: Do you have anyone in mind to go to the planet first? The science department has a lot planned, so if we could get started right away... ::he smiled cheesily::

Thoran: ?

Any: ?

:: The first officer was flooded by a wave of requests coming in. Pholin had just done the same for the sensor requests, but those had gone via messages. Those were a lot easier to deny. Pholin grinned. ::

TAG/TBC

Lt. Pholin Duyzer Assistant Chief Science Officer USS Columbia C239509P10