[End Act Two] Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Distress Signal

[Addison MacKenzie]

((Briefing Room – Deck 1, USS Artemis-A))

 

The team appeared to have a lead in the pursuit of Vef-Lai. MacKenzie, through Ensign Cole, were sending Starfleet officers to assist both the Grunden and Kobyar in pursuit of the fugitive, in the hopes they would be captured alive. In the silent lull that fell over the room, General Kexxin seemed to be admiring their surroundings. When he finally broke the silence, it was in the form of a slight joke.

 

Kexxin: ::Nudging Oolwi:: If things don’t get resolved planetside, want to be a stowaway with me and leave with the Artemis?

 

He chuckled, a sign that he was hopefully joking.

MacKenzie: While you’d both be welcome, I think if I’ve learned anything by this conversation it’s that you both have more in common than you likely realized.

Oolwi: ::Nodding:: Including newly made enemies bent on prolonging this war. Enemies who have us at a disadvantage in, among other areas, communication.

 

Cole: But you also have allies now as well, even among those that not long ago may have been enemies.

 

Richards glanced between General Kexxin and Major Oolwi.

 

Richards: How are you two feeling about all of this so far?

Kexxin: I- ::stopping himself:: I don’t know. 

Oolwi: Our mutual adversary is capable of coordinating precision strikes under the noses of our respective militaries without them being aware. We must level that playing field, assuming that the General and I will need to return planetside if we are to do our share in ending this misery. We will need some means of speaking with you, your ship, and each other which the conspirators cannot access or undermine. I propose that we be permitted the use of Starfleet communicators. For the duration of this operation. 

 

Richards: I don’t think that would be a problem. ::Gesturing to MacKenzie:: But our Captain does have the final say.

 

MacKenzie pursed her lips slightly, contemplating the implications of the request. Giving Starfleet technology to inferior races – who were admittedly having their own difficulty with technology at the moment – didn’t seem a viable option, even if the tech they were talking about was as seemingly harmless as communicators.

 

MacKenzie: What about your own communications network?

Oolwi: I can’t be sure who’s listening in on the Kobaryi satellite network. You have seen the extent of our surveillance network, Captain. Vai-Lef’s ears could be everywhere and anywhere on my side of the border. Nor do I know what that transmitter device of Naru’s is capable of. Or how many such devices are spread along the places and people we must travel among down on Kydon. Remove whatever bells and whistles you must to stay on the right side of the Prime Directive, but I think this is a necessity of the moment.

Ensign Cole spoke up with a possible idea.

 

Cole:What if we gave them access to some older tech that doesn’t directly violate the Prime Directive? ::making a flipping motion with her hand:: Something classic?

 

Richards: Do we have older tech on hand? 

 

MacKenzie shook her head.

 

MacKenzie: No, but it may be possible for us to set up a mobile communications unit with limited capabilities that would still allow them to communicate with us.

Cole/Oolwi: Response

Kexxin: Richards? What’s wrong? 

 

Richards: I am staying optimistic that this can all be settled, but ::turning to MacKenzie:: Captain I think we need to tread very carefully. 

MacKenzie: I think so, too, and I think we’re well on our way. I think Vef-Lai will be able to answer a lot of questions… With Starfleet teams joining the search, I think this can be the catalyst of an era of mutual cooperation between the Grunden and Kobyar.

Cole/Oolwi: Response

The Grunden general carefully reached his paw over the table towards her as a show of faith to the pregnant scientist.

 

Kexxin: Something has you worried. I can feel it. ::lowering his head a bit:: Please share your thoughts.

 

MacKenzie’s eyes turned to Richards as she adjusted herself in her chair.

Richards: I think Kexxin and Oolwi have more than proven themselves trustful. But I will be honest, something doesn’t feel right.

 

Addison raised an eyebrow.

Kexxin: Thank you for your trust. Could it be those babies that are making you anxious? ::Gesturing around:: You are safe here, that’s obvious. 

 

Cole/Oolwi/Richards: Response

 

The General made an attempt to move the conversation along.

Kexxin: Captain MacKenzie, I am anxious to hear about what your other teams may have found out. Not to try and rush this along, but when will we be able to hear from them?

 

MacKenzie went to access the computer readout. Data from Jovenan’s team was being processed as the team worked, but before she could offer anything definitive, she was interrupted by another alert.

 

MacKenzie: We’re receiving a distress signal from the moon Moric in orbit of Galaris VI…

 

She continued to key in more commands to get more information on the situation.

Cole/Oolwi/Kexxin/Richards: Response

 

With a raised eyebrow, MacKenzie pushed her chair back from the table.

 

MacKenzie: You’d all better come with me…

 

Cole/Oolwi/Kexxin/Richards: Response

 

 

 

Tag, and End Act Two for MacKenzie!

 

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Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A

Captains Council Member at Large

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