LT Gila Sadar & PO3 Xandeus Filistrien - A Heavy Weight

[LT Gila Sadar]

((USS Griffin - Main Shuttle Bay, Deck 11, USS Artemis-A))

((( OOC: Dropping Gnai’s tags, as they have gone on LoA per today. )))

The mission was away. Or, well, underway. It would still be a couple of days until they would actually make it to Kahines II, but that didn’t mean they didn’t have mission-relevant things they could be doing until then... A fact that Petty Officer Filistrien seemed well aware of, as he had already put himself in contact with Klingon Border Patrol.

Filistrien: For the moment, our projected approach is void of unexpected complications. Klingon Border Control will apprise us if anything changes on their end.

Gila nodded slowly. While Kahines II was technically in Starfleet territory, it was very much on the edge, and thus likely had more contact with the Klingons than Starfleet on an everyday basis.

Sadar: Thank you. ::looks around to the gathered officers:: I won’t go into the details here - the mission outline provided to us by Starfleet is more detailed than I could be regardless - but upon our arrival at Kahines II, we will be engaging in a joint archaeological expedition with a team of archaeologists from the Klingon Research Outpost on Brestant, and we will be staying as Starfleet’s representatives until the team of archaeologists from Starfleet Historical Society make landfall. Any questions?

Bergmen: What if that discovery is actually… you know, of Klingon historical origin? Will we stay?

Imril: Response

Filistrien: While I may be Intelligence now, I was a Communications Specialist originally. Consider me predominantly here in that capacity, though I am also here to provide a counterintelligence perspective to any information we might be able to parse from the ruins themselves.

With that concern laid to rest, Gila turned her eyes towards Ensign Bergmen, her arms crossed tightly over her abdomen to prevent herself from twisting her anxiety band too obviously. The notion that Starfleet would be prevented from participating in an archaeological dig just because the history unearthed didn’t concern any of the Federation species was appalling, but a valid concern all things considered.

It certainly wouldn’t be the first time politics had interrupted a scientific inquiry in Starfleet’s history.

Sadar: The colonists on Kahines II are worried that the discovery of the ruins might lead to the Empire claiming the colony as their sovereign territory, so while our main focus should be on the archeological survey, we also need to be mindful that the colonists’ fears don’t lead to conflicts with the Klingon scientists.

Xandeus looked around at the gathered officers with a relaxed expression. Gila couldn’t tell whether the Ramatisian Crewman was actually as untouched by the impending mission as he seemed, or whether this was one of those intelligence tactics that Lt. Commander Dakora also employed.

Filistrien: There has been no indication that the Klingon scientists are there for any other reason than to ascertain the identity and legacy of the Kahines II installation. ::considers:: That said, there is a precedent for similar incidents in modern history - like the DMZ near Cardassian space - so the colonists’ fears, while irrational, are not entirely illogical.

Bergmen: Because we have a great tracking record with handling things like DMZ between Federation and Cardassia, right?

The mood in the shuttle changed almost immediately as the youthful-looking Operations Ensign looked towards their helmet with a telling look. Ensign Lyara herself returned his glance with a glare of her own. Seemingly having caught onto the fact that he’d touched on a conversation topic that wasn’t welcomed by his fellow officer, Ensign Bergmen waved his hand.

Bergmen: No, sorry. That was over the line. ::sighs:: Just… I have seen what this kind of problems and red tape can do to people.  

Lyara: ::Sarcastically: It was totally red tape that was the reason people suffered. And not the brutal occupying force.

Gila instinctively felt herself wanting to shirk, shrink, hide away from the building tempers and pretend like she didn’t have any influence on what was occurring. The two pips on her collar weighed her down, preventing her legs from shuffling, heavy chains tying her in place.

Sadar: Th-That’s-

She looked from Ensign to Ensign, uncomfortable, every wrinkle and crease in her alien face trembling with hesitancy and intense discomfort. Oh, how she wished the Captain was here right now. What would Captain MacKenzie do in this case?

Gila knew. She’d use her infamous glower to make the two Ensigns return to the mission at hand and leave past concerns at the door. As though he had noticed her flailing, the Petty Officer looked to the two Ensigns, his expression not quite altered, but his voice holding a cadence that left precious little doubt that he was deadly serious.

Filistrien: What occurred on Bajor, and in the DMZ, was regrettable, but has precious little bearing on our current mission. ::to Gila:: The Klingon Empire and Starfleet are on amicable terms, and the research team have been very forthcoming regarding any existing records regarding any historical Imperial presence in this sector of space.

Sadar: R-Right, of course, uhh- Th-Thank you, Petty Officer. ::takes a deep breath:: Until landfall, I want you all to acquaint yourselves with not only each other, but also the planet we’re heading to and the ruins themselves. ::to Filistrien:: You are familiar with the research team themselves?

Filistrien: I am. I can send their personnel roster to your PADDs if necessary.

Sadar: Yes please. ::to the room:: The colonists have been instructed to stay away from the ruins, but the ones who discovered it have authored a preliminary log regarding their initial unearthing. They are civilians, however, so read their reports with that understanding.

Surely she was starting to reach the end of the logical course of a briefing? Right? She hadn’t sat through a lot of ‘proper’ briefings in her time aboard the Artemis, so she honestly wasn’t too sure.

Imril: Response

Bergmen: Will we use Griffin as our base of operations, or will we operate from the expedition base camp, ma’am?

Sadar: ‘Doctor’.

The correction was instinctive, a gut-reaction, and Gila’s entire face trembled in realization at what she’d just said.

oO The Wheel have mercy- No, no time, focus Oo

Sadar: I- uhh ::clears throat:: The colonists have been gracious enough to provide accommodations as necessary, and I think we should accept their offer. Considering that part of our duties here are also diplomatic, it would be beneficial for us to remain near the colonists when we’re not doing the actual surveys.

Lyara: And until the Starfleet Historical Society lands what will our exact duties entail?

Imril: Response

Sadar: During the day, we will be assisting the Klingon research team with their surveys. Once we arrive at the Colony, Ensign Imril and myself shall go greet the Klingon Research Team and work out how the archaeological surveys should proceed. While we get those details sorted out, I want you three ::looks to Bergmen, Lyara and Filistrien:: to get a lay of the land with the colonists, if possible get a detailed interview with the colonists who found the installation.

Filistrien: While also ensuring we do nothing to stoke the existing fears of the colonists.

Gila nodded, her expression earnest.

Sadar: We are here on a diplomatic scientific survey. As officers of Starfleet, I trust you all to watch your words and treat our Klingon guests with grace, both in front of them and otherwise.

Ensign Lyara nodded, though - considering her temper - Gila found herself wondering whether she’d actually be able to watch her words.

Lyara: Sounds simple enough.

Imril/Bergmen: Response

Sadar: Thank you. For the moment, you’re all dismissed. ::hesitant smile:: Enjoy the ride.

Gila picked up her own PADD and starting leaving the cockpit as the mentioned personnel files of the Brestant research team ticked in from Petty Officer Filistrien. Just as she left, she overheard Ensign Lyara making an off-hand comment, that nearly made her trip over her own feet.

Lyara: So that means Pretty Officer won’t be doing any spy stuff like in the holonovels?

Filistrien: Unfortunately, Sir, the work of Intelligence seldom lives up to the extraordinary expectations harbored by outsiders. ::patient smile:: I assure you, I shall attempt to make myself useful.

In spite of herself, Gila found herself mentally groaning.

oO Ensigns! Oo

Imril/Bergmen/Lyara: Response

(((OOC: I’ll have us arrive at Kahines II in my next SIM. Feel free to get a Sim in in the meantime - some conversation (feel free to tag Gila or Xandeus if you'd like) or just in general how your PC spends their time in transit! :) )))

TAGS/TBC

LT Gila Sadar

Medical Officer

USS Artemis-A

A240006GS1

&

PO3 Xandeus Filistrien

Signals Analyst

USS Artemis-A