LtCmdr Atan T'Seva, I Know This Is Strange Coming From Me

[Jennifer R. Povey]

(( USS Constitution - Bridge ))

T'Seva: We have an incoming hail. 

Rajel: Who is it from? 

T'Seva: Unknown.

Which meant...most likely the other ship had, indeed, found them. Another ship, with away teams on the same planet. This could be a tense situation. 

Rajel: Looks like the computer doesn't know the signature. So it's not the planet. But they are clearly hailing us. I assume it may be the vessel Dizzy mentioned...  Open a channel and hope that they can hear us. 

T'Seva: Channel open. 

Rajel: =/\= This is Commodore Jalana Rajel of the USS Constitution. We are on a peaceful mission of exploration, we mean no harm. =/\=

T'Seva: There's no response.

Could mean hostile. Could mean...

Rajel: Raise shields and tell Ba'el and Dizzy to get back inside. I'll let shuttlebay know to lower the barrier for faster entry. 

T'Seva: Shields...

There was a downward bleep.

T'Seva: I can't sustain shields.

Rajel: =/\= Rajel to Mingxing, please tell me you made progress, we got visitors and our shields keep failing as soon as we bring them up. =/\=

Mingxing (Indirect So'Mior/SydT): Response 

T'Seva fiddled with her console. But she wasn't going to be able to solve it from here and she too had...a feeling.

T'Seva: I have a suggestion that may not sound like it comes from me.

Rajel: Response

T'Seva: Keep our shields down. Phasers will not work well in this in any case; any attack would have to come from photon torpedoes. But given everything, I...feel that making a hostile stance will endanger *both* teams on the planet. Ours and theirs.

Rajel: Response

T'Seva: What I suggest instead is that we broadcast a repeating, simple message. Just as our team did earlier, so that the repetition makes it clear. Maybe even just the word "friend" over again.This could be anything from another Federation ship we didn't know was in the area...possibly even civilians...to Romulans...to first contact. If our shields aren't going to do us much good anyway...and in the mean time, we may be able to do old fashioned point defense or even prepare for separation.

The latter would mean T'Seva herself would likely have to head for the battle bridge.

Rajel: Response

T'Seva: Logic says that, but its the Bajoran part of me talking right now.

Rajel: Response

LtCmdr Atan T'Seva
Chief of Tactical
USS Constitution
S238312D10