Ensign Lera Michaels - The Probe

[steve...@yahoo.com]

((First Officer’s Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Khitomer))

((I am assuming this can fit in before the lunch scenario and immediately after El'Heem's session. Standard caveat: Everything here is strictly in character.))

Lera stood outside the door to the First Officer's Ready Room. Though she could not make out any of the words spoken on the other side of the door, and wouldn't have paid any particular attention even if she could, she was certain that the conversation was not a pleasant one. When Ras walked out of the office, his mood virtually sucked any positive feelings that might be hovering around. With swelling anxiety, she decided to go full Vulcan for this session and stepped through the doorway before the door closed.

Michaels: Excuse me, sir. I understand that you wished to speak with me?

She read Lt. Commander Hobart's expression as being a bit surprised with some residue anger fading. Like what must have preceded, this was not promising to be a pleasant discussion.

Hobart: Response

As suggested, Lera sat in one of the two visitor chairs opposite Hobart's chair. She took a shallow breath and focused on remaining expressionless. Though she was tempted, she carefully avoided looking around but looked solely at Hobart. His question was appropriately gracious.

Michaels: Thank you, sir. My medical conditions were essentially trivial requiring nothing more than some supplemental oxygen and rest. 

Her stomach started doing flips but her expression was frozen. The opening was over. Now the hammering could begin assuming that was what was coming.

oO Steady, girl. Steady. Oo

Hobart: Response

Michaels: I was on Ouchita because those were my orders from Lt. Commander Dewitt.

Hobart: Response

Michaels: Yes, sir. I can quote his order verbatim if you would like. He said, "Commander Hobart is about to send a shuttle to get a hold of the probe. Get to the shuttle bay, they’re going to need an engineer." Absent the use of tractor beams, 'get a hold of the probe," directly implies being at the probe. After I suggested it might be dangerous to bring the probe aboard Khitomer, he said, "Top priority will be that the probe does not fire on the ship again. If you can deactivate it, that’d be the preferred option." Logic dictates, given the communication difficulties we were experiencing, 'deactivation' could only be positively accomplished at the probe.

Hobart: Response

Tag / TBC

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Ensign Lera Michaels

Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2