Ensign Richard Matthews - Without a Trace Part 1
Matthew Gough
((Nesshra Islands, Nessh, Selay))
Stardate 239303.17
The crew of the Darwin had come down with a bug from their last mission. By bug, he really did mean a bug. Nasty little creatures that looked like an Earth stage beetle, roughly the size of a human’s clenched fist. That had, well, Richard didn’t want to think about exactly how a person came down with real bugs. The best left unsaid about it. The better.
At least half of the crew were on medical LOA’s for an indeterminate amount of time, recovering from that incident. Which had left the Darwin needing volunteers in order to go out on any missions. Richard and a few other officers from Ops had done just that. It was a nice change of pace for the officer who was not used to being stuck in one place for so long.
Matthews: Alright, everyone, we’re here to examine an encroaching floral mass that has been overtaking parts of the Nesshra Islands. This is the City of Nessh, located on the southern point of the most northern island in this island chain. The Selayans have not reported anything like this on other islands. The Darwin will be doing survey sweeps and will let us know if we’re needed anywhere else.
The other officers with him. One medical, two other science officers, and three security. Sounded off their affirmations, quickly getting to work. Everyone here had volunteered for this mission. Even if it wasn’t the most glamorous sounding kind. Richard wasn’t the only one going a little stir-crazy, he supposed. In any case, having everyone on the same page and excited for the simple mission at hand. Was making for a rather enjoyable away mission.
oO Too bad Kellan couldn’t come. Oo
Richard mused, walking with Crewman Wwen, his security escort, towards a cluster of upscale homes on the outskirts of Nessh City. The houses, perched high on cliffs with trails leading to the beaches below, represented prime real estate. While Selay had joined the Federation in 2378, Richard suspected that even now, fifteen years later, wealth still dictated access to such luxurious properties.
While they checked out this local. The others had spelt off into two other groups. The medical officer was the odd guy out. Richard had assigned her to team up with Delmir. Who was known to be rather accident-prone. Hopefully the nurse practitioner would be able to help Delmir come back to the ship in one piece. Then again, Richard was in on the betting pool on just what injury Delmir would get dealing with plants. And was rather hoping they would come back with a rash, because of something like poison Ivy.
Wwen: Careful, sir, we’re coming up on the target.
Right, time to focus, and not think about certain cute blond Bajorans laying on the sand. He had a job to do right now. Later when he was back on 118 he’d just get Kellan to go to the holodeck with him. Instead of their usual winter holo adventures he’d rope his boyfriend into a seaside adventure. Oh! Oh! Or a sailing ship adventure! That could be fun.
Matthews: Thanks Wwen, :: He pulled out his tricorder taking a few cautious steps forward :: Could you check in with the others and let me know how they’re doing?
Richard left Wwen to gathering the security report. While he approached the south side of the villa. Swaths of greener had already overtaken part of the home. At first glance, it sort of looked like to him. That someone had tried to build their home into the side of a grassy hill. Though, since Richard didn’t think hobbit-holes were popular here. He was pretty sure this wasn’t the design the homeowners were going for.
Matthews: :: waving the tricorder over the mass of greenery :: Sensors indicate plant life. No, I would never of guessed that. What kind of plants? Is this grass?
The tricorder beeped at him. And Richard frowned.
Matthews: Don’t get sassy with me now.
Wwen: Careful, sir, please stay where I can see you!
Matthews: Don’t worry, I will! What’s the word on the others?
Wwen: Still waiting on Cabreros to report in.
Matthews: Keep at it, if you can’t get them we’ll head back. Try the ship to see if they still have eyes on them.
Wwen: Yes sir.
Richard nodded, turning back to his scans. Things looked normal enough. If he was reading the tricorder right. Whatever had started the rapid vegetation growth was done now. And had left no trace. There were no signs of radiation, chemicals or — wait a second. Richard peered down at the screen. Something was pinging his sensors. Two feet around the home, maybe leading into the wooded area to the west of the cliff side?
Matthews: :: Still looking down at the tricorder, he called out :: Wwen, I”m just going to check behind the house!
He didn’t wait for the security officer to reply. He’d be right quick, just zip around and take a gander at things. Run a few more scans then head back to Wwen and see what the others had found.
Matthews: Let’s see, let’s see, :: He bent low to examine a blue flower growing at the base of the grass covered house :: Odd, there’s no other flowers here in this mass of plant life. Okay, okay, this could be important.
Focused on as he was on the little blue plant. Richard didn’t notice the person walking up behind him.
TAGS/TBC
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Science Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
A238908RM0