Ensign Mirkl Zanti - Blind Date
Mirkl Zanti
((Bridge, USS Resolution))
Mirkl followed the flow of people out of the conference room, through the corridor, and onto the bridge. He made his way over to his assigned partner, Lieutenant MacNemar, over by the engineering station.
Zanti: Well, where do you think we should start?
MacNemar: Well, I’m thinkin’ I should look up any information we have about the technology that the Da’al are equipped with. Maybe Commander Romjin could get us info on what actual Klingon assets are in the area. Like, if they’ve got two birds of prey and one battlecruiser in the area, or somethin’....
While Mirkl nodded in response, MacKenzie approached the two of them.
MacNemar: Hey, Commander. Just comin’ up with a game plan here. I’m going to look into the technology the Da’al have available to them.
MacKenzie passed over a PADD to the duo.
MacKenzie: Here’s what we’ve got so far. It’s pretty limited, but I didn’t have time to do any digging before we had to recall the crew. Let’s start with their territory, then we can discuss the tech.
Zanti: Yes, ma’am.
MacNemar: Yessir.
The two junior officers sat down--MacNemar at the engineering station and Zanti at the nearest science station. The commander stood between and behind them.
MacNemar: Let’s see here… according to the most recent second contact records from about four years ago, the Da’al have a single in-system colony with about fifty thousand residents, and two research outposts in the closest system to theirs, four and a half light years away.
Zanti: This data doesn’t seem to have been updated since six years ago.
MacKenzie: That sounds about right – our intelligence could be outdated. We might need to see if Commander Romjin has access to data we don’t. It’s likely that they’ve expanded colonial efforts since then.
MacNemar: They developed warp drive a little over a hundred years ago. Their fastest scout ships, accordin’ to this info, max out at just under warp three. Laser weapons, and no defensive shielding. Polarized hull plating only. They wouldn’t stand a chance against the Klingons.
MacKenzie: That’s the fear. Though I have to say, a Nova-class vessel isn’t exactly a match for the Klingons, either… Hopefully it won’t come to that.
Leaning over toward the Trill, Jamie peeked at the screen on his side.
MacNemar: What’s the science database say about their biology and culture?
Mirkl pressed a few buttons on the console in front of him, quickly skimming through what little material there was.
Zanti: Not much. They’ve made it a point to stay as isolated as possible. ::Not unlike Trill prior to the last century.:: What little contact there’s been has been brief and often over audio channels only. We do know that they fit well within the typical range of humanoid species. Their most distinctive feature seems to be their skin, which ranges in color from light to dark grey, often with reddish or purplish undertones. Their hair and eyes can also be a variety of colors not often seen in other humanoid species.
While Mirkl was nervous about the potential of confrontation on this mission, he was excited at the prospect of adding more details to Starfleet’s database entry on this species.
MacKenzie crossed her arms, her brow furrowed.
MacKenzie: This doesn’t make sense. Why would the Klingons be interested in potentially annexing this system?
Zanti: Perhaps they believe it holds some kind of strategic worth to the defense of their borders? Or, perhaps they’ve detected valuable resources?
Mirkl looked over his shoulder at Commander MacKenzie and then over at Lieutenant MacNemar. The commander’s question was definitely out of his area of expertise.
MacNemar: Response
There was definitely very little information for them to go off of. It seemed that beyond wild speculation, they’d be flying blind into this mission. Not unlike their last mission, truth be told. Mirkl supposed that’s why he had joined in the first place. The discovery of the unknown. He just had never imagined it would feel as dangerous as it did.
MacKenzie: Well, let’s think about it. What could possibly have set off the Klingons? I’m sure that talks with the Klingons went just as well with us – the Da’al seem insistent on remaining independent… I’m sure the Klingons wouldn’t have liked that.
Zanti: The Empire hasn’t been actively expansionist for almost a century. The only glaring exception is when they invaded the Romulan Star Empire eight years ago, following the Hobus supernova. Perhaps this is another step in their return to traditional imperial policy?
MacNemar: Response
MacKenzie: Okay. Let’s say that’s not it. Why else would the Klingons make a move like this? Are there resources on the planet that the Klingons would need? Or is it possible that the system itself holds an advantage?
Zanti: No Federation vessel has taken detailed scans of the system. Nothing approaching a typical survey. Just cursory readings from long-range telescopes, and what little active scanning was done during initial contact.
MacNemar/MacKenzie: Responses
Zanti: It’s a fairly standard system. F-type yellow-white dwarf. Six planets. Nothing out of the ordinary. The only somewhat strange thing are the rings around their home planet.
MacNemar/MacKenzie: Responses
Zanti: No, they do not.
MacNemar/MacKenzie: Responses
Tag, and TBC!