Ensign Delphina Wren: You loaded the gun, you tied them to the trolley tracks

[Grace McDermott]

((Lab 2, Deck 10, USS Ronin))

Wren: Well, we’d still need that raw data, which means… I think that a trip into Alliance territory might be necessary to see if there is another reactor. oO Don’t overstep here, Della. Oo We need to see Sencha radiation actively in use. If they’ve built another reactor, then we could gather as much as we need just by observing.

Zh'taan: ::Turns toward Kel:: We should perhaps examine what the ship’s probes collected when the Ronin first arrived in the system and the incident with Captain Niac occurred. That might allow us to detect other similar anomalies?

Kel: ::gesturing toward the ensigns:: I concur. We need to develop an algorithm but as Ensign Wren suggested we could simply try to observe what we can from as close as possible.  

Niac: I've tried looking through that sensor data myself but it's...well, a mess. It may be enough to give you a baseline...or at least an idea of what to look for. Otherwise you'll just be wandering around in the dark in a very small ship.  

Kel: ::smiling at Karrod:: You forgot to mention the ship was poorly armed as well.  

Something inside Delphina shuddered a little bit at the realization of what she was truly trying to sign up for. This wasn't just a step into enemy territory where, if they screwed up, there was a good chance Starfleet would be able to help. It was a full tap-dance across the border. oO don't tell me you're cowed by that. Learning more about Sencha radiation, providing reliable ways to trace it could save lives. Isn't that why you joined starfleet in the first place? Oo

Wren: I don't know about weaponry, but if a couple of us take a look at the shuttle we might be able to come up with more elaborate ways to disguise ourselves and fly under the radar.

Zh'taan: Yes, and with all this information, we will be able to better prepare ourselves to enter Alliance territory.

Niac: If I happen to authorize this little excursion, Ensign. You still haven't told me the most important part of the plan...the part where you come back in one piece.  

Kel: The Foxy Lady was modified for the Denali Invitational a few years back, so it had more under the hood than a standard freighter. We'd have to hope we can run like hell or hide if we ran into trouble. Kos may have some allies in the region I could ask.  

Wren: a friend from the academy mentioned she was working on something that could trick scanners. We probably could have used it during the last mission, but I can reach out to her to see what she knows.

Zh'taan: However, we must not forget that this radiation can prevent warp travel. If we are to travel into Alliance territory, we must be sure we can leave quickly. I can try to work on a solution if you wish. ::He turns toward Kel::

Delphina had been trying to think of a solution to that too, and glanced towards Zh’taan to see if he had any ideas. It would have to be something small that could at least be fitted…

Niac: We can have Major Singh and a few of her pilots shadow you from a distance...it won't be much protection but it will be low profile...they can loiter nearby and be there in a few minutes if you find yourself dealing with something the Foxy Lady can't quite handle.  

Kel: We'd have to make it back to them. We can't risk them crossing the border and making it look like the Federation is invading. That said I think we could do it. With luck we won't be noticed at all.  

Wren: If we're quick enough we could probably have the data in your lap in a couple of hours.

Zh'taan: Response

Karrod chuckled and nodded.  

Niac: Fine, you've convinced me...to consider this.

He turned his attention towards V'Len.  

Niac: Put together a plan. Work with Major Singh and Chief Kessler, I want contingencies and backups for those contingencies before I'm going to let you take the Foxy anywhere near something like that.

V'Len nodded. Jack was sure to have some ideas and would no doubt wish to join the excursion, Major Singh might as well. The Foxy Lady was not large however, so only the most key personnel could come.    

Niac: And you two.  

Delphina straightened instinctively as the captain looked at her, squaring her shoulders and hoping she looked competent. Sure of herself. Because the alternative was asking him to put his faith into somebody who didn't look like she had an ounce of faith in herself.

Niac: Be sure you understand what you're signing up for if you want a place on this mission. You'll be in open space, far from support, in a ship that is far less capable than even a runabout...but if you're convinced it can be done and you can show me a reasonable chance of making it back alive...I'll authorize it. If Mr. Kel here agrees, that is. This is his idea...that makes it his mission and that means he chooses the team.  

Kel: At this point these are my two best experts, but this mission would be strictly voluntary.

A sudden jolt of anxiety shot through Delphina's gut like a bullet as a horrible thought occurred to her, oO You're pushing for this so strongly. But if it fails, and anyone dies, that's on you, Della. You were the one who wanted to study this, you were the one who was so pushy about suggesting this trip. Second thoughts or no, you have to go with them because if not, you're sending good people to their deaths. Oo

Wren: ::outwardly betraying none of this inner freakout:: I would like to come along.

Zh'taan: Response

The captain gave a firm nod, not seeming to realize that Delphina felt like she was drowning. Which was for the best. If he saw it, he might not let her come.

Niac: Don't make me regret this...I'd hate to lose you V'Len...or two very promising junior officers. I'll expect that mission plan on my desk...if you can find a spot for it...tomorrow.  

Wren let out a breath as the captain finally exited the room, and she leaned against a console, bracing herself. She gripped it, feeling the hum of energy beneath her fingertips. Her heart was pounding still, but slowly her head started to clear as she waded her way back to what was familiar.

She needed to find a way to disguise the ship. She needed to find a way to get around the warp problem. She needed to think of a way to ensure no one died. Simple.                         

Kel: I need to get contact my brother Kos and talk to Lt. Kessler. We've got a start. I suggest we pick this up in the morning.  

Wren: ::this time not entirely able to keep the strain out of her voice:: I'll look into some solutions for our problems. I might have something by then. 

Zh'taan: Response

V'Len looked back at the pair.  

Kel: I appreciate your enthusiasm, I really do. But these types of operations are not for the faint of heart. ::pausing:: I've been on some ::beat:: where not everyone comes back.  

Delphina clenched her hands against the console again, not trusting herself to speak. oO it will be fine. This will be fine. You'll find a way to make sure that doesn't happen. Oo

Zh'taan: Response

Kel: Let's meet tomorrow. Even if this gets approved it will still take some time to reach Kos and find a way to link up with him.

Delphina nodded, watching him leave, before glancing in Zh’taan’s direction. Now it felt almost like the tables had turned, and now she was the one steeping in anxiety. Anxiety that she was pretty sure she'd need to get out sooner rather than later.

Wren: ::still tense:: I…. Don't think I really expected them to say yes. I mean, the best way to study the radiation is to observe it first-hand, but…

Zh'taan: Response

Wren: I just don't want to screw it up. This is such an important…. Oh, gods, I'm not making you nervous, am I??

Zh’taan: Response

Wren: I'm sorry. ::face in hands::.... I'm sorry, I just… oO Fix the problem, Delphina. Find a way to make this doable. What helped when you were at the academy?Oo ::sudden idea:: Okay, I'll tell you what, if this gets approved, we're both the new kids on the block, right? 

Zh’taan: Response

Wren: We've both been on one mission so far, but this is different. So if it's approved, and if we end up going….. look, we're inexperienced, but we should keep an eye on each other. Buddy-system-style, so if anything goes wrong, we try to stick together. If you're okay with that?

Zh’taan: Response

Something very small inside Delphina relaxed a bit, and she let the vibration of the ship sink a little more into her brain. She could watch his back, make sure he didn't die. She didn't know if she could manage keeping everyone else on the mission alive, but this telescoped her focus. It gave her a more specific task. 

And, to her surprise, when she smiled at him she did actually feel better.

((Tags/ End of Scene for Delphina))

  

Ensign Delphina Wren

USS Ronin NCC-34523

Capt. Karrod Niac Commanding

R240301DW1