Frustrating Discovery

Posted on Sun Aug 22nd, 2010 @ 1:55pm by Commander Fala Awen & Vice Admiral Iluvar

Mission: Episode 1.2 - "A House Divided"
Location: USS Pandora, Outside Ready Room
Timeline: Day 19, 0900

ON: [[USS Pandora, Outside Ready Room, Day 19, 0800]]

Trying to push down the waves of anger coursing through her, Awen pressed the doorchime to Iluvar's Ready Room. The day had started out like most others, but had quickly deteriorated after Korina (NPC) had come to speak to her. She wasn't sure who she should be the most upset with.

"Enter," the voice of Iluvar called from within. He waited as the sparkling effect of the replicator faded before lifting his cup of tea from the slot. A small trail of steam rose gently from the surface of the dark liquid within. Carefully, he began to blow softly over the cup to cool its contents. For some reason, the replicator was still dispensing the tea at too high a temperature for him to drink right away. Perhaps it was better that it was too hot than too cold.

Barely waiting for his reply, Awen walked into the Ready Room and stopped in front of Iluvar's desk. "Admiral, did you authorize the departure of an away team?"

Iluvar lowered his tea slightly. There had been no authorizations for any away missions, as far as he knew, since they had left the Nerus V Colony. In fact, there really wasn't anywhere for them to send an away team at the moment, given that they were still holding position along the Neutral Zone. "I have not," he replied slowly.

"Someone did," the Bajoran replied. "Lieutenant JG Vek came to me not long ago....two members of my department are missing, along with the Carnauba, Lieutenant Lexon (NPC), and Lieutenant Commander Evans." She handed him the PADD she'd brought with her, with the information Korina had found.

Shifting the cup of tea to his left hand, he accepted the PADD with his right hand and glanced down at its contents. It took him only a moment to skim the information. He could understand the woman's frustration with the situation and, for all intents and purposes, shared it. "Do you have any indication who might have authorized this mission," he asked, feeling that he had a pretty good idea who it might be.

Awen shook her head, "Nothing concrete, sir. Obviously Lieutenant Commander Evans is the ranking officer on this little....sidetrip. But based on who is on the team..." Hesitating slightly, she considered what she should say. Awen had her suspicions, but also didn't like making baseless accusations. Still, she was able to surmise the best option, "My instinct tells me that perhaps Commander Earlond put it together. He would have a form of rapport with those in my department due to his past position. And, he's worked with the Doctor previously."

Iluvar stepped around to the far side of his desk and lowered himself into his chair. With a short sigh, he set the cup on the polished surface of the desk. He glanced back down at the PADD, then up at where Fala was still standing opposite him. "Unfortunately, it is quite possible that your instincts are correct," he said softly.

"My instincts also tell me this has to do with our last mission...the unresolved matter with the colonists. I may not know the Doctor all that well, but I know how unsettling the situation was for the rest of us. I imagine he might be convinced to return, in the name of trying to save the colonists," Awen commented.

"How would you recommend we proceed," Iluvar asked.

Awen paused, considering what the next move should be. "I suppose we should try to confirm our suspicions, sir. Right now all we know for sure is that the Carnauba is missing, along with four crewmembers. Further information is needed before an appropriate course of action can be chosen."

Iluvar nodded once to show that he agreed. "Then it is probably best that we gather such information," he observed, "Have you been able to detect their ion trail at all?" An ion trail would be the best way to confirm whether or not the Carnauba had actually entered the Neutral Zone or not. It would also give them what amounted to a breadcrumb-trail that they would be able to follow. However, considering the man who had planned the mission, it was possible that they wouldn't be able to detect one at all.

"Only faintly, it seems to have been at least six or eight hours since they left, and with the smaller ion trail, it's dissipating faster than that of a ship," she replied. "What would you like me to do, sir?"

A shuttle headed deep into Romulan territory on an unauthorized mission was most concerning, especially considering the recent events that they had witnessed during their brief visit to Romulan space. There was no way that he could order the Pandora into the Neutral Zone without sparking some kind of incident with the Romulans, especially after the events that had just transpired. If the Romulans did discover the Carnauba, they would be entirely on their own with no support whatsoever. It was a prospect that Iluvar did not like at all.

Knowing Iluvar was likely running through his options, Awen stood quietly. She had done her part by informing him, what happened from that point would be up to him. "Sir?"

"Continue the search for the Carnauba," Iluvar ordered, setting the PADD on the desk, "let me know when you've found them. Under no circumstances are we to enter the Neutral Zone."

"Understood Admiral," Awen replied with a brief nod. "I'll get to work on it right away." She paused, awaiting a dismissal or potential further orders.

"Dismissed," Iluvar said.

OFF:

Lieutenant Commander Fala Awen
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Pandora

and

Rear Admiral Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora