From: Bethany \ (mouse3of3_at_yahoo.com)
Date: Thu Jun 07 2007 - 09:14:07 PDT
"Crisis Rising"
Cont. from "Chain of Command"
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Location: Unknown planet
Stardate: 2.70607.1124
Scene: Transporter site
Tam looked over at her captain, engaged in discussion with McClellan, and considered the comm she'd just gotten. It was unusual enough to make her wonder. Those crew up on the ship were probably wondering if their captain was sane, a reasonable quandry given the circumstances and the fact that she had beamed down to the planet with only two other officers, and one of them the counselor. **Except,** she thought, with a silent sigh, ** she probably needs a counselor right now.** The woman had reacted unexpectedly strangely to the planet. Tam had never quite managed to pin her down for an interview like she was supposed to, and now she wished that she had.
That was something to consider later, though. She'd keep an eye on the captain for now, but her first concern was finding out what had happened to the people on this planet. It was strange for them to just disappear like that. It was like everyone-- in this area at least-- had been simultaneously transported away in the middle of their work. Or rather, considered the picnic setting, in the middle of their lunch break. That food wasn't worrying her as much as it had McClellan; if these laborers were any appreciable distance from their homes, it wouldn't be economical for them to walk or ride back just for a meal.
One of the Marines walked next to her, scanning with one hand and holding a phaser in the other. "Counselor, have you picked up anything?"
"No. This planet is normal, it's just empty." She stopped staring at her tricorder for a second and looked around. "Where's the captain?" Jones had disappeared from her sight, and she couldn't even hear her voice.
He looked carelessly over his shoulder. "She's gone the other way. Some of the men wanted to try going into the town to see if there's anyone there, and she decided to go with them."
**So much for staying close.** Still, as long as she was with a group of Marines, she should be fine. "I doubt there are many here. This area doesn't seem to have much development."
"Try telling her that." He grinned at her before turning away to check yet another section of grain for lifesigns.
Tam looked back down at her tricorder, pushing worries about Tarnak resurfacing out of her mind. Jones seemed to coping well enough after those first few seconds.
[[Kenta to Tam.]]
Tam jumped at the sudden beep, then tapped her badge. "Sir? Are you having problems raising the captain again?"
[[No, actually. Her commbadge is working perfectly. I wanted to talk to you.]]
**About the captain,** she realized. "Is this in reference to Captain Jones?"
[[Yes. We need your professional opinion. Is she capable of remaining in command?]]
Well, that wasn't too unexpected. It was still an undesirable position to be in, though. "In my professional opinion, the captain is perfectly capable. She is not suffering from any delusion, and she is not stressed enough that Tarnak is taking over. In fact, she is attempting to find some planetary natives now." Tam paused, but before Kenta could say anything, she added, "Sir, if the captain becomes unfit for duty, at that time I shall tell you. Until such time arrives, we should focus more on the current crisis. Tam out."
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Location: USS PATRIOT
Scene: Ready Room
Kenta rubbed his forehead as the communication cut out. Cal, for her part, was incensed at the counselor's behavior. "Shall I raise her again? She's still out of hearing range of the captain."
"No." He sat straighter. "She was very clear. I have no doubt that she will let us know." He looked out the viewport at the Earth and the mystery planet looming so close to each other. "How's the evacuation effort going?"
"We're full," Cal said bluntly. "We can't fit any more refugees onboard unless we leave them in the corridors, so we've been ordered to focus on the scientific aspects of the situation."
He nodded. "All right, go back out to Ops." He looked back at Earth and hoped like hell that everyone he knew was safe; San Francisco would have been one of the first places evacuated, and that call from the admiral was the last transmission he'd gotten from Starfleet headquarters.
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NRPG: Uh, Erik, I think you had everyone contacting me with Tam's given name, not her family name... Tag!
Bethany B.
Tam Niala
Counselor
USS PATRIOT
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