JDL|Cpt. Dhej, Lt. Keal, Lt. Wright|"Unexpected Guests II"

Posted on 241508.08 @ 8:43am by Lieutenant Keál

Mission: Agua Mala
Location: USS Aquarius

[Enterprise Deck 11]

Keál was almost overcome by the torrent of fresh air that flooded the airlock as it hissed open. A scene of bustling, sentient life unfolded as the doors of the airlock pulled back. The smell of excitement and anticipation washed through Keál's olfactory system and was almost infectious. His mood brightened, and his spirit lifted, as did the smothering curtain of rotten cabbage he had lived under for the past two weeks. "Ah the sterile smell of a real starship." He said to himself.

The Enterprise was a fantastic relief after the journey aboard the Astor. A ship infinitely larger in scale, crew, and cubic meters, she was also a ship possessed of grace and beauty in her design and function. Standing just beyond the airlock Keál took it in, smiled and said, "I'm home".

Home was a somewhat appropriate statement. Since he had left graduate school, Jonah's only home had been on starships. Life wasn't always going to be like this, but now he was going to just live in the moment, and take it all in. Once everything cycled and the airlock doors parted with a heavy hydrolic sound, Jonah emerged into an environment that he would admit that he missed the past two weeks. The air was crisp, comfortable, and above all... clean. The lighting was bright; the corridor was clean; clear of debris and trash. It was a welcome sight.

The corners of Jonah's lips pulled up into a smile at Keál's simply, but poignant comment. He didn't have anything to add to that, since the sentiment was felt just the same.

Keál let the sight sink in for only the briefest moment. He closed his eyes then reopen them and said, "Let us not keep the Old Man waiting. I am certain that you and I have our work cut out for us with this diplomatic mission already underway." With that Keál made his way to the turbolift.

=/\=USS Aquarius=/\=

Karim sighed as he received yet another notification on the console in front of him from the ship. He knew it was protocol to inform the commanding officer about important items, but he was tired, and needed some rest. Tapping the indicator, he smiled then tapped his combadge "Dhej to Lieutenant Keal and Lieutenant Wright. Please beam down to the USS Aquarius planetside immediately."

=/\= USS Enterprise =/\=

His combadge chirped; followed by an announcement that took him by surprise. The first thing that crossed Jonah's mind, was confusion, quickly replaced by curiosity. He looked to Keál, then shrugged. "I guess, we will be heading down to the surface," he said. Though he was confused, he certainly wasn't frustrated or annoyed.

Keál's face reflected his shipmates for a brief second as confusion and curiosity washed over it. "It would seem so, Jonah."

=/\=USS Aquarius=/\=
Karim stood as he heard the chime of the transporter. Smiling, he walked over to the pair, and said "Good day gentlemen. I'm sorry for the unexpected request, but I've been busy planetside with the talks, and thought it would be good to have you two join me here. I assume both of you have transfer orders for me?"

Keál stood stock still and watched as his atoms were scanned, demolecularized, flashed to the receiving pad and remolecularized as if it should be an every day occurrence. Out of habit more than need he straightened his uniform and handed his orders to the waiting Captain. "Lieutenant Keál, rrreporting as ordered, Sir." Keál saluted as was required by starlet regulations upon the first daily meeting of one's Commanding Officer. Keál didn't feel the need to recite his ordered position as the Captain had scanned his orders.

Jonah, out of habit, always held his breath the few seconds it took to dematerialize and materialize onto a transporter pad. He wasn't really sure why, it was obviously psychological, but it never deterred him from being transported. After he blew out the breath, his gaze immediately fell onto the captain, a smile mirroring the captain's crossed his lips. "Jonah Wright," he said as he stepped forward and outstretched his arm, his hand grasping the padd that contained his orders.

Taking the offered padds, Karim looked them over, and acknowledged them, then sat them beside him on the console. Gesturing to the nearby chairs, he said "Please sit and relax, I know this place isn't as comfortable as my ready room on the ship, but it'll do."

"Thank you, Sir." Keál said as he moved toward the chair his tail swaying curiously behind him as he studied the room.

Nodding as the two men settled in, he added "I wanted for both of you to come down here since we are hoping to move into more expanded talks soon. I would appreciate your insight into the Stenellis, Counselor. They are a ...unique people, and I believe any examination of them would be helpful in the negotiations." Pausing, he turned to Keal and added "I would also like you Doctor to learn more about their medical technology. It would be helpful to know what level they are in comparison to that of the Federation."

In a way, that would be easier said then done. It wasn't that he wasn't capable of doing such a thing, Jonah just knew insight into a species - a species he didn't even know about - would take time. However, he could easily give a surface assessment once he read over the information that he would be provided. "Aye." Jonah nodded.

Keál puzzled over his assignment while he listened for Jonah to accept his. No doubt Starfleet Intelligence would have done their due diligence long before this official meeting with the people of Apsha. Their reports would have contained the detailed breakdowns of each and every aspect of the Stenellis culture. Keál resolved to ask the Captain if he was looking for something in particular. "Captain, is there something you are looking for in the physiology of these people? Perhaps you are worried about trrransmittable contagions or biological contaminants? I will of course run a full battery of tests. It would be much more efficiently done from the Enterprise using the ships scanners, possibly less invasive from the view point of the natives, as well." Keál finished his thought aloud hoping to glean a bit more information from the Captain. Aboard the USS Vindicator, Keál had been a part of several first contact missions and knew all to well the wealth of information the Captain would have on these people before he had even arrived.

Sighing, Karim replied "There is nothing specific I am looking for Doctor. I know that you're thinking we probably have intel on the Stenellis culture already. That is true. I more want you to focus on how the medical technology and access to medical care is being distributed to the general populace. To be honest, I have some concerns about it being centralized, and not universally accessible."

Keál sat in thought for a moment about how to approach the situation, then looked to the Captain. "Sir, I have an idea. I could simulate a minor injury to test the response of their medical facilities and personnel. While it may be a bit much for me to change my appearance, perhaps I could get a volunteerrr from the crew? There would be no lasting effects and any alterations to the volunteerrr would be purrrely cosmetic. As the Stenellian's tend to be somewhat tall and lean I would need someone that fit that profile to begin with." Keál shot a quick glance toward his new friend, Jonah.

Jonah looked back at Keál, his features not showing the least bit of surprise about the suggestion. Though, he didn't relish in the idea of getting cosmetically altered, there was merit in the plan. He was tall, and lean, but he also had a broad chest, and shoulders. He wasn't sure he could totally pass for a Stenellian. "I could volunteer," he said, giving his attention back to the Trill captain. "It would give me a chance to observe as well."

Keál allowed the corners of his mouth to turn up slightly when Jonah picked up the not so subtle hint he had dropped, volunteering for the adaptation procedure. Having made numerous cosmetic alterations in the past, Keál knew he would be able to adapt the Councilor to the physiology of the Stenallian people though he would never be able to pass a full on medical work up.

Smirking at the Doctor's idea, Karim replied "That sounds like a crafty idea Doctor. Please begin reviewing the information we have about the Stenellis and present your plans to me."

"Yes, Sir. I will need a few hours and the facilities aboard the Enterprrrise to accomplish the prrroceedure, however, it will be up to Lieutenant Wrrright to conquer the social and behavioral aspects of this rrruse." Keál added as he waited for the Captain to dismiss them.

Nodding, Karim replied "Please review all research we have on the Stenellis. As I said, come up with a plan for the ...modifications, and submit it to me as soon as possible. Again, welcome to the Enterprise. You are both dismissed."

All Jonah could do was nod. He had been surprised that he would be partaking so quickly in an assignment, but he wasn't going to complain. Any chance to get to know about a new alien species, he was up for that. He stood, and waited for Keál to do the same. The two would have much to discuss.


=/\=End Log=/\=

Captain Karim Dhej
Commanding Officer
USS Enterprise, NCC 1701-F

Lieutenant Keál M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-F

Lieutenant Jonah Wright, Ph.D.
Chief Counselor
USS Enterprise, NCC 1701-F