Waiting in the wings

Posted on Fri Mar 4th, 2016 @ 5:05pm by Captain Elijah Michaels & Lieutenant JG Elliot Keller & Lieutenant Ishan Satele & Lieutenant Valeria Mordin

Mission: Vipers and Scoundrels
Location: Bridge, USS Victory

Whilst the Away Team was on the Cardassian Freighter, this left the other members of the Crew to sit back and wait.

"Am I the only one perplexed as to why a Federation Signal is on that bucket of bolts?" Ensign Keller asked as he examined the Ship on the Aft Terminal.

"I don't like this Captain" Satele said, turning around to face him, "the Cadrassians wouldn't do something like this without a reason"

Valeria gave the matter some thought, "Well there are a number of reasons, but they quickly go from 'Dubious' to worse. It could be a covert operation, and the Federation signal is a last ditch effort, which would mean they would be quickly abandoning that vessel." she offered. "It could also be a signal that the Federation gave to the Cardassians as a sign of good faith. Something akin to 'Ring bell if in distress'."

"And, I'll say what most of you are probably also thinking. It could be a trap." she mentioned. "One that, like children attracted to shiny objects in ponds, we fell straight into."

Elliot examined the Console. "Lieutenants, Commander." He said looking at his Colleauges around him. "Did you notice the large amounts of Latinum in their Cargo Hold??"

"Latinum is a valuable commodity, it's possible the sheer amount would be used to invigorate economies. Or purchase some much needed supplies to keep the ship in decent condition." Valeria again, offered alternative views. "The sheer amount of it plus the ship's dreadful condition could point to possible corruption. Not in the ship's material, I mean."

"Or they robbed a bank." she offered, with a smirk. "Though, now that you bring it to attention, that is an unusually large amount of currency to simply have on hand."

"Besides, Latiunum isn't a Universal Currency is it?" Keller asked curiously.

Warrant Officer Kilvarn overheard the conversation. "Officially no, but in some illicit circles it's more common." He approached the Ensign and the Rabbittess. "So Corruption is still possible Sir."

"Corruption is always an option." Valeria commented, "With rare exception, even the most majestic metal tarnishes. As irony would have it, one of the exceptions is gold, which is used to house Latinum." that, she found moderately amusing. Enough to earn a smirk.

"This simply means we should watch the situation unfold with rapt attention, and keep an wary eye about for the proverbial shoe to fall." as she brought up the sensor readings of the surrounding area.

Michelle sat back in the chair, listening to the back and forth before chiming in herself. "I tend to lean toward the more cynical answers, myself. Something's not right about this. I just wish I could pin my finger on what."

"Commander, do you think the Captain knows about the Latinum?" Keller asked.

"Doubtful." Michelle said. "That's a pretty old beater of a ship. He might not have any reason to suspect that type of cargo. I suppose we can't just order a safety inspection." she added with a smirk

"I see no reason why not." Valeria contributed. "With the ship in as poor repair as possible, if the ambassadors aboard are expected to go anywhere, it'd be remiss of our duty to all life if we didn't inspect the ship for safety concerns prior to sending it on its way."

"Ma'am the Away Team are signalling they wish to beam back." One of the Ops Officers said.

"Maybe we should have a security team meet them in the transporter room, just in case?" Satele suggested, still believing this could be a trap.

"Proceed." Michelle said. "Beam them back once they give the order to energize." she said. "As for the security team... Do it. We'll simply inform them that we're taking all necessary precautions. Bartlett to Transporter Room."

"Go ahead, Commander." the operator said.

"Would you inform Captain Michaels I need to urgently speak with him once he's back on board?"

"Aye, ma'am." the operator replied.