[MISSION END] Over Drinks
Posted on Sun Aug 4th, 2019 @ 8:15am by Captain Luka Mahone & Oliver Stone
1,037 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Deep Freeze
Location: Captain's Cabin, Starfleet Residential
Timeline: MD 14: 2028 Hrs
Small crates and boxes lined the walls of the cabin set off further from the rest of the Colony. Temperatures had risen just enough for Luka to feel comfortable with moving into the home. He found the small abode during his initial survey of the land surrounding the colony, surprised that it had yet to have a use.
Despite its disarray, Luka found it the best place to meet with Oliver. It was secluded, no one was watching either of them, and they could be as candid as they wanted, which was why he felt it best to pull out the gift of Andorian spirits he had found buried in the depths of his take away bag.
He sat across the table from the Civilian Director, pair of glasses filled with frosty liquid in front of them. "So the science teams report that there's a small population of these tiny creatures just... hiding somewhere on the colony. They can't figure out why, but there's a chance that they're on the run from something."
Oliver smirked, he loved it when people plied him with alcohol. It made for a much easier conversation most of the time. "Sounds like most of the people here." Oliver replied as he took a large sip of his drink, "But I understand that could be a problem. If they are being chased by something that means this 'hunter' may show up on our shores soon enough."
"It's likely." Luka replied plainly. "I'll have our people comb the initial reports that Starfleet had performed on the area. Intelligence had done an investigation of the area last century, so it wouldn't surprise me if there was a scientific survey team beforehand. I'm just in shock that it took this long for a creature to stumble into the colony itself. I was almost afraid we brought it from an Io mission. We already have enough issues without the idea of upsetting the balance of the ecosystem..." He trailed off, reaching for his drink. "... I'm starting to sound like the scientists."
Oliver let out a laugh, "Don't say that about yourself Luka! You'll end up thinking you know better if you do that." he said tipping his glass slightly in jest. He was right though, Oliver was also surprised about the lack of local animal life, or insect life. They had seemed quite isolated since their arrival and the thought of an outside influence altering the ecosystem didn't bear thinking about. "I'll have some of the civilian scientists assist. If we get them all in a room we can just lock it and walk away. No-one will miss them right?" he said looking away jovially and taking a large drink from his glass.
"Your civilian scientists must not be like the civilian crew I've met or interacted with." Luka took an unwisely large gulp of his beverage, pausing to flinch as the liquid burned down his throat. "At least one of those scientists are going to go on about how inhumane that is to lock up a bunch of creatures. Then we'll have to go find them a home somewhere else on planet... I'll just skip a step and start planet-wide surveys when we get the shuttle power for it."
"Oh I recruited a few myself. You meet them at the bar in town you wouldn't think they were some of the smartest people we've got." Oliver replied before listening to the rest of what Luka said. For a minute he looked in his glass as he swirled the ice round, the small clink of it hitting the glass. "The eggheads will always find something to moan about Mahone, I wouldn't worry. However, let's not give them any ammunition. Surveys sound good to me."
Luka gave a sigh. "Had I thought Starfleet was going to assign a whole crew compliment here, I would have come more prepared. I have no intention to attempt to take over the colony with our military presence. What has been built here shouldn't have that." His expression darkened. "But I've been reminded time and time again that there are too many threats for us to be able to ignore the possibility of something occurring on or within Haumea, and I'm beginning to think after the Io, that I was being naive in thinking this was just outside of the beaten path."
Oliver nodded. "Naturally I would strongly object to Starfleet taking us over anyway. This is a colony for the people and one which I attempt to run with minimal worry. Something that has not been too easy of late." he said looked over at Luka. "I know you wouldn't impose Starfleet on Haumea, but I do think you are needed. As you say after Io there are many threats that go unseen and there will be many challenges ahead of us here."
"That's very well put." Luka took a sip from his glass, frown appearing on his features. "But so long as I'm in charge, I'm going to see how minimal we can keep our presence. We should be protectors and explorers, not conquerors or dictators. Who knows? Maybe we'll be able to help get some of those supplies faster if Starfleet knows there's a contingent out here."
"Very true." Oliver replied. "If Starfleet has interests here then it's a given they look after their own people. We can have a 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' thing between us. We've worked well together so far and I value your input here."
"The Federation should be their own people..." Luka muttered under his breath. Looking out for the 'safety of the people' had such a broad spectrum to those he had encountered in Command that he wasn't sure what to make of it. But this was a victory they should have been celebrating. "Hopefully there won't be so much back scratching as there will be back patting and a flourishing colony for everyone to enjoy the way you and your team originally intended."
"I'll drink to that." Oliver said. "A fine toast if ever there was one Luka." With a raise of his glass he then took a large drink to finish it off.
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