Caged Bird [MISSION START]
Posted on Wed Jul 24th, 2019 @ 5:45am by Lieutenant Commander Payton Bray & Setek
736 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Canary
Location: Science Facility 3
Timeline: MD 01 : 1540 Hrs
Since the turn of the new year, Payton had made a recommendation to the civilian science staff that they should put their heads together, team up, and get double the scientific research done in half the time. They had cleared out a facility just for a small team of cooperative scientists who seemed to happily work together.
That was, until Payton heard an annoyed shout from one of the other rooms. "What is..." Standing from the small desk she had sprawled her work all over, she wandered through to the other room, where a pair of scientists were standing in front of their newest discovery, which looked to be an almost fossilized shuttle hull, angrily glaring at one another.
"What on Earth is going on out here?"
"Nothing... on Earth," Setek pointed out. The Vulcan pointed out something on the screen. "However, there has been a discovery that may change the colony." Giving Payton a few moments to gaze at the display, Setek stated, "We seem to have discovered a shuttlecraft of unknown age and unknown origin."
"That's all well and good," Payton admitted, stealing a glance at the screen offered before pointing out the pair of scientists, one dressed in Starfleet colors and the other in a civilian uniform, looking ready to argue. "But I was talking about that."
"Of course," Setek responded. "The shuttle is located outside of the protection zone. Starfleet's mandate only covers the colony and orbit. A discovery such as this satisfies the requirements to be considered a colonial, and therefore civilian find."
Payton's brow rose. She expected to get some guff from some of the other scientists, but Setek was the one in charge. This was the last thing she expected out of him. "I thought we agreed upon this." She spoke carefully. "If we're to be working together, then the scientists who discovered it take a joint claim on it."
"Of course," Setek responded. "Starfleet resources will be essential because the civilian infrastructure has not been authorized or requisitioned. However, there is the articles of charter and Federation precedent."
Giving the screen a curious look, Payton shook her head. "It says here that one of the petty officers logged the finding. While it may be out of Starfleet jurisdiction, I don't think it's called for to take it out of this petty officer's hands."
Relenting, it simply would not do to have their relationship begin on such a bad terms on such a harsh planet, Setek nodded. "Agreed, this should be a joint venture. Any property aboard the shuttle would belong to Starfleet, and this should be considered a recovery operation."
"Well at least we can agree on that much." Payton said with a small sigh of relief. She frowned. A meeting about earned trust reminded her that in order to do that, she would have to be completely honest. "If any of it belonged to Starfleet, I would have to make a report... and then Starfleet would likely have to take that as property."
"As it would have right," Setek nodded. Part of him appreciated the honesty, though he was confused about the need to almost apologize. "My only request is to share the information gathered, it has far more importance than equipment found."
Payton squinted at the information in front of her. There was something about this shuttle that seemed off. She pointedly did not answer Setek's question, not for the moment. As scientists, they should have been able to share that information, but as a Starfleet officer, she knew there was a chance it would have been all taken away with the wave of a hand. "Do we have a time period for when this shuttle could have been in circulation? If I didn't know any better..."
"Currently, we only have our scans," Setek pointed out. Elaborating, he added, "The shuttle type was in use for almost a century. To estimate with any degree of accuracy, a team would need to make scans on site. Perhaps an investigation of the logs would reveal more information."
"Then we can certainly agree on that." Payton frowned, eyes upon the husk of a shuttle in front of them. She placed a hand on her hip, her lips pursing together. There were a few calls she would have to make, but for now, there were people to placate. Her eyes wandered to the still-fighting scientists.
"... At the very least, that."
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