A debriefing with Melody

Posted on Saturday 12 December 2020 @ 20:55 by Captain Melody Jones & Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones

Mission: Homeward
Location: San Fransisco, Starfleet Command
Timeline: MD2 0930
1184 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:


Melody and Fay followed Admiral Hollins to one of the many meeting rooms in the central command structure. Inside there was a small table on which there were pots of tea, coffee, a carafe of water and some biscuits. Three chairs were nearby. There were also two other Admirals waiting for them whom Admiral Hollins introduced.

“This is Admiral Fisher who will be with me talking to you Commander Jones. And this is Admiral Forester who will be looking after you Fay. He’ll be taking you to speak with some members of the Taylor Institute, who are the Federations leading authority on Humpback whales. Some more are arriving tomorrow. Don’t worry you’re in good hands.”

Fay looked at Melody who nodded. “We can meet up later for dinner. You’re among friends here”

Fay smiled and nodded. “I look forward to meeting up later.”

Fay and Admiral Forester left the meeting room.

Admirals Hollins and Fisher took their seats gesturing for Melody to join them. “Would you like a drink Commander? Hollins asked.

“Water will be fine, thank you.” Melody replied, taking her seat and getting her PADD ready.

Admiral Hollins started. “Now then Commander, we’re going to keep this fairly informal. First, Starfleet Command is very pleased with you and your command of the Merlin. We were very impressed with your handling of this first contact situation. Now, we’ve read the official reports, but we’d like to have this in our own words.

“Very well Admiral,” Melody said taking a sip of her water. “We had left Starbase 308 a couple of days previously having assisted the USS Andromeda in taking down one of those Planet Killers and were returning to our original patrol area when, out of nowhere, this massive probe appeared. We recognised it as being like the one that had been responsible for the devastation on Earth over a century ago.

“Yes," Fisher agreed, "The incident with the whales and Admiral Kirk."

Melody continued “Well, this one was transmitting a set of coordinates. After notifying Command and deploying a probe to monitor it, we proceeded there to find a planet, entirely covered by water with a single landmass. As I recognised this was potentially a first contact situation, I led the away team that went down to the surface. There was also the possibility of learning the fate of the USS Darwin which had been sent to investigate the original whale probe and never heard from again. “While en-route, I had discussed with my security officer increasing security throughout the ship, just in case we ran into trouble. Just covering the bases.”

Both Admirals nodded. Julia spoke “A sensible precaution Commander. Let’s talk about the planet. At what point did you discover that your daughter had stowed away on the shuttle?”

“Not long after we arrived. Sansa was compelled to board the shuttle by the leader of the Megapteraian resistance who tried to warn us of danger. His hope was that my interactions with Sansa would show his people that we were indeed worthy of having peaceful relations with.

“This was before Fay joined with Sansa, yes?”

“Yes, Admiral. Fay did not join with Sansa until we had managed to convince the Megapteraians that we were indeed peaceful and shown them they had been under the influence of the Puppet Master who destroyed itself rather than be captured.

At the mention of the Puppet Master, both Admirals exchanged glances. Fisher took a breath “Yes, the Puppet Master. We had hoped to have seen the last of him when that Borg cube and planet exploded. Can we be certain that it is now gone for good?”

Melody slowly shook her head. “I’m afraid not. It seemed to be using a probe it had commandeered. It was certainly not technology it had created by itself. Lieutenant Godding managed to make some detailed scans of the probe which suggested it was being used as a relay of some kind. The precise source of which we were unable to find, so I doubt we’ve seen the last of it. The scan taken by Lieutenant, sorry Commander Godding should give us valuable insight into how the Puppet Master works and how we can recognise it easier in the future.”

Melody took another sip of water. “How are the crew of the Darwin getting used to being back home?”

“There’s a lot of tearful reunions going on I can tell you. Captain Andersson spoke very highly of you at his debriefing.” Hollins said as she poured another coffee. “The crew and ship don’t seem to have aged a day. I suppose returning the crew and ship like they never left goes a long way to cementing this treaty with the Megapteraians.
We’ve arranged another ship, the USS Sparrow to depart for their planet taking fresh diplomats and supplies in 2 weeks’ time. The Megapteraians have agreed to establish a permanent Federation presence near their star system and we are also investigating the possibility of having a permeant Megapteraian ambassador here on Earth.

Melody looked quite shocked. “Having Fay in Sansa for a short period of time is one thing, having someone permanently… sharing their body with one of them?”

“I don’t think it would quite work like that Commander,” Hollins said reassuringly. The Megapteraian have sent a great deal of information to us, relayed by the USS Billington including information on the probes they grow and report from our people who are currently in the Etheria. Some sort of rotation system would have to be put in place, similar to our representatives on their planet. The details have yet to be arranged, but there is a great deal of good faith in their actions and I think this treaty will be a huge benefit to all the Federation.”

Melody relaxed somewhat at that statement. “I’m sure it will be.” The conversation between the three of them continued for some time when Melody suddenly became aware of her rumbling stomach. Strange, she thought to herself. She’d had a really big breakfast that Draxx had prepared so wonderfully. She glanced at the chronometer on the wall behind them and it was approaching 1130.

“Do you think we could break for lunch?” she asked hopefully.

Hollins smiled “Of course Commander, we’ve found this session very useful. There only one or two more things to go over this afternoon so we shouldn’t be too long. I bet you’re looking forward to some rest.”

Melody nodded. “Yes, I’m visiting my husband’s family in Italy, they have a restaurant there.”

“Ah yes, congratulations on your marriage. I’d heard you had tied the knot on Risa. How are you finding married life?”

“Just great. He’s a good man.” She replied. “And he looks after me.”

Hollins and Fisher stood and headed with her to the door. “I’m glad to hear it, Commander,” Hollins said as the door opened. “Go and get some lunch and we’ll meet back here in 2 hours.”

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