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Posted on Tuesday 5 October 2021 @ 19:51 by Captain Melody Jones & Commander Caroline Miller & Lieutenant Marbim Rejal

Mission: First Contact
Location: Captains Ready room
Timeline: MD1 0700
887 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Caroline knew there would be questions and that needed to be attended to. She headed up to the ready room still in the clothes they had made her wear on the planet. Yes her first stop should probably have been sickbay but she knew Melody and Rejal would need answers.

She pressed the chime, conscious that several junior officers were staring at her. She hadn't been here for weeks. It felt so strange suddenly.

Melody had been reading the final report on the incident on the planet. she looked up "Come in." She smiled as she saw who it was. "Caroline! Come in. It's good to have you back." She stood and came around her desk to embrace her friend.

Caroline nodded biting her lip as she returned the hug.

Melody tapped her comm badge "Jones to Rejal, can you join Commander Miller and me in my Ready Room."

Miles, hot tea in one hand, and chilled carrot juice in the other stepped up to the Captain's ready room door and used a knuckle to push the chime.

"Come in." Melody called out "Ahh beware Cardassians bearing gifts." She said with a smile "You're too kind Commander, thank you". she said as she took the carrot juice from him.

"Your welcome Captain. Turning Miles looked at Caroline, "We are glad to have you back, you gave us quite a scare. Can I get you something from the replicator?"

“I … Well reporting in. I'm sure you have questions,” the blond said taking in both of them. "Some water please?" she smiled at Rejal.

Melody nodded. "Yes indeed. Can you tell us what precipitated your kidnapping and what exactly they were trying to get you to do?"

"They mocked up a message looking like my grandmother had died and I needed to go back home immediately. It looked so real. And a transport was sent to get me home. They were really working for a faction on that planet who were experimenting on ... captain, sir they were like dragons of old. I was part of a medical research group. Floxaid. In one of my postings, we encountered that awful virus and several of us have been for years testing new potential drugs for Starfleet. I do it in my spare time of course. Some of the research had caught their eye. It helped with neurons and they were trying to kick start bringing those creatures back to life and bring back their lost ability to fly. The wings. People had been disappearing for years. I let my guard down. I'm so sorry you got put in a position to come find me. But I'm so happy you did," she said.

Miles smiled at Caroline, "I'm glad you're safe, and home. Mathias wasn't very forthcoming on the circumstances of your sudden departure. Is your Grandmother ok?"

"My grandmother was never in any danger. She's alive and well. I checked before coming up here. It was all lies on their part to lure me away from here," she told him.

"Well, I'm just glad to have you back in one piece." Melody said. "From what the away team saw on the planet, I take it you made some advancements, even if it wore off after time. Do you think they are capable of continuing the research without your input?"

Caroline chewed her lip, "I rode a dragon Captain. Bonded with it if you can believe it. It was in stasis. In a very old research lab. Such an impressive creature. I'm not sure why it chose the alien woman. And I had a woman on the island they incarcerated me help me understand some of their history. Yes, we did make some headway but the drugs to activate the genes they wanted was temporary. And .... I left Sylvie and it together. I didn't think you would be open to a pet of that size on the Merlin. Sylvie thinks the bond will fade and then it will bond with her. But we were in agreement, destroy all that research. Those people need to move forward, not try to revert their evolution back to the past. If they were meant to fly now they would still have those abilities," the blond said firmly.

Melody looked impressed. "A dragon you say? You did the right thing. The last thing we need is Starfleet being accused of influencing the development of a planet. I'm sure you're exhausted. Have the Doc check you out and then go and get some rest. I'm sure you're looking forward to your own bed again. There'll be a staff briefing in an hour but you don't have to attend if you're not feeling up to it."

Caroline nodded. "Yes Captain."

Melody turned to Rajel. "Anything to add Number one?"

"Not at this time Captain." Miles turned to Caroline, "I am glad you're back, safe, and that your Grandmother is fine. If you need to talk about anything, my door is always open."


OFF:

●●●● Captain Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin



●●● Commander Caroline Miller
Chief Counselor
USS Merlin


○●● Lieutenant Commander Marbim Rejal
Executive Officer
USS Merlin