The First Orders

Posted on Thu Feb 20th, 2025 by Captain James Cohen & Lieutenant Commander Freya Preston & Lieutenant Amelia Baird & Lieutenant Commander Samuel Bancroft & Lieutenant Shral ch'Vyrhor & Lieutenant Rhys Bennett & Lieutenant JG Elle Hayashi & Lieutenant Choyi Zaimu

1,245 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: M01 - The Hooke
Location: Observation Lounge, USS Hooke
Timeline: Present

James had done plenty of research into the Terra Novans before calling for a staff meeting. By the time he'd left his office to go to the conference room for the staff meeting, the ship was already in motion. That immediately told him the other piece he needed to know, the ship had brought aboard all supplies and personnel like they needed to.

He entered the observation lounge to find his officers had already gathered inside, and went to his end of the table where he sat down. James could sense some tension among them too. James thought that was to be expected as he sat down, "All right." He said.

Aval made a mental note to talk to the Captain about the way the room felt in that moment. She realized many of them hadn't met each other, while others had at least spoken prior to this. Aval left it alone for the moment and instead focused on other matters, "I take it we know where we're going?"

"Terra Nova," It was Commander Preston that answered. She looked at the Captain, "How did your conversation with the Admiral go?"

James shrugged because the Admiral didn't listen to what James wanted to do, but there was nothing for it. "It went as well as could be expected." He answered.

Elle was nervously wringing her hands underneath the table. She didn't know what to make of any of them, "I for one am glad to say all the medical equipment and supplies I requested are aboard. I have my medical technicians working on stowing them."

"Good to hear," James said to the Doctor, "Lieutenant Bancroft?"

Sam just wanted to know what their mission set was about to be, he hadn't expected to talk about other things. "Yes Captain?"

"Were there any issues with logistics?" James asked. He found it rather pointless to ask if everything was on board. James already had that answer, at least he was making assumptions that he did.

Sam shook his head, "No sir."

"Good," James said then began to address what was on everyone's mind, "So we're going to the Terra Nova system. The Novans have uncovered what they believe to be ruins from the original colony, and Starfleet wants us to help them."

"Sounds easy enough," Rhys said from his side of the table. "I'm guessing any radiation that was still impacting that part of the planet has long since passed?"

"Yes," James answered. "The Novans were going to resettle that region of the planet when they uncovered the ruins. They requested Starfleet to assist them, though they were somewhat less forthcoming about the details."

Amelia scratched the back of her head, "I'm curious about this mission Captain. I would think they'd have the facilities to do the work themselves."

"Unless they uncovered something and they're not telling us," Freya suggested from next to the Captain. She looked at him, "Either way I've always wanted to see Logan City."

"I don't know if we'll make it to Logan City," James told his Exec. "We won't arrive for six days if my math is correct?"

Freya nodded, "It's correct Captain. It takes roughly six days to get there at warp eight. Did Starfleet mention any urgency on getting there? We could go faster if we needed to."

James shook his head, "They weren't very forthcoming on how quickly they wanted this resolved. I think they were anticipating it taking us some time to get there. In the meantime it gives us time to prepare before our arrival. I'm afraid despite my research I know little about the Novans or their history."

Shral had been sitting quietly while listening to the others talk, "I've never been to Terra Nova but I remember learning about them during one of my classes back at the Academy. Terra Nova was one of the very first human colonies from before United Earth really hit her stride. Contact was lost and later re-established.

"An asteroid struck the planet and the inhabitants thought Earth had attacked them. Relations were quite strained after that for a little while until United Earth arrived and helped them." Shral concluded, "That is the basis of what happened anyway."

"Thanks for the history lesson Lieutenant," James said with a slight smile on his face. "How long ago did the radiation lift enough for the Novans to consider resettling that area?"

Rhys shrugged, "I'm not sure Captain, but it's been over two hundred years since the asteroid hit them if I remember correctly."

"Yes," Shral answered.

Rhys had fallen silent while the statement was replied to. He then continued to speak, "They probably began considering it months earlier and finally decided to look into it more closely. I'd have to do some research to have a definite answer."

"That's understandable," James told his Chief Science Officer. "This is supposed to be a simple mission, go in, do our thing, get out." He looked around the table, "But anyone who's been in Starfleet long enough knows that's not how it works."

Aval found the statement kind of strange, "So you want us to prepare for anything I'm guessing?"

James nodded, "Precisely."

Elle thought that was simple enough, "I don't know how much use I'll be Captain, but I'll make sure medical is ready for anything." She didn't have any real response besides that. Elle could tell the others at the table were wondering what the best answer was to the comment.

James smiled warmly, "For now I want to know as much about the Terra Novans as we can find out. I know radiation shouldn't be a huge concern, but it would be best to prepare for that." He made the initial statement to everyone, but his attention was on Elle for the radiation piece. "Learn all you can about what type of radiation affected them during the initial colonization effort."

"Aye sir," Elle said with a little more confidence than she had earlier.

"I'll work with Lieutenant Bennett in the science lab researching the original colony," Freya offered.

Rhys grinned somewhat, "I'll take it."

James nodded then addressed his engineer and operations officers in turn. "The Admiral sent me project information for the resettlement efforts in that area. Can you two look over it and see if there's anything that stands out?"

"We sure can," Amelia replied then looked at Sam.

Sam nodded, "We'll get right on it Captain," He answered.

Shral wondered if there was anything for him to do, "I can go through some of my notes from that course and see if there was anything from them about the Novans that may have been missed somewhere."

James nodded, "Yes, also I think it would be a good idea to have your personnel ready in case anything wild happens. I mean they're friendly and all, but even after two hundred years there's nothing to say some anti-Federation sentiment may still exist."

Shral nodded, "Understood."

James looked at Aval, "From a psychological standpoint I'd like for you to see if there's anything that stands out about the Novans, especially the ones that were found to be alive on the planet by the original Enterprise crew."

Aval nodded, "I'll get right on it sir."

James leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, "Anything out of the ordinary should be reported of course. But, if everything checks out as pretty standard stuff then I wouldn't worry too much about it. Dismissed."

 

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