Staff briefing

Posted on Thursday 30 April 2026 @ 21:35 by Captain Melody Jones & Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones & Commander Caroline Miller & Lieutenant Commander Ras th'Zaanaq & Lieutenant Commander Seklar & Lieutenant John Mitchum & Lieutenant Deon Nyx & Ensign Tridi

Mission: The Seal of approval
Location: Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD1 1200
2444 words - 4.9 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Now that Melody had received their official orders from Starfleet, it was time to brief the senior staff before departure. She had invited Sansa to this briefing as she was going to play a major role in this mission. She got herself a pot of coffee and one for Sansa and sat and waited for everyone to arrive.

Mitchum walked in, nodded to the captain, then sat in an empty chair and waited for others to arrive. In order to familiarize himself with the senior staff, he downloaded their files on his PADD. And when he had the opportunity, he would introduce himself to them.

Caroline arrived, "Morning Captain, Chief," she said walking over to the coffee pot and sorting her own pot out. She took the seat next to the new security chief.

Nyx followed into the room on the heels of Commander Miller, a mug in hard with the aromatic aromas of a hot Earth drink he had become somewhat fond of since his time at Starfleet Academy, a drink they called a Vanilla Latte.

"Good Morning Captain" as he crossed the room and took a seat toward the middle of the curved table.

The mood in the room was difficult to read, a mix of anticipation at the prospect of a new mission but a thick undercurrent of trepidation, likely due to recent events. Although Deltans were predominantly touch telepaths, they could also get a sense of emotions just by being in proximity and the more time he spent around the long-standing officers and crew the stronger his sense of his job being something of a mountain to climb was increasing.

For now, he would hold his tongue, see how things played out.

Mitchum looked around. He was concerned that he was sitting in someone's assigned seat. He hadn't met all of the senior officers yet, but he planned on introducing himself after the meeting. When the woman sat, he nodded towards her.

As usual, Seklar simply nodded in acknowledgement of those present and made straight for one of the vacant seats. He carried his own coffee and a sandwich.

Tridi smoothed the green fur on his forearms, ensuring every strand laid flat before entering. To the others, the room felt heavy with trepidation, but to Tridi, it simply felt inefficiently crowded. He adjusted his stance, his pot-bellied frame moving with practiced precision toward an open seat. He noted the scattered PADDs and mismatched mugs, plus the nagging itch to straighten the Captain’s coffee pot, which sat at a suboptimal angle, but he restrained himself. Interpersonal subtext was a messy variable he preferred to omit from his calculations. Instead, he focused on the rhythmic hum of the engines through the floor. He had already pre-checked the navigational thrusters three times, yet his mind was already running a fourth diagnostic. He opened a blank PADD, ready to translate the Captain’s chaotic organic speech into a flawless, unchangeable flight plan.

Commander Ras th'Zaanaq walked into the Merlin's freshly refurbished observation lounge, his customary PADD in his left hand, a cup of coffee in his right and sporting a freshly grown beard on his face. He had fancied a change in his appearance decided on a beard rather than a different hair style. He still wasn't sure on it but he was going with it for now. "Good afternoon everyone." He said as he took his seat on the Captain's right.



Melody cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. "Well, now that we're all here, Starfleet has issued our orders. I've asked Sansa... Pardon me, Doctor Draxx-Jones, to join us for this briefing for reasons that will become obvious. We'll be rendezvousing with the starship Ravenscar. They are carrying a colony of seals with them, and we are to escort them to Megaptera, where they will be joining the newly established colony of Humpback whales. Doctor Blessed from the Cetacean Institute and the Megapteraian Ambassador Fay will be accompanying them. Our mission is to ensure the successful integration of the seal colony and strengthen relations between us and the Megapteraians.

Now, for those of you who were not on our first mission to Megaptera, the Megapteraians' consciousness exists in a non-corporal realm that they call the Etheria. It may be required for some of us to enter this and interact with the leader, called Owan. The Megapteraians can enter the body of a human host, as Doctor Draxx-Jones will confirm, as she served as the first host for Ambassador Fay. Any questions so far?"

John spoke up. "Is it safe? Or can these lifeforms stay in our minds unwanted?"

Sansa spoke up, "If I may Captain?"

Melody gave her the nod, and she continued, "After out inital contact and as part of our ongoing treaty with the Megapteraians, both the Federation and the Megapteraians have agreed to the following conditions. All hosts must be voluntary. Fay told me that attempting to join with an unwilling host can cause severe pain to both parties and would not last very long. They take their laws very seriously and consider unconsented joining a grave crime. I've had several examinations after my encounter, and I'm not showing or feeling any side effects from my time with Fay. The long-term effects on a human host are still being studied by both sides, but I do know I found my experience....... most enlightening."

Melody interjected at this point, "No one will be asked to volunteer to be a host; the diplomatic and science teams are handling all exchanges of those matters. Also, you won't have to enter the Etheria if you do not want to. A research outpost has been established on the planet, and several Federation diplomats are currently allowing several Megapteraians to work outside the Etheria to aid in communication between us, the Megapteraians and the humpback whales. Also, some Federation members are experiencing existence inside the Etheria, exchanging cultural and scientific information. After a bit of a rocky start to our relationship, the Megapteraians genuinely want to get to know us."

Tridi’s green, feline features twitched as he processed the briefing. While others weighed the metaphysical risks of the Etheria, his mind was firmly on the logistics of the Ravenscar.

"Captain," he added, his voice cutting through the room’s trepidation with clinical detachment. "Transporting aquatic colonies creates a shifting liquid mass. This will make the Ravenscar sluggish during sublight maneuvers. I have drafted four flight paths to compensate for their wake turbulence." He tapped his PADD with rhythmic precision, smoothing the fur on his forearm. "I also request a 'No-Host' policy for the Bridge. If non-corporeal entities distract the flight deck, the margin for pilot error increases by 14%. Interpersonal variables are messy; I require my workspace to remain orderly and predictable for the duration of the escort."

He looked around, oblivious to his tactlessness, his only concern being the preservation of his flawless, pre-checked flight plan.

"I would prefer not to be a host either," Seklar spoke up, "and I agree with Ensign Tridi. No bridge officer, or any senior staff member should be allowed to be a host. I would expand that to key personnel."

"Thank you for your feedback Commander. Anyone else?" Melody asked glacing around the table.

"Captain, I am curious to understand the Megapteraians a little more. I would be more than happy to volunteer should the opportunity or the need arise" Nyx interjected. "From a scientific standpoint as well... It sounds fascinating!"

Caroline looked at Tridi, he seemed to have done an awful lot of work although seemed rather concerned about figures that were well over her head. Everyone seemed to be too caught up in the idea of being a "Host". She wasn't sure a Deltan volunteering to be a host was a good plan either. It could get messy around his oath or celibacy with another personality in ones head but that was a discussion to pick up with the new doctor IF that situation occurred and in private.

"I think," she finally spoke after watching quietly, "That if staff are going to go into the "Etheria" this needs to be done carefully and in short bursts until they are used to it. It would be very strange and confusing going from our reality to non-corporal. Perhaps the Federation scientists already have a programme in place for that. With permission, Captain, I would like to contact them and look into that.

"By all means, Commander. Having been in the Etheria myself, when you are in it, what you experience seems to be quite real, similar to a holodeck-created simulation. You can see yourself and interact with the Megapteraians who appear as humanoid beings in there. You can also interact with anyone else who is connectd into the Etheria as they also appear as their physical selves.

I would also advise looking at the Starfleet medical reports from the crew of the USS Darwin. To give some context and for those of you who did not experience the Etheria the first time, the Megapteraians were the ones who sent the probe to Earth in the late 23rd Century to re-establish contact with the Humpback whales, which had become extinct. After Captain Kirk and crew returned from the past with 2 live Humpacks, the Probe left, and the Darwin was sent to investigate its origin. They were held in the Etheria for over 100 years before we negotiated their release.

"So," Melody continued, "Our primary mission is the establishment of the new seal colony and further developing relations between the Federation and the Megapteraians. As our resident Marine specialist and expert on Humpback whales, Doctor Draxx-Jones will be in charge and our primary point of contact with the science team. Fay is our primary contact with the Megapteraians. We also have supplies for the science outpost and will be assisting in monitoring the integration from orbit."

John leaned towards the counselor. He kept his voice low. "Excuse me, commander. We haven't officially met. I'm the new security chief, John Mitchum. I've been trying to introduce myself to the senior staff."

Caroline knew he meant no harm but he had not picked the best of places. The Captain was chairing her meeting and she had not dismissed them. She tried to be as diplomatic as she could as it needed a response. Keeping her voice just as low so answered "I understand but perhaps we could pick up that conversation after the meeting is concluded?"

Mitchum nodded. "Of course, commander, didn't mean to distract you." He moved back to a sitting position and leaned back.

"I am confused," Seklar admitted, albeit hesitantly, "first you tell me I have to enter the Ether and now you say it is voluntary."

Meody sighed. "I said you may be required to enter it Commander. I will be going in, as I need to discuss some aspects of our mission with Owan. Also, it is a show of trust and respect on our part. The Megapteraians have been very welcoming to the science team. But I also realise that after our first experience, not many will be so eager to re-enter the Etheia so I am not making it an order. If anyone wishes to accompany me, I would be grateful."

"I'll come with you." Sansa interjected quickly, "You'll see. It won't be like the first time; Everyone was scared and panicked. It gets easier."

Melody turned to Tridi, "I'll make sure all the technical specifications on the Ravsensar are made available to you. Also, the helmsman is sending progress reports on how the ship is handling during the voyage to the rendezvous point. And just to reassure you all, no one will be asked to become a host on this trip. Entry into the Ethiea is also not mandatory. I will be going in, as will Sansa. After my first encounter, I need to. Sansa tells me the experience has improved somewhat." Melody let out a small sigh. The Captain had to lead by example, but she was still not a hundred per cent convinced.

"My understanding it that Medical should be on standby but beyond the well-being of the livestock being transported, I believe we will be business as usual in sickbay sir... To that end I would like to place myself on some bridge duty if that is agreeable to you and the Commander?" casting his gaze between the Captain and first officer, knowing the Captain has asked him to take up the second officer position.

"An excellent idea, hands-on bridge experience could be just what the doctor ordered" She smiled at her joke before turning to Ras.

"Number one, would you please get all hands to departure stations? I'll join you on the bridge shortly. I've just got a few things to review in my ready room. Dismissed."

Ras nodded as he finished making notes on the mission. "Understood, Captain. How long till we depart?" He asked so he could inform the last of the crew who hadn't gotten back yet.

Melody replied, "I want to be underway within the hour."

Mitchum stood up and headed for the bridge.

Tridi remained seated for a moment after the dismissal, his green fur bristling slightly as he processed the 60-minute departure window. To others, an hour was a generous cushion; to Tridi, it was a rapidly collapsing timeline that demanded immediate, synchronized action. He closed the PADD with a sharp, precise snap and stood up, his pot-bellied frame moving with a surprising, fluid economy of motion.

He didn't bother with the coffee or the lingering social pleasantries. His mind was already calculating the Merlin’s orbital decay and the specific thruster bursts required to pull away from the starbase without disturbing the local traffic pattern.

"Sixty minutes is acceptable, Commander," Tridi muttered to Ras as he passed him, his voice clipped and focused. "I will have the navigational thrusters pre-heated and the departure vector locked in T-minus forty-five minutes.

OFF:

●●●● Captain Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin


●● Lieutenant John Mitchum
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Merlin


●● Lieutenant Deon Nyx
Chief Medical Officer
USS Merlin


●●● Commander Caroline Miller
Chief Counselor
USS Merlin


● Ensign Tridi
Flight Control Officer
USS Merlin


Lieutenant Commander Seklar
Chief Engineer

●●● Commander Caroline Miller
Chief Counselor
USS Merlin