Preparations and Suspicions

Posted on Fri Sep 6th, 2024 @ 7:33am by Lieutenant Commander Rin & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Gary's Office
Timeline: MD1: late morning
1422 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Naxea found herself headed for a place she almost never wentand that was to the XO's office. She had been summoned by him and the reasons were currently unknown to her. She never really felt comfortable being on or near the bridge of a starship. She was a Marine and was quite comfortable in Marine Country in the "belly" of a ship. She found herself standing in front of the door labeled Captain Gary Taylor as she pressed the door chime.

Inside, Gary sat at his desk. He had asked for Colonel Azhul Naxea to report to his office and was now patiently waiting for her to arrive. He had a suggestion he wished to run by the good colonel and get her input and any ideas she might have to make it better. He was still thinking on it when his door chime sounded. Sitting straighter, he called out "Enter!" then stood up waiting to greet whomever came through the door.

Naxea entered, approaching Taylor's Desk. Though she had known the XO for several years, she still maintained a sense of professionalism.
"Colonel Azhul reporting as ordered, Captain."

Gary nodded and smiled at her. He returned her professionalism, " Thank you for coming so promptly. Please have a seat, Colonel. Would you like anything from the replicator?" He inquired politely.

"No thank you," she replied with a dismissive wave of her hand as she moved to sit down in a nearby chair across from the desk.. "I just had a cup of Raktajino."

Gary nodded, "As you wish." As he walked to the replicator, looking back at Naxea to see if she may have changed her mind. Seeing and getting no reply he spoke, "One vanilla milkshake." An instant later, in a tall glass was his vanilla milkshake with a straw. Walking back, he sat down and looked across the desk at her. "Sure, you don't want something?"

"I'm sure, thank you, sir," Naxea grinned as she leaned slightly back in the chair as she eyes the milkshake. How did humans have so many sweets? She had tried a milkshake a few times and it was rather tasty drink, though she never found much taste for vanilla.

Sitting back down, Gary raises his eyes at Naxea's use of the word sir. "There are other flavors you know and what's with the sir Naxea? We've been friends for a long time, I thought we were beyond that." He grinned at her

"I know. I'm just not hungry. As for the sir response, I apologize. It's been a long day so far, she told him.

Gary shook his head, "Nothing to apologize for Naxea, don't trouble yourself over it." He paused for a moment his eyes on her. "I guess you are wondering my I asked you to come. Correct?"

"Yes, the question has crossed my mind," she grinned as she shifted her weight in the chair. 'These chairs are far too soft," she thought briefly.

Gary chuckled, "I'm sure it did Naxea well wonder no more. I've been thinking on this church and wanting to know more about it and I think now offers a good time to send a team or teams over to explore and see what they can find out. What do you think?"

"Sounds like a good idea. I honestly don't trust these religious nut jobs one bit," Naxea answered. "They're far too welcoming for this sector of space."

"I agree completely with that statement Naxea. It has been my experience anyone that welcoming is usually hiding something." Gary replied. "I think this bears investigation but before we go to far. I'm going to call in Commander Rin to get her opinion as well." With that, Gary tapped his combadge, "Commander Rin report to my Ready Room please."

A few minutes later, Rin appeared with her usual professional formality. She did have a bit of a sinking feeling in her stomach, seeing the three of them together and having no idea why. "Reporting as ordered, sir."

"Come on in Rin and have a seat. Want you here for this discussion. It's about this 'church' we're docked with. As Chief of Intelligence what are your feelings about it?"

Rin took the indicated seat. "I don't currently have feelings about it. We've only just arrived. My people will be gathering intel, of course. Is there something you're specifically concerned about?"

Gary sighed, "Specifically? No Rin not specifically just a general feeling of unease but nothing I can put my finger on. I find their welcome a bit over the top." He added.

"They are an alien culture. What we consider over the top may be entirely normal for this area of space. Perhaps they'll find us entirely banal and boring," Rin replied. "They have, according to Teevs, a widely accepted reputation for being open and welcoming. And I can point to any number of communities within the Federation which find great meaning in their faith which leads them to want to share it with others."

"Valid points Rin and why you were called here for this discussion. However..." Gary hesitated a moment before continuing, "Something just doesn't sit right. As I said I can't put my finger on it and that bothers me." He admitted to the pair.

Rin waited neutrally for whatever would be the next point, inwardly annoyed that Gary was suspicious of people they literally had never even met yet. She wondered if he had an issue with religion in general.

"We're in the same sector of space as the Thaih'ea and yet these people are open and friendly. Even the Federation, as welcoming as we are have restrictions and standards that must be adhered to," Naxea stated.

"I could give several counter-arguments to that comparison, not the least of which is that our ignorance of their standards is not evidence of their absence, unless there is some piece of information I am not aware of." Rin looked between Naxea and Gary, waiting for one of them to offer up applicable evidence. "Our ignorance is why my people already have their orders in order to learn more about this alien species, as per first contact protocols."

"Okay, ladies. We're not here to argue or to point counter point. What we are here for is to learn more about our hosts. You say people have their orders to learn more about this species. That is fine. How many people have you assigned to this Rin?" Gary asked the Intel chief.

"There will be 18 people on board the station at various times throughout the day. Some will be liaisoning with engineering, science and the diplomatic corps. Others will be interacting with station residents and visitors, some obviously, some discretely. Further assignments will be made after we analyze initial data. I can provide you a more detailed mission briefing should you require it," Rin replied in her usual even, professional tone.

Gary nodded in approval. "Very good Rin. I'm sure you've briefed your people thoroughly. I would also like you to keep the Colonel apprised should you come across anything suspicious. I leave it to you on what you consider suspicious."

"Of course, sir," Rin acknowledged.

"Thank you Rin." Gary replied.

Naxea remained quiet for a moment. She never liked nor trusted religions. Why put faith into a Deity who made rules on how people should worship them but only served themselves. She needed only to point out the catastrophe that was Kai Winn as an example. Naxea was one of very very few Bajorans that didn't wear the traditional Bajoran earring because of this. "I'm keeping the Marines on ready status."

Gary looked to and nodded at Naxea's statement. "I think that is a wise precaution Naxea. Better to be safe than sorry."

"If I had put stock in faith, I likely wouldn't be alive today," Naxea commented. "If there is nothing else, I'd like to oversee the preparation of my Detachment and study the layout of the station."

Gary shook his head, "No, nothing else. Go see to your marines and get them ready. Rin and will see about going aboard the station and finding out what we can about it and this church." His gaze shifted between Naxea and Rin, if there is nothing else, you are both dismissed."

Rin nodded and took her leave, still inwardly scratching her head as to why she had been called in in the first place. Whatever the reason, she was pretty sure it could have been handled in an email.