A friend in need

Posted on Wednesday 16 June 2021 @ 20:01 by Captain Melody Jones & Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones
Edited on on Tuesday 24 August 2021 @ 22:21

Mission: A Cry from the Darkness
Location: Captain's ready room
Timeline: MD9 1400
1207 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Melody's voice came over the comm system. Lieutenant McPhee, Sansa Draxx-Jones, please report to my ready room.

Sansa, who was in the marine science lab looked up surprised. It wasn't often mom called her, and this sounded official. She headed for the closest turbolift.

Mathias raised an eyebrow at the summons of Melody, but quickly headed to her ready room. He had been in Operations going over the readings and was also getting ready to check in with Engineering.

"Are things okay, Captain?"

"Yes, everything's fine Lieutenant...." Melody said with a chuckle. "No need for a red alert."

The door chime sounded again and Melody called out "Come in!"

Sansa entered. "Hi Mom, Hi Mathias. What's up buttercup?" she asked her mother with a cheeky grin.

"Have a seat both of you. The Federation Council has had a request from Owan and the Megapteraian council which has been approved. In order to further their relationship with us and the Humpback whales of Earth, They have asked that a colony of whales be established on their planet. Their ambassador, Fay, and our diplomatic liaison Miss Blackwood are travelling to Earth to select twelve whales, 6 male and 6 female to be the first ambassadors of their species to leave our planet and travel to Megapteraia on a specially retrofitted science vessel. They will rendezvous with us and they have asked you, Sansa, to accompany them to help them get established."

Sansa's face lit up like a 1000W searchlight. "Mom! That's great." But then her face fell slightly "How long will I be gone, I don't want to miss you having the babies."

"Don't worry Sweetie, it's only for a month. You'll be back before I pop." Melody reassured her.

Mathias had a relieved expression in his eyes at the news of things not in a dire position. His face lit up hearing about the colony of whales. "That is fantastic, Hopefully, they have things set up for them to survive though." his scientific interest getting peaked. "And that is awesome Sansa. It would be rather fantastic to be witnessing that." a dreamy look in his eyes.


Melody turned now to Mathias. "Well I'm sure you'd want to accompany Sansa on this mission lieutenant, I'm afraid I'm going to be needing your presence here on the Merlin. The ship carrying the whales, Fay and Abigale will rendezvous with us on their way to Megapteraia. There will be time for you to meet with Fay and Abigale before we have to part company.

Sansa looked a bit worried "You mean I'm going on my own?"

Melody shook her head "No Sweetie. There is a new science officer arriving shortly. He will go with you." She looked back to Mathias "Lieutenant, I'll need to you brief him full on the situation when he arrives and make introductions. He's been sent by Starfleet command and is a specialist in marine biology, one Lieutenant Hamish Teague."

His jaw dropped when Mathias heard his cousin's name. "Wait, Hamish is coming, here?" his mind was in a whirl about this news. "I had no clue. He didn't tell me when we last spoke." he shook his head in disbelief, He looked over at Melody. "I will certainly get him up to speed when he arrives. I am sure he is really thrilled at this opportunity." he did have a slight envious gleam in his eyes but it vanished. "I do understand the need for me to be here, especially since I am now on the command team." he looked at Sansa. "However, I am really happy for you Sansa!"

Sansa hugged Mathias back.

Melody raised an eyebrow. "You know Lieutenant Teague?"

Mathias returned Sansa's hug then he nodded towards Melody. "He's my first cousin. His mum's at Starbase 308 same as his Da. His brother and sister are there too. He decided to stay on Earth due to his speciality. Imagine that... he's going to be on the same ship as I am. "

"Ahh, keeping things in the family. Good. I'm not sure of the exact timetable but the Federation council will inform us when the science ship is en route to us."

Melody turned back to Sansa. "The researchers at the Taylor institute have been really impressed with papers you submitted Sweetie. They say your insight into Humpback whales has helped them immeasurably in the understanding of the species."

Sansa blushed slightly. "I feel.... really connected with them. I think it has something to do with my experience with Fay."

"Well, whatever it is, I'm very proud of you. In fact, you've been awarded an honorary doctorate from the Taylor institute in Humpback whale behaviour and psychology and you are now listed as one of the Federations foremost authorities on Humpback whales." Melody said, showing the face of a very proud mother and she came around and hugged Sansa.

"That is amazing!" grinning ear to ear. Mathias was definitely elated. "We'll have to make an event for them coming." then an idea came to mind but he needed to talk with Melody without Sansa around.

"That's a good idea Lieutenant. I'm sure we can arrange something." Melody said. "Lieutenant Teague should be arriving soon. I'm sure he's eager to get to know you." She added to Sansa. “I’ll see you this evening for dinner. I’ll whip up something special and don’t forget to tell your father.”

Sansa hugged Melody again. “Will do mom.”

Once Sansa had left, Melody turned to Mathias. “Any further leads on Caroline?”

"Not as of yet though my aunt is sending out feelers to find it. She had recalled that particular ship had been going to Starbase 308 quite a few times. She'll be asking the other ship captains if they had heard of the ship." Mathias responded. "I've been having restless dreams about Caroline. I do feel she is alive though not truly safe." he had a pensive look in his eyes, then he shook it off, changing to another subject. "Captain, isn't Sansa's birthday coming up? I'd like to set up a surprise party for her. I think we all could use a little pick me up, and also with the news of her doctorate, would make for a great time for a celebration. What do you think?"


Melody raised an eyebrow. “Feeling brave are you Lieutenant?” she said with a quizzical smile. “If feel as if you're up to the challenge, by all means. You might want to include Draxx in your planning, he's missed out a lot of Sansa growing up so I think he'd want to be included.”

"I'll make certain to do that. Besides I still have yet to talk with Draxx on an individual basis." giving a wry smile. "I still feel awkward with all that has happened, so I think, yes a party discussion may help to ease my feeling of awkwardness with your husband." Mathias giving a half hearted laugh.

“That sounds a good idea Lieutenant.”


OFF:

●●●● Captain Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin


Sansa Draxx-Jones
Civilian npc
Jones

●● Lieutenant Mathias McPhee
Chief Operations Officer
USS Merlin