HOME | DD

Description
Distress Call

Chapter 12

Dr. Thornnastor replied “We will be delayed in concluding our study. Because Dr. O’Mara tied his concerns to the ban on females using the Educator Tape technology, Dr. Crusher and I realized that our study must include an evaluation of any psycho-physical effects. Therefore, we have ordered the Thorn-Andersog Evaluation Series be carried out on each member of the Monitor Corps or of Starfleet who have used the Discourse Gear technology.”
Marshal Dermod said “But that would delay us by three weeks if you carry out the full series.”
Thorny replied “As the Sector Marshal, you have the authority to override our order, or cut the series short. But, since you know the length of time required for the series, you must also know that the reliability of the overall results decreases with each segment that is omitted. However. Dr. Crusher and I are watching for certain indicators and information. It is possible that we may feel we have reached a sound conclusion with only part of the series.”
“Thank you, Doctors. Carry on.” Dermod shifted his attention “Dr. O’Mara. As the ranking psychologist in this, do you have any comments on their decision?”
“I believe it is a prudent move on their part. I would have ordered the series myself after they concluded their investigation.”
“Are you comfortable with them running the series without your involvement?”
“As someone on my staff is likely to conduct the series, I am sure it will be done correctly. They all know their jobs.”
“I will order who is assigned to run the series to report directly and only to Dr. Thornnastor on the matter.”
“Yes, Sector Marshal Dermod.”
“Captain Picard.” Dermod tried to run tight meetings and briefings “I understand you have taken some action regarding this technology. Please elaborate.”
Dr. O’Mara gave Picard a sharp look while he waited for the captain to speak. He wondered what this man was up to, and why he had not heard anything about whatever it was before this briefing.
“Thank you, Sector Marshal.” Picard began “I am thinking beyond the current medical questions.” Dr. O’Mara felt some relief as he listened to the captain “I’m looking to when we will be ready to inform our governments about the culmination of this contact, and about this technology. I have assigned the Prime Team and the Dragon Army with the task of evaluating potential uses of this technology. As has become the custom, the Prime Team will evaluate the positive uses and Dragon Army will evaluate any potential negative uses. When I informed the Sector Marshal of my decision I also told him what I am officially authorizing now. Members of Dragon Army and Prime Team are authorized to contact anyone involved with this matter to gain the information they need to carry out their task. One moment please Dr. O’Mara. I realize that I cannot order the crews of Rhabwar, Trafalur, or Tragenhad to recognize that authorization, but I am asking them to do so. Captain Issacson, do you accept my order?”
“Yes. Members of both teams are authorized to contact me and members of my crew to carry out their task.”
Dermod said “I am ordering all under my command to recognize that authorization. However. I must add a stipulation. They are not to ask the teams under Doctors Thornnastor and Crusher questions directly related to the investigation they are currently working.”
“Yes Marshal Dermod. I was getting to that. Should members of either team feel a reason to go in that area, they are to contact me and Sector Marshal Dermod for approval first. As the findings of that investigation are likely to have an impact on the implementation of the conclusions reached by Prime Team and Dragon Army, such contact must be limited and monitored. Is that clear Useless and Bean?”
Both replied “Yes sir.”
Dr. O’Mara said “Thank you Captain Picard.”
The briefing continued.
***
“I felt many surges of relief from Friend Fletcher throughout the briefing. They were strong when the conversation focused on the Thorn-Andersog tests, then they even stronger while friend Picard spoke of his tasks for Dragon Army and the Prime Team. What I found most interesting was that Friend Fletcher’s relief matched that implied by friend O’Mara’s comment when friend Dermod’s stipulation was agreed to.”
Dr. Conway replied “Yet, we still have no clue how O’Mara benefits from these actions.” He had a thought. He let his mind wonder in that direction.
“Friend Conway, I sense that you want to explore something, but I must remind you that I cannot read your mind.”
“Sorry Prilicla, I wanted to have a little more understanding of this thought before I expressed it. There is still much that we do not know about Captain Picard and this Starfleet. Could they be playing us?”
“I find that hard to believe friend Conway. It is a shame that Enterprise is so far away from us, but I have detected no feelings of foul intent on the part of anyone on Endeavor.”
“Apart from Captain Issacson’s sense of relief?”
“Correct, friend Conway. However, I must remind you that friend Fletcher felt that same relief. That suggests that if friend Picard is, to use your word, playing anyone, it must be a small group or a single entity.”
“Could Picard be trying to pull something on Dr. O’Mara?”
“Friend Picard could be trying, but friend O’Mara is too good at what he does for that to be an easy task.”
“Then, he must be going around Dr. O’Mara to do what he is up to.” Conway had another thought “He’s using the Prime Team to do it. Remember how Picard worded it? ‘the Prime Team will evaluate the positive uses and Dragon Army will evaluate any potential negative uses.’ Picard is focusing on the Discourse gear and he has already discounted any potential negative uses of it. The Dragon Army’s task is a distraction. Why would he be taking that course? We must be careful.”
***
Dr. O’Mara reluctantly agreed to the continued use of the Discourse gear when the small fleet reached Valeng. For one thing, the Valanglen insisted that key beings who would be going down to the surface for the ceremony should use the gear and they insisted that Valentine, Nurse Naydrad and Dr. Murchison were to take part in the ceremony. He had lost any hope of winning the argument when Dr. Thornnastor had pointed out that part of the series of tests would have to be run while the gear was being used.
It was a bright, sunny day when Forerunner Gemb piloted one of the Valanglen shuttles to lead the procession down to the aerospace port just west of Kerrlang, Valeng’s Capitol City. The second Valanglen shuttle had been repaired and Saulgden flew it leading a formation of shuttles from Endeavor. Those shuttles carried a mix of crews. Traflaur and Tragenhad followed that formation then Rhabwar brought up the rear. The wide expanse of the aerospace port suddenly looked crowded.
The crowd lining the field cheered at first when Forerunner Gemb left its shuttle. That cheer quickly became a respectful silence when Dr. Gesden followed with the Casualty Flag attached to a harness. That silence mostly continued as the beings in the other vehicles emerged then joined up in a large formation. The only break in that silence was some expressions of surprise when Nurse Naydrad emerged from Rhabwar. The fact that she moved in procession with the rest then joined in the formation let the crowd find silence again.
When all were in place, Dr. Gesden left the formation to approach Saulgden’s shuttle. The hatch opened, but no one emerged until Dr. Gesden was in place. Saulgden took his position behind the doctor then Deldains followed bearing the coffins containing the four deceased crew members. The chant recited by the Deldains in the crowd lining the field started as s soft murmur then grew to a solemn and respectful hymn. The Deldain among the formation joined the hymn. The Valanglen lifted their fore-bodies upright then dipped their heads. Members of Starfleet and the Monitor Corps all came to attention and, in the manner of their physiology, held a salute while the sad procession proceeded to the vehicles waiting near the administration building. Rhabwar’s medical staff bowed their heads.
All of this was recorded and carried live by some camera drones from Endeavor that had come down with the procession of shuttles and ships. The drones had been reconfigured to send the feeds to the media on Valeng, as well as to both Federations. This was First Contact.
***
The Viking impulse in the members of the Prime Team led them to stand in a respectful silence as the image on a main screen in Conference Room Six showed the sad procession. Those on the Enterprise Bridge watched the scene on the main screen in respectful silence. President Bala watched with a full house of cadets in the main auditorium at the Academy. She was surprised, yet pleased, when the cadets came to attention in response to seeing the Starfleet and Monitor Corps members do so in the feed. Most, but not all, of the news networks on Earth carried the feed live and some of those networks had crews at Starfleet in San Francisco for the event. The action of the cadets became known around the world - then on other worlds.
***
An officer wearing the Discourse gear on Endeavor spoke the translations as needed and added minimal commentary. She also identified individuals or groups seen in the feed. While many in the formation were shown wearing the gear, it was identified to the viewing public only as communications equipment.
***
While the bedside screens in the wards in Sector General usually presented only a choice of old programs from the member worlds of the Galactic Federation on the entertainment channels, Colonel Skempton had decided to make this feed available on one of the channels. Nearly every patient in condition to watch tuned their screen to that channel. Nurses, doctors, and staff not on duty took some time to watch. Some doctors or nurses who were not involved with teaching surgeries at the time had their students watch the event on the large study screens in otherwise unused (at the time) operating theaters. This was First Contact being witnessed live.
***
When the last of the coffins had been placed in a vehicle, the Casualty Flag was removed from Dr. Gesden’s harness then attached to a staff on what would be the lead vehicle in the procession of vehicles out of the port and to a medical examiner’s office. Dr. Gesden rode in that vehicle. Saulgden rode in the vehicle carrying his mate.
Forerunner Gemb’s address (through the gear) began after the vehicles left the field and the large formation returned to their at ease positions. Forerunner Gemb’s pronouncement of the mission’s success was received by the audience on the field with wild enthusiasm. The cheering was augmented by loud horns sounding and bells ringing in the distance. Those with very acute hearing knew that the noises of celebration were continuing into farther and farther distances. This was a world learning the answer to what had been one of their eternal questions. They now knew they were not alone.
Then the Forerunner began introducing its world to their new friends - starting with Captain Fletcher. The friendly chatter continued during the first few introductions - a welcoming tradition among the Deldain that said ‘We are comfortable with you’ - but they grew quiet when it was time to introduce Naydrad. Forerunner Gemb said “Next is Charge Nurse Naydrad. She is from the planet Kelgia and she is someone who, if I ever have to go into a hospital again, I would want to have as my nurse. She is dedicated to her profession and she will stand up to defend the needs of her patients. And, I am happy to say this in front of my world. She is my friend.” A tremendous cheer led to the return of the welcoming chatter. Had the citizens rejected her outright, their noise would have been loud angry sounds. Naydrad’s joining the others in showing respect for the departed earned her that silence that said ‘We are not sure about you, but we want to learn about you.’ The introductions and welcoming ceremony lasted quite a while - as is the custom in Valeng society. However. None previous had lasted as long as this one welcoming visitors from other worlds.
***
As the event progressed beyond the introduction of the Rhabwar crew, President Bala had the audio volume lowered then she led a discussion among the cadets about the significance of the event. During this discussion, one cadet said “After seeing this, I feel kind of sad that we did not have this. I mean, people just started showing up here. At the time I thought it was cool. I thought it was amazing. But, when I heard those horns and bells, I had the wish that we had had that too. What we have been seeing on that screen has led me to really understand what it was like for my grandparents when they watched Neil Armstrong take those first steps onto the lunar surface. This was great, but was it really my moment as that moment was for my grandparents?”
A Vulcan cadet said “However. This is a significant event. This is the first time a First Contact Ceremony is being witnessed live and even celebrated on almost two hundred worlds. We are all meeting the beings on Valeng. I shall always treasure this moment when so many worlds have come together in peaceful celebration.”
President Bala said “We have just heard two different yet equally valid reactions to this event. What I want to say to this is not just to those cadets in the Diplomatic track. I hope all of you will be able to keep in mind not only those two reactions, but your own reactions to what you saw today. I want you all to use what you’ve seen, heard, learned, and felt today as a reminder throughout your lives of the importance of First Contact events.”

Description
Distress Call

Chapter 12

Dr. Thornnastor replied “We will be delayed in concluding our study. Because Dr. O’Mara tied his concerns to the ban on females using the Educator Tape technology, Dr. Crusher and I realized that our study must include an evaluation of any psycho-physical effects. Therefore, we have ordered the Thorn-Andersog Evaluation Series be carried out on each member of the Monitor Corps or of Starfleet who have used the Discourse Gear technology.”
Marshal Dermod said “But that would delay us by three weeks if you carry out the full series.”
Thorny replied “As the Sector Marshal, you have the authority to override our order, or cut the series short. But, since you know the length of time required for the series, you must also know that the reliability of the overall results decreases with each segment that is omitted. However. Dr. Crusher and I are watching for certain indicators and information. It is possible that we may feel we have reached a sound conclusion with only part of the series.”
“Thank you, Doctors. Carry on.” Dermod shifted his attention “Dr. O’Mara. As the ranking psychologist in this, do you have any comments on their decision?”
“I believe it is a prudent move on their part. I would have ordered the series myself after they concluded their investigation.”
“Are you comfortable with them running the series without your involvement?”
“As someone on my staff is likely to conduct the series, I am sure it will be done correctly. They all know their jobs.”
“I will order who is assigned to run the series to report directly and only to Dr. Thornnastor on the matter.”
“Yes, Sector Marshal Dermod.”
“Captain Picard.” Dermod tried to run tight meetings and briefings “I understand you have taken some action regarding this technology. Please elaborate.”
Dr. O’Mara gave Picard a sharp look while he waited for the captain to speak. He wondered what this man was up to, and why he had not heard anything about whatever it was before this briefing.
“Thank you, Sector Marshal.” Picard began “I am thinking beyond the current medical questions.” Dr. O’Mara felt some relief as he listened to the captain “I’m looking to when we will be ready to inform our governments about the culmination of this contact, and about this technology. I have assigned the Prime Team and the Dragon Army with the task of evaluating potential uses of this technology. As has become the custom, the Prime Team will evaluate the positive uses and Dragon Army will evaluate any potential negative uses. When I informed the Sector Marshal of my decision I also told him what I am officially authorizing now. Members of Dragon Army and Prime Team are authorized to contact anyone involved with this matter to gain the information they need to carry out their task. One moment please Dr. O’Mara. I realize that I cannot order the crews of Rhabwar, Trafalur, or Tragenhad to recognize that authorization, but I am asking them to do so. Captain Issacson, do you accept my order?”
“Yes. Members of both teams are authorized to contact me and members of my crew to carry out their task.”
Dermod said “I am ordering all under my command to recognize that authorization. However. I must add a stipulation. They are not to ask the teams under Doctors Thornnastor and Crusher questions directly related to the investigation they are currently working.”
“Yes Marshal Dermod. I was getting to that. Should members of either team feel a reason to go in that area, they are to contact me and Sector Marshal Dermod for approval first. As the findings of that investigation are likely to have an impact on the implementation of the conclusions reached by Prime Team and Dragon Army, such contact must be limited and monitored. Is that clear Useless and Bean?”
Both replied “Yes sir.”
Dr. O’Mara said “Thank you Captain Picard.”
The briefing continued.
***
“I felt many surges of relief from Friend Fletcher throughout the briefing. They were strong when the conversation focused on the Thorn-Andersog tests, then they even stronger while friend Picard spoke of his tasks for Dragon Army and the Prime Team. What I found most interesting was that Friend Fletcher’s relief matched that implied by friend O’Mara’s comment when friend Dermod’s stipulation was agreed to.”
Dr. Conway replied “Yet, we still have no clue how O’Mara benefits from these actions.” He had a thought. He let his mind wonder in that direction.
“Friend Conway, I sense that you want to explore something, but I must remind you that I cannot read your mind.”
“Sorry Prilicla, I wanted to have a little more understanding of this thought before I expressed it. There is still much that we do not know about Captain Picard and this Starfleet. Could they be playing us?”
“I find that hard to believe friend Conway. It is a shame that Enterprise is so far away from us, but I have detected no feelings of foul intent on the part of anyone on Endeavor.”
“Apart from Captain Issacson’s sense of relief?”
“Correct, friend Conway. However, I must remind you that friend Fletcher felt that same relief. That suggests that if friend Picard is, to use your word, playing anyone, it must be a small group or a single entity.”
“Could Picard be trying to pull something on Dr. O’Mara?”
“Friend Picard could be trying, but friend O’Mara is too good at what he does for that to be an easy task.”
“Then, he must be going around Dr. O’Mara to do what he is up to.” Conway had another thought “He’s using the Prime Team to do it. Remember how Picard worded it? ‘the Prime Team will evaluate the positive uses and Dragon Army will evaluate any potential negative uses.’ Picard is focusing on the Discourse gear and he has already discounted any potential negative uses of it. The Dragon Army’s task is a distraction. Why would he be taking that course? We must be careful.”
***
Dr. O’Mara reluctantly agreed to the continued use of the Discourse gear when the small fleet reached Valeng. For one thing, the Valanglen insisted that key beings who would be going down to the surface for the ceremony should use the gear and they insisted that Valentine, Nurse Naydrad and Dr. Murchison were to take part in the ceremony. He had lost any hope of winning the argument when Dr. Thornnastor had pointed out that part of the series of tests would have to be run while the gear was being used.
It was a bright, sunny day when Forerunner Gemb piloted one of the Valanglen shuttles to lead the procession down to the aerospace port just west of Kerrlang, Valeng’s Capitol City. The second Valanglen shuttle had been repaired and Saulgden flew it leading a formation of shuttles from Endeavor. Those shuttles carried a mix of crews. Traflaur and Tragenhad followed that formation then Rhabwar brought up the rear. The wide expanse of the aerospace port suddenly looked crowded.
The crowd lining the field cheered at first when Forerunner Gemb left its shuttle. That cheer quickly became a respectful silence when Dr. Gesden followed with the Casualty Flag attached to a harness. That silence mostly continued as the beings in the other vehicles emerged then joined up in a large formation. The only break in that silence was some expressions of surprise when Nurse Naydrad emerged from Rhabwar. The fact that she moved in procession with the rest then joined in the formation let the crowd find silence again.
When all were in place, Dr. Gesden left the formation to approach Saulgden’s shuttle. The hatch opened, but no one emerged until Dr. Gesden was in place. Saulgden took his position behind the doctor then Deldains followed bearing the coffins containing the four deceased crew members. The chant recited by the Deldains in the crowd lining the field started as s soft murmur then grew to a solemn and respectful hymn. The Deldain among the formation joined the hymn. The Valanglen lifted their fore-bodies upright then dipped their heads. Members of Starfleet and the Monitor Corps all came to attention and, in the manner of their physiology, held a salute while the sad procession proceeded to the vehicles waiting near the administration building. Rhabwar’s medical staff bowed their heads.
All of this was recorded and carried live by some camera drones from Endeavor that had come down with the procession of shuttles and ships. The drones had been reconfigured to send the feeds to the media on Valeng, as well as to both Federations. This was First Contact.
***
The Viking impulse in the members of the Prime Team led them to stand in a respectful silence as the image on a main screen in Conference Room Six showed the sad procession. Those on the Enterprise Bridge watched the scene on the main screen in respectful silence. President Bala watched with a full house of cadets in the main auditorium at the Academy. She was surprised, yet pleased, when the cadets came to attention in response to seeing the Starfleet and Monitor Corps members do so in the feed. Most, but not all, of the news networks on Earth carried the feed live and some of those networks had crews at Starfleet in San Francisco for the event. The action of the cadets became known around the world - then on other worlds.
***
An officer wearing the Discourse gear on Endeavor spoke the translations as needed and added minimal commentary. She also identified individuals or groups seen in the feed. While many in the formation were shown wearing the gear, it was identified to the viewing public only as communications equipment.
***
While the bedside screens in the wards in Sector General usually presented only a choice of old programs from the member worlds of the Galactic Federation on the entertainment channels, Colonel Skempton had decided to make this feed available on one of the channels. Nearly every patient in condition to watch tuned their screen to that channel. Nurses, doctors, and staff not on duty took some time to watch. Some doctors or nurses who were not involved with teaching surgeries at the time had their students watch the event on the large study screens in otherwise unused (at the time) operating theaters. This was First Contact being witnessed live.
***
When the last of the coffins had been placed in a vehicle, the Casualty Flag was removed from Dr. Gesden’s harness then attached to a staff on what would be the lead vehicle in the procession of vehicles out of the port and to a medical examiner’s office. Dr. Gesden rode in that vehicle. Saulgden rode in the vehicle carrying his mate.
Forerunner Gemb’s address (through the gear) began after the vehicles left the field and the large formation returned to their at ease positions. Forerunner Gemb’s pronouncement of the mission’s success was received by the audience on the field with wild enthusiasm. The cheering was augmented by loud horns sounding and bells ringing in the distance. Those with very acute hearing knew that the noises of celebration were continuing into farther and farther distances. This was a world learning the answer to what had been one of their eternal questions. They now knew they were not alone.
Then the Forerunner began introducing its world to their new friends - starting with Captain Fletcher. The friendly chatter continued during the first few introductions - a welcoming tradition among the Deldain that said ‘We are comfortable with you’ - but they grew quiet when it was time to introduce Naydrad. Forerunner Gemb said “Next is Charge Nurse Naydrad. She is from the planet Kelgia and she is someone who, if I ever have to go into a hospital again, I would want to have as my nurse. She is dedicated to her profession and she will stand up to defend the needs of her patients. And, I am happy to say this in front of my world. She is my friend.” A tremendous cheer led to the return of the welcoming chatter. Had the citizens rejected her outright, their noise would have been loud angry sounds. Naydrad’s joining the others in showing respect for the departed earned her that silence that said ‘We are not sure about you, but we want to learn about you.’ The introductions and welcoming ceremony lasted quite a while - as is the custom in Valeng society. However. None previous had lasted as long as this one welcoming visitors from other worlds.
***
As the event progressed beyond the introduction of the Rhabwar crew, President Bala had the audio volume lowered then she led a discussion among the cadets about the significance of the event. During this discussion, one cadet said “After seeing this, I feel kind of sad that we did not have this. I mean, people just started showing up here. At the time I thought it was cool. I thought it was amazing. But, when I heard those horns and bells, I had the wish that we had had that too. What we have been seeing on that screen has led me to really understand what it was like for my grandparents when they watched Neil Armstrong take those first steps onto the lunar surface. This was great, but was it really my moment as that moment was for my grandparents?”
A Vulcan cadet said “However. This is a significant event. This is the first time a First Contact Ceremony is being witnessed live and even celebrated on almost two hundred worlds. We are all meeting the beings on Valeng. I shall always treasure this moment when so many worlds have come together in peaceful celebration.”
President Bala said “We have just heard two different yet equally valid reactions to this event. What I want to say to this is not just to those cadets in the Diplomatic track. I hope all of you will be able to keep in mind not only those two reactions, but your own reactions to what you saw today. I want you all to use what you’ve seen, heard, learned, and felt today as a reminder throughout your lives of the importance of First Contact events.”