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Description
Distress Call

Chapter 14

“Believe me,” began Captain Fletcher when Rhabwar’s full crew got a chance to relax and talk on the Casualty Deck “those of us in Monitor Corps green are just as disappointed as are you in your medical whites. The Discourse gear could have been at least as big an advance in space communications as what we’ve seen with the introduction of the Starfleet Subspace Communications Network.”
“But the risk is too great at this time.” said Dr. Conway. “I still can’t believe I didn’t even consider the possibility of a threat from that equipment.”
Fletcher replied “Well, you are not alone. Sector Marshal Dermod and Dr. O’Mara didn’t see the threat either - and they are both skeptics. I believe each of you would have eventually thought of it just like those in Prime Team, who had been tasked with focusing on positive uses of the gear, ended up seeing it. What I find encouraging is that all of you quickly saw the problem when given the proper details, and now Trafalur, Tragenhad, and Endeavor will be staying here for a while and work with the people of Valeng to find a solution. Of course, we will assist that effort until Tengen arrives tomorrow with the First Contact Specialists. I’ll be happy to let them take over the diplomatic duties. We’re not diplomats, we are a rescue operations team.”
Dr. Prilicla said “Friends Gemb and Saulgden felt genuine concern after you and Friend Issacson explained the problem to them.”
Conway asked “Does this mean we’ll be able to skip the rest of those tests?”
“No.” replied Captain Fletcher “I asked Sector Marshal Dermod that same question and he said Dr. O’Mara has requested those test run to completion for all of us on Rhabwar. I don’t like it because that means we will each be drawn from our duties to be hooked up to have our vitals monitored while we answer a bunch of questions each day.”
Naydrad said “Dr. O’Mara has to push to get its way. I intend to push back on this one.”
“You know I’m on your side on that battle, but I have more to tell you. That Andorian Nurse from Endeavor is also going through the rest of the tests, which means she will come with us when we go back to Sector General.”
“Nurse Jauld will stand with us in this fight.” said Nurse Naydrad with strong ripples in her silver fur.
“I’m sure she will,” replied Fletcher “but this last bit of information is sure to get you thinking, Naydrad. When we get back, you, Dr. Murchison, and Valentine are to stand down from your regular duties for a few days and report to Dr. Thornastor for a special series of tests. Nurse Jauld will also be taking part in those tests.”
Dr. Prilicla was shaking as he said “Friend Naydrad. I fully understand your need to vent some anger. I only request that you please wait until I am able to leave Rhabwar and get back to my discussions with friends Issacson and Gemb.”
“I will try, Dr. Prilicla. I will try.”
***
“You asked to see us, Dr. O’Mara.” stated Useless when O’Mara opened the door to his temporary quarters in the Academy dormitory.
“Yes. Please come in and sit. I think this discussion will be long enough that you should get comfortable.” After Useless, Fishlegs, and Camicazi were seated, Dr. O’Mara took the remaining seat then said “The first thing I have to say is that I will not be going with Marshal Dermod when Enterprise takes him to Mars to meet with officials there. I am scheduled for two more lectures here for Cadets, and I’m expecting my discussions with Starfleet Medical will conclude after this afternoon’s meeting. After that, I’ll face an unexpected vacation that would likely be too short to go to my usual destination.” he glanced at Fishlegs and was pleased that the lad offered no comment. He continued “King Hiccup. Your invitation was for Sector Marshal Dermod and me to make an official visit to the Wilderwest. I believe Marshal Dermod intends to accept your invitation. However. I ask if you would permit me to spend this vacation there?”
“We’d be delighted to have you there. I expect our meetings here will conclude around the same time as yours, so you would be welcome to travel there with us, but I should let you know that we all intend to go to Santa Cecilia for a day to visit the Riveras before flying to Tomorrow.”
“That will be fine with me. Thank you. Now. What I mainly want to talk with you about will help me with a report I am to prepare for Marshal Dermod. He has asked me to evaluate how well Starfleet has worked with the Monitor Corps. I intend to include a little counterpoint in that report, so I’d like to hear your critiques of how well the Corps has worked with Starfleet.”
***
Although the crew and staff of Rhabwar were in the midst of preparations for liftoff from Valeng, Captain Fletcher approved the request for Valentine to go to Endeavor for a brief meeting. On beaming to Endeavor, she was led to one of the holodecks. Lieutenant Lazcing greeted her when the door opened. “Valentine!” the excited Nidian barked “I am so glad you could see me before you go to Sector General. When I’m not working with Lieutenant Neary and Ensign Pratt on the problem with the Discourse gear, we’ve been working on improvements to my design. You are just in time. We are about to run another test.” The little furry Nidian gestured to the windows on the holographically projected wall behind him. “Neary and Pratt are in the simulated ship at the other end of the deck and they are awaiting my cue to send another sample signal. Care to watch?”
“Yes.” Valentine said as she knelt to bring her face to the standard Nidian level for windows. Lazcing spoke the cue then Valentine saw one of the simulated windows on the other ship darken for a bit before it become brighter. She watched as a series of graphic symbols flashed. After a pause the series repeated with a different timing and visual setting. After two more cycles, each with different speeds and settings, the test was concluded.
“Well, what is your impression?”
“To me, the third cycle seemed the clearest. That last cycle was almost too dim to see clearly.”
“The fourth cycle had the standard DBDG setting. The fifth one was set for a hypothetical race that requires less light and contrast.” The simulated wall and the open space beyond it vanished.
“Fifth one?” Valentine saked with surprise “I only saw four cycles.”
“You see,” said Lieutenant Neary as she and Pratt walked toward the entrance. The Lieutenant held what Valentine recognized as a variation of Lazcing’s design. “In a first contact situation, especially in a rescue situation, we have to keep in mind that their perception of their surroundings may be different from ours. Tragenhad got lucky with that Valanglen shuttle, but the next rescue may not be as easy. We have been trying to develop a spread that would have the best chance of catching attention.”
Lazcing said “Actually, Valentine, you missed the first and last cycles, but that was expected. The first was set in the Infrared range and the last was in the Ultraviolet range.”
“You’ve been putting a lot of thought and work in this. I hope to hear reports on your progress, and hear when you’ve perfected it.”
“You will.” replied Lazcing “At least, while you are interning on Rhabwar. Captains Issacson and Fletcher have agreed that Endeavor and Rhabwar will conduct the field tests. I am staying with Endeavor for a while and Lieutenant Marcus has been placed on temporary assignment to Tragenhad.”
Lieutenant Neary said “Letting you witness a test, and giving Lazcing a chance to speak with you again, were only part of the reason you were asked to come aboard. We have two Beta-test units of this version packaged and ready for you to deliver to Captain Fletcher.”
“Great.”
Lieutenant Neary said “If you will come with us to the lab, we will pick those up and, if we have time, give you a peek at what we are thinking for the next level of development.”
***
Dr. O’Mara had, at Useless and Fishlegs’ request, watched Coco, so he was not surprised when he saw a Imelda and Hector among the group waiting nearby as the Runabout approached for landing in Santa Cecilia. Chamaco had let Dr. O’Mara have the right hand seat for the landing and this gave him an overview of the rebuilt town.
Most of the buildings had only needed cleaning and repairs after having been occupied by the Sith Imperial Forces, and the few that had been damaged beyond repair or outright destroyed had been rebuilt as they had been before the occupation. Even the new Federation Mission Complex had its exterior designed to look like it was a natural part of the town. Only the shuttles parked on the ramp by the hangar looked out of place.
After Chamaco’s Toothless, call sign ‘Reptile,’ brought the Runabout to a smooth landing, Chamaco reclaimed the right hand seat to assist with the post-landing shutdown procedures. On returning to the rest of the group, O’Mara asked “Do I need to get my travel authorizations?”
“No.” replied Useless “Even the Monitor Corps documents have been placed on file. Your Starfleet Communicator will confirm your bio-signature when you meet with the Mexican Customs Officer in the Flightline Office.”
“So, the Federation and Starfleet are here as part of the town, not as its leaders?”
“Correct. You will see that the same is true with the Federation and Starfleet assets in the Wilderwest.”
Later, after getting a ride with Chamaco on Reptile (Miguel had ridden with Peg-Leg on Boo), the four Humans and two Night Furies went to a local market to get the few things Mama Elena had asked for to add to the meal she was preparing. During the walk back to the Rivera home, O’Mara noted how at ease the locals seemed to be with a pair of dragons walking through the town. It was he in his deep green Monitor Corps uniform who drew the attention of a few people, but after the introductions, he felt that each of them had accepted him as a guest in their town. As they neared the Rivera home, he asked Miguel “How do you think the people here would react to seeing members of races from the Galactic Federation walking, or crawling through town?” He then described a few of the species like the giant crab like Melfans, the giant caterpillar like Kelgians, and the huge two-ton Hudlar.
“A few would not like seeing them here, but I’m sure most would be fine with it. They’d probably be curious, at first, but I think they’d quickly get use to them. There are a few Andorians working in the Mission, and a few Cylon Centurions come through every few months as part of a crew installing the new electrical distribution grid throughout Central America. There were even a few Horta with the crew one time when they came to the Mission to await their next assignment. Once the people here knew who they were and why they were here, they were guests.”
As the day went on, Dr. O’Mara came to understand why members of the Prime Team and Dragon Army thought so highly of the Riveras and spoke so fondly about their visits to Santa Cecilia.
***
Valentine spent much of her free time during the run to Sector General in a three way discussion with Nurse Jauld and the Monitor Corps DBDG patient who was being transported due to a strong potential of difficulties late in her pregnancy. Charge Nurse Naydrad took part in the conversation when it was her turn in the cycle to care for the patient. The rest of the time, Naydrad worked on the report explaining her grievances against Dr. O’Mara’s stance on the barring of females from using career advancing technology. Her intent was to have the report ready - but for adding the details of the tests awaiting their arrival at Sector General. Once that information would complete the report, it would be delivered to Colonel Skempton.

Description
Distress Call

Chapter 14

“Believe me,” began Captain Fletcher when Rhabwar’s full crew got a chance to relax and talk on the Casualty Deck “those of us in Monitor Corps green are just as disappointed as are you in your medical whites. The Discourse gear could have been at least as big an advance in space communications as what we’ve seen with the introduction of the Starfleet Subspace Communications Network.”
“But the risk is too great at this time.” said Dr. Conway. “I still can’t believe I didn’t even consider the possibility of a threat from that equipment.”
Fletcher replied “Well, you are not alone. Sector Marshal Dermod and Dr. O’Mara didn’t see the threat either - and they are both skeptics. I believe each of you would have eventually thought of it just like those in Prime Team, who had been tasked with focusing on positive uses of the gear, ended up seeing it. What I find encouraging is that all of you quickly saw the problem when given the proper details, and now Trafalur, Tragenhad, and Endeavor will be staying here for a while and work with the people of Valeng to find a solution. Of course, we will assist that effort until Tengen arrives tomorrow with the First Contact Specialists. I’ll be happy to let them take over the diplomatic duties. We’re not diplomats, we are a rescue operations team.”
Dr. Prilicla said “Friends Gemb and Saulgden felt genuine concern after you and Friend Issacson explained the problem to them.”
Conway asked “Does this mean we’ll be able to skip the rest of those tests?”
“No.” replied Captain Fletcher “I asked Sector Marshal Dermod that same question and he said Dr. O’Mara has requested those test run to completion for all of us on Rhabwar. I don’t like it because that means we will each be drawn from our duties to be hooked up to have our vitals monitored while we answer a bunch of questions each day.”
Naydrad said “Dr. O’Mara has to push to get its way. I intend to push back on this one.”
“You know I’m on your side on that battle, but I have more to tell you. That Andorian Nurse from Endeavor is also going through the rest of the tests, which means she will come with us when we go back to Sector General.”
“Nurse Jauld will stand with us in this fight.” said Nurse Naydrad with strong ripples in her silver fur.
“I’m sure she will,” replied Fletcher “but this last bit of information is sure to get you thinking, Naydrad. When we get back, you, Dr. Murchison, and Valentine are to stand down from your regular duties for a few days and report to Dr. Thornastor for a special series of tests. Nurse Jauld will also be taking part in those tests.”
Dr. Prilicla was shaking as he said “Friend Naydrad. I fully understand your need to vent some anger. I only request that you please wait until I am able to leave Rhabwar and get back to my discussions with friends Issacson and Gemb.”
“I will try, Dr. Prilicla. I will try.”
***
“You asked to see us, Dr. O’Mara.” stated Useless when O’Mara opened the door to his temporary quarters in the Academy dormitory.
“Yes. Please come in and sit. I think this discussion will be long enough that you should get comfortable.” After Useless, Fishlegs, and Camicazi were seated, Dr. O’Mara took the remaining seat then said “The first thing I have to say is that I will not be going with Marshal Dermod when Enterprise takes him to Mars to meet with officials there. I am scheduled for two more lectures here for Cadets, and I’m expecting my discussions with Starfleet Medical will conclude after this afternoon’s meeting. After that, I’ll face an unexpected vacation that would likely be too short to go to my usual destination.” he glanced at Fishlegs and was pleased that the lad offered no comment. He continued “King Hiccup. Your invitation was for Sector Marshal Dermod and me to make an official visit to the Wilderwest. I believe Marshal Dermod intends to accept your invitation. However. I ask if you would permit me to spend this vacation there?”
“We’d be delighted to have you there. I expect our meetings here will conclude around the same time as yours, so you would be welcome to travel there with us, but I should let you know that we all intend to go to Santa Cecilia for a day to visit the Riveras before flying to Tomorrow.”
“That will be fine with me. Thank you. Now. What I mainly want to talk with you about will help me with a report I am to prepare for Marshal Dermod. He has asked me to evaluate how well Starfleet has worked with the Monitor Corps. I intend to include a little counterpoint in that report, so I’d like to hear your critiques of how well the Corps has worked with Starfleet.”
***
Although the crew and staff of Rhabwar were in the midst of preparations for liftoff from Valeng, Captain Fletcher approved the request for Valentine to go to Endeavor for a brief meeting. On beaming to Endeavor, she was led to one of the holodecks. Lieutenant Lazcing greeted her when the door opened. “Valentine!” the excited Nidian barked “I am so glad you could see me before you go to Sector General. When I’m not working with Lieutenant Neary and Ensign Pratt on the problem with the Discourse gear, we’ve been working on improvements to my design. You are just in time. We are about to run another test.” The little furry Nidian gestured to the windows on the holographically projected wall behind him. “Neary and Pratt are in the simulated ship at the other end of the deck and they are awaiting my cue to send another sample signal. Care to watch?”
“Yes.” Valentine said as she knelt to bring her face to the standard Nidian level for windows. Lazcing spoke the cue then Valentine saw one of the simulated windows on the other ship darken for a bit before it become brighter. She watched as a series of graphic symbols flashed. After a pause the series repeated with a different timing and visual setting. After two more cycles, each with different speeds and settings, the test was concluded.
“Well, what is your impression?”
“To me, the third cycle seemed the clearest. That last cycle was almost too dim to see clearly.”
“The fourth cycle had the standard DBDG setting. The fifth one was set for a hypothetical race that requires less light and contrast.” The simulated wall and the open space beyond it vanished.
“Fifth one?” Valentine saked with surprise “I only saw four cycles.”
“You see,” said Lieutenant Neary as she and Pratt walked toward the entrance. The Lieutenant held what Valentine recognized as a variation of Lazcing’s design. “In a first contact situation, especially in a rescue situation, we have to keep in mind that their perception of their surroundings may be different from ours. Tragenhad got lucky with that Valanglen shuttle, but the next rescue may not be as easy. We have been trying to develop a spread that would have the best chance of catching attention.”
Lazcing said “Actually, Valentine, you missed the first and last cycles, but that was expected. The first was set in the Infrared range and the last was in the Ultraviolet range.”
“You’ve been putting a lot of thought and work in this. I hope to hear reports on your progress, and hear when you’ve perfected it.”
“You will.” replied Lazcing “At least, while you are interning on Rhabwar. Captains Issacson and Fletcher have agreed that Endeavor and Rhabwar will conduct the field tests. I am staying with Endeavor for a while and Lieutenant Marcus has been placed on temporary assignment to Tragenhad.”
Lieutenant Neary said “Letting you witness a test, and giving Lazcing a chance to speak with you again, were only part of the reason you were asked to come aboard. We have two Beta-test units of this version packaged and ready for you to deliver to Captain Fletcher.”
“Great.”
Lieutenant Neary said “If you will come with us to the lab, we will pick those up and, if we have time, give you a peek at what we are thinking for the next level of development.”
***
Dr. O’Mara had, at Useless and Fishlegs’ request, watched Coco, so he was not surprised when he saw a Imelda and Hector among the group waiting nearby as the Runabout approached for landing in Santa Cecilia. Chamaco had let Dr. O’Mara have the right hand seat for the landing and this gave him an overview of the rebuilt town.
Most of the buildings had only needed cleaning and repairs after having been occupied by the Sith Imperial Forces, and the few that had been damaged beyond repair or outright destroyed had been rebuilt as they had been before the occupation. Even the new Federation Mission Complex had its exterior designed to look like it was a natural part of the town. Only the shuttles parked on the ramp by the hangar looked out of place.
After Chamaco’s Toothless, call sign ‘Reptile,’ brought the Runabout to a smooth landing, Chamaco reclaimed the right hand seat to assist with the post-landing shutdown procedures. On returning to the rest of the group, O’Mara asked “Do I need to get my travel authorizations?”
“No.” replied Useless “Even the Monitor Corps documents have been placed on file. Your Starfleet Communicator will confirm your bio-signature when you meet with the Mexican Customs Officer in the Flightline Office.”
“So, the Federation and Starfleet are here as part of the town, not as its leaders?”
“Correct. You will see that the same is true with the Federation and Starfleet assets in the Wilderwest.”
Later, after getting a ride with Chamaco on Reptile (Miguel had ridden with Peg-Leg on Boo), the four Humans and two Night Furies went to a local market to get the few things Mama Elena had asked for to add to the meal she was preparing. During the walk back to the Rivera home, O’Mara noted how at ease the locals seemed to be with a pair of dragons walking through the town. It was he in his deep green Monitor Corps uniform who drew the attention of a few people, but after the introductions, he felt that each of them had accepted him as a guest in their town. As they neared the Rivera home, he asked Miguel “How do you think the people here would react to seeing members of races from the Galactic Federation walking, or crawling through town?” He then described a few of the species like the giant crab like Melfans, the giant caterpillar like Kelgians, and the huge two-ton Hudlar.
“A few would not like seeing them here, but I’m sure most would be fine with it. They’d probably be curious, at first, but I think they’d quickly get use to them. There are a few Andorians working in the Mission, and a few Cylon Centurions come through every few months as part of a crew installing the new electrical distribution grid throughout Central America. There were even a few Horta with the crew one time when they came to the Mission to await their next assignment. Once the people here knew who they were and why they were here, they were guests.”
As the day went on, Dr. O’Mara came to understand why members of the Prime Team and Dragon Army thought so highly of the Riveras and spoke so fondly about their visits to Santa Cecilia.
***
Valentine spent much of her free time during the run to Sector General in a three way discussion with Nurse Jauld and the Monitor Corps DBDG patient who was being transported due to a strong potential of difficulties late in her pregnancy. Charge Nurse Naydrad took part in the conversation when it was her turn in the cycle to care for the patient. The rest of the time, Naydrad worked on the report explaining her grievances against Dr. O’Mara’s stance on the barring of females from using career advancing technology. Her intent was to have the report ready - but for adding the details of the tests awaiting their arrival at Sector General. Once that information would complete the report, it would be delivered to Colonel Skempton.