Planetary Expedition
Posted on Sat Nov 15th, 2025 @ 5:20am by Lieutenant Commander Amaya Capac & Lieutenant Cyrus Jericho & Lieutenant Harris Zim & Lieutenant Dacia Stallworth & Lieutenant JG Axel Heskin & Ensign Owen Reeves
1,996 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission: Mission 9 - Unearthing Life
Amaya was the first one to arrive in the shuttle bay, ready to go down to the planet. She had her go bag she used when she had to leave the ship with everything she might need and could carry with her. Now to wait for the others and hope this trip was better than the last one.
Owen, having been ordered to the Shuttle Bay for Away Team duty, grabbed a medkit, and a combined Science/Medical tricorder, and headed for the Shuttle Bay. Seeing the XO waiting, he came to parade rest. "Ensign Owen Reeves, Medical and Science, reporting for Away Team duty, Ma'am." He said.
Stallworth was coming from Medical with her field satchel, the perfect choice for exploring or if needs more than a band-aid to fix the 'Boo-Boo,'
Entering through the only doors to this place she moved in very lady-like measured steps; a lady always kept a mind on posture and 'flowing' as she walks. Or so her High Society Mother ingrained into this little Southern Bell.
Good day to y'all." Stallworth greeted. "Nice day for a stroll on a new bit of land, don't yew think?"
Axel didn't miss the fact that the CMO was a Southern Belle. He always found it interesting to hear them speak
"Hopefully," Amaya replied. "It depends on the planet. But in this case, I'm hoping we find a nice, empty planet."
"I am all for that." Axel commented quietly,
Cyrus walked quickly through the shuttle bay doors, bag over his shoulder, as he made his way toward the shuttle. "I'm here!" He shouted, breathing a bit heavy as he came to a stop at the ramp, letting out a slight chuckle as he placed his bag down. "Sorry... Gypsy, my cat, is a Capellan power cat. Someone offered to came in a feed her every once and a while and... there was an incident that involved a short circuit... long story short I had to go through the whole process of filling out an order to get it repaired." He let out a slight chuckle again as he picked up his bag again. "Needless to say. I am here... Now."
Amaya led everyone onto the shuttle. "We'll orbit the planet a few times to get a general scan, then pick a couple of the most likely areas to find habitation for a closer look--unless we actually find signs of intelligent life."
The shuttle first took several laps around the planet, scanning for life and habitability. Then they picked a couple of spots worth a closer look and landed.
"Keep your eyes open and report anything unusual," Amaya said as they gathered their gear.
"Right now, I am finding this particular spot to be just like being on the plains." He paused pointing towards the view screen enhancing the scans to detect any sound of life then smiled he heard insects, one which sounded like a crickets and perhaps the humming of bees.
Amaya nodded. "Mark the area. We'll come back to it."
They marked two more areas before they finally found a good spot to land.
"Stick together and scan everything," Amaya ordered. "Cyrus, take lead."
"Okey Dokey." Cyrus replied as he got up. He removed his hand phaser from its holster and checked the setting before making his way to the rear of the shuttle.
"Okey dokey?" Amaya mouthed as she secured the shuttle and took up a position at the rear.
"Would you prefer something more formal?" Cyrus replied as he turned to look at her. He gave her a firm salute, standing up straight and bringing his heels together. "Yes, Sir. Commander Capac, Sir!"
"Ma'am, lieutenant. Not a madam, but a ma'am," she replied with a teasing twinkle in her eye. "I believe you've noticed that much."
Cyrus looked around before easing closer to her. "I can assure you, Ma'am, I've noticed very much." He gave her a wink back before stepping back and adding. "However, I was told that Sir is not gendered when it comes to commander structure. While I am fully aware of the Commander's feminine structure, I was addressing you as Sir because of your distinguished rank. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful. I am sure, the Commander, knows me far too well to think otherwise."
"Yes, I know." She couldn't help smiling at Cyrus. "But I personally prefer ma'am. At least in public." She made sure no one was close enough to hear and added in a teasing aside. "And then not well enough."
Taking out her tricorder Stallworth gave a wink. "Then may-be Ah should get started with the recording to show how empty this place might be?" Looking around the small landing zone. "Fifty meters radius to be on safe side yew think?"
Amaya nodded. "That sounds like a good distance to start with."
"Just no signs of animal life as in like bison or even buffalo. There are Avians" he shuddered slightly,
"Big Avians or Small Avians. Given how the last mission went... I feel that extra detail is important." Cyrus added.
"After our last encounter, I hope we just find small avians," Amaya said.
"I agree, I am done with them, and hopefully it will stay that way." Axel responded.
"I am reading a small creek just fifty meters thata- way.' pointing to her left slightly. "I will get a little ole' sample and see if it is drinkable. "She winked. "I did not bring a cup so I promise no taste testing."
"Good, because I'd rather not have to explain to the captain how the doctor got sick on my watch." Amaya smiled as she spoke. She wasn't sure if the doctor was serious or not, but it was always better to be safe than sorry.
"Yeah we all worry about the Big Bad Captain." Stallworth winked. Just a sample and tricorder readings for now,"
"If there are larger animals, they may be elsewhere on the planet," Amaya replied. "We'll have a look here, then go to another area. I'd also like to take a flyover to get a better idea of what the planet has to offer."
Axel nodded, It was something he'd like to do as well. Quick scans, and a determination as to where else they can explore. Scanning from the ship above, did work but closer is better.
"When shall we start?"
Owen looked around, though well qualified he was new to Starfleet, with very little field experience. "With all due respect, how about now?" He said.
Axel gave a smile and looked to where Lieutenant Zim was at. " Looks like we've got a good group, glad to have you along on this away team."
He was really helpful in getting the lost crew members back to the ship.
This was a simple planetary mission, as far as Zim was concerned he thought it may be overkill to have two security officers. However, such was life in Starfleet. He nodded in response to Axel without a word. For the time being he was contented to sit and follow orders. As far as Harris Zim was concerned this was Jericho's show.
Cyrus looked over to Zim, his Assistant Chief who clearly appeared to have more experience, before approaching him with a smile. "Lieutenant Zim? Cyrus Jericho. Cy or Jericho if you prefer." He looked around before focusing back to Zim and continuing. "I was thinking, we keep to the standard fair, if they stick to one group. If they decide to split up, one of us can go with, reporting over comm's every hour or so? What do you think?"
"That sounds like a sound plan. The only thing I would add is to look into how we can get more people down here in a hurry or how we can get out in a hurry. My thinking is if they are going to survey and area it would be best to set up a perimeter. When the area is surveyed and they move on, we move the perimeter. In the absence of manpower, the general plan you present is sound." Harris smiled which looked rather awkward on him. As if his face was used to scowling more than anything else. "You can call me Zim. Everyone else does."
Cyrus smiled back before nodding. "Let's do our best to keep up. One minute we may be in one location, only to be pulled somewhere else. So, let's play it by ear. Keep each other up to date and keep our heads on a swivel."
The team continued looking around. They walked through a large grove of trees, stopping at a stream. Amaya continued to scan, pleased to find nothing out of the ordinary. "Dacia, Axel, check the water and soil. My readings show it's good."
Axel nodded and walked alongside Dacia to the stream. He knelt down feeling the coolness of the grass and mud beneath his knees, he leaned over to take a sample of the water, running the tricorder over it. He also noticed the signs of fish swimming past along the bottom of the stream, then one jumping out to catch a flying insect before dropping into the water once more.
"The water has passed muster." Axel reported.
"I dew think that it reads pure." Stallworth filled a small vial and added a couple of drops from her field kit. "I did make a little Ole promise not to taste test this though." She winked ." You all can call me Dotty, Dacia seems so formal."
The chemical non-reaction and tricorder probe verification showed no toxins in the water, the cool feel to the vial showed it was possible cool spring temperature water.
"Water tests no toxins and would be safe to consume." Stallworth announced. "Permission to break a promise and have a little taste?"
Amused, Axel gave out a chuckle. "You're the doctor, Dotty. By all means it’s up to you."
Axel turned towards Amaya, "The water is reading uncontaminated and is safe. Commander."
"Okay. As long as it reads safe, go ahead," Amaya said.
Stallworth took a clear and smaller beaker to put a sample in it, she winked to the others just before taking a small sip then paused before a deeper drink.
"Not a cool mountain spring, but it is refreshing." She told them. " Drinkable and no odd after taste means it comes from a purer source."
Amaya noted that in her PADD, along with her own scans of the area. "Good. Shall we move on?"
They walked around a little more, then went back to the shuttle for their next stop.
"Yew know, I always wonder why there are planets suited for humanoid but none on them?" Stallworth mused. "While a vast number do have? Funny thing yew know."
Stallworth boarded.
Axel had an amused expression in his eyes, so far this was definitely more pleasant than the last time they had gone onto a planet. No bird borne pollen to deal with.
Amaya just shook her head. This was a nice change from the last planet, but it was only their first stop. Still, it boded well for an uneventful survey.
Fortunately, the other stops proved equally uneventful. The planet was a standard Class M and all scans were normal. "Let's head back and tell the captain the good news," Amaya said. "Then she can decide what to do next."
Axel took his seat and was quite happy to have the Captain make the final decision as to where to next.
A post by
LTJG Axel Heskin
Assistant Chief of Science
USS America
LT Dacia Stallworth
Chief Medical Officer
USS America
Lieutenant Commander Amaya Capac
Chief Communications Officer and First Officer
USS America
Lieutenant Cyrus Jericho
Chief Security Officer
USS America
Lieutenant Harris Zim
Assistant Chief Security Officer
USS America
Ensign Owen Reeves
Medical Officer
USS America
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