OOC:
*Sigh* Fine lutzj... I'll allow that... for now...
By the way, can anyone suggest some more words for 'asked' (or 'questioned') and 'replied' (or 'responded')?
Stylesrj, what are the dimensions of a Pelican? I need to know wether or not it would fit into the Adelaide's shuttle bay (if not, the Pelican would have to dock at one of the ship's external docking ports).
IC:
"That was quick," someone commented as Albert's console began to beep, indicating incoming messages. "I've got both audio and video this time..."
"On screen," said Henry.
It was captain Dragonhelper again...
"We've accepted your offer of a face-to-face meeting. I'm sending my representative Milizee Lashee and her escort guard, Grigor Kalanin. Make sure their welcome isn't too cold please"
"Excellent!" Henry replied enthusiastically. "And don't worry, sir, I'll see to it personally that your crewmen are treated as honored guests of the United Federation of Planets... Will you be beaming aboard or flying in?"
"Sir, I've got another ship responding to our message," Albert cut in. "Looks like that... "Ouagadougou"... ship..."
"Let's hear it," replied Henry...
*We have accepted your offer, and the commander and captain of Ouagadougou are coming*
"Tell you're captain we'll waiting for him," Henry smiled. "And that we have both docking bay and transporter pad coordinates available..."
It didn't even occur to Henry that these people might not even have transporter technology...
"Sir! The freighter's sending out some kind of particle stream!" Kevin piped up.
"Dangerous?" Henry questioned.
"I don't believe so sir," Kevin replied.
"Shields up, sir?" asked Tabatha.
Henry shook his head. "No, let's see what they want..."
"Impact..." said Kevin overly grandly.
"There's a pattern to this particle stream," Albert instantly noted. "I... I think it's a message..."
"Can you put it on speakers?" asked Henry.
"I can try..." Albert replied...
"This is Capta.......y from mining........lten. We have picked up...................no means to transmit.......can assure you...........no harm."
"Can you clear that up?" Henry ordered, slightly irritated.
"Hang on... I..." Albert began. "Wait, I've got it..."
"This is Captain Trent Levy from mining barge Nubolten. We have picked up your radio transmissions. We have no means to transmit radio ourselves, but I can assure you we mean no harm."
"So that's why they haven't been communicating," Dante Keating commented, putting 2 and 2 together.
"I'd assume so..." Henry agreed. "Mr. Harris, can you respond?"
"I could send out a similar particle stream using the main deflector dish..." Albert offered.
"That'll do," Henry replied. "Alright, transmit the following... "Attention Nubolten, this is captain Henry Baker of the Federation starship USS Adelaide. To reiterate in case you have missed parts of our transmissions, we are on a peaceful mission of exploration and have no hostile intention. We are currently in the process of gathering representatives from each ship in this area for a diplomatic conference aboard our ship. We would be more than happy for you to join us... Perhaps we could provide you with a subspace radio..."
"Message sent sir," said Albert, seconds later.
"Well done ensign..." Henry complimented.
"Umm... thank you... sir," replied Albert a little meekly.
He was more assertive than many ensigns of his age, but he had always been bad at accepting compliments...
"Commander, the Ouagadougou has powered its defenses..." reported the helmsman.
"Thank you con," Henry replied.
"That's odd..." said Kevin all of a sudden, glancing around.
"What is it?" Henry questioned.
"I..." he began to try to explain. "Do any of you feel like you just had some kind of... lapse... of some description?"
"Come to think of it," said Albert. "You're right. For a moment there, I felt... almost like a different person."
"I agree," Henry nodded concernedly. "Something strange is going on... Could it be something to do with the nebula?"
"I don't think so, but I'd have to run detailed scan to be sure..." Kevin replied.
"Then do it..." Henry said firmly. "If something in that nebula's compromising us, I want to know what it is..."
"Aye sir," Kevin replied.
"Should we warn the other ships?" Albert asked.
Henry shook his head. "No, we don't want to alarm them over what could just be our imaginations. We won't raise shields either, so don't even ask miss Siege. No, hold our position, the conference proceeds as planned..."
Several 'aye sir's were heard around the bridge.
"Sir, the Drifter Colony is responding to our transmission," said Albert, eager to change the subject. "On speakers, sir..."
This is the drifter colony, we accept the Adelaide's offer. We will have four person party coming aboard. We will discuss all trade agreements there. We look forward to doing some fair trade with all of you.
"Transmit an acknowledgement along with transporter and docking bay co-ordinates," Henry ordered.
"Aye sir," said Albert.
"Sir, a small ship is taking off from the Column of Nuclear Winter, looks like a small cargo transport." Kevin reported. "They're heading towards us..."
"Make sure they have the docking coordinates..." Said Henry.
"I've taken care of it, sir," Albert assured him.
"I'd say this going pretty well," Dante commented.
"Agreed..." Henry nodded. "What about that last ship, the... Lucipher..."
"No response to our hail as yet..." said Albert.
"Keep tracking them," said Henry. "If they make an aggressive move, go to red alert immediately..."
"Aye sir," Kevin replied.
"Well," he said, rising from his seat. "Miss Siege, ensign, you're with me. "Mr. Wilcox, you have the bridge, continue your scans of the nebula..."
"Aye sir," Kevin replied.
"M...Me, sir?" Albert asked.
"Yes
you, ensign," Henry replied simply. "You don't have to say anything, but I do want to see you down there. I feel this could be an important learning experience for you..."
Albert merely nodded. He could see the sense in that.
"Now come on, let's go," he said in a more friendly manner.
"Aye sir," Albert replied, also managing a smile.
The officers filed quickly into the nearby turbolift, the doors closing behind them once they were inside. The lift sped away, the three officers standing in silence... or near silence as Henry was polishing off the last of his coffee, which was fortunately still warm enough to drink...
