[OOC: Actually, you're still aboard the Odyssey, so we'll fast-forward to the meeting on DS-6A and continue from there.]
After Talbot finishes the briefing, the group beams over to DS-6A. Boluri is waiting. He greets the Commodore, the two Captains, Dr. Driveon, Maj Bilgebottom, Lt Talbot and Lt Melanie Smith (Telev's yeoman, there to take notes).
Once the group has been guided to Harris's office and everyone introduced over coffee, Khendron says,
"I am sorry if our actions disrupt whatever diplomatic relations you have in this system, but I think our prime concern is keeping Dr. Marcus out of the wrong hands. Or at least wronger hands than those she is already in."
Harris grimaces,
"Sorry, sir, but it's just not that simple. We have a major interstellar incident here. We only just received this message from Starfleet Command. The Odyssey has also received it, so we'll patch in your communications officer."
Thoma appears on the wall screen. To everyone else, she looks calm and collected, but Thelev notes from the set of her antennae that she's stressed out. Since Brad and Khendron have known her for years, they also see this.
"Sorry, sirs, but this just came trough on subspace from Starfleet Headquarters."
Her face is replaced by Bill Smillie's. Scuttlebutt is that Smillie's next in line to be Starfleet's Chief-in-Command when Nogura steps down at the end of the year.
"Brad, I'm copying this message to CDR Harris. Normally I'd trust you, Thelev and Mercer to handle this in your own inimitable way. I'd just as soon have Kirk and Spock on site as well, but I'm afraid Jim is just too close to things, so I'm dropping it in your lap. We want Marcus back, badly, but Bridgetown is not your average outpost. This Sam character is deep in bed with the Orions and things have been a little touchy with them, but he's also contacted the Klingons and the Romulans which means you're living in a powder keg; and you guys have a tendency to give off sparks." A pair of images pop up on the screen.
"The Klingons have dispatched Capt Kang, and the Romulans are responding with Cdr Charvanek. Both are seasoned negotiators are warriors. The Tholians are also responding. Then, toss into the mix this entity you reported—Verlegg—and things get really unpredictable. We don't know anything about it, but from your report it seems to be a powerfully psionic being. Although it managed to catch LCdr Saavik off-guard, she seems to have been able to resist its power in their second encounter. If Dr. Driveon signs off, expedite her return to duty and utilise whatever assistance she can offer.
"Dr. Marcus is a priority, but she's not our prime motivation. Rescue her if it's at all possible but please don't start an interstellar war."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:35, Sun 15 Nov 2020.