Evadne IV

[xCommander Vladik Fedorov]

The transporter beam shimmered the away team onto the planet. They were some distance from the main town and Vlad remembered Brice mentioning that the towns somehow blocked transporter beams. As the group coalesced, a small, scaly creature scurried into the glossy, deep red foliage. Yellow clay prevented its footprints from showing on the hard surface. Nearby, amber hued hills rose up, their surfaces shining like glass in the bright sunlight. High clouds drifted overhead, white against the greenish sky. Vlad took in a first, hesitant breath and experienced a slightly salty sulfur taste.

He scanned the horizon, making out the signs of structures in the distance, "the town appears to be in that direction," he said. He could hear his boots crunching the clay as they walked and the sounds of small creatures just out of sight. The temperature was just warm enough to be annoying and no breeze could be felt. Vlad wiped away some moisture that had already begun on his forehead and he was thankful for the thin shirt he had been given to wear.

As the group got halfway to the town a cloud of dust approached between them and the town. "Hold up," Vlad said, raising his hand.

An Evandian single-person vehicle, low to the ground and sleek, stopped just in front of them. The man jerked his hand toward the city, "I will accompany you. Please stay together." He circled them once with his vehicle, then rode slowly alongside them as they walked, scrutinizing each and every one of them. "Halt," he ordered, then pointed at Rhee. "Explain!"

Tag Any

[Lt. Commander Tricia McAdams]

Tricia was a little puzzled by the quick injection the doctor gave Commander Fedorov but imagined he’d asked for whatever it was. She stood on the pad immediately behind him when the transporter effect took away Nike and gave them the planet surface. She patted herself to make sure her weapons were still there invisibly.

I looked like they had a health hike in front of them through red vegetation that was beautifully shaded. Her skirts swirled around her ankles as she walked yet the style seemed to keep a breeze flowing underneath in the oppressive warmth.

A flock of amber colored birdlike creatures wheeled overhead as the obvious security officer rode up to them to heard them toward the city.

"I will accompany you. Please stay together." she watched him carefully her hand on the strap of her pack as she walked along at the Commander’s back. ”Halt” he said and she put up her hand in the traditional command for the party to stop.

He pointed at Ensign Mitra. "Explain!" She gave a single nod to the Ensign to give his prepared explaination. Meanwhile, she moved a step to the side so she had a clear field of fire if necessary. She didn’t plan to start an interstellar incident just be prepared to act should the need arise.

Tag any

[Lt. Cmdr. Alexis McConville]

Alexis hadn't expected the hike up to the village with their little security escort. Hefting the science bags over her shoulder, she continued to walk. She glanced over her shoulder once, seeking Nick's eyes and tossing him a slight smile when she found them. Then, not wanting to draw any undue attention to herself, she focused her thoughts back on their destination and what they might find once they got there.

So caught up in her thoughts was she, that she hadn't realized the party had stopped. She nearly collided right into Vlad's back before she became aware of what was happening. Trying to hide any feelings of apprehension over the way the Evadnian was peering intently at Mitra and with that the rest of the group. Alexis was beginning to feel like a specimen in a jar and she vowed to treat her own specimens with more care in the future. Standing still, trying to act as though nothing could possibly faze her, she waited for what was to come next.

Tag Any

[xEnsign Mitra Rhee]

"Halt," he ordered, then pointed at Rhee. "Explain!"

Damn. He hadn't expected the entire atmosphere brought on by the 'guard' and now this. Rhee could feel the air tingling as those in his party waited with baited breath. Rhee's answer and whether or not the Evadnian would accept it would determine the course of the rest of their mission.

Trying to keep himself calm and collected, he turned a questioning gaze on the man.

"Me?" He asked politely. Then, acting as though he just realized what the man was referring to, Rhee feigned a dawning of realization. "You mean this?" He pointed towards his nose. "Oh, that's easy to explain. My parents were farmers, and you see, as I child, I got caught in some of the farm instruments. I was lucky this was the only scar I came away with!" He added the last with a bit extra emphasis, to show how sincere he truly was over the situation.

Rhee didn't move or bat an eye, doing his best to remain calm and collected under pressure. He knew Tricia was just off to his side, ready and waiting if something would go wrong. He could feel his pulse racing, but he schooled his features to make it seem as though nothing at all was amiss. Now, it all rested in the hands of their escort. Would he believe Rhee? The air seemed heavy with the anticipation of his response.

Tag Any

[xCommander Vladik Fedorov]

At the demand of the explanation, Vlad stopped and allowed his tense shoulders to relax. He turned and noticed Alexis and Tricia were standing awfully close to himself, so he took a step to the side.

"I got caught in some of the farm instruments. I was lucky this was the only scar I came away with!"

Vlad nodded in agreement, but remained silent.

The Evadnian turned off his vehicle and hopped out and approached Rhee, examining him with a critical eye from every angle. "You are lucky you did not lose an eye," he finally said. "Does anyone else have any physical deformities? If so, tell me now." He turned and examined the group then stopped in front of Zaynah. His eyes narrowed. "You smell different."

Vlad cringed. No where did Brice say they had a good sense of smell.

Tag Any

[xEnsign Zaynah]

"My apologies," Zaynah said, slightly bowing to the man, "It is one of my favorite scents. I can transport back to the ship and remove it, if that will help." She smiled genuinely at the man, then said, "or... if you like it, I can make sure to have some sent down as a gift."

He raised a hand, "no gifts!" Hurrying back to his vehicle, he hopped in, almost as if he were afraid someone would give him a gift. "You all pass... move along." As the group began walking again, he pulled alongside Zaynah, "it is not an altogether unpleasant scent," he said quietly. "My name's Peerz."

She gave him a startled smile. "Thank you," she said, "Zaynah."

"Keep moving," he said, zooming ahead and circling them once again. Zaynah took the opportunity to move more to the center of the group.

Tag Any

[Commander Nicholas Grant]

Nick hefted his pack onto his shoulder and walked with the rest of the group. His mouth quirked into a half smile when Alexis turned to look at him. He could tell she was a bit nervous but then who wouldn’t be in a situation like this.

The natives were decidedly unfriendly and the security officer on his bike herding them toward the nearby town wasn’t exactly something he was used to. But then that was one of the reasons he’d wanted to come to the stars… right?

The sudden stop and demand from Ensign Mitra was a bit disconcerting. The young security officer seemed to handle it well. But then he must have gotten a whif of Zaynas pheromones. He wondered if she was able to keep them in check… and then they were off and moving again.

This time he made his way up next to Alexis rather than following behind her.

Tag any

[xCommander Vladik Fedorov]

They walked onward, trudging over the hot, hard yellow clay until they reached the outskirts of the town. "Keep your hands where they can be seen," he cautioned them all. Curious onlookers appeared in the streets, mixed emotions on their faces, as the group was taken to the center square. Peerz held up a hand, halting them. A huge fountain, several stories tall, filled the square. Brownish water poured over figures representing the Evadnian people, carved out of the same glassy stone the visitors had seen in the hills. A fine mist was created as it cascaded downward, cooling the square. Vlad was very grateful that they had stopped in such a cool area.

"Engineers," Peerz said, "this is Squan." A rather portly Evadnian stepped out of the growing crowd. "He will show you where you need to be working." Vlad nodded, and pointed to two individuals. "Lieutenant McAdams will accompany Ensign Vaughn."

Peerz scrutinized them again. Squan waddled up to the two women, "follow me," he said, "it's not far."

"Your science team is free to wander our city and the outlying areas, but not to enter any structure or building without prior approval.

"Understood," Vlad said, "now... about the volunteers?"

Peerz visibly cringed. "Yes, um..." He looked out into the crowd, as if seeking direction from someone unseen, then blinked and looked back at Vlad, "it has been arranged. Your medical personnel will work with our esteemed physician, Tarfor. He beckoned with his hand and a tall, lean man came forward. He didn't look too pleased to be there.

"Ensign Mitra Rhee will be joining the lab team, and..." He glanced at the other security officer, a last minute addition to the away team. "...Ensign Roach will join the medical team." The man's unfortunate name always sent him into silent laughter. "These extra officers will provide the teams with assistance if needed and keep your people's concerns and safety in mind at all times."

Peerz frowned, but nodded. "And you," he asked Vlad, "what will you be doing?" Vlad bowed slightly, "I am here at the request of my Captain, as had been agreed, to assure that everything runs smoothly. I am sure that is your wish, as well?"

Put on the spot, Peerz gave in, "of course. My apologies. If everyone will move along," he said, "we can start to get rid of this crowd."

Vlad decided he would stay with the medical group for the moment. It was the group most likely to have tension initially. "You all know why we're here," he said, "let's get this done quickly and efficiently. Keep me informed as per our usual comm schedules."

===Continued in individual threads (Evadne Engineering, Evadne Medical, Evadne Lab)===

End Vlad