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Posted on 26 Mar 2013 @ 11:52am by Lieutenant Jacob Pendleton

1,149 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 4, Pendleton's Office
Timeline: MD4: 0900 hours

[ON]

It was 0830 and there was just an hour before Maenad had to report to the shuttlebay for the first away mission. She had to admit that she was a little excited, even if the chances of walking on Rojar I's surface was unlikely. She had never been to a B class world, but the idea of walking around somewhere molten, fiery, and naturally dangerous had its allure.

She walked down the corridor, her strides purposeful and a PADD in her hand, headed for Pendleton's office. Maenad wanted to let him know that the labs needed preparation for mineral and atmospheric sampling, and that he would be in charge of the day's work. She pressed the chime outside his door and waited for him.

"Please enter." Came the resonation of the deep yet gentle voice that was almost signature by now with Jacob to his fellow crewmates.

Hearing the distinct baritone of Pendleton's voice, Maenad flattened her skirt against her thighs before stepping inside. It was strange to see the huge man sitting behind the desk that used to be Kiri's. She smiled as she approached him, hands behind her back. "Good morning, Mister Pendleton," she said. "How are you doing?"

He stood and gave her the respect she deserved, "I am well Dr. Panne, and how might you be?" He smiled widely at her and offered his hand in the line of continued respect.

She took his large and noticeably warm hand in hers. "I am well," she smiled. "You don't need to stand for me, Mister Pendleton," she waved casually once she'd gotten her hand back. "I've come with a series of assignments that I would like you to complete today, if it's not too much trouble."

"Absolutely Dr. Panne. What would you like me to do?" His voice was strong and filled with sincerity and enthusiasm.

She hesitated a moment, wanting to sit. Maenad's personal etiquette, however, prevented her from sitting down without an invitation. She passed the massive Pendleton the PADD she'd been holding behind her back. "This contains an agenda of the tasks that I would you to complete before our arrival. We will be returning from the away mission at thirteen-thirty and will need the facilities prepped and ready for sample analyses. I have already sent an identical list to Lieutenant Cho, with whom I would like you to work." She licked her lips. "The samples will include atmospheric and terrestrial elements. I am placing you in charge of how to go about their study."

Jacob looked up at her and replied, "Oh my goodness, where are my manners? Please have a seat Dr. Panne." He then read over the material fairly quickly and nodded, "Very good. Very good indeed. I am most excited about this entire mission, I can barely contain myself. What if we find an ancient society? Ruins of a people far older than any other we've ever found? What about genetic species unlike anything else categorized? Or what if we find ancient script of a long dead language?" He smiled widely over thinking about the possibilities. He got lost in his imagination for a minute then came back to the present moment. "All shall be prepped, all shall be ready I assure you of that." He got up and walked to the replicator, "Would you like something Dr. Panne?" He turned to her and then ordered his own drink, "Computer, Orange Creme soda, thirty three degrees Fahrenheit." Soon the bright orange colored, fizzy drink appeared and he took it to his hand.

Maenad smiled and sat down, clasping her hands in her lap with her knees tightly together. She didn't sit all the way back, either, but instead remained near the edge with perfect posture. It felt strange to be on the other side of the desk; although she was technically his superior, this position had her feeling quite the opposite - and Pendleton being one of the largest men she had ever seen didn't help her any. She morbidly thought that he could probably snap her neck with a single squeeze of one of his hands. She smiled at the thought, but she made it look like she was only being friendly; he was, after all, a friendly giant. Both times she had met with him he had had grape pop, and now he was drinking orange. She had never seen anyone older than ten order either drink. "No," she grinned, "thank you. I am fine."

"I agree; this will be an exciting mission. Exploring the unknown is a feeling like no other," she agreed. "How are you adjusting to life on Galileo?"

He smiled warmly at her, "I think so Dr. Panne. I am glad to say that I think I finally starting to make some acquaintances and friends as well. That makes me smile. I also feel you and I will make a great team and THAT really makes me delighted." He took a long drink of his soda.

Maenad returned his smile, inclining her head a bit. It felt strange to be regarded so highly by someone she barely knew. "Wonderful," she said. "Have you been on any missions like this before?"

"Absolutely." Jacob replied. "I think anyone in the science/research line of the Feds gets missions like this almost right off the bat." He took another drink of his soda, "Obviously, this one is going to prove more tricky due to all the cosmic activities going on around this gargantuan planet, but ultimately it should be the same as any research and survey mission."

"Yes," Maenad said. "I agree. I think walking the moons of the gas giants will be incredible. I've never stood on an alien moon, before. The sight of a planet taking up most of the horizon," she smiled. "It will beautiful."

Jacob smiled, "I am looking forward to that as well. I have seen planets taking up horizons before, but never to this extent. I wonder if there will be higher levels of carbon monoxide or dust levels because that would make for the greatest sunsets and sunrises you've ever seen."

Maenad smiled. "We will see," she said, then put her hands on her knees and stood. "I must be going. Do you have any questions before I leave you in charge?"

"No Doctor Panne. I appreciate the company though. I will get to these tasks right away." He thought for a second and added, "I hope your day goes superior." He smiled widely at her, stood once more in respect and began looking at the PADD to see what he needed to start the task.

"Thank you. I'll see you later," Maenad nodded to him with a faint smile, turned, and headed for the shuttlebay.

[OFF]

Lieutenant (JG) Maenad Panne
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (JG) Jacob Pendleton
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

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