Trader talks

Posted on 25 Feb 2021 @ 6:46pm by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Commander Amelia Fox & Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov

Mission: Mission 5 - Season of the Witch?
Location: USS Andromeda/Trading vessel
Timeline: MD4
742 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

"Lieutenant," the Ensign monitoring comms. said, "Alien vessel just dropped out of warp. It's a small freighter. Type A, cargo transporter."

“Set condition yellow and open hailing frequencies” Rose ordered, unsure what to make of this sudden arrival.

"Hailing frequencies open,"

“This is Lieutenant Belikov of the Federation starship Andromeda. Please state your intentions and destination”

"Andromeda this is Pen of the Pakhator. A nearby system. We are traders with the colony. I am merely going to market," came the response back.

“I’m afraid I cannot allow you near the planet right now Pakhator, there’s an infection on the surface that we are trying to deal with. So I must quarantine the planet until it’s dealt with”

"That infection never bothers my people Andromeda. You cannot deal with it, you have to let it run its course. Its comes back every spring," she was informed.

“So how long does this virus take to ‘run its course’? Do you know if it effects different species in different ways? I understand you may have more knowledge abilities this virus than we do, but I’m not going to leave my crew in danger if I can help it” Rose replied, a little worried that her first stint in the centre chair results in the death of a crewmember.

Another one of the freighter's crew responded "Usually last for about four months and every species we've seen, it effects in the same way, makes them act like children. Damn annoying if you ask me, it really cuts into our profits."

Rose gave an annoyed sigh, this was not what she wanted to hear. “I can’t leave my people on the planet for four months. Surely there is a way to speed up the process?”

He looked at her for a moment like she had grown a second head, then burst out laughing. "Speed it up? Ha! You're funny for Starfleet. Sure there is. A swift phaser blast on setting 16 should do it. They'll be dead but completely cured. Look, we don't have the medical resources to go tinkering around down there, we just come to trade... Speaking of which." He elbowed Pen "Come on..."

“Well as you said, there’s no trade here because of this virus. If you can’t help us get our crew back, than I suggest you move on to your next port of call” Rose said, hoping the other senior officers onboard we coming up with better ideas that hers.

"No we will be going down to the market place. This infliction never affects us," came the firm answer back. "Unless you offer better trade of course."

Rose stopped for a second, "wait, the infection doesn't affect you?" She parroted, thinking for a moment, "what price would you ask for a blood sample from one of your crew?" she asked, hoping Medical could use the sample to engineer a treatment.

"What do you offer?"

“What do you need? If we have it onboard or can replicate it we’d be more than happy to trade” Rose said, eager to pursue this line of thought

They cut the sound and started talking amongst themselves. One of the men could be seen pressing a button and frowning. Then both the men on screen looked angry.

When it came back, they shook their heads. "You have been blackballed for trade with the Nigattri. Apparently your officers down there are not becoming of officers or traders in any way. They attacked allies of ours. The Federations diplomacy is incredible. We will give you no blood. And there is no longer a market."

The communication terminated leaving her looking upon the planet once more except this time several other small alien vessels were coming up from the atmosphere and leaving.

Rose sat there in the Captain’s chair in stunned silence. The one chance she had to help the away teams had just been ripped from her hands by the actions of someone not even present. What was she to do now? She couldn’t leave them in the planet, but she can’t risk the safety of the crew.

After a moment, Rose stood up from the Captains chair, “Tactical, you have the con. I’ll be in the briefing room if anything happens” she said before quickly walking off of the bridge.

OFF

Traders
Npc Jonathan Reynolds

Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov
Chief of intelligence

Lieutenant Amelia Fox
XO