Part 11 - Sides (I)

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The Armstrong was in orbit of an ugly little brown and grey planet, maybe a failed terraform or just a really poorly executed one. Still perfectly capable of sustaining human life, though, if not particularly comfortably. 

"Maybe Kardashev 0.5?" guessed Ensign Marceaux "That's my best guess. This is really more a job for the Science Department."

"Your estimate will do fine," said Captain Littlecrow "I've had enough of the Science Department for now."

She looked back at the unappealing little rock on her main viewing screen.

"I'm also reading some unusual energy fluctuations in the upper atmosphere. They don't match any known pattern in our databanks but they look pretty natural. Again it's-"

"Something for the Science Department," said Littlecrow, walking over to Marceaux's console and looking at it over his shoulder "Yeah. There are definitely civilized humans down there though, correct?"

"There have to be," said Marceaux "I just can't give you a K-rating."

"That's good enough for me then. I'll put together a contact team. Commander Gibson I'm putting you in charge of the team. You'll represent the Huxley Foundation to these people."

"I will do absolutely everything necessary to live up to that great responsibility," said the Commander.

"I know you will," said LIttlecrow.

Mitzner rolled her eyes at Guildenstern to try and make him laugh and get him in trouble. Littlecrow turned to address her and she straightened up like a chastised schoolgirl.

"Lieutenant-Commander Mitzner, I want you to pilot the shuttle. Take the new one. I don't like those energy readings. If you get any hint of dangerous conditions pull out and we'll reassess."

"Aye, Captain," said Mitzner.

"I hate to have to say this," said Gibson "But we really should bring someone from the Science Department with us."

"Thank you, Commander," said the Captain "I'm aware of that."

* * *

Dr. Kang came ambling down the hallway, making no effort to hurry, towards the airlock to the shuttle. Behind him was McAfree, carrying an awkward bag of equipment.

He smiled at everyone.

"Well I'm here, we can leave now," he said "That's everyone important."

"You're not going, Doctor," said McAfree, smiling so wide her cheeks hurt.

"What?" asked Kang "But I'm bored!"

"You only have asylum while you're on the Armstrong," explained Gibson "That's how it works. The Captain said it's too dangerous for you to go off the ship."

"Ugh, fine," said Dr. Kang. He would weasel his way back onto the away teams soon enough. He'd give in this time to make the Captain feel like she was in charge. 

"Take McAfree," he said, dismissively.

"She can't go either," said Gibson "For the exact same reasons."

"Don't be ridiculous," said Dr. Kang "You can't go onto a uncharted world without a member of the Science Department."

"We're not," said Gibson "We're taking Ensign Wagner."

"Wagner?" yelled Dr. Kang and McAfree in unison.

It was only at that moment that Dr. Kang and McAfree realized Wagner had been there the whole time. 

Dr. Kang sputtered.

"You can't bring Wagner! He can't represent the Science Department!"

"Well he is," said Commander Gibson "If he has any problems he can contact you up here on the ship."

"This is an outrage!" said Dr. Kang "The Captain has done some despicable things in the past but this latest behavior is beyond the pale! Beyond!"

"Does he even hear himself?" asked Mitzner "Do you even hear yourself?" she asked Kang directly.

"This is some kind of demented power play! It's absurd! You're putting lives at risk, Commander, mark my words," said Dr. Kang "You haven't heard the last from me about this!"

"I'm sure we haven't," sighed the Commander.

The team began to load up into the shuttle through the airlock, and Dr. Kang realized he wouldn't have an audience for his rants in a few moments.

"Come on, McAfree," he said "We're going to speak with the Captain!"

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