Cycan III briefing

Posted on Mon Aug 11th, 2025 @ 4:54pm by Captain Michael Murphy & Lieutenant Commander Steve Ryan & Lieutenant Kestra Ral & Ensign Fiona Flores

1,247 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Children of the Stars
Location: USS Montana

Having left Chaltok IV behind, the Montana nears it's newly assigned mission area. One particular planet stands out to be surveyed.

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USS Montana Briefing Room

Captain Murphy stood at the front of the room, while his available senior staff were assembled.

The screen to Murphy's left showed a planet. There seemed to be at least 75% cloud cover, but where there were gaps in the clouds the colors blue or green could be seen.

"This is Cycan III," Murphy offered. "It's a Class M planet in our exploration area. Something atmospheric is making it hard for our scans to bring back information. We do know there are signs of a prewarp civilization there. We are going to take a shuttle down to the planet and park in a remote area. A small team will spend a few hours gathering sensor readings and then return to the ship. Are there any questions or concerns?"

Ensign Flores entered behind some of the other straggler officers who snuck in at the last minute. She crossed the room in a scissor-gate strut toward the front, spying a spare seat.



Sitting toward the front of the briefing room, Fiona linked her right leg over her left as she raised her right hand after the Captain opened the floor to questions. "Captain, do we have an approximate population count or, at the very least, a radius of habitation?"

Murphy shook his head. "Unfortunately at this time we do not. We do have some guesses of where there is no population, based on both visuals observed through the cloudcover as well as on assumptions like deserts and the planet's poles."

The XO tapped his fingers on the conference room's table.
"Since we're having troubles scanning from above, will communications from and to the ship be affected by the interference?" He asked "do we have a backup plan if the away team won't communicate for, say, 5 hours?"

Murphy nodded. "We don't know for sure, but we are going ahead under the assumption that the away team will be unable to communicate. We want to do as much as possible to avoid being discovered, but if the away team is out of communication and does not return within the decided mission window I authorize the immediate launch of a second shuttlecraft to the landing site."

Fiona listened to both men exchange particulars for the operation before adding, "If we are out of communication, can we at least activate trackers on our tricorders? In the event of injury, or even capture, we can find one another in the event of being late for rendezvous?"

Murphy shook his head to the affirmative, "We can, just don't forget those trackers have a limited range, no more than a mile. So nobody should be straying too far from the landing site."

Fiona nodded, it being the first time she will ever be on a mission where long range communication is actually not recommended. In response, she asked, "What are the recommended team sizes, Captain?"

"The smaller the better, with no less than two," he answered. "Although no one in this room will be turned away. It's been a long time since I've set foot on an uncharted planet, so I'll be going."

Steve acknowledged the second shuttlecraft and tapped a few notes on the personal data PaDD. He then slightly shook his head at the idea of the captain setting foot on an uncharted planet where no prior scans are available and no communications either.

Sitting next to the Lieutenant, Fiona watched him take notes on a PADD, sensing some frustration with how he felt the mission was transpiring. She stroked a loose strand of hair back behind her ear as she watched him, her eyes glazing over his hands as they worked the PADD.

Kestra studying the Information they had on this world “two in the party would be far too small a group to ensure all data is collection. Unless it is science and security.” She bit her lip “There shouldn’t be any transmission at all. We don’t know how advanced they are and they could easily be picked up. I would suggest a time schedule in and out. I wouldn’t mind getting samples of the flora and fauna. That would tell us a lot about the planet's development. Being a Telepath could be help." she frowned. “unless they are all telepath. Then no one would go undetected.”

Murphy nodded. "I wouldn't dream of leaving you behind, Lieutenant Ral. However, I think two teams would be most beneficial. Staying on the daylight side of the planet, one shuttlecraft to the northern hemisphere, and one to the southern hemisphere. We have four shuttles, so it shouldn't be a problem. Ensign Flores and I can take one shuttle. I grant you full authority to take whomever you'd like with you."

Flores quirked her eyebrow at the announcement that she'd be sharing a shuttle with the Captain on her own. It was a form of pressure that she hadn't expected this soon. Raising her hand, she asked, "Captain, what do we know of the spoken language, or linguistic structure, on this planet?"

“At this time, we do not,” he answered. “And ideally, when we all return, we still will not.”

Fiona jotted notes onto her PADD, nodding as she listened to the Captain.

Kestra nodded “any contact would be breaking the prime directive. I will do my best to avoid that sir. If we aren’t able to use the ship to get the scans we need. It is possible that tricorders might not work as well. Each team should take specimen case to bring back samples. The two area we are covering might be completely different. “
As to who would go with her she had no idea. Perhaps a pilot or someone from security or even engineering. All would be useful. It would be far easier to just beam down she thought to herself.

Steve acknowledged the reasoning of the CSO "I might take the second shuttle ride then, if Lt. Ral won't mind. As fas as the rest of the team is concerned, you can pick whoever you feel best suited for the needs of the mission" the XO commented.

Kestra nodded giving him a smile “Of course sir your always welcome.” Her PADD beep looking down at the message she raised an eyebrow. Not want to give away anything they had discussed in their meeting she said “I was going over the science equipment. All seemed in working order until I got to the specimen containers. It would seen we have one creature that is not on any of our lists sir. And no one seems to remember feeding it or when it came on the ship. “ There was more to it then that but it would give them something to talk about on the shuttle.

Steve nodded without adding anything to the discussion but making a note to get into a more deep conversation with the lieutenant as soon as possible.

Murphy nodded. "Alright, and with no further questions, let's plan to launch both shuttles in approximately 48 hours. They should ideally launch together. If any further concerns arise, please address them to myself and Mr. Ryan. Dismissed."


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Captain Michael Murphy
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Commander Steve Ryan
Executive Officer

Lieutenant Kestra Ral
Chief Science Officer

Ensign Fiona Flores
Communications and Operations Officer

 

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