Questioning the Captain
Posted on Sun Oct 12th, 2025 @ 8:45am by Lieutenant Commander Steve Ryan & Captain Michael Murphy & Lieutenant Ilana Marquez
1,184 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission: Children of the Stars
Word travels quickly on a Starship. The moment that she heard that the Captain was not going to beam down an away team and was sending shuttles, she had questions. One of the major questions that she had was why would he risk the crew? After all, protocol would suggest that the Captain should send probes first to test the environment. At least do some scans. Yet, as far as she knew, none of that happened. Thus, she decided to impose herself.
The crew's safety was paramount and she had to know why neither the XO or CO were taking appropriate actions. Thus, she made her way to the bridge to discuss this matter, hopefully privately, as she did not want to undermine the Captain.
The doors to the turbolift swished open and practically announced her presence as she arrived.
Murphy was scanning status updates logged in the ship’s computer at his captain’s chair when he heard the turbolift doors open. He turned, intrigued, as it was the most interesting thing that had happened since he had sat down.
“Doctor?” Murphy asked. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
"Word travels fast on a Starship, Captain. I have heard that we have found a planet and that you are sending down shuttles. Did you conduct any scans of the planet first?" Ilana firmed her lower lip, which trembled slightly as she inquired of the Captain.
Now it looked like it might be the most interesting thing that happened all day. "We have preliminary scans complete, and in order to be prepared for tomorrow's mission there are more scans scheduled for this evening. The problem is the scans are not as useful as we'd like."
"Then why not send down a probe? Certainly, that would give much more information. Sending crew down to the planet with scant information is a huge risk, Captain." and I don't like it one bit. she thought.
"Communication wise, the probe won't be able to relay useful data, doctor," Steve chimed in closing towards the two officers and lowering the tone of the voice so to keep the conversation private.
"There is a huge background noise that interferes with our communication system. Mechanical or automated means of extracting information won't work...the human factor is of paramount importance in this case," he explained keeping his eyes on the dark-haired medical officer.
Internally, Ilana wanted to know why the XO thought it was so important that humans or other beings be sent down. However, it was outside of her purview to question further. She could insist on some ground rules, though. "You will be sending the parties down in environmental suits, then, right?"
Murphy quickly shot a glance at Steve to see his reaction to her question. "How about we bring environmental suits, just in case. So far, there has been nothing indicating that we need them."
"And what if something in there is something harmful in the atmosphere?" Ilana asked, her voice becoming more concerned, remembering her deceased husband's last away mission. "What harm is there in taking the precaution? Keep the crew safer. That's both of our jobs, right?"
Murphy detected her concern. "It is. I will pass your recommendation to the members of both teams."
"Thank you," Ilana replied with a sigh of relief. "Is there anything else that I should know about this mission?" she asked the two commanding officers.
Murphy considered what might be considered important to the Doctor. "The away teams will almost certainly be cut off from communication with the Montana. The agreed-upon time frame for reporting back in is five hours from launch. So, if there is no sign of one or both shuttles by then, rescue teams should be launched."
Ilana nodded definitively. "Who will be going down?" Please do not make this a rescue mission. Why does this feel so familiar? The butterflies in my stomach are killing me.
"Last I checked, shuttle #1 will be myself and Operations Officer Flores. I believe First Officer Ryan and Lieutenant Ral are taking shuttle #2, although I don't know if they added anyone to their party." Murphy looked to Ryan for confirmation.
"Wait! Both CO and XO are going down? I know it is not my place to say, but is that not technically against regulations?" Ilana asked.
“Strictly speaking, yes, Doctor,” Murphy replied. “But we have a competent crew, and they can survive without us for a few hours.”
Ilana did not have her doubts about the crew, but she did have her misgivings about the Captain and XO playing fast and loose with regulations. She understood many did, but there were reasons for those regulations. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "But I am newer here and I have not memorized everyone's hierarchy. Who does that leave in charge as temporary CO and XO?"
Steve took a deep breath. "Lieutenant Fox is the second officer," he answered the doctor, before continuing. "We decided to have the two shuttles land on different spots in order to half the chance that both will face a threat. Moreover," he continued. "If anything happens to one of the two shuttles, the second one is already on the planet in order to assist. XO and CO aren't riding the same to avoid both me and Captain Murphy are on the same spot in case anything happens." He shot a look towards the doctor to see if those precautions helped to calm her.
There was some wisdom in taking separate shuttles, but she still thought that Fox should replace one of them. She had a bad feeling about all of this and neither the Commander nor the Captain's words helped. Her gut screamed that this was wrong.
"I forgot that Lieutenant Fox was next in line as the 2XO. My apologies. I obviously spend too much time in sickbay." Her face tilted downwards, wishing she had something more concrete to tell these men. "Just be careful, OK?" She sucked in her bottom lip worriedly before allowing it to relax. Ilana hoped that neither of them caught that reaction so they would not think she was normally a nervous person. It was not a good look on a Chief Medical Officer.
Murphy looked her in the eyes, “Doctor, I appreciate what you’re doing. I have personally overseen aspects of this mission to make sure there is no danger. I assure you this is a routine planetary survey.”
Steve waited to see whether the doctor had something else to add, then made a mental note to remind himself to have a chat with the CMO once they were back on board.
"As you say, Captain," Ilana replied softly and submissively. "I will head back to sickbay then." Her shoulders slumped forward slightly, but she waited to be dismissed.
"Thank you, Doctor," Murphy acknowledged.
A simple nod of salute dismissed the doctor from the XO's perspective, who immediately returned to tend to his duties.
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Lieutenant Ilana Marquez
Chief Medical Officer
USS Montana
Lt. Commander Steve Ryan
XO
USS Montana
Captain Michael Murphy
Commanding Officer
USS Montana
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