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:: in her ready room, looking at the lovely planet out the windows ::

:: sits at her station on the bridge, occasionally glancing at the ready room door, still uneasy ::

:: stands and taps her commbadge, figuring she might as well go ahead and take care of this :: +TAC2+ Harper to Grey. Please report to the ready room.

::on the bridge, at her station, still mulling over the moral dilemma of the section 31 officer whilst filling out her usual sickbay reports::

:: hears the request, and turns to the ready room, ringing for entrance ::

Come in!

:: now understanding that Kate has simply allowed the decision of whether Bunim should be punished to go to someone else following a private conversation with her wife, Lexy has conceded that she doesn't really care about (or even fully believe) the Section 31 piece of it - she is now simply exhausted after her previous emotional upset and somewhat glad to be doing something as routine as scanning planets ::

:: enters the ready room, coming to stand in front of the Captain's desk in an at-ease position :: CO: You called for me, ma'am?

:: notes Grey leave the bridge from her post, then returns to monitoring, gazing a moment at the pretty scene on the main viewer ::

:: greets Grey with a smile and a nod :: TAC2: Yes, Captain Grey. I am certain that Colonel Wolfe's absence since we departed Earth has been felt among our Marines.

:: works on one of her case files, occasionally noting what the bridge is up to ::

:: initiates an initial cursory scan of the ice giant ::

:: nods slowly :: CO: Yes, it has been felt, most prominently among those who worked closely with him. I've trying to manage the Marines in his absence, but it's difficult on occasion.

::not really paying alot of attention to the planetary scans, except to mentally 'ooh' and 'ahh at the planets in the viewscreen from time to time as a break from doing the boring reports::

:: monitoring their orbit from the helm ::

TAC2: I have been watching the department, looking for clear leadership to emerge, and you have caught my eye.

:: blinks in slight surprise, shifting from foot to foot carefully :: CO: What... do you mean?

:: watches the ice planet on the viewscreen for a while as she thinks ::

TAC2: I mean that I have noticed your efforts. While you still lack experience, I believe I have seen enough to make this formal, at least in a provisional capacity, and see how you do.

:: nods slowly, understanding where the captain was coming from, and waits for more information ::

::Steps off the TL onto the bridge, plodding his way to his station.::

TAC2: Captain Grey, I am appointing you Acting Chief Tactical Officer. :: offers a congratulatory smile ::

:: brings her hands up to cover her face in shock at the Captain's words, disbelieving of what was happening ::

CTO: Run the department well, aim our phasers true, and keep me from getting killed on away missions, and we will see what we can do about removing the 'Acting' from your title. :: grins ::

:: snaps off a strong salute with a bright grin :: CO: I can do that, ma'am.

:: casts a different, sunnier glance at the ready room door, smiling lightly. She taps at her console, scrolling through her file ::

CTO: Most notably the keeping me alive part. Having a Marine around is the best for that.

ACTION> The USS Minerva, a Nova-class ship, emerges from slipstream flight, across the system.

CO: I can do that, ma'am. :: grins before giving off another salute, waiting for dismissal ::

:: nods and smiles again :: CTO: That will be all then, Ryleigh.

ACTION> The Minerva hails and begins crossing the system toward us at warp.

XO: We are being hailed by the USS Minerva, Commander.

:: looks up and smiles :: CSO: Put it up.

:: turns to exit the ready room, shifting consoles to the one Wolfe used to man and looking up to the viewscreen, calming down from the previous excitement at the good news ::

:: taps her console to put it on the screen ::

:: pauses to watch ::

:: sighs wistfully, wishing Benedict were still around, but is happy for her promising young officer ::

:: an Austere female Vulcan appears on screen :: Greetings. I am Captain Shen'qo of the USS Minerva. I am here to investigate a Bunim Jahaja on the planet below.

Shen'qo: :: smiles :: I am Commander Kuari. We've been expecting you. We are ready to hand her off to your care.

:: looks up at the Vulcan on the main viewer ::

:: looks wearily up at the screen ::

:: Picard maneuvers, then exits the ready room to find a call in progress ::

:: looks over at Harper and straightens a bit, for the camera :: CO: Captain on the bridge!

:: grits her teeth just a bit ::

Bridge: As you were. :: almost laughs since that never happens, but we have to look good for the other ship ::

:: sits up a bit straighter ::

:: turns to the screen and offers a cordial smile, but seeing a Vulcan, not a wide one :: I am Captain Kathryn Harper of the Atlantis, Captain...?

:: straightens slightly before relaxing into a steady at-ease position, this time to Harper's right instead of the previous left-hand console she maintained ::

:: turns her attention from Kuari to Harper :: Shen'qo. As I was just telling your commander, we are prepared to assume investigation of Bunim Jahaja.

:: watches, doing her best to remain neutral ::

Ah, good, thank you for coming, Captain Shen'qo. We can transfer all of our data on the case and, if you would like, discuss the matter in person.

CO: You may initiate the transfer. Discussing in person is not necessary, unless you insist.

ACTION> The Minerva drops out of warp and forms up with Atlantis.

:: nods to Lexy :: CSO: Commander, transfer the case file to the Minerva.

:: nods without turning and taps the requisite keys ::

:: looks back at the viewer, finding the Vulcan all business :: And an in-person discussion is not required, of course. Do you have any questions since your initial assignment of this case?

CO: Transfer complete.

CO: I do. :: pauses a moment, tightening the clasp of her hands behind her :: Were you ever able to identify Doctor Jahaja's identity?

:: clenches her jaw ever so slightly, but says nothing - hopefully this won't end up getting the whole crew court-martialed ::

:: shakes her head, her expression easily remaining neutral, since it is the truth that they were never able to verify anything about her :: No, Captain. We could find no record of her anywhere.

:: takes a deep breath, but keeps quiet ::

:: barely lets her expression fall, confident in the Captain's way of handling the situation ::

:: nods slightly, curtly :: CO: We will follow up with this, to see if we can find the information outside the Starfleet database. :: looks to the side for a few moments, apparently at a readout of some kind :: I can assure you I will take your recommendation into account, to leave the Jahaja family to peacefully coexist, as long as the doctor does not interfere per Starfleet protocols.

:: frowns ::

Thank you, Captain Shen'qo. I appreciate that.

CO: There is precedent for cases such as this. I have a few ideas regarding the son and possible genealogical contamination when he comes of age, but it will require further study of the culture, and in the end may not be possible to leave them there indefinitely. I hope you are prepared for this outcome. My contact at the Vulcan Xeneology Division will also be interested in this case, as it is an opportunity for further study.

:: is somewhat relieved, but doesn’t show it ::

:: nods appreciatively :: I am glad that you are taking the genetic issue into account, but that is to be expected. You are the specialists, after all.

::still thinks she hears a faint purring and cooing through the vents, but maybe she's hearing things, it's been a long day::

:: unconsciously nods at the talk of genetic contamination ::

:: raises her chin a bit :: CO: Do you have any questions for me, Captain Harper?

If you do end up having to remove them... will you take the whole family? :: in a hopeful tone ::

:: glances to the side at Harper ::

CO: I do not have that answer at this time. But...that would be the optimal outcome.

:: wonders how removing Ceric from the only life and world that he's ever known would be "optimal" ::

:: is somewhat reassured, at least, that the Vulcan considers keeping the family intact to be optimal :: Thank you, Captain. I have no other questions.

:: nods again :: CO: We have your data. We will contact you if we have any further questions.

:: has a bad taste in her mouth ::

::Just shakes his head, silently in the corner.::

Atlantis wishes you a successful mission, Captain Shen'qo.

:: grits her teeth again ::

ACTION> The Vulcan captain signs off with a curt nod and the screen returns to the external view, showing the Minerva. The ship is painted an incredibly deep, non-reflective black, and her windows are also one-way, black from the outside.

Self: Stealthy.

ACTION> Minerva peels off and warps toward the inhabited planet.

:: sighs, slowly releasing a deep breath, looking into space after the departing ship, wondering what will become of Bunim ::

:: still frowning, but returns to her scanning of the ice giant ::

:: tries to focus on her work, slowly scrolling on her console ::

All: It is in the hands of the specialists in this area now, so shall we see what this ice giant holds for us before we depart?

::Stands up, looking around the bridge, before simply leaving.::

:: nods agreeably, eager for a distraction. Bunim is in capable hands ::

:: is already checking the ranged scanners, making sure there was no threats while the science department scanned the ice giant in question ::

:: notes Ilaihr leaving the bridge and frowns ::

CO: Sure.. ::signs off on another routine report, only half-focusing on what she's written::

:: steps forward toward the viewer, looking down through wispy white high clouds into the swirling teal depths of the ice giant ::

:: takes a look at the latest science reports from local scans to refresh her memory ::

CO: The coloration comes from a high concentration of atmospheric methane, of course.

:: taps at her console, paying half attention to the planet ::

:: wrinkles her nose :: CSO: Probably not a great smell down there.

CO: So far the planet is unremarkable as far as ice giants go, in terms of size, composition, magnetic field, and so on.

:: nods :: CSO: Unremarkable planets still go in the database, though.

CO: Of course.

ACTION> The rest of alpha shift passes and, with the survey of this system complete, Atlantis enters slipstream flight to her next destination.

:: changed out of her uniform, heads to Ten Forward ::

:: in their quarters, pulling the pins from her hair that keep it in her captainly updo ::

:: is in her quarters, holding Vinny in her lap. She pats his head as she coaxes him to eat his nutrient pellets ::

:: in their quarters, pulling off her uniform and pulling on her favorite leggings and T-shirt while Anna twines around her ankles ::

:: is out of her uniform, perched on the edge of the bar but not on a chair, sipping at a glass of water ::

:: scans Vinny while he’s distracted by his food, putting the output in his file ::

:: with her hair free, she sheds her uniform jacket and shirt before brushing her hair out with the silver Gencodian brush :: CSO: Feel like doing anything specific tonight, Rosie?

:: bending down to pet the cat :: CO: I feel like being alone.

:: finishes up and lets Vinny loose in her room, patting her knees. She looks around, then gets up and heads for ten forward to get a drink ::

:: in Ten-Forward, holding court at the pool table ::

:: finishes her water and slides down to join Navarro at the pool table :: NAV: May I join?

:: takes a deep breath and only says :: CSO: As you wish.

:: gets her favorite chocolate drink at the bar and spins back and forth forty-five degrees on her barstool, powered by her tail as she practices sipping through a double-length straw, eyeing the room ::

CTO: Always! I hear congratulations are in order, Chief.

::Looks at himself in the mirror, holding his uniform up; sighing as he looks at it.::

:: enters and notes who’s around, heading for the bar to order a wine ::

:: was ready to defend herself with explanations and reasons why, but sags with relief when she realizes she doesn't have to ::

:: smiles as Acacia approaches the bar, releasing her straw :: MED: Hi!

:: cheeks redden in a slight blush at the use of her new title, before reaching for a stick and rounding the table :: NAV: It's Acting Chief for now... but thank you. Ready for me to kick your ass?

:: picks up the cat and takes her over to the couch, plopping down in her customary spot ::

:: smiles back, nodding :: XO: Hi! How are you?

CTO: You can certainly try. :: pulls the rack off a tight rack of balls :: Promoted gets the break.

:: in silence, she doffs the rest of her uniform and changes into her tennis clothes, then grabs her racket and heads out ::

<Amber Sun> ::Pokes his head around the doorframe, watching Ilaihr stand there and stare at himself in the mirror.:: CEO: Why sad?

:: winces a bit as the door swishes closed behind Kate without a word passed between them, but just shakes her head and picks up a PADD on which she is reading a book ::

:: takes a seat where she can watch the game of pool, sipping her drink ::

:: smiles at Emily as he sees her ::

:: grins toothily at Navarro, breaking the rack with a strong thrust, noting the three and five balls closest to the holes on her right and Navarro's right, which was her left ::

MED: I'm good. :: lips the straw and sips, also turning her eyes towards the pool table ::

::Tilts his head slightly to look back at the Salbjorn in the corner of his eye.:: Amber: I am not sad...

Amber: I am ashamed. ::Just throws the uniform to the ground, before turning around.::

CTO: A strong break, but you only made a racket.

:: smiles back at Navarro, watching the players go ::

:: enters the holodeck and calls up her tennis program ::

NAV: And? Your go. :: leans on the stick to watch Navarro's turn ::

<Amber Sun> ::His brow furrows.:: CEO: But, are Eduda. Have no shame... Are great and wise elder.

:: leans over the table and, with a gentle finesse, sends the one into the three and sinks it ::

:: settles with the cat in her lap, reclining on the couch and reading her book in silence ::

:: loads her opponent, a dark-skinned human woman that she's been having trouble beating, and serves once the umpire signals ::

:: finishes her wine quickly and goes back for another, somewhere between restless and distracted ::

:: has her serve easily returned, and a prolonged volley ensues; perhaps she should have warmed up first ::

::Shakes his head.:: Amber: I am an old fool, my friend. ::Wanders passed the bear, gently patting him on the head.::

:: glances to the side at Acacia and studies her, realizing she didn't ask how she is, and lets go of her straw :: MED: You okay?

:: watches the ball go whizzing past her as she runs across the court ::

:: then sends the one into the five, sinking that ::

:: glances at Kuari, then thinks about it for a long second. With a heavy sigh she admits, :: XO: Not really. Not great. Not sure how to feel about... today.

:: can't seem to get comfortable, which means Anna eventually leaves. She sighs and takes this as a sign to get up and replicate some comfort food ::

<Amber Sun> ::Shakes his large head, not understanding.::

:: spins and sets her drink down, her eyes not leaving Acacia :: MED: Want to talk about it?

:: stares down her opponent, who is about to serve :: Computer, end program.

:: considers that for a moment then turns her chair to the bar, scooting a bit closer to Kuari to talk about her feelings ::

:: sits down in the empty holodeck, almost dropping her racket on the floor ::

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