It pours.

Posted on Thu Mar 22nd, 2018 @ 1:19am by Captain Mrazak & Lieutenant Nevada McKay M.D.
Edited on on Thu Mar 22nd, 2018 @ 1:21am

Mission: S1E1: Bynars Be Bygones
Location: Starbase 74, Tarsas III
Timeline: MD 5

The Starbase 74 spacedock was a transit hub for the region which contained every oversight offices for everything from cargo freighters to diplomatic envoys. And, of course, Starfleet task groups. Near the starbase's zenith, in the tower dedicated to Starfleet Intelligence, the glassed-in office of the Director of Internal Affairs rose above them all --one Commodore Thaddeus Hightower. The conical ceiling separated into the four corners of the squared office through which one could view the interstellar traffic between the base and the planet.

"I've come to appreciate our time together," Hightower said to Nevada across his slate desk. "I almost regret giving you an assignment."

"Well I'd hate to have rumors spread about you having your own pet psychopathic doctor," she chuckled, giving his rank almost no consideration. "Still, I can't wait to hear about this dark corner of our crumbling Society I'm being sequestered into," Her eyes were locked on his, seemingly boring into his as she waited for an answer.

"Interesting choice of words," Hightower said. "A situation is brewing in the Beta Magellan system. The backwater world of Bynaus is hanging by a thread." He lowered his chin and peered at her beneath an arched eyebrow. "A technologically enhanced Dyson bubble of a thread, but a thread nonetheless. It seems some Starfleet officers are raising a ruckus over the custody of a cutting edge android that the Bynars have blamed for the latest glitch in their archaic network."

Presenting a PADD with specifics, Hightower cut to the chase of Nevada's read-in.

"I'm sending you to deliver your nanites in a number of payloads. One will be at a quarantined hangar, and another on a rogue Defiant class vessel on the surface of Bynaus. A local asset will assist you in these objectives, along with the Major."

As he finished, Hightower assessed Nevada through her boring gaze. "Do you understand your assignment?"

"what exactly do you want these nanites to do," she asked looking up at him. "As they are, they only affect Methanotropes and other such organisms, Unless….." she trailed off and narrowed her eyes at him. "You're asking me to reprogram them, in which case I'll need detailed specifications on their Desired function." she hummed softly. "and thats not all together simple."

Hightower grinned wolfishly. "Oh, no, my dear. Your little babies need only do their little job as designed. Just ensure they are released in the target areas."

Nevada blinked in surprise and rubbed her chin. "Alright….I suppose I could whip up a local Area dispersal system on the way there…I don't suppose I get to know why you want Methanotropes making oxygen and nitrogen…but eh…a field test is a field test."

"The what is not important, my dear, but the where." Hightower dismissed her concern with a wave of his hand. "You will be ferried by runabout to Bynaus, at which point you will be handed off to our local asset. If timed well, you can complete both objectives at that time. If not..." The commodore turned skeptically pensive. "... you will have to improvise."

Sliding his hand across his desk, Hightower strummed his fingertips across Nevada's hand. "And, upon your return, we can discuss the terms of your future service to Section 31." The lurid look in his eye burned bright and unashamed of his promised future advances.

"Do I get a Name to look out for?" she asked with a slight tilt of her head. "Or am I just being Railroaded along as I pull off what can only be described as an effort in futility."

Hightower allowed his fingers to linger on Nevada's as he considered his words--and her indifference to his touch. "In my life I've learned that nothing is ever futile, my dear, except resistance." He then regarded her with narrowed eyes. "There is a rival group on Bynaus, headed by my erstwhile adversary, who has thwarted every operative sent his way. But you, beautiful, will be my Trojan horse. You will load him down with your little hoplite army which will finally give me access to the impenetrable vault and the treasures within." As he spoke the last words, he punctuated them with a finger squeeze. "And to the victors go the spoils."

"Uh…huh…." she blinked feigning indifference. "Well…I'll deliver them, but unless you've modified my probes, all your going to get telemetry wise is atmospheric conditions," she hummed and leaned back.

"That is all we'll need," Hightower said with a wolfish grin. "Go. Major Kowitz is waiting at docking bay 20. Report back when it's done."

"And I get A pardon out of this?" she asked as she stood. "or as close to one as I can get right?" she said putting on her most sadistic grin possible.

Hightower regarded her with bemused admiration. "We'll see. Get a move on, now. Those payloads won't deliver themselves."

Nevada nodded and slowly walked out of the office, doing her best to mundane her strides, to deny him anything to watch. Good thing he doesn't know those probes can deliver themselves. she thought to herself as she walked

After Nevada left, Hightower tapped his badge. "Hightower to Kowitz. The new asset is en route. Watch her closely. If she steps out of line, kill her."

=/\="Understood, Commodore."=/\=