A Call For Help

Posted on Sat Jun 24th, 2023 @ 5:22pm by Captain Abigail Laurens

Mission: In The Face of Adversity
Location: Ca

Abigail smiled warmly as the face appeared on the communications screen in front of her. "I am Fleet Captain Abigail Laurens, Commanding Officer of the Federation Starship Astraea. We would love the opportunity to meet with your people and explore your starbase if you would permit?"

Archuleta visibly slumped on the screen and reached up, running a hand through a mop of unruly dark hair. "Fleet Captain Laurens, it is an honor to make your acquaintance. I am Convenor Archuleta. Word of your presence in our area has reached us, favourably of course. Under normal circumstances we would welcome your presence among us but unfortunately at this time our facility has been forced into isolation." He exhaled slowly. "Our people have been exposed to some kind of disease or contagion, it is spreading rapidly through the facility and I fear if you come aboard you may be at risk."

A look of concern crossed the dark haired Commanding Officer's face. "How serious is it?" she enquired softly.

"We have lost over fifty lives so far," Archuleta responded, shaking his head. "We can't isolate the contagion. So far efforts to treat it have been fruitless. If we can't treat it we have no hope of finding a cure." He shook his head again. "Our replimatter systems are not keeping up and we have been unable to get supplies aboard since this plague began. Normally we have a thriving trade industry here but no one wants to trade when there is a chance of illness or death."

Abigail remained silent, watching him as he spoke. She could see the stress lines on his face. It was clear the situation was taking a toll on him, something she well understood. Watching her own people suffer at the hands of the Koldaran was something that still kept her awake at night. "Convenor Archuleta, allow us to help you?" she offered gently. "We have extensive science laboratories, we have the ability to replicate supplies and we have a state of the art medical facility. We can even take precautions to try and prevent the spread of this... what ever it is. Allow us to help you."

His eyes widened, his surprise evident. "Fleet Captain Laurens, I appreciate your selfless and compassionate offer but I can't allow you to put yourselves at risk."

She smiled graciously. "Convenor Archuleta, I assure you, we will take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of this contagion and we will do anything in our power to assist you. Would you consider sending us schematics for your docking ports? I can have my team of engineers modify one of our accesses so we can dock. We can be there in under a day."

There was a long moment of silence before he nodded ever so slightly, more like a simple, small incline of his head. "Thank you Fleet Captain Laurens, we will accept your offer. I will have schematics to you within the hour."

Abigail nodded quickly. "Thank you Convenor Archuleta, I will have my crew update you on our ETA. Please feel free to reach out if you need with any updates prior to our arrival."

The Commanding Officer closed the communication and leaned back in her seat, steepling her fingers beneath her chin for a moment before exhaling slowly and tapping her commbadge. "Commander Gail, please report to my ready room."