Another Archaeological Expedition (Backpost)

Posted on Sun Nov 2nd, 2025 @ 3:07pm by Lieutenant Commander Alexander Espersen & Petty Officer 2nd Class Bradley Sharpe & Captain Calypso Skyie & Captain Natalya Markova & Ensign Minerva Delacroix

Mission: A Princess Of Tial
Timeline: Shortly after first landings on Tial

It had been (amount of time...one hour? two?) since the shuttles had left for Tial, and Alexander Espersen had the conn. He waited nervously for any word from the first away teams. This planet was so unusual, there was really no way to be certain of when they would be contacted. He trusted that his people would get down to Tial's surface safely but beyond that, there was only waiting.

He paced the bridge. He checked in with science and engineering. He did paperwork, choosing to use the Captain's ready room given its proximity to the bridge, so he could respond more quickly.

He was midway through a performance evaluation when an ops officer informed him of the incoming message. They patched it through to him.

"Captain, is that you?"

The voice that came back didn't have the crispness of a comm from the Federation, but her voice was clear, "It is, Alex, and it's... Interesting down here, a mix of technology and basically none whatsoever. The welcoming ceremonies were... Interesting." She said again, "And Tessa's back home and basically incommunicado with us at this point, but that's expected. The Baroness had a private meeting with me, briefly, and I've got an appointment with her in the morning. I've already ordered the shuttles to make orbit again, because they're down to thirty percent power reserves, but I think you should come down soonish."

“Understood,” Alex said, a tightness in his shoulders visibly relaxing now that he knew everyone was safe and things were going well. “We’ll make arrangements to come down in about an hour. Is there anyone or anything specific you want to come with me?”

"Archaeologist would be preferable, or someone who's familiar with medieval architecture and society?" Calypso suggested, "Don't get me wrong, they have plumbing and all the niceties that can be had without a reliable electrical source above ground. I think you'll be a bit surprised with how it is, plus you do rate a sword, though you're only a 'commoner', I've convinced them that my second in command is trustworthy. Just don't accept any 'Challenges' or the sort, or if you do, let your escort handle them, you'll get one, a nice young thing, kinda cute."

“A sword eh?” Alex asked. “Do I need to bring it myself or will they provide it?” He was already thinking about an archaeologist he could bring, plus others to fill out his landing team.

"That they do and it's beautiful workmanship." Cally remarked, "Hand-forged, etched and don't test the blade, you've been warned. Had to use your rank and position to get you to merit one, because when Tessa said they're very blonde-centric, she meant it.. Brunettes like you are seen as 'lesser' people, not worthy of having one except in very special cases such as Cass. You and your team will land in Light's End's courtyard and will have run of the castle aside from a handful of locations."

“If you have someone send up the coordinates, we’ll be down within the hour,” he said. “I know just who to bring. One will be blonde, so I’m sure she’ll merit a sword too. I’ll tell the other two not to take it personally,” he added with a smirk. “I’ll comm you when we get there, so we can meet up. Is there anything you yourself specifically need?”

"Comms down here are... Shaky at best, let your escort know you need to arrange to meet with me and she'll make those arrangements." Cally said jauntily, "Right now I'm in a communications room in the underground, I'll be on the surface by the time you arrive, I have a meeting with the Lights of the Eastern Watch, Eastern Reach and Northern Reach in thirty minutes, so if I'm not immediately available, ask them to take you on a tour."

“Acknowledged. See you soon then, Captain. Espersen out.”

Alex closed the external comms channel and opened an internal one. “Ensign Delacroix, Petty Officer Sharpe, report to Shuttlebay in thirty minutes for an away mission.”

“Acknowledged,” said Bradley Sharpe, making no effort to hide his excitement. His first away mission!

Minerva remembered back to the away mission she'd gone on to another planet, but dutifully replied, "Yes, suh, Ah'll be right there."

There was one other person to assign to the mission. One who should be spoken to in person. “Computer,” Alex said, “what is the location of Natalya Markova?”

The computer chimed. “Captain Markova is in her quarters.”

He locked the computer and left the ready room, quickly informing Valleroy and McMillen what he was doing, giving the former the conn, and making his way to the woman's quarters.

**

It had been a long time since she took time to just... do nothing. She lay sprawled on the couch in her quarters, dressed in comfortable lounge-wear, enjoying some off duty time. The PADD had open a literature novel. It was a way to keep her mind occupied, without much physical effort. At the sound of her door chime, Nat sighed, set the PADD aside, and silenced the soft music playing in the background. "Come!" She called, in a neutral tone.

The door opened and admitted the XO, who walked in and stood near the couch. "My, don't you look comfortable," he joked. "Sorry to bother you when you're off duty but I need you for an away mission."

Of all the people to have walked into her quarters, Nat would have personally asked for just about any of them - she'd have listed the entire medical department over the XO.

That was personal, though. He was talking business - mercifully. Nat pulled herself off the couch, considering the words. "Is someone in trouble?" Usually her particular set of skills denoted serious FUBAR of a mission.

"Hopefully not, but it's what I need you to help prevent," he answered. It was indeed business and so he explained everything in as punchy and direct a way as he could. "What I'm hearing about Tial is that technology by and large can't be trusted. The Captain is down there already, and it's a sensitive situation at best. I'm taking a shuttle down with one of our archaeologists and one of our chemists." He took a step closer, to help emphasize the importance of his next point. "The Tialans apparently have a class system, one which elevates Ms. Delacroix but identifies me and Mr. Sharpe as simple commoners. I'm being given higher tier status on an exceptional basis but I don't trust it. There's a risk that it won't be recognized, putting me and especially young Sharpe at risk. I need someone who can handle things if the situation goes sour down there."

Nat took a second to absorb the information. Her eyes slid out of focus for a heartbeat as her mind ticked over the information. "Hmm. So phasers are out. What level of arms would you suggest?"

He smiled ever so slightly as he watched her; the brief shift of focus that telegraphed a mind at work. “Tialan culture seems to fixate on blades. You’ve seen the ones our guests used. I’m unclear whether they have much in the way of ranged weaponry, but surely a civilization that mastered space travel also mastered the longbow. How good are you with a sword, Captain?” Though his expression stayed still, there was a smirk hidden in his tone. A quiet challenge.

Nat's eyebrows quirked up in enjoyment. "I'm allowed one? The Mamaluke is ceremonial - wouldn't cut paper if you tried. But If I'm allowed something for defence..." Her voice trailed off, a genuine thrill ran through her. "Do me a favour? Double check the local regs before we head down? I can stow it in the shuttle if need be."

He nodded. “Get in the shuttlebay in the next twenty-five minutes, with whatever you need. I’ll verify if anything is prohibited before you get there.” Business done, he headed for the door, eager to get down to Tial as soon as possible.

END

Captain Calypso Skyie
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Commander Alexander Espersen
Executive Officer

Captain Natalya Markova
Marine Detachment CO

Ensign Minerva Delacroix
Alien Archaeologist/Anthropologist

Petty Officer 2nd Class Bradley Sharpe
Chemist