Next Target

Posted on Sun Jul 6th, 2025 @ 2:07am by Captain Andre Hunt & Warrant Officer Emily Douglasdale

694 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Trillius Prime
Location: Deck: Stellar Cartography

Warrant Officer Emily Douglasdale, stood in front of the monitor staring down the star charts that had been given to them by the Trill government. For the last two hours, she been trying to pinpoint where these pirates would attack next. Honestly with the Meridian now in the picture, one would assume they would return home. But greed probably had them out here searching for more. Due to some imaging brought in, it was believed that their target would be one of the three places marked on the chart. But which would they for, if any.

The door opened as Captain Hunt entered the room. "How's it coming along?"

"Believe I narrowed it down to these three places. All three are relatively close to each other, so they end up hitting up all three of them."

"It's just about finding out which is the first target and cutting them off," Andre replied as he stared down the screen as well. Rubbing his forehead, he hated the guessing game or waiting for the pirates to make some move that will give them something to go with. "Hopefully satellite imagining or one of these ships on the lookout can spot them."

Noticing the rubbing on the forehead, Emily tried giving a weak smile. "Here you are with the weight of Trill commerce on your shoulders."

"This is what I signed up when excepting that chair," he replied with a chuckle. "Now that I think about it, I don't think this was in the job description."

"Don't recall saving commerce in there," the helm officer laughed as well. "But it will work out. And they will give you some new accommodation."

"None of those matters. Just want to see that this all goes well, and we can add another world to the Federation. Trill is quite a distance from Earth. Would be nice to establish a permanent presence out here."

Emily thought for a moment, before speaking. "You don't think we would be stretching ourselves out? This is a distance and were still establishing everything with the current eleven worlds."

"But what you're not considering is that the more worlds enter the Federation the more resources available," Andre explained. "Not to mention that exchanging of technology and medical advancement. From that viewpoint, being a little stretched is worth the cost."

"I can see the advantages," the Warrant Officer admitted. "Just hoping that it doesn't turn into Earth resolving everyone's problems, while everyone else reaps the benefits afterwards."

"Everyone is doing their part. As you know Andoria is over border defense, which is an example of each founding member doing their part."

"Those are the founding members," she acknowledged. "But what about these new worlds?

"The Federation will find a way for them to contribute. But that's not our concern. We leave that to the politicians." Hunt turned his attention back to the monitor. "Keep us close to these three planets. But not too close. Don't want to scare them off. Their cocky and will try to get as much as possible before returning home."

"I'll make it happen." Emily began making her way to the door, then suddenly came to a stop. "How are you doing with all this? This isn't exactly what you expected when sent to Trillus Prime."

"I'm good with it. Instead of just working on the Trill, perhaps we can work on future relations with L'Dira. A stable sector is good for everyone in the long run."

"Your right about that," Douglasdale nodded. "I'll get to the bridge and make that course adjustment."

Andre watched as the helm officer exited stellar cartography. This was just one stop that he needed to make this afternoon. The Meridian was bound to find themselves in a fight. A fight where the odds were clearly in their favor, but he had learned over the years to never take anyone for granted. Especially well-known criminals with a lot of experience. Taking one more look at the monitor, he took a deep breath hoping that they would find they would find sooner than later.

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Captain Andre Hunt
Commanding Officer
USS Meridian

Warrant Officer Emily Douglasdale
Helm Officer
USS Meridian

 

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