Faculty Meeting

Posted on Sun May 11th, 2025 @ 4:50pm by Commander Izzy Schröder & Staff Warrant Officer Jorv Graorsh & Lieutenant JG Lucian (Lu-Shen) & Lieutenant JG Jordal Hunt & Ensign Minato Takahashi

1,256 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Plight of the Pyrithian Bat
Location: USS Warbler | Deck 01| Conference Room
Timeline: Current

ON:

Aboard the starship Warbler's first deck sat a conference room - compact, utilitarian space typical of smaller Federation starships albeit this conference room was much less accommodating. The walls were featureless dull gray, punctuated only by subtle panel seams and a single control console near the door and a single screen. The room was bathed in bright, even lighting from recessed fixtures in the ceiling, casting minimal shadow and eliminating any hint of warmth. The effect was clinical—precise yet quite impersonal.

At the center of the room sat an egg-shaped conference table made of smooth, light gray synthetic plastic. Its surface was unadorned, save for a discreet embedded LCARS interface strip running along the edge nearest the head seat. The shape of the table subtly encouraged conversation while preserving a hierarchy—clearly marked by the lone chair at the narrower end.

There were five chairs arranged around the table evenly spaced along the longer sides with two per side—and one at the head. There was definitely room for additional chairs if needed but it would be a tight fit. The chairs are constructed of sturdy composites with charcoal gray upholstery, designed for functionality rather than comfort. Their backs are straight, their lines clean, and their presence oddly uniform, as if pulled from a standard Starfleet issue catalog. The room had no decorations save for two plants in the corners of the room and no distractions. It existed solely to facilitate decisions—efficient, focused, and unembellished.

Professor Izzy Schroder had entered the room with Jorv Graorsh, last of her staff to come aboard. She had known the Tellarite for years and snagging him for this position was not easy. He was in the truest sense an educator though he worked aboard starships, not classrooms. He taught mechanics, technicians, pilots, and engineers because he was a bit of a jack-of-all trades. If there was anyone who knew shuttles, it was Jorv. Though Warbler itself was not a shuttlecraft or runabout, the four deck starship was nearly as compact and utilitarian as one. She also knew if these kids could learn from anyone about flight operations, Jorv was her best bet.

Jorv grumbled and muttered something under his breath about Izzy's chipper personality as he walked to the replicator and ordered himself a creamy, frothy, Tellarite beverage that resembled that of eggnog from Earth except it was served warm. He had ordered Izzy her usual as well and handed the woman her mug before they both sat at the table. Naturally, he took the seat nearest her on her right side as they waited for the rest of the staff.

Doctor Takahashi yawned as the doors to the conference room opened. Striding in confidently Minato smiled. "Hello Commander and Fellow Educator!"

The doors to the conference room opened again as Lieutenant Jordal Hunt entered. In one hand was a PADD and in the other was the Trill equivalent to coffee. Jordal had an eager smile on his face. "Good morning, everyone."

"Good morning, Ensign Takahasi, Lieutenant Hunt. If the two of you have not been properly introduced yet" Izzy said. She gestured towards Jorv. "Chief Jorv Graorsh. He'll be instructing the students of flight systems and shuttle maintenance. Now, we're just waiting on Lieutenant Lucian."

Hunt looked over at the Tellarite and simply greeted him with a head nod before taking his seat. Regardless of if a Tellarite was happy or not, he found it amazing that they walked around with a continuous scowl on their faces.

The doors hissed open and a quiet imposing Vulcan who had his head in a data pad walked in. Lucian looked up and gave a slight bow briefly meeting the eye of everyone but the good doctor.

Takahashi smiled. "Lieutenant there is a seat right here."

Lucian looked up and headed over to the seat next to the Telerite which was furthest from the doctor. As he sat down his lip twitched at the small pout that crossed the doctor's usually smiling mouth.

Schröder used the console at her end of the table to activate the screen and decrease the lighting in the room. On display was soon the planet that was the focus of their first outing. "Pyrithia, minshara class with various climate zone and topography. A Federation world near the Denobula Triaxa system. One of its native animal life, the Pyrithian bat an excellent nocturnal hunter and pollinator has shifted its migration route and behavior has been erratic. I felt this was an excellent opportunity for our students to learn."

Minato pipped up. "Has something happened to the eco system? Global weather shift? A quake? Rotational issue with the planet?"

"Data is forthcoming," Izzy replied. "And our curious young minds have already accessed some of it. We don't know too much as of yet. There's been no major seismic activity and the weather control device was inspected on site. No issues were found. When we arrive at Pyrithia, we'll land the Warbler" stated Izzy Schröder.

She looked at Hunt. "Lieutenant Hunt, you and Ensign Takahasi will take the students out in a field trip to see the Pyrithian bats up close."

Minato smiled. "Yes ma'am! This is going to be fun! I can prep away kits with a flair." He bounced happily in his seat.

"This should be fun," Jordal replied with a grin.

"Lucian and Graorsh, the two of you will proceed to the Phlox Institute. The scientists there may have more to discuss. If we can determine what's causing the bats to act so peculiar, we may be able to correct their behavior. As it is, the whole ecosystem is about to be rocked by this sudden change."

Lucian sighed. "While...I have no doubt that Ensign Takahashi and Lieutenant Hunt can handle the group we need to take some security measures just in case."

Izzy Schröder gave an affirming nod. "I know and I agree. The students will need to pass a phaser safety session with you on the modified type-1 phasers we discussed. Faculty will carry standard issue type-2s, but if you have additional recommendations I yield the floor."

"Indeed. I would like to schedule a quick test for the crew in terms of tactical hand to hand as well as phaser readiness. I need to know the levels and then I can assign areas of focus for each staff member," Lucian said.

"You ready to hand these kids some weapons already?" Hunt questioned.

"With restrictions and preventative measures in place," she said nodding. "Kill setting will be disabled as will some of the higher settings to prevent phaser overload, but stun settings will be enabled" explained Izzy.

She looked at her staff. "They are children, some older than others, and though Pyrithia is a peaceful Federation member world, wildlife can still pose a threat. I won't arm a child without an abundance of caution and training. None of them are receiving phasers until Lucian affirms they have met minimum certification levels."

Jordal nodded in agreement with everything the Commander just mentioned. Precautions were always good, but they would still be able to defend themselves if necessary.

Lucian gave a nod to the commander. "I will ensure training begins right away."

Minato gave a snort laugh. "I'll get sickbay ready."

Graorsh cleared his throat. "It will not take us long to get to Pyrithia. You'll want to get them trained and phaser comfortable soon."

"Indeed." Lucian said as he sat back.

Izzy nodded. "Right. Let's get to work then."

 

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