#85 Boots on the Ground

Posted on Wed Dec 14th, 2022 @ 9:23pm by Captain Rogue Green {Meji} & Captain Sean Silk & Lieutenant JG Jamie T. Kirk/AKA: "Jim" & Lieutenant JG Marcus Resch {Meji}

Mission: BUGS OH NO!!
Location: Planet Tuura
Timeline: current

ON:

The USS Euphrates, with the Tuuran vessel in tow, arrived in the star system of the same name. As they approached Kirk and Resch were watching scopes and readouts. "Damn, reminds me of twentieth century Earth. Lotsa space junk on orbit. Stations and satellites, mainly."

"Humans," added Resch. Can't help but leave out garbage all over the place back in the day. All that horse shit about carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leading to climate change. Pfft, the planet was changing and our own foolishness with overfishing the oceans and our tons of garbage a day is what caused all that to happen to begin with."

"Resch," said Kirk, looking over with a smile. "Bring it down. That was a long time ago and we learned." Once said she tapped her badge, still wearing her cowgirl/country girl outfit, but with pips and her badge on the over shirt. "Commander Green, we've arrived in system. Orders?"

Green came from the back. "Have you tried to hail them?"

"Not yet," answered Resch. "We didn't know what to say. I mean, how do you open a conversation when you have two of their citizens aboard and their ship in tow?"

"Ugh, kids," said Green, giving a crooked grin to show her levity at the moment. "Open a channel once you figure out where to send it. I'll speak to them."

The two officers followed the XO's orders and in due time were able to connect with the right people down below. Tuura seemed to have their poop in a group compared to pre-warp Earth. They already had a unified world government and they looked to be prospering without damaging the planet with endless war. Aside from the illness afflicting the population, which was reported to be a planet-wide pandemic. Receiving instructions to land at a secure military facility that was also a government research hospital, Green ordered the Euphrates to do just that. After an hour's flight time they came over the base seeing soldiers with hand held guide lights like old school airport personnel, directing them where to go and where to land. It was a shuttle pad. Apparently, the Tuuran had built fusion powered craft to explore their own star system, and a limited ways beyond, but that was it. Kirk and Resch out the ole girl down softly and dead center of the pavement painted, bright gold lines.

"We're here, Commander. Please put your tray table and seat back in the upright position before departing, and please, toss your own barf bags." Kirk gave her a cheeky smile and wink.

"Shut up, Lieutenant." Green popped that back with sarcasm, cynicism and mirth, accompanied by a smile. "Let's douse the smiles. I sense a great amount of fear and sorrow. Let's disembark so Zaren and Darvin can introduce us to their government council and their medical leaders."

going through post-flight, both Resch and Kirk saw to that while the port hatch was opened for Green, Silk, and the guests to step outside. Jim hurried, as did Marcus, so they could join them.

***

Three hours later the four Starfleet officers, now each wearing the away jackets they had brought along with all the paraphernalia where it should be. Each wore an equipment belt with all the standard gear, including phaser pistols set to stun in tactical thigh holsters. Silk was talking to the primary physician and director of the hospital.

"Doctor Minrin, I will need access to all your medical data and research on this ailment. All of it if I am to somehow devise a cure in good time."

"You will have it, Doctor Silk. We have run out of ideas and short on technology. Whatever you need, do not hesitate to ask." Minrin said.

"Is there a back entrance, maybe an ambulance dock where we can park our ship? Having access to the lab equipment aboard will be essential." Explained Silk.

Minrin gave a curt nod of understanding. "That can be arranged, yes."

"Thank you, Doctor." Silk responded as they got to a wall of computer banks and a small lab within, all computerized.

While Silk was busy with that the other three were wandering around as they took in the misery of the ill around them. The Tuuran had no idea what was causing it. Kirk caught sight of a young male assisting a doctor near to a section of beds. Jim walked over and tried to talk to them, to ask if there was any way she could help. She spoke to the younger one since the boss was busy with medical machines. "Excuse me, is there anything I can do to help?"

The younger man, maybe 20 by Earth standards, looked at her with the kindest eyes she had ever seen. There was no malice in them, only sadness and compassion as he did what he could do for his people. Of course, he spoke his own tongue at her and for some odd reason the UT did not translate it. Taking out her PADD she reprogrammed and restarted the Universal Translator, asking him to say that again. He did. And again, the UT did not translate.

Green came over with Resch on her heels. "Something wrong, Jim?"

"Yeah. This guy is speaking but the UT can't translate it. I've tried to reboot twice and still nothing." Explained Kirk.

As the three had been talking Doctors Minrin and Silk had made the walkabout and were now approaching. Minrin offered an explanation after he told the young man something in the non-translatable tongue and waved him away. "They don't speak Tuuran. They have their own tongue."

Who are they," asked Green.

"They are the Kuudae, a separate species from the Tuuran. A primitive people but very hard working and always ready to aid others." Minrin gave a satisfied look.

Silk asked the next logical question. "Are they indigenous?"

"They are." Minrin saw the looks of surprise on all four faces. "Why is this odd?"

Green decided to answer. "On most worlds we have encountered there is usually only one dominant species."

Sean noted that it was apparent if one looked close enough. These Kuudae had the ridges around the eyes, smooth and part of the brow and nose, but more pronounced. The skull at the forehead also looked to be sturdier, as if thicker, to his trained medical eye. He looked around a moment before saying anything. "I don't see any Kuudae in the hospital. Where do you treat them?"

"We don't," said Doctor Minrin. "They have a natural immunity to the illness."

"Really? Have you looked into their biology as a means to finding a cure," asked Silk.

"Of course, Doctor. It was one of the first things we did. However, Kuudae and Tuuran DNA are not compatible, even for breeding."

Silk got that serious glint in his eye. "I will need to see all medical data on the Kuudae, as well. It may have a clue or key as yet undiscovered."

"As I said, Doctor. Whatever you need will be provided if we have it."

Sean looked to Kirk. "Doctor Minrin will give you coordinates for the Euphrates, shortly. See to it you move the ship ASAP. I will need the aft section for a lab and don't want to have to hike across the base to use it."

"Aye, Sir. It will be done." Kirk responded.

Silk split from the other three, busy with the Tuuran doctors while they all tried to help as best they could when needed. Jim got the coordinates and cut out to move the Euphrates, while Green and Resch aided in removing the dead and bringing in a new crowd of ill patients.

OFF: