ILLUMINARRPG: (3-0815) 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt. Commander T’Mur and Ensign Celiste Winters

[Al Muir]

Mission:  The Ring of the Rephaim

Day: 3

Stardate: 2446.09.01


(USS Illuminar - Deck 6 - Arboretum - 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt. Commander T’Mur and Ensign Celiste Winters - 0815)


T’Mur was aware that Celiste Winters spent most mornings in the arboretum, tending to Luma’s precious roses.  She was unsurprised when the young scientist had said that was where she was.  The first thing the Vulcan noted as she stepped inside was the humidity level of the arboretum.  It was almost comforting.


Then it was the smell.  Like most Vulcans, she took medication to lessen the effect of smells on her on a daily basis.  But she was not able to block out the assault on her olfactory senses of all of the different types of plants.  It was not unpleasant, but it was a little overwhelming.  T’Mur looked around the chamber until she was able to locate Winters, kneeling in front of a bed of flowers, as if she were in worship.


“Ensign Winters,” she said, announcing her presence.


Celiste turned towards the vulcan. Her features were a gorgeous blend of terran, vulcan and betazed. She had her mother’s unusual betazoid blue eyes, the fiery red hair and the vulcan sharpness to her features, and ears, of her half-vulcan father. The smile made it clear that she did not follow the vulcan traditions., “Good morning Commander.  Would you like some roses for Commander S…ergh Verin?”


Celiste had partied with Sienna in the past and tried to take a step back. “Luma has been working on purple roses with me, and while they aren’t a bright purple, they are a gorgeous lilac.”  She brushed her hands of the soil, then cleansed them on a towel that was in her scientific lab coat.  Celiste’s bright blue eyes searched T’Mur’s face,


“You aren’t here for roses for Commander Verin?” As her smile faded a bit. Celiste was young, and was a recent Starfleet graduate as well as the youngest child of Admiral Winters. It was gossiped on the ship that Admiral Winters had pulled several strings to get both of her children aboard the ship commanded by the son of her former first officer.


T’Mur raised an eyebrow and shook her head. “No, I’m not here for roses. However, I might need some later today. I have an away mission and I have need of a biological scientist. I have assigned you to the team.”


She paused for a moment then continued. “I notice from your record that you have not been privileged to an away mission. I believe this is a mission that will benefit yourself, as well as my team.”


Celiste smiled, “No, I was assigned to the Illuminar to care for the roses, and there are several people more senior to myself.”  Celiste took out a pair of pruning shears and a damp cloth, offering the cloth to T’Mur before she began to choose several almost perfect blooms and snipped the flowers, offering the chosen blooms to T’Mur.  “My next questions are at what time, where we are gathering or briefing, and if any special equipment will be required?”  She was as open and blunt as most Betazoids were in spite of her obviously vulcan features.


“We are meeting on the main Shuttlebay at 0930,” T’Mur replied in a very Vulcan manner. “As for special equipment, I’m afraid you’re more qualified to decide that than I. As for more senior officers, seniority is not a requirement to be on an away team.  I look at abilities and insight, which I believe that you have.”


“The mission is to an asteroid that appears to have been colonized,” she informed the young girl. “There’s no sign of life now and we want to know why there is no longer any life.”


Celiste cocked her head in a very feline gesture as she listened, “Yes, Commander.  Will EVA suits be required? I have only done the required training, and have not been fit for a suit since joining the Illuminar.”  She finished assembling the bouquet, and then took out a bright pink ribbon, tying the flower stems together in the cloth.  “The roses should make Commander Verin happier about you leaving the ship. And some chocolate.” She advised gently, Celiste’s mind thinking through the tasks that she needed. EVA suit, to gather the normal scientific tools.  She wanted to include a core sampler as well.


T’mur took the small bouquet and studied it carefully.  A small, half smile appeared on her lips.  Sienna would enjoy the flowers.  And she would enjoy chocolates as well.  But she doubted either would make her feel better about this mission.  Many sessions with Temas Laredo had not been able to unravel that string.


“I appreciate the thought, Ensign,” she told the young girl.  She was only slightly taller than she was but knew from experience the trouble with fitting into a mis-sized EVA suit.  “And yes, you will need to get an EVA suit fitted to your body.  And you’d better hurry, I plan on leaving this ship by 1000 hours and I will need to debrief the team at 0930.”


Celiste smiled radiantly, the sort of smile that T’Mur had seen Admiral Vanyssa Winters give, and went running out of the arboretum, turning left to head for a turbolift, and the operations commisary, where she could get a fitted EVA suit, and requistion the other tools that she would need.  As she hurried, Celiste turned the direction her older brother was, and sent a brief burst of emotion towards Sky. Celiste was excited, happy and nervous as well as slightly worried.


:: Don’t worry, Sky, I’ll be safe.:: Celiste sent as she hustled down the hallway to get her brand new EVA suit.


(reply any)
(posted by Al & Mel)
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