Captain Ted entered the bridge of the Tycho at 09:00 hours followed by Counselor Mominee, now dressed in her crisp councilor's uniform but still weirdly resplendant in her magenta colored skin and close-cropped snow white hair. Commander Blankenship was already seated at the communications console and First Officer Lee was standing ready at the security station. All three officers were wearing a piece of equipment normally not seen on a science ship's crew: hand phasers. Ted took his seat in the captain's chair, sitting bolt upright and somber, facing the large, blank screen on the foreward bulkhead of the bridge.
"All right, Dianne," he ordered. "Open a channel to Pandopost, the Andorian research center on Pandoria."
"Aye aye, Captain." Dianne punched in the communications code previously supplied by Starfleet back on Earth. The large screen lit up but showed only the staticky gobbledygook of an unconnected signal. After several seconds of unresponsive static, Dianne said somewhat nervously, "Captain, I'm sure I entered the correct comcode for Pandopost."
"Steady as she goes, Commander," Ted replied firmly. "This isn't exactly unexpected."
Earlier that morning after his subspace 'sunglasses' conference with Liaison Guy, Ted had ordered a quick departure of the Tycho from its orbit around Andoria. It had been decided that Guy should remain on Andoria in the company of Ambassador Kallindra. After a relatively short journey under impulse power, the tycho took up orbit around the rocky sister planet, Pandoria.
At that time, Ted roused his officer staff to brief them in his ready room.
"Sorry to start the duty day so early." Ted began. "But the intel I received from Guy about an hour ago seems to require fast action." After explanations about the Trax family, including age and 'kobsu' status of both Annie and Kal'trax, as well as the unexplained "quarantine" of Kal'trax, Ted said, "I think it's time to try out our new planetary molecular probing scanners so thoughtfully provided by Admiral Yeager."
The Tycho crew spent the next two hours conducting both surface and deep probing scans of Pandoria as the ship circumnavigated the equatorial area in a high-speed orbit. The results were fascinating. As expected, the only life-form readings came from the two research centers situated on Pandoria's equator just a few kilometers from each other. The surface scans of the planet were also unremarkable, showing only the usual agglomeration of dry silicates and minerals.
Deeper scans, however, revealed an extremely wide and dense layer of crystalline formation encircling the entire planet in its equatorial region. This subterranean crystal 'belt' was approximately five thousand kilometers wide and five to six kilometers beneath the surface. Even the new, sophisticated molecular scanning equipment used by the Tycho was unable to penetrate the crystal layer enough to determine how thick it might be. Molecular analysis of random samplings from the surface of the 'belt' indicated a wide variety of crystalline structure covering the entire spectrum of known crystals. This was a planetary phenomenon completely unknown to anyone on the Tycho. "And..." Ted mused, "I'll bet no one in Starfleet has ever stumbled across something like this before!"
"I wouldn't say, 'no one', Captain," Marchelle cautioned. "If Colonel Snavely is mining dilithium crystals, as the Andorians suspect, then apparently he is aware of the crystalline presence."
Ted pursed his lips. "Oh, Snavely knows he's sitting on top of some kind of crystal 'deposit' all right. But I don't think he has a clue about the massive extent of this formation." Ted smiled. "According to Admiral Yeager, we're the only ship in Starfleet right now with a deep probe molecular scanner." Ted's demeanor became serious again. "Unless they are asleep at the switch, the personnel on both Pandopost and S.P.R.O.C. (Starfleet Pandorian Research Operations Center)are aware of our presence due to our scans. You all have approximately 45 minutes to grab some breakfast and get refreshed. Report back to the bridge at 0900 hours ready for field activity!"
Guy was enjoying a third cup of coffee as he stared out the large plaspex window of the 'mealroom' in Kallindra's compound. The large gas giant, Andor, was well above the horizon, flooding the landscape with the eerie pale blue light Andoria was famous for. Ahn'trax had already gathered up the breakfast dishes and deposited them in the dishware atomizer/replicator.
Kallindra sat across the table from Guy regarding him quizzically. "Well, Guy, I think it's time to equip you with some Andorian accessories."
Guy looked back at Kallindra with an arched eyebrow. "Accessories?"
"Yes. Something that would go perfectly with that nice blue skin of yours." Kallindra arose and blithely turned away. "Please follow me to the dressing room."
As they entered the dressing room Guy saw Annie waiting there with a mischievous smile and holding a small tray with a pair of plastene antennae. "Once we get your hair lightened to a fashionable white and attach your antennae," Kallindra explained, "you will easily pass as a typical Andorian. Of course, we'll have to dispense with your Starfleet garb and dress you with appropriate Andorian apparel."
Guy was confused. "why must I be passed off as a fake Andorian?!"
Kallindra gazed steadily at Guy for a moment. "I have an appointment to meet with Colonel Snavely at 0900 hours to get 'clarification' on my husband's status and I want you there -- as my Andorian assistant!"
The brow of Colonel Cassius Snavely wrinkled in silent fury as he glowered at the communications screen in the Starfleet command center on Andoria. The object of his displeasure was an image being transmitted by a Starfleet satellite in geosynchronous orbit over SPROC on Pandoria. The image was of the starship Tycho hovering nearby in a similar orbit over Pandopost. Snavely had just been advised by the SPROC commander that the Tycho had recently scanned them. The Tycho image was replaced by that of SPROC commander, Major Leon Snodgrass. "Apparently, Colonel, that science ship has been conducting scans of this planet. I'm not sure what they have learned."
"Well, let's make certain they don't learn anything from Pandopost. Block any communications to or from Pandopost and re-direct any signal from the Tycho to the command center here." Snavely's voice lowered to a near growl. "I'll deal DIRECTLY with Captain Klosowski!"
"The Tycho's attempting to contact Pandopost now, Sir." Major Snodgrass spent a few nervous moments rapidly manipulating the controls of his communications console. He looked back up at his screen with a triumphant smile. "I've shut down Pandopost. I'll patch the Tycho's signal through to you now, Sir." The SPROC commander's image was replaced by static for a few seconds. Then a view of the Tycho bridge appeared with Captain Klosowski front and center sitting in his command chair. The colonel and the captain regarded each other coolly.
"Well, Captain," Snavely began, "I'm told you've been a busy boy this morning, already conducting scans of Pandoria -- and WITHOUT clearing your actions through me!"
"Just doing my job, Colonel Snavely," Ted replied. "Starfleet only instructed me to deliver Ambassador Kallindra to Andoria and register the Tycho's presence with you. I believe I did that last night at the formal reception dinner." Ted assumed an air of innocence. "I was also instructed to contact Director Kal'trax on Pandoria regarding some unusual phenomena. But just as I was attempting to do so, suddenly YOU appear on my view screen! Why is that, Colonel?"
"Don't get coy with me, Captain!" Snavely's eyes narrowed. "Command protocol requires all Starfleet vessels to coordinate their activities in a foreign system with the local Starfleet command center. And I am the chief of this system's Starfleet operations!" Snavely puffed out his chest. "So you take your orders from ME, Captain Klowsowski!"
Ted took a deep breath and let it out slowly before responding. "With all due respect to your rank, Colonel Snavely, I take my orders from ADMIRAL Yeager, who assigned me this mission, and HE is the one I must report to!" A pregnant pause as the two men glared before Ted continued. "Admiral Yeager also ordered me to contact Director Kal'trax at Pandopost. Now I must ask you why am I unable to do that?"
Snavely paused a beat before replying icily. "Director Kal'trax has been placed in protective quarantine in our medical wing here due to an unfortunate radiation incident on Pandoria. We just want to make certain he's fully recovered before releasing him."
"Radiation incident?" Ted feigned surprise. "Back on Earth Admiral Yeager didn't mention anything about a radiation incident that endangered any lives."
Snavely's left eyelid fluttered slightly. "This.. uhh, just happened shortly before your arrival in this system. Naturally, we took immediate steps to contain the outbreak and transferred Kal'trax here... to afford him the best possible care."
Unnoticed by Snavely during this exchange, a young Starfleet lieutenant had ushered Ambassador Kallindra and an Andorian assistant into the room. They stood quietly several feet behind Snavely. Upon seeing Captain Klosowski's image on the view screen, the assistant casually reached inside his robes and withdrew a pair of sunglasses which he put on.
"Colonel, your news of a radiation incident is very interesting." Ted felt a familiar tingle in his right temple. "As you are aware, the Tycho has just completed a scan of Pandoria and our instruments tell us there is an unusually high amount of gravitonic emissions from the area around SPROC." Ted lightly scratched his right temple. "Could this have anything to do with your 'radiation incident'?"
Snavely's irritation kicked up another degree. "I seriously DOUBT that, Captain!" Snavely's left eye began blinking. "We believe the incident was triggered at Pandopost, which is why I've shut it down pending further investigation!"
Ted reached inside his tunic and pulled out a pair of sunglasses. "Pardon me, Colonel, but my eyes seem to be unusually sensitive since entering the Andorian system. Must be that strange light given off by Andor." He put on the sunglasses and peered intently at his view screen. "Ahh, yes. That's better!" Ted was looking at Snavely's face on his view screen but also viewing Snavely's backside on his inner glasses.
The young lieutenant purposely cleared his throat. Snavely jerked his head around to see him, Kallindra and another Andorian wearing sunglasses standing behind him. "LIEUTENANT! What are THEY doing in here?!"
"I,I,I.. I'M sorry, Sir. But you ordered me to bring Madame Ambassador to you as soon as she arrived!"
Kallindra stood statuesquely erect and fixed Snavely with a glacial stare. Her assistant nonchalantly gazed around the room.
Back on the Tycho, Ted took in the panoramic view of Starfleet's communications center on Andoria with interest. But he especially enjoyed Snavely's fluttering eyelid and apoplectic look.
Snavely brought up his left hand and placed his fingers against his left eye. In a tightly controlled voice: "Take them to the CONFERENCE room.... Lieutenant! I'll be there shortly!"
"Yes.. Yessir!" The lieutenant tentatively touched Kallindra's elbow. "If Madame Ambassador would follow me.... please?" Kallindra cast a disdainful "Hmmph!" in Snavely's direction and abruptly turned on her heel. Her assistant lingered a moment and continued looking in Snavely's direction.
"YOU.. are dismissed!!" Snavely thundered.
The assistant reflexively jerked and uttered a high pitched "Ooohh!" His antennae seemed to wobble uncertainly as he turned and followed the lieutenant and the ambassador out of the room.
"Andorian flunky!" Snavely muttered as he turned back to his view screen. "As you can see, Captain Klosowski, I have business to attend to with the Andorians here. In the meantime, I want no further interference from you on Pandoria."
Ted removed his sunglasses. "Gravitonic emissions from a seemingly dead planet is highly unusual, Colonel Snavely." Ted tucked his sunglasses back inside his tunic. "I think Admiral Yeager should be apprised of the situation."
"Now LOOK!" Snavely checked himself and paused before starting again in a more conciliatory tone. "There is no need for any premature communications, Captain. My own investigation is proceding and I will be filing a full report with Starfleet as soon as all the pertinent facts are known." Snavely regarded Ted cautiously. "Aside from the gravitonic emissions, did your scans find .... anything else?"
Ted wrinkled his brow thoughtfully. "Well.. there does seem to be a fairly .. extensive .. crystalline field beneath the two Pandorian outposts."
Snavely affected a show of mild interest. "Oh yes. I believe our geologists on SPROC mentioned something about that. Of course, we'll be checking it out further."
"Well, actually, Colonel, this was something the Andorians had asked the Tycho to help them out with."
"I see." Ted could visualize the wheels spinning behind Snavely's eyes. "Well, Captain, I'm sure you can proceed with your mission ... AFTER I've resolved the radiation incident with the Andorians. And that might take a few days. So for the time being, I want you to stand down on any further activity with Pandoria."
Ted smiled inwardly. "You know, Colonel, there is another curious spatial phenomena Starfleet wanted me to investigate at the outer edge of the Andorian system. Perhaps I should buzz out there while you are grappling with this 'radiation incident'".
Snavely's eyes lit up. "By all means, Captain! That's an excellent idea!" Snavely chuckled. "You run out there and tinker around with the asteroids. Be very thorough. Take your time!"