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The Captain's Table

USS Nautilus, Junior Medical Officer Carlin Agran's Log, Stardate 79790.1:

Commander Drel has invited me to join the senior officer's briefings. While I'm flattered, to be honest, I feel very much out of place. Today, we received a distress call from inside a protostellar nebula, and Captain Sokar called a meeting of the ship's senior staff to determine the best course of action. I'm not sure what I can contribute to such a meeting, but I know I have to try in order to impress Drel.

One week later, Carlin sat at the conference table, surrounded by senior officers and trying not to feel out of place. She made herself let go of her ponytail and tried to thrust her nervousness aside as chief science officer Lieutenant Randal Brooks began his presentation.

"The distress call we're receiving is definitely originating inside the nebula," the lieutenant began, tapping the display on the wall. "It's from a Ferengi freighter. The interference inside the nebula is too great to get a clear reading on the ship, but we've at least been able to confirm its type and position."

"According to the Ferengi captain, his ship was attacked by Orion pirates," said Commander Drel. "His engines were damaged and he hid his ship in the nebula until the Orions moved on. Now, he needs our help to get back out again."

"He picked one hell of a hiding place," Carlin muttered to herself, studying the readings on the conditions within the nebula.

"What was that, Ensign?" Drel asked.

Carlin swallowed, afraid she'd disappointed him by speaking out of turn. There was nothing for it now, though. "I…I only meant, sir, that it's going to be very tricky getting the freighter out of the nebula, given the conditions inside."

"Care to elaborate?" asked Drel.

"Please do," said Captain Sokar, steepling his fingers.

Carlin suddenly found herself the center of attention in a room where everyone had more years experience in their fields than she had total years since Induction Day at Starfleet Academy. I blew it, she thought, but she forced herself not to look away or tug out a fistful her hair in anxiety. If I'm doomed to make an idiot of myself, I'm at least going to make sure I'm the best idiot I can be. She cleared her throat and pointed to the readout of the nebula on the wall display. "This is a protostellar nebula, like the McAllister C-5 Nebula near the Federation-Cardassian boarder," she explained. "It's got high levels of particle flux throughout. If the freighter was any deeper in, we probably wouldn't be able to detect it at all. As it is, we won't be able to get a good enough sensor lock to use the tractor beam or the transporter. We also can't risk going in after the freighter, since the particle flux will corrode our outer hull."

Lieutenant Brooks nodded confirmation of her words and, to her surprise, Drel smiled.

"Ensign Agran is essentially correct," said Lieutenant T'Paie, the chief engineer. "We will be unable to reconfigure sensors to compensate for the particle flux. Our vessel's design is also substantially older than that of the Ferengi freighter, rendering its hull much more vulnerable to the nebula's effects. It would be most unwise to take the Nautilus into the nebula after the freighter."

Sokar nodded sagely. "Suggestions?" he prompted.

Drel looked pointedly at Carlin. She shifted in her seat and found, to her surprise, that she actually did have an idea. "The Nautilus' hull won't be able to stand up to the nebula, but one of our Type-11 shuttles might do the trick. They're newer designs, so they should be able to handle the stress of the particle flux better than the old Miranda-Class. Also, they have less surface area for the corrosion to work on, which should buy them some time."

"Agreed," said Drel, again smiling.

"The sensors of the shuttle may not be able to penetrate the freighter's hull," Lieutenant Brook pointed out. "Beaming the crew out could be difficult."

"I imagine the Feregni would rather we towed their vessel out with its cargo intact, even if it meant risking their lives," Sokar put in. Maybe it was Carlin's imagination, but the Vulcan sounded annoyed.

"That's out of the question," Drel said. "According to their last transmission, that freighter's been in there almost 70 hours. New design or not, their hull has got to be corroded through in places. Add the stress of a tractor beam to that and the freighter will break up."

"Given the likely alternative, we may be able to persuade them to leave their cargo and save their lives," said Sokar.

"Rule of Acquisition 125," Lieutenant Emma Frost, the chief conn officer, quoted, "You can't make a deal if you're dead." Sokar and T'Paie stared at her as if she'd just slapped a gutted fish down on the conference room table. The human lieutenant smirked and averted her gaze from the two Vulcans. "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

Drel ignored the exchange, though Carlin thought she saw a hint of a smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth as well. "We'll need a couple of volunteers for the shuttle crew. It'll need a good pilot to navigate conditions in the nebula. Someone with medical training would also be good, in case some of the Ferengi crew is injured."

"I'll be the pilot," Lieutenant Frost said.

"I'll be the medic," Carlin volunteered. It was only reasonable, since she was the one who'd suggested they use a shuttle in the first place. Besides, risking the life of Doctor Howard on this mission would just be foolish. Then, of course, she also had to admit that she felt a little excited at the prospect of getting to see the inside of her first nebula…though admittedly less-than-excited about seeing it from a shuttlecraft.

"It's decided then," said Captain Sokar. "Gather medkits and any other supplies you need to launch within the hour."

"Make it a quick trip," Drel instructed. "Just there and back. Don't put the shuttle in any more risk than you have to."

"Understood, sir," said Carlin and Emma Frost, before smiling to each other.