Ship's Lounge
12:45 P.M.

Delphis class ships were small vessels with few amenities but the Lounge was one of the few of which they boasted.
With the largest windows on the ship and a spectacular view of space, it was used for formal functions, as a place
where off duty crewmembers could relax in a quiet setting, or, as was the case of the two occupying it now, for having
a private lesson.

"The analytical aspects of the algorithm are fourfold." Petty Officer Steve Bower from Operations was friendly, good
humored and always willing to lend a helping hand. So when one of the Saratoga's newest crewmembers had come
to him asking for some assistance, he'd been more than happy to oblige.

Alyen stared down at his PADD, brow furrowed in concentration. "Unfortunately, when it comes to this sort of analyzing,
I seem to have a threefold brain."

Bower chuckled. "You just need to break it down. Think of it as four smaller algorithms."

"Planning on switching to Operations, Crewman?" came another amused voice.

Both men looked up to see Captain Kirk standing in the doorway. "As you where," he said before either of them could
get up. Sitting across from them he nodded to Bower and then addressed Alyen. "Dr. McCoy hasn't scared you away
from sickbayI hope?"

Alyen smiled. "No, sir. It's just that my technical skills aren't quite as good as I'd like. I've been trying to improve them
and I didn't want to bother Dr. McCoy. Nurse Belzoni said that Mr. Bower was a good person to ask for pointers and he's
been kind enough to give me some lessons during our breaks."

"Glad to hear it. Because where we're headed you're going to need plenty of tech skills." Kirk handed the visibly surprised
Nlian a PADD. "You and I, and a few other crewmen, are going on an away-mission. Report to the Briefing Room at 1500
hours."

As he stood to leave, he addressed Bowers. "I understand you're very good with the sensors, Mr. Bower. Be sure to give
him plenty of pointers."

Briefing Room
3:00 pm

Kirk smiled at the three crewmembers who sat before him; Crewmen Vruel Kissi from Operations, Eeko Nsay from
Engineering and Tuskaro Alyen from Medical.

"We've already run several away-missions," he began. "But this cloud is big and there're still a few areas that we haven't
checked yet. So..." he grinned, "tomorrow the four of us are going to take the Waverider out for a 48-hour look-see.
We'll be maintaining one quarter impulse. I'll be piloting."

He turned to Kissi. "Ms. Kissi, you'll be running an ongoing sensor sweep."

The amber-eyed Yarole grinned and nodded, her thick blond curls bouncing from the movement.

Kirk turned to Nsay. "Ms. N'say you'll help analyze and interpret the data. I've heard that you're good with mathematics
so that should be fun."

The purple skinned Tonorin nodded, her antenna quivering eagerly.

Kirk then turned to the Nlian. "And Mr. Alyen you'll be checking for signs of life and, in the event that we run into any
problems, patching up our sorry hides."

Alyen nodded solemnly.

"You'll have the rest of the evening to familiarize yourselves with the mission. We leave tomorrow at 0700 hours."