[nods] Yep. For the Council. It's just a short easy mission over to a couple of the planets that were taken or attacked by the hostiles. They've already been cleared, so there is no danger. We're just prepping them for the recovery teams to come in and take over.
[reaches and grabs a piece of celery from the plate Dree is cutting] I think it would be beneficial to Max's education if he went with me as a member of my crew.
[her eyes narrow, only hearing one side of that reason] Okay [sets the knife down and closes her eyes for a moment] we'll skip the hostiles for a minute, because No. [gives El a look] Max is already in the middle of an education. That he's already been pulled out of once, because of some stupid clerical error.
[Gives Dree a look] Do you really think I'd take him if I thought there was a chance of any danger? [let's that subject drop for the moment] I've spoken to Max's teacher and we've worked on a lesson plan for him to do while gone, and it's only going to be a week, a week and a half at most, that we're gone. But he'll do a vid-class every night, so he won't get behind in his studies. So he's not technically getting out of school for this.
And some of the scientific things he'll learn while on a planet's surface will be good for his cadet training. [shakes her head] and no, he's not leaving the ship without me.
[glances at Becky and then between Dree and El. He knows El wouldn't put Max in any danger.] Does his school have a break comin' up where he could go durin' that time instead? Of course, I know that would require schedulin' a mission 'round his schedule, but it's a thought.
[raises her hand slightly] Just how far into the buffer did they get, El? [she knows how far the closest planets are, and how long it takes to get to each of them and back; she's expecting El to reply with a 'That's classified', of course, because that's the standard response when it comes to Council business]
[Gives Dree a look] The Council had a massive line of defense around the planet and station. They were close enough to take precautions, but they were stopped before they were close enough to be concerned. We have a good fleet. I trusted our captains and we held them back. [takes a drink of cola] And that's as far as I can say.
[leans against the counter and takes a few deep, slow breaths ; she knows there's nothing to be done about it now, but the fact she doesn't know what's going on in her own sky makes her feel as helpless as not being able to know how to save her people did] Just- [holds up a hand and shakes her head] give me a second. [manages to compose herself and takes a deep breath before looking up and returning to the carrots she was chopping] Exactly how will Max going along apply to his current studies?
[El was relieved Dree tabled that conversation. It was really one she'd have to bring up with Deb and the Council]
He's going to get some good practical geology lessons. His geology teacher is going to help him with identification and some experiments that we'll help him do. He'll learn to help in some diplomatic ways, which will help his socialization. And he'll start to accumulate space time for his Cadet training. [she popped another piece of celery in her mouth] Not that he doesn't already have all the space hours he needs. [she smiles]
[she looks at Garrett to answer his question] We need to get the ball rolling on getting scientists and recovery teams to these planets as soon as possible. Some of the populated worlds need to have their infrastructure worked on. But, we need to speak to their heads of government to get permission to get those folks on the ground and working.
[her eyes narrow as El explains] Isn't that cheating? [granted, they all know Max is probably overqualified for half the Council ranks, on space time and diplomacy alone]
[nods to Garrett when she's done] And, if you want something from a diplomat, sic Max on 'em. [nods]
[Gives Dree a look] He's an eleven year old Lieutenant. I think we're well past the cheating part. [smiles] Besides, with his rank, by all rights, he should have at least three years of space time. But we're not going to count the first five years of his life. [points to Dree] That would be cheating.
[makes a face during El and Dree's back and forth] It seems like an odd mission for an eleven-year-old boy to go on, but I really can't say anything since Riley and Tyler went on Resistance missions with me that were more dangerous.
[shrugs her shoulders] It's a good easy starter mission. A lot of ensigns like missions like these because they're easy, and they can get their experience in. I thought it would be a good one for Max because I know he's studying geology on school right now and this is a really good opportunity for him to get some firsthand look at some other planet's samples.
[stares at the carrots, wondering for just a moment if she can cook them with her eyes alone] You're going, whether he's along or not. [it's not a question, of course; glances up]
[nods] I am. It's a safe short mission. One no one else wanted because it'll be boring. [smiles] I won't be gone long, and we won't have a communications blackout, so you can talk to me whenever you want.
[places a teapot on the table] Well, that's good. We're just not used to short, safe missions with this family. [places a tray of more fruit, vegetables, and cheese on the table]
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[reaches and grabs a piece of celery from the plate Dree is cutting] I think it would be beneficial to Max's education if he went with me as a member of my crew.
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And some of the scientific things he'll learn while on a planet's surface will be good for his cadet training. [shakes her head] and no, he's not leaving the ship without me.
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He's going to get some good practical geology lessons. His geology teacher is going to help him with identification and some experiments that we'll help him do. He'll learn to help in some diplomatic ways, which will help his socialization. And he'll start to accumulate space time for his Cadet training. [she popped another piece of celery in her mouth] Not that he doesn't already have all the space hours he needs. [she smiles]
[she looks at Garrett to answer his question] We need to get the ball rolling on getting scientists and recovery teams to these planets as soon as possible. Some of the populated worlds need to have their infrastructure worked on. But, we need to speak to their heads of government to get permission to get those folks on the ground and working.
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[nods to Garrett when she's done] And, if you want something from a diplomat, sic Max on 'em. [nods]
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