Amethyst Skies: Ch 1 (New Orders)

Captain's Log
Stardate 2260.12.1

The Saratoga has concluded her stay on the planet Astrana. This was a productive mission; we studied a beautiful new world, made a successful First Contact, learned many things about an incredible culture and made new friends, both for ourselves and the Federation.

We are now on-route to the Tolanis Cluster. After three weeks of acting as a planetary research station I know that the chance to study a unique collection of stars will please Stellar Sciences.

James T. Kirk

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Captain's Ready Room
2:00 PM

Kirk completed his log and sat back. Things were quiet now and he'd decided to use the remaining hours of his shift to catch up on reports and there were a lot. The Saratoga was six months along into her five year mission of circumnavigating known space. In that time there had been a lot of triumphs and a lot of tragedies.

The past two months had been a whirlwind of activity. While in deep space and of late they had gone into the little known A-20 sector. While charting there they had discovered two new planets: T'Lee and Astrana, and had made First Contact with each of their civilizations.

During their two week stay on T'Lee the Saratoga had remained in orbit, in effect becoming
a research station. During their three weeks on Astrana they had been allowed to land and temporarily turn the Saratoga into a research base.

They were now heading back towards more familar space and their next assignment was something that he knew Stellar Sciences was looking forward too. The Tolanis Cluster was well known for its unusual fluctuations. After that they would head to Starbase Alpha for a lengthy shore leave.

As he began going over reports, he received a comm from his Chief of Communications.

"Captain, I'm receiving a message from Starfleet Command. It's Admiral Garcia."

"Thanks M'ress. Patch it through to my Ready Room."

An instant later a female Admiral appeared on his private viewscreen. "Admiral Garcia," he said politely.

She had spoken to him a few times during their time on Astrana. The Astraei used plants as an energy source and this was of great interest to many back in Starfleet. Garcia who had a deep interest in agricultural and environmental issues, was one of them.

She nodded and smiled. "Captain Kirk, it's good to see you again. Back from your visit to deep space?"

He smiled. "For now anyway."

She chuckled. "For now is right. This wasn't your first time peeking over the edges of known space and I doubt it will be your last. Pike says that exploration's in your blood and I tend to agree. But to business, Captain."

Her face grew serious. "I understand that your next stop is the Tolanis Cluster."

He nodded. "That's correct. We'll be arriving in four days."

"I see. Are you familiar with Dr. Maxwell Golden?"

Kirk thought for a minute. Yes, he had heard the name. Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez, the Head of the Saratoga's Botanical Department had mentioned him from time to time. "Yes. Isn't he the Federation Secretary of Agriculture in the Otral Sector?"

"The same. Of late the Federation has not only been increasing exploration but expansion as well; establishing outposts and colonies. The Otral Sector is in a strategically important region and if we're able to successfully develop it, it will help strengthen the buffer between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.

"The sector has three M class planets, all of which have Federation colonies. The largest of the colonies is on Urgel II and its main focus is agriculture. The other colonies are Casteem I, which focuses on mining and Plima IV which focuses on ship building. We're hopeful that in time we'll be able to establish a major shipyard there.

"Unfortunately Urgel has recently begun experiencing crop failures. Tests have revealed that some kind of natural occurring element in the soil prevents all but certain types of foreign plants from being able to grow there. Urgel has a population of over 800,000 and more importantly, it acts as a bread basket to the other colonies. Nobody is starving yet but you can see how this can cause serious problems in the long run for the entire sector.

"A possible solution to the problem might lie on the world, Tkara I. Golden has recently discovered that Tkara has similar elements in its soil and yet foreign plants are able to grow there without any problem. He's hopeful that studies there might provide a solution to the problem on Urgel. He's put together a coalition of scientists and with the Tkarite government's approval, they're running agricultural experiments in the Vonemer region."

Kirk nodded. "We're not far from the Tkara System. Do you want us to divert there to assist with the project?"

"No. We're confident that the coalition has all the personnel it needs for the duration.

"However, as you may be aware, Golden is a long time associate of the Head of your Botanical Department, Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez. Golden has nothing but praise for his work and would greatly appreciate his expertise for their current stage of experiments. Since you're going to be in the neighborhood, we agreed. You'll beam Rodriguez and any department members he feels will be helpful down to Tkara, go on to the study the cluster then pick them up afterwards. Their stay should be about a week."

Kirk nodded. "Understood, Admiral."

After the Admiral signed off Kirk commed Rodriguez and asked him to come to his Ready Room. He then sat thoughtfully, going over in his mind what he knew of Tkara.

Tkara I. The center of the Tkarite Freehold. An ally and trade partner, but not an actual member of the Federation. Homeworld of one of his crewmembers: Communications officer, Lieutenant Z'rol. (He would definitely need to speak to her later.) The planet was well known for its dark, mysterious beauty and its inhabitants were even more well known for...other things.

A week on Tkara, he thought ruefully. "Rodriguez's team will certainly not be bored."

He frowned as he considered whom Rodriguez would likely select. The Saratoga was a small ship and consequentially its Departments were small as well. The Botanic Department only had four members, Rodriguez included. He would propably decide to take all of them. Since the Saratoga's next mission would be stellar-based there wouldn't be much for them to do onboard and Rodriguez would no doubt feel justified in taking all of them to help with an important agricultural project.

It would be a peaceful mission on a friendly planet.

But Kirk still felt a prick of worry. Especially since one of the members of the Botany Department was his Soul Sister.