Stardate: 70917:1900
Title: Lessons From Childhood
Author: Chief of Operations Autumn Falls
Time: Current
Scene: Renna


It is funny how those things we learn as children help us when we are adults and, as the uproar exploded around the table, Autumn was instantly reminded of dinner with her family and when one of her four brothers would start an argument.

As Emma fell to the floor, Ted rushed to her side and Scott ordered them to be beamed out, Autumn drew the Rennas’ attention away from the scene and smoothed out the tension, as she had done many years ago at those family dinners. It was not noticed at the time, but at that moment Lily chose to slip from the room.

With Autumn’s unashamed flattery of how good their food was, how they were fantastic hosts and how she herself could continue with another plate piled high, the group settled back down to the banquet.

~

It was ten minutes later and the COO was trying to force more food down, even though she felt slightly sick, but there was no way she was going to cause any more upset. Autumn felt she had earned the Rennas respect by eating her body weight in food, but she probably couldn’t describe her relief when she saw Alex hovering at the edge of the room. Excusing herself she made her way over to him.

"Emma is fine," Alex said by way of greeting.

"Well, that is good to hear. Thanks, Alex. What does Dr Matthews have to say?"

"He is baffled and wants permission to run tests of the thing she has touched and eaten. I will have to transport them up." Autumn thought for a moment.

"I can’t see the Captain having a problem with that, but as things have been a bit delicate since she left around the table it might seem a bit rude if we start taking their food away to be analysed for poisons and the like. No, the best thing to do is for you to take her place and surreptitiously ‘steal’ things," Autumn said with a cheeky wink "I have every confidence in you. Anything else to report?"

"Ensign Colón is with one of the Rennas on the planet; Ted gave him permission before he left."

"Has anyone heard from him since?"

"He reported into the Horizon about five minutes ago. Also, Emma said her pain was preceded by a comment about the lack of females."

"I thought their absence was a society thing, like Earth in the eighteen century, women as second classes citizens, but come to think about it they haven’t even mentioned them. Anyway, Alex, Lieutenant Smith was sat over there," Autumn introduced the Rennas Emma had been talking to Alex before making her way over to Scott and in a low murmur she fully updated him.

Autumn saw Scott make eye contact with Alex and in a subtle way give him permission to carry on his covert mission. Autumn went to move away from Scott’s side when she noticed the chair that Lily had been sitting on. It was ominously empty.

"Scott..." The Captain looked at her.

"Something wrong Autumn?"

"Lily..." Scott looked at the empty chair, but before he could say any more Darka’Tal was beckoning the Captain to join him. As Scott stood he gripped Autumn’s arm.

"You need to find her and take her back to the ship..." he said in a low whisper.


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Lieutenant Autumn Falls
Chief of Operations
USS Relentless
NCC-72400
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