Field Research

Posted on Sun Jan 4th, 2026 @ 1:28am by Ensign Emmanuelle Larose & Ensign Siat-or-iian Elkovais & Petty Officer, 2nd Class Ozias Nikolaidis

1,608 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: ARYL 1X04: All the Friends We Can Get
Timeline: The day after “A Message of Peace and Friendship”

ON

To Emmanuelle Larose, there was some question about the exact meaning of the words ‘on duty’.

On the one hand, Mr. Nikolaidis had set out clearly what he wanted to. Field research, he’d said. As a science officer, that certainly seemed like work he would do ‘on duty’. And their security officer, Ensign Elkovais, well she was definitely performing her duties if she was protecting him!

On the other hand, exploring a planet, seeing the sights, taking everything in, that just added a layer of grey to it. Enough that she was genuinely concerned about running afoul of the law that meant uniforms should only be worn by military or police in the conduct of their duties.

The law did not seem to apply in reverse though. It said nothing about if they were on duty but out of uniform.

So to avoid making a scene or trying to make an unnecessary argument, she suggested that the three of them beam down in civilian clothes.

Wearing a red turtleneck and black pants, Emmanuelle was the first in the transporter room, eager to explore what Kannok had to offer, as her Captain had suggested.

Ozzie was quick on her heels, having quickly thrown on a flannel shirt that fit his frame well, and some hard-wearing jeans and boots he used for fieldwork. Slung across one shoulder was a standard tricorder. He adjusted his glasses as he caught a look of Emmanuelle. 'Seems odd to see you out of uniform, ma'am.'

“Likewise!” she said with a grin. “Would it help if I wore a red lapel of some kind?” she asked jokingly.

"I don't think so." Torii stepped in behind them, blue sweater over a white tunic and a white skirt made for her kind to give her tails the freedom they always desired, over blue leggings. She had a pair of white gloves tucked into the hem of the skirt and she wiggled her fingers as if relishing the freedom that may soon be gone, "I'm not sure if they'd count claws as weapons, so I brought a pair of gloves to cover them up if you thought it was appropriate?"

A little startled, Ozzie spun on his heel, and smiled as he caught sight of Torii. 'I'm not sure if they would see them as weapons. But you can never be too safe. From what I've read of their civilisation, they seem like nitpickers, for want of a better word.'

"I think the theme of this trip is 'better safe than sorry'," Emmanuelle said. "Monsieur Nikolaidis, do you have a beam-down site selected?"

'I thought we could begin in the plaza outside the Assembly building? Some of the architecture seems quite fascinating, so it would be good to get a few more images for the record. I know it seems a bit regimented, but there's a connection between a people's culture and their architecture.' He realised he was babbling and stopped with a smile. 'I'm sure you know this because you all took Anthropology one-oh-one just like me.' Ozzie shrugged, 'after that we can head into the city proper and have a look at the locals, maybe record some impressions of them?'

“One minor problem,” Emmanuelle observed, “we are not in the dress code for the sector the Assembly building is in. But we can get close.” She brought up a map on a screen next to the Transporter. “Juste ici,” she said, tapping a point on the street map. “A clear view to the plaza just fifty meters away, and the Assembly Hall just ninety meters away. Then we can continue walking the local streets. Maybe find a vendor to buy clothes for the old district?”

Torii wiggled her fingers in the gloves, dismayed, "I did make sure to draw some of the local currency, so we should be able to get whatever we need. I don't know how you two can keep all the little rules they have straight, but since I'm just here for moral support and to make sure you two don't get in trouble? I think I'll be in good hands for the details."

Clicking his tongue in dismay, Ozzie looked off into the distance for a moment. 'We can have a look at the Old District some other time ... I wouldn't want us using our local currency allowance for just that. I can requisition some appropriate clothing out of the Science Department's replicator credits.' He flashed a smile and pushed his glasses up on his nose. 'Besides, it'll be more interesting for you to interact with people, rather than listen to me whitter on about columns.'

"Allons-y then!" Emmanuelle said, guiding them all onto the Transporter pad. "Energize!"

A moment later, the trio found themselves on the edge of the main plaza. They had a perfect view of the Assembly Hall. A few pedestrians took notice of their arrival but no one seemed too bothered by their sudden appearance.

Torii took a quick glance around, just to make sure that there was no one that was going to rush them in a desperate act against foreigners, not like she actually expected them to. Her tails flirted around in the sunlight, the warmth pleasant to feel and she raised her face to the sun to bask in it for a few seconds, "It feels nice, don't you think?"

'Very nice,' Ozzie replied, as he looked about, taking in the sights. 'Makes a definite change from shipboard air, don't you think? And nothing beats a bit of vitamin D.'

“And we couldn’t have asked for better weather!” Emmanuelle agreed. “They don’t have weather control systems here yet. So this could’ve been a thunderstorm. Mais non!” She waved happily to a small group of Drenkul passing them on the street, one of whom returned the friendly wave, the other doing so more hesitantly. “Shall we?” She gestured down the street.

'Please,' Ozzie replied, quickly checking that the holos he'd taken covered everything he had wanted to pick up. 'I'll follow you both,' he said, pleased to be able to indulge in one of his passions. Documentation. Who knew how the Drenkul would change over time - noting down their culture now might be valuable to someone in a few decades time.

"Let's shall," Torii agreed and started down the street, eyes taking in as much as she possibly could. "I really don't know how much we're going to find out while we're down here, but it really does look nice!"

A few minutes later they were in the middle of a busy pedestrian mall, full of people busy going about their day. Shops were catering to businesspeople, soldiers, and visitors offering what passed for coffee and snacks. Souvenir shops offered trinkets to tourists. Importantly, Ozzie and Emmanuelle could interact one on one with ordinary people, exactly what the young science officer had hoped for.

Ozzie took quick snaps of the architecture of the mall, marvelling at the construction and materials used in it. Though he doubted it was typical of all Drenkul structures, it was an elegantly ordered building, a strong squared off base allowing for a soaring and vaulted ceiling structure. As he glanced about, he spied a pair of Drenkul in what seemed to be fairly traditional clothing for their species.

Cautiously he approached, fishing in his pocket for his Starfleet Identification papers. 'Excuse me, could I trouble you for a moment of your time?' he asked with a smile.

The pair looked cautiously at the human and offered a polite smile. “How can we help you?”

'I was wondering if I could take a photo?' He held up the camera in that goofy way tourists often do. 'I'm attempting to document traditional Drenkul society, and, well, your dress seems quite traditional to me - there's no telling how increased contact with the Federation and Klingons will change things ...'

"I suppose," one of the Drenkul said, cautiously, a touch of derision in his voice.

His partner nudged him in the ribs. "Now now, Chayam, be friendly." She smiled at Ozias. "Of course you can take our picture, dear."

"Nothing here needs changing," Chayam grumbled as he stood in a pose, adorning a smile next to his...friend? Wife? Hard to tell.

"Agree to disagree, sweetie."

'I'm not sure what you both mean?' Ozzie asked as he took a holo of the couple, blissfully unaware of the Drenkul's disdain not knowing their facial expressions or vocal inflections all that well. 'Everyone here seems to be quite ... content?'

“Because everything is fine!” Chayam said. “Look at all we’ve accomplished here! A century ago there was nothing and now, what fine architecture we’ve built!”

“The people of Drenkulo have indeed built a wonderful planet here,” the woman added. “I’m Pata Regi-Kannok, this is my husband Chayam Regi-Drenkulo. Please, take what pictures you like!”

'Thank you so much,' Ozzie replied, noting their little conversation and filing it away for some gentle probing when he had the time. Excitedly stepping back, he motioned them to scooch closer to one another, and took a photo. Then another, and another, trying to capture their attire in as much detail as possible. Then he turned, and quickly motioned both his colleagues over and snapped a quick selfie of the trio.


END

Ensign Emmanuelle Larose
Bridge Support Officer

Ensign Siat-or-iian Elkovais
Security Officer

Petty Officer (2nd Class) Ozzie Nikolaidis
Science Officer

 

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