Red Means Dead

Is that what it takes?

After several more minutes of excited chatter, we decide we aren't hungry anymore and hurry to the briefing room, discussing hypothetical outcomes for our journey.

"Oh!" Meiying exclaims, grasping my arm to stop me as she stares far off into space. "Maybe I'll discover a rock more precious than diamonds, or--ah!--a radioactive spider that will give me superpowers like that classic movie!"

I roll my eyes and start walking again. "Just because a movie is older than dirt, and is a remake of fourteen remakes doesn't mean it's a classic."

"That's the genre Streamer puts it under."

Chuckling, I lead the way into the large room, noting the clean white walls and screens covered in data being gathered on Eris IV. There are already several individuals scattered in the space around the oblong table, talking quietly in small clusters. Meiying scurries over to the other blue uniforms, McCoy among them, as I step in line with the other red uniforms noticing there are far fewer of us than them.

Shortly after us, Mr. Spock and Captain Kirk walk in pointedly, no nonsense lost on them. Well, at least the Vulcan. Everyone stands at attention and I'm lost behind a wall of squared shoulders. I stand a little taller and can just see the Captain and a smirk from Bones.

"At ease, people." He motions to the Commander and Mr. Spock brings up a schematic of the planet as I maneuver for a better vantage point.

The projection of the planet hovers over the long table between us and him, important details like rock and atmosphere compositions show with lines connecting them to our prime landing location. Several screen projections accompany the floating orb and I scan a few, noticing the inconclusive data about lifeforms and weather patterns. "Eris IV. Minshara class. There appears to be no intelligent life but there is an abundance of organisms, both plant and animal, worth documenting.

"Each of you has been selected for your expertise in your chosen fields of study. There will be three away parties, you will be assigned to either Captain Kirk's, Dr. McCoy's, or my detail.
"Further insights can be gained from the dossier loaded to your PADD or the commanding officer for your away party."

Commander Spock starts reading off names and I'm pleased to hear mine called with Meiying's and McCoy's. I start to wonder, though, if maybe my presence isn't as merited as some of the others here as I catch that growing smirk on McCoy's face.

True, there are other engineers here but most of their fields of study align with the science personnel in their details. The scientists, Meiying and McCoy included, are exobiologist, there are several exogeoscientists and a few physicists and most of them have been on other away missions. The red shirts around me are more varied in their chosen fields but equally as intelligent and seem eager to get planet-side.

I feel someone's eyes on me and shift my gaze to McCoy who is watching me intently. A strange feeling blossoms in my stomach and my brain starts processing what his look could mean. By the time Mr. Spock is done with the assignments, I deduce that the only reason I'm going is because McCoy has something to do with it.

Everyone starts filing out of the room but I hang back. Mei is absorbed in a conversation with two other science officers and I know she won't miss my presence until that dialogue is over. McCoy walks over to the Captain and they leave though I'm pretty certain he's aware that I'm not moving. Soon it's just me and Commander Spock in the room and I steel my courage and march over to him.

"Sir?"

He looks up from his PADD, his expression blank. "Yes, Lieutenant?"

I take a deep breath. "I was just wondering if my presence is wholly necessary for this mission."