[XO's Quarters - Front Ear]

Fastening her tunic, Thea was almost finished getting ready for her shift when the call came through from Saya. Listening to the request for her presence in a first officer capacity, certainly intrigued the Doctor as it seemed a little out of the ordinary. Then again nothing was ever completely normal living in the far reaches of space, especially this station so quickly attached her comm badge and answered the hail. 

 Acknowledged, I'm on my way   

Satisfied that she had everything and curious as to why she had been called. Thea left the quarters that she shared with Isaiah and made her way to the turbolift that would take her through the station to the Mac.

---

Tag Ozu Saya

[USS Mac]

Upon arriving at the Mac, Thea smiled warmly as she greeted Saya, before the other woman asked for the location of one Kaya Som. The reason for her being here, suddenly becoming a lot clearer as they headed for the lift and Saya explained about the concerns that she had. That was understandable, especially with why Saya wanted her here. " I'm glad that you did ask me to join you as this is most concerning. I know she struggled with our last mission and didn't seem like herself at all. So we're definitely doing the right thing by checking on her".

If something was wrong with with Kaya, then they needed to talk to her and find out what they could do to help as this seemed completely out of character. 

---

Tag Ozu Saya

[USS Mac]

Following Saya to Kaya's quarters, there was definitely an increase in urgency to find the Petty Officer. Concern mounting with each passing second, especially when the door went unanswered after several attempts. Sharing a similar look with Saya at the lack of response, which given the circumstances left them with only one choice to make. Once they had gained access and saw the comm badge, Thea agreed with Saya as the computer confirmed that no Trill life signs were aboard the ship. 

When Saya then spoke again after picking up the abandoned device, Thea knew that she was looking to her for guidance as to how they should proceed. " She could be anywhere by now, however we need to try and find her. But first we should notify the Captain, so we can formulate a plan of action and start with those who know Som, as she may of confided in them".

---

Tag Ozu Saya

[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams) - First-Grade Classroom, Front Ear Station]

This morning found Judy standing in front of the station's first-grade classroom, speaking to the children, Michael among them. She'd been invited to speak about Starfleet, as part of "When I Grow Up" week, and was very warmly received by most. A Starfleet Captain, even if she was a grandmother with thick eyeglasses, was inherently very cool.

"Our role is to keep the peace, which means we try to get people to be good without kicking any butts," Judy explained to an enthusiastic first-grader, who seemed to believe Starfleet's job involved "kicking butts".

"Any other questions?"

"Why does my mom blame you when the power goes out?" a little Trill girl asked.

"Well, I can't speak for your mother, but this station is old, and we're working very hard to make it better, so the power will go out less. Some people aren't happy that it's not better yet," the Captain explained patiently, before her combadge went off.

=A= "Let's meet in my office in 15 minutes, Chief. Eastman out," =A= Judy answered.

"I have to go now, but I baked you all some cookies. They're vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free," she said to the first-graders, smiling, as their teacher and PO Jenkins began to hand out the cookies.

"Kids, what do we say?" the teacher asked.

"Thank you, Captain Eastman," most of the kids said in unison, though one stuck out his tongue, another doodled, and a third was busy kicking the chair in front of her.

"Thank you," Judy replied, and left the children, all smiles. First Grade had not been the best time of her life, but she'd come to adore children now, as an adult.

15 minutes later, the Captain would be in her office, with a few cookies in a plate on her conference table.

---

Tag Ozu Saya , Thea Baker

[MCPO Ozu Saya --> CO's Office]

Saya was pensive as she and Thea headed for Judy's office. She didn't like knowing that one of her people had disappeared, and liked even less that she seemed to have been gone for a couple of days with no one really noticing. That wasn't good enough.

The ride in the turbolift seemed interminable, but finally it deposited them on Deck 2. Old habits died hard, and Saya was used to just walking into Judy's quarters, office, etc., so she hit the door chime outside the CO's office and strode right in.

Her eyes were immediately drawn to the conference table where Judy had laid out some cookies. She gave the older woman an almost sad smile.

'We may all want some more of those by the time we're done,' She said cryptically.

----------

Tag Thea Baker and Judith Eastman

[CO's Office]

The journey to Judy's office felt as though it had taken an eternity until finally they arrived and Saya led the way inside. Seeing the cookies on the table did little to reassure the XO as she didn't exactly have an appetite at the moment. Nor did she smile or show any obvious emotion as Saya spoke to Judy first. When Judy asked what was wrong, Thea looked to Saya before answering the Captain. 

" Kaya Som has gone missing, she didn't show up for her last couple of shifts and left her comm badge in her quarters on the Mac".

Explanation given, Thea then sat down in an empty chair as she tried to process it all. 

---

Tag Judith Eastman Ozu Saya

[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams) - Commanding Officer's Office]

"Oy vey iz mir."

This was quite bad. Judy viewed Kaya Som as a rising star in her crew, someone with talent and a bright future.

But then again, she'd also been through so much crap in the last few months. It was disheartening, but not shocking.

"I know one friend we can start with," the Captain said. "JEN-KINS!"

At the sound of his boss calling out his name, in a sing-song manner, Jenkins came into the main office, and immediately stood at attention, ram-rod straight, seeing the station's ruling triumvirate around a conference table.

"At ease, Mr. Jenkins. Have a seat," Judy instructed, and the nervous petty officer did just that.

"Chief Som is missing. Anything you can tell us?"

Roland thought about that. He definitely shouldn't disclose his friend's rants about command, to command, but she'd also be in a lot more trouble on account of being missing, than she ever would be for her various recent struggles.

"She's been acting a little odd lately. She's been angrier, more than usual, and she didn't seem to want anyone worrying much about everything she's been through," he revealed, while cursing himself inwardly for definitely saying too little, and probably saying too much.

---

Tag Thea Baker , Ozu Saya