New Mission

Posted on Tue Nov 3rd, 2015 @ 10:44pm by Captain Elijah Michaels & Lieutenant JG Elliot Keller & Commander Bertrand Cuprum & Commander Cor Cordale & Captain Brenda Sinclair & Ensign Honey Flanagan

Mission: If I told you...
Location: Conference Room Deck 1

The conference room behind the bridge was large enough to hold the entire senior staff with chairs to spare. This morning, at the 0800 briefing called by the captain, one of these was occupied by a Starfleet officer in Intelligence Grey. He mentally checked of each person as they arrived.

Bertrand's eyes were furrowed and he glared intently at the new comer. As Chief of Security he had been informed of the newcomers arrival only minutes before he had come aboard, and was given almost no information about the reason of his embarkation, the duration of his stay, or his role in the new crew. To make maters worse them man had obviously been well trained at masking his emotions from telepaths; not uncommon with SF Intelligence operatives. The man was a mystery that made Bertrand's skin itch.

The man seem unperturbed by the Betazoid's intense scrutiny.

Honey was one of the very first to arrive. She looked still a bit sleepy, as if being awake at eight in the morning was not really a thing she enjoyed doing very much. Still, she had a duty to perform and although she wondered why - as a junior scientist - she was invited to a staff meeting, she did so quietly. Far be it from her to question the decisions of her superiors. A nod given to the officer in Intelligence Grey, as the halfbreed human took a seat somewhere unobtrusive.

Dr Antos came in shortly after Honey arrived. He was still rather tired but when duties called you must attend. Antos shook his head to acknowledge all of there presence as he kept quiet as he took a seat. Noticing that several people were keeping there minds shut or blocked. Some were trying so hard that he picked up on them easily. All he could do is sigh and shook his head. He spoke in general too all there. "If you keep your minds closed that tight you will tire quickly after a while." Not looking at anyone in particular. "Armatures??" He mumbled as he looked down at the table a moment. Before raising his head again and looked towards honey. "Hello? How are you?"

"I'm ok, mossstly. Ssstill reeling a bit from the lassst misssssion, but~" Honey hesitated, before continuing. "MNah, I'm ok. Thank you."

"I guess some people are just more comfortable with a closed mind." Came a response from behind Antos. Valeria had followed behind, but opted to remain quiet to allow Honey the chance to interact with Antos, "It is good to see you up and about after the affair on Haven, Doctor." The rabbitess took a seat before she gave the Commander and his entourage a nod each.

The doctor did not even look but had a good clue who it was without asking. All he could do is smile at the comment.

Michelle entered the room, and took her seat, curious to see what had now suddenly been so urgent. But... anything to get away from the mundaneness of reports and the many more she had to write.

The next through the door was the resident Chief Engineer, the Thux Cordale. In his mechanical hand was his hallmark calling card: A colossal mug of fresh coffee (with a dash of cinnamon). He was awake, but that seemed mostly a chemical induced state, as any telepath worth their salt could easily see the visions of beds with wings flapping around in Cordale's mind. With a sip of coffee, those wings became nacelles, and the beds zoomed away to clear up space for actual thought.

Or something of that nature. The mindscape was such a chaotic place.

The doctor picked up on a few stray thought all he could do is smile again. feeling he was not alone in the tiredness that came from cor. He did not let on but it was kinda amusing.

"Mornin' Folks." He said to the gathered assemblage, and hoisted his mug in salute to those here. Then a separate salute went out to the Commander, then to his sidekick. "Welcome aboard." he offered. Never hurt to welcome the poor sod.

Mickey arrived, business as usual. He felt horrible so he compromised the situation, with the mission. Young Ensign Aladdin had joined in as well not even saying a word to keep himself cool.

The door opened again as the second in command of security entered the room. She gave everyone a smile as she took her seat next to the chief. She'd been up all night talking with her fiancee and she hoped her eyes weren't showing how tired she was feeling.

"Sela, it is good to see that your still here. I was worried about you, friend." The Black Labrador smiled at the Romulan beauty.

Sela smiled at the dog. " It's good to see you too Aladdin. How's are mutual friend doing?"

The head of the Marine detatchment afloat - an archaic term that was kept for reasons of tradition - entered the doors. Coffee in hand, and an expression that belied her collected and poised demeanour. Outwardly, Brenda Sinclair was as ship-shape and squared-away as a Marine ought. The look in her eyes, though, was a dark, cloudy storm.

Taking a seat at the table, the Marine just sat, and waited for the brief to begin. With luck, she might actually get to shoot something.

Mickey saw captain Sinclair. He was relieved that she made it through he went over and whispered into her ear. "I'm glad your OK, Captain" Mickey smiled and sat back down

Brenda eased herself away from the sudden intrusion into her personal space. She shot a perplexed look to the man, "Thanks?" Was all she could get out, before he withdrew back to his seat. Some days, she just didn't understand Fleeters.

"Captain Sinclair, forgive mickey. He's just relieved that everyone made it back." Aladdin looked up at her nicely

Antos was surprised to see Mickey enter the room. He had not seen him since the mission that almost killed him. Antos was tempted to leave nut he held his emotions in check. "Damn!?" he said quietly as he could. He was feeling like he was in the way now. He casually stood and moved to the replicator as he quickly ordered a tall glass of water and a pitcher. then took them back to his seat placed then gingerly onto the table and poured himself a glass of water. And took a seat in silence.

The man from Starfleet Intelligence stood up when the last arrival was seated. He gave a nod to the Captain and then stood with his hands folded behind his back to address the room.

"This is a private briefing," he began without preamble, as was his way. "There will be no computer record of the event and you are not permitted to discuss this with anyone outside of this room."

"My name is Smith, and I am from Starfleet Intelligence. Your Captain has agreed to assist us in a matter of delicacy and Federation security. Involvement on this mission will not be recorded on your official records but will be considered in future posting and promotion considerations."

He pressed a button beside the wall monitor and an image of a space station appeared, "This is starbase code name 'Prometheus'. It is a top secret research facility. We have maintained it in absolute secrecy for two years now. It does not appear on any official documentation or transcripts. This image is the only one on any record and is stored under our historical database as an out dated deep space research design that was never implemented. It maintains constant communications black out and only receives a single supply transport once a month, by the ISS Baku."

"Three hours after the Baku's last scheduled supply drop, it self destructed. We have no further information, except that it was done by the Engineering officer who was acting in the command role at the time, despite being only fifth in the chain of command."

"It may be an unrelated incident, or it may be a hint that things on the station have gone bad. There is some very important research on that station and it is imperative it is recovered and not allowed to fall into Non-Federation, even allied, hands. To that end the USS Victory will be deviating from its flight plan to the location of the Prometheus. If we investigate and confirm all is as it should be, we will leave and no further mention of this incident will occur."

"However, if the base is compromised, we will be sending an away team to recover research, coded R47W. Any other research is of secondary importance. The lives of the crew and the station itself are only a Tertiary concern. However, the Away team must return with the R47W research and, as such, are also a primary priority."

"I will answer any questions that I am able to at this stage, but much of the information is on a need-to-know basis, and as yet there is very little you need to know. So, Questions?"

Cordale raised his mechanical hand, like this was a school, before perking up a touch, "Will the Away team sent in be members of Victory's crew, or will they be provided by you and yours?"

"I will accompany the team," Smith answered, "but the majority of personnel will be those assembled here today, at the Captain's discretion."

Cordale gave a nod, his sole concern addressed.

"Even if the data were to be compromised, my opinion as a last ditch effort if need be. To destroy the base and the evidence but rescue the people if they're still alive, Cor?" Mickey said his opinion to the Thux

Said Thux had a very thoughtful look on his features as he held his chin in his living hand. "That's ..." and then he took a deeper breath then usual and released it in something of a sigh... or a groan... "That's not going to be my call, Mick."

"I know. I know." Mickey said as Aladdin went to cor and rested his head on his leg.

Cordale turned his attention back to the Intelligence Officer giving the meeting, though his prosthetic limb trailed down to give Aladdin's shoulder a pat. Shoulder, not head, because patting a fellow sentient on the head was dismissive. At least, Cor felt that way. With key exceptions, mind you, which would not be discussed at the meeting room table.

"Unacceptable," Smith responded. "Let me make this crystal clear; the research on R47W must be recovered. This takes precedent over the lives of the station crew, and they understand this. Do not misunderstand me; Starfleet value the lives of their personnel very highly. This should give you some understanding how vital the research we are discussing is."

"Let us hope none of these worst case scenarios are necessary, for everyone's sake. We are still wanting to find everything is fine."

"Sir! I understand your reasons for getting the R47W project. But my Job is medical and medical needs of all in my influence of care that includes the personnel of that station. And I won't leave people that may need help to there deaths just to keep a secret. We have lost enough already." Antos said with some anger. "I will deal with the injured and others if I can and in my power unless there dead already or a particular area is blocked, quarantined." Antos gave a distasteful eye at the security / intelligence officer. Antos knew his mouth would get people angry but he did not care at that moment. "If you will excuse me sirs! I got things to do and prep for." As he moved to the exit.

"Doctor, with what he said you could relieve him of duty under 104 section C. Because it seems to me he has disregard for human life," Mickey said to the doctor.

"True but Starfleet HQ or intelligence will bend that rule as they always have."~ He told back to Mickey mentally. Antos was feeling sick of the lack of humanity. As the doors opened he exited the room, "Nothing will be said, Smith," as the doors closed behind the doctor as he moved to the lift to go back to the Medical section.

"Hey Wait up!" Mickey said as he and Aladdin followed him to sickbay. "Are you sure about this I might have committed a mutiny." Antos said a bit flatly. looking at both of them as the lift door opened.

"Friends don't abandon friends." Mickey said in short as the lift doors closed.

Cordale shook his head. 'Disregard for Human Life'. How arrogant...

Smith waited for the dramatic storm outs to finish before addressing those who remain, "Make no mistake, this is not a Section 31 operation or splinter action. My orders come from the highest levels of SF Intelligence and I have the authorization paper work required. While I have broad discretionary powers, I am not acting with Carte Blanc or disregarding the lives of the crew in discussion. Please believe me that I have good reason for stating their lives are a tertiary concern. I picked the people on that station for their roles. There fate is entirely on me. It is for this reason that I have been given the responsibility to determine the station's eventual fate. Now, unless anyone else has any moral reasons to refuse a mission, or any more questions I can begin to give out specific assignments. Any more?"

Sinclair watched everything unfold with mild amusement. While she didn't necessarily agree with the idea of abandoning people - Semper Fi was a code, not just a motto - she did understand the needs of an operation can sometimes outweigh a human - figuratively speaking - cost. "Sir, if I may? Will you be adding a combat element to the Away Team?"

Elijah nodded at the question. "I agree with the Captain there, a Marine Unit would be ideal back up if the Station is compromised." He said looking at Smith. "If not we established a mixed Unit of Marines and Fleet Personnel."

Valeria gave a nod, and spoke up in agreement, "I support the presence of a combat specialized unit." and the rabbitess gave Sinclair a slight nod. "If we're going into a potentially hostile situation, going in unprepared is counterproductive. My question is of a tactical standpoint. Out of all the factions and empires out there that potentially would want the primary objective data, can you tell us which faction would be at the top of the list, so we can perhaps better prepare upon arrival?"

"Certainly the presence of a dedicated combat team on the Victory counted towards her selection," Smith acknowledged, "and if the base has been compromised I will expect the Marines to be heavily involved in any boarding action. Again, I hope this is not required, however."

"As for the most likely insurgents, that is a little harder to answer. We placed the facility within an emissions nebula to mask its signature and disable any cloaks on approaching vessels. As there is no paperwork regarding its location, so it can only have been found by accident. Given it is inside Federation borders, this means a hostile force would need to have deliberately crossed our borders and wandered into an emission nebula in a low strategic area. It is hard to determine who would do such a thing."

"Of course it could be a group who simply does not recognize our borders, like the Borg, or the Lyann, but at this stage we have nothing further to go on."

'Charming sort' Michelle thought to herself as she continued to sit in on the briefing.

Smith pulled up a list on the screen, "If insertion becomes necessary, SFI has developed a strategy that should meet key strategic targets. This is the team I need, and I trust the Captain to allocate crew accordingly."

"First, because the station is shielded we will not be able to beam in or out. I will need a pilot and a runabout."

"Second, because of the potentially dangerous environment we will be entering, I will need a team of Marines to disembark first and establish a safe beachhead around the LZ. While operations are underway it will be the job of security to maintain the safe zone while the marines, or a combined Marine/Security detail are responsible for the push forward."

"We will need someone with high level command access, since this is a secure Starfleet facility. Commander would be optimal, but we may be able to get past with a Lt Commander if need be."

"We will need a Science officer to do a quick analysis of any data that is available to determine what we can and can't recover, as well as prioritizing it if time becomes a factor. Who ever is picked for that will need to be given a SFI clearance Level of 4 or above, so I will need to speak with them prior to the deployment, if they do not already have such."

"If the ship has been damaged due to conflict it would be ideal to have both an engineer and a medic on the team as well. We simply do not know what we might be facing. Having said that, I am aware your medical and operations officers may have... objections to the mission that may compromise it. I trust this will be resolved before they are assigned to it, Captain."

"If this is a new race, or a first contact situation, it would be advisable to have one of your Diplomatic team on hand."

Smith hesitated, then pressed on, "It... may be beneficial to have Your Bartender, Mr Wade, accompany us as well. His abilities may become invaluable."

"Abilities?" Bertrand challenged. "Like what?"

"Crew Morale," Smith responded without blinking.

They couldn't have been talking about her, right? Honey thought to herself. They mentioned a need for a science officer, but she'd figured that there were far more viable candidates. Still, she was invited for this meeting and they weren't, so she put her hand up. "I volunteer asss ssscience officer. I mean, if you ssstill need one. Data analysssisss isss not my major, but I know the basssicsss well enough and can alwaysss fressshen up my knowledge before we get to the target. ... Right?"

Cordale gave Honey a nod, "Absolutely."

"I will make what information I can available to you, Ensign," Smith responded, "As well as checking your clearance level is sufficient."

"Crew morale?? They all have just came back from a rather difficult mission and I am putting that mildly. There was nothing noting compassion about your commented of ignoring the crew of the station. And dealing with your so called toy instead." Trax commented quickly. "As for the doctor goes, he was in the middle of things and saw a lot of death. That goes for most of the crew, and not to mentioning almost dying. I know if the doctor had to do something, he would do it, but he would make sure his objections were on file." Trax commented quickly. "And before you get you knickers into a twist, I am a Lt rank and a first class chef, bartender, and counselor."

Trax hated to let the knowledge of him being a counselor out of the bag. But it was for the good of the ship and crew. More people like to talk to there bartender and server then feeling they have to deal with a counselor.

Cordale perked up like he spilled coffee on his lap. They had a Counselor ON BOARD? THIS guy was the Counselor? Thux'Brain, take a note. Schedule an appointment with the counselor. This would have been good to know about two traumas ago.

"Hmm," Smith said simply after the outburst, "Are you saying you are not up to the task of Morale support, Lieutenant? I will leave it to your Captain to decide on the final list for any away teams."

"You asked about crew morale and i told you." he took a breath then continued. "I never said a thing I was not up for the task for one. your commented are not help is the important issue." Trax said directly at him. "My issues are my concern none of yours." looking towards the captain a moment then back. " I have never gave up on anyone in my carrier and I wont start now, but I can make exceptions." Trax commented with sincerity. "I am sorry captain I will take my leave now! Apparently there is nothing more to discuss from my section other then writing off a few people for lack of humanity." Trax stood and left the room. "Its all yours captain!! I know when I am not needed." As he felt that no one cared about what he said. as the doors opened then closed after Trax left.

Valeria actually pinched the bridge her nose and shook her head. "Mister Smith, sir, I am terribly sorry that you have to witness this unprofessional display. I imagine I speak for everyone still seated when I say that such behavior is an embarrassment, not just to this ship but to the uniform." she paused for a moment, her glance towards Smith if only to establish that this was a sincere apology. "Getting back to the moment at hand, I'd like to support my fellow science officer's offer to volunteer for the assignment, and that the Sciences department stands ready and able for any task."

"Engineering's up to snuff for whatever you plan to throw at her." Cordale signaled his inclusion.

"Everyone is dismissed, report back within 2 hours." The Commander said looking at his Staff.