Briefing for the mission.

Posted on Wed Mar 8th, 2023 @ 12:21am by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Commander Shr'Nesh Karadis & Commander Sandy "Ghost" Shannon & Lieutenant Commander Jakob Combs & Lieutenant Titta Zh'tholath & Lieutenant Kell Asaa Dr & Lieutenant T'Lira Sh'Karra & Lieutenant Commander Isabelle Savette

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Investigate the Chintoka Shipyard Buildup
Location: Conference Room
Timeline: Current.

The time had come to brief the Department heads on the Blackeagles new mission. It was good to be back with Yadira again, but he wasn't as familiar with the crew so this would be a great opportunity to meet them.

Tapping his badge he said "Commander Kerr to all Department Heads, make your way to the ships Conference Room immediately for the mission briefing, Kerr out."

Isabelle was busy inspecting the ship’s V.I.P. Quarters, making sure they were suitable for any special guests, when the call to attend the briefing came through. Heading for the conference room she carried her PADD with her just in case she needed to make any notes.

Arriving at the conference room a few minutes later she smiled and nodded. “Good Morning.”

"Good morning Lieutenant" Finchley replied to Isabelle "How fair are things in the Diplomatic Department?"

“Things are fine thank you Captain” Isabelle smiled. “I’ve been inspecting the V.I.P. Quarters this morning, I’m more than happy with them in regards to any visiting guests.”

"That's great" Finchley replied "Please have a seat, we're just waiting on the others arriving" he finished.

Making her way around to a seat Isabelle made herself comfortable as they waited for the rest of the senior staff to arrive.

Sandy put on a fresh uniform and headed for the conference room. Entering the conference room. Sandy grabbed a Vulcan spice tea and found a seat near the end of the table.

"We're waiting on a new arrival joining us for this briefing," Finchley said, "then we can get on with the matters at hand."

Dex arrived at the conference room, adjusted her uniform, and walked in. She noted she was not the first and certainly not the last, or, at least she hoped so. She acknowledged Captain Kerr with a nod and a smile and took the seat vacant next to him, placed her PaDD on the table, and looked around.

"You found us ok then Commander?" Finchley said to Shon "We're just waiting on a few stragglers before we continue."

“Yes Sir,” she said and sat back studying him.

"So, you're an ex-junkie," Finchley said, matter of fact "Ever still get the urge?"

She pushed back her chair and stood. Captain, I do not believe that this is a topic to be discussed in front of the crew.” She stood to attention. “But in answer to your question, yes, I have the urge constantly. It is only the training I had on Vulcan and the use of meditation and my Sehlat that I am able to resist.”

Isabelle could hardly believe what she was hearing. She made a mental note to speak with Finchley after the meeting.

T'Lira meandered in almost casually, it was good to be back on board the Blackeagle again. She wondered what their next assignment would be.

She greeted her shipmates politely as always.

Finchley nodded to the new arrival "Have a seat Lieutenant, I'll be back momentarily.

T'Lira took a seat and waited.

Turning to Shon he said, "A quiet word outside Commander, it's not a request."

“Sir.” She stood and followed him.

Kell started a bit as she was just about to reach the door and it opened rather prematurely. Two individuals were set on exiting and Kell adjusted course to hug the wall and allow the Captain and yet another new member of the crew she hadn't met to make their way through. Side-stepping a bit she slipped into the conference room and let the doors close, turning to meet the eyes of those already assembled.

"Dr. Asaa, your CMO." Her smile was genuine, if slightly tremulous. She promptly secures an empty seat and subtly keys her forearm PADD to review the crew lists by rank to see if she can place everyone.

Once outside the Conference Room he turned to her and said "If that's how you react to a question between the two of us...and by the way, none of the others in there would say anything...then we're going to have a problem. I'd rather not get off on the wrong foot, so you have to learn to control that temper of yours. I'd like us to be open and be able to discuss anything, the only things I can't discuss is any Intelligence work I may or may not have been involved in, anything else is open for discussion at any time."

She took a deep breath “Permission to speak freely sir?”

"Yes," Finchley replied.

“I believe letting the crew know my weakness before they know me makes my job as your XO more difficult. It is my job to carry out your orders and reveal them to the crew and I believe that informing them of my problem prior to allowing me to let them get used to me is…..unproductive. I am sorry if you think I lost my temper but you need to get to know me more sir to realize that was not my temper. Shall we return to the briefing Captain?”

"No, we shan't" Finchley replied "You'll stand here till I'm finished, What you have to understand, is that all this bullshit about 'weakness before they know you' doesn't cut it with me, I've been here on board not that much before you arrived, and the 'whole' crew know I have a drinking problem, because 'I' told them so. I did that because I want no secrets, I 'want; the crew to know my weaknesses because that way they can look out for the signs that I may wander off the path. Take your moral high ground and shove it up your jacksy, The sooner the crew gets to know you and what your weaknesses are, the sooner they trust you and will watch your back. Now we'll return to the briefing, anything else you have to complain about, take it up with Starfleet HQ, it's your prerogative."

He turned to leave Shon standing there, and at that point, a tall Blonde haired Klingon walked past Shon as she did she said "His bark is worse than his bite...sometimes, but he's pissed at you right now, if I were you, I'd heed his words, unless you want to contact Starfleet HQ about him of course", and kept on walking.

Shon stared at the Klingon’s departing rear. She had no idea of contacting Starfleet but she was learning and that was what this was all about. She decided to ask someone what a ‘jacksy’ was. She smiled to herself, turned, and walked behind him back into the conference room. Waiting for him to sit down before she did.’

Now it was hard to accept the orders were clear, Starfleet had recalled her to Earth. Picking up the PADD with the orders, she headed for the bridge and the conference room. Walking slowly, Yadira entered the conference room and took an empty seat. Looking at Finchley, she waited on him to speak.

"Everyone, for the moment, I'm going to hand over this briefing to Captain Tristen," Finchley said.

Turning to Yadira he said "Captain..."

"I know this seems a bit out of context but..." she started drawing a heavy breath. We all worked hard for a long time, and we have become a family, a strong one too. You have worked beside me without question and with the respect a captain earns. To make this as easy as I can, I know you will do the same with Captain Finchley as he takes the reins and see drives this ship again into the history books. I have been recalled to Starfleet immediately. It is hard to say goodbye, so, therefore, I will say until we meet again. I wish you all a steady wind and a good sail to get you started on your journey," and she sat back down with one tear falling.

Finchley stood up "I'm certain, without a doubt, that we all owe a debt of gratitude for the way Captain Tristen has been instrumental in all our lives as well as our careers. I've to know Yadira," he said, turning her and looking her straight in the eye "for many many years, I've lost count of the number of times we've served on the same missions together, and I've also lost count of the number of times she'd hauled my arse out of tricky situations. One thing I am certain of is that she's served this ship and this crew with distinction beyond measure. She's not just been a Captain, she's been a friend, confidant, and dare I say it, 'mother' at times to all of us. I count it as a privilege beyond measure to call her my friend as I hope you all do. We'll try our very best to carry on the work she's carried out for Starfleet and for the Federation."

At that point, a call came through from Communications for him. He stood to one side at a console, Read the message, returned to the meeting, and said "Captain Tristen, may I have a word in private please?"

Lieutenant Commander Combs walked in and looked around. "What the hell did I miss?" he asked,

Finchley looked sharply at the Chief Intelligence Officer and said "Sit down Commander Combs, that attitude doesn't become a Senior Officer, you'll be informed once I return from speaking to Captain Tristen!"

"But of course Captain Finchley, Yadira said as she gave a stern look, which would have turned anyone to stone, at Combs and just shook her head. Once in the corridor, she waited for Finchley.

Finchley came out into the corridor and checking it was clear, passionately kissed Yadira. Once they parted, he took her hands in his and said "We're still going to make this work Yadira, we're still going to get married, I love you, you know that."

The kiss was unexpected but delightful and deep as she allowed her emotions to flow. The kiss deepened with the kind of passion only two who loved for a very long time. 'Two hearts beat as one' as the Klingons would declare was so very true in this instance. "Imzadi I love you and I promise to find out what the hell is going on," Yadira said breathlessly.

"When we go back in there, I'm only going to give the briefing, there's not going to be any questions, I want you to be able to go to SFHQ and find out what's going on, why they've transferred you out and suddenly promoted me, I never asked for this. When you have, contact me please, as we'll be getting underway once you've gone, I really need to know because it making me mad that we won't be together."

" Do not get frustrated my love. I am sure there is a logical reason for this. I will see what 'idiot' suddenly decided to pull the rug from out under my feet," Yadira said sadly. Knowing that she needed to get going, she made her way back to their quarters to get ready to leave her beloved ship.

Finchley watched her go, he didn't know how long it'd be till they would see each other again, and it angered him. However, he had to remain professional, he now had a job to do and a crew to brief. Setting himself, he walked back into the Conference room and up to the top of the table. Turning and facing everyone he said "This is the situation, Captain Yadira has been recalled to SFHQ, I've been promoted to Captain and have been given orders to take over from her. On my right here is Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T'ghann Dex, our newly arrived Executive Officer, she'll be taking over my former position here on the Blackeagle. Those formalities are done, I'll move on to our mission briefing. Not long ago, Starfleet HQ got the news that Dominion forces had been seen in the Chintoka system, primarily at the shipyard there. It's been four years since the war finished and we thought the Dominion were defeated, done, gone...it looks like we're wrong, they're rebuilding, and the shipyard has been taken over by some of their ships. Starfleet, in its infinite wisdom" he said, heavy on the sarcasm "sent three ships in to check the situation out and their Captains decided to attack full-on. Unfortunately, those three ships were destroyed with all hands. 'We', the USS Blackeagle, are now being sent in to investigate what forces the Dominion have there, and just how far they've got with rebuilding the shipyard so it can become operational for them to begin building new ships. We don't have time for questions right now, I'm laying out the facts for you. What I will say is this, obviously, I'm new to some of you, as you are to me, but, we have a job to do and we'll learn all about each other as we go. We'll depart in one hour, so each DH will make their departments ready to go and report when it's done. I want each of you to contact your SFHQ Chief of Staff and get whatever information they have on the fight between the Starfleet vessels and the Dominion forces, also any information regarding the shipyard itself. We'll reconvene another meeting tomorrow, that gives you twenty-four hours to get what you can and be ready to brief us all, dismissed."

Sandy did not like the sound of this at all. Now she had to finish getting all her squadrons settled and given the once over. Then drill her pilots as well. No this did not sit well with her at all walking from the room.

Getting up from her seat Isabelle couldn’t help but wonder what information Diplomatic channels might have for her. Leaving the room she decided to wait on the bridge for Finchley to finish.

Tag all staff leaving/discussions as they go etc

He looked at Shon and said "Commander, can you remain behind please" looking at Karadis he added, "You as well Karadis."

The Klingon nodded her head and leaned back against the wall, a wry smile on her face "Well well well 'Bird', looks like the shit has hit the fan and it's blowing in your direction."

Captain, what intel do we have on the Chintoka system? T'Lira asked.

Finchley looked at the Chief Science Officer and said "We know that the Dominion forces have retaken the shipyard are trying to rebuild it" Finchley replied. He then had a thought "Rebuild it....where are they getting the manpower to do that, it would take hundreds of thousands of people to do that."

Shon waited and looked at the Klingon woman who had also been asked to stay behind. Dex loved Klingons and their simplicity. This one was very attractive and Shon felt a small thrill of lust. “Captain when do you want my report on the Chin’toka system?”

"Right now if you can give it to me" Finchley replied to her.

“There is a lot of intel on the system itself but surprisingly little about the area directly relating to the shipyards. Unfortunately there is not much evidence in Starfleet records of any information directed to us from the destroyed ships. We know the Breen and the Dominion were sharing technology regarding shields, stealth and specifically the use of certain types of radiation. The Breen are known to have developed gamma ray weapons combined with lepton radiation. The whole area around the shipyards is primed with the stuff, no where else, so we know that this is not a natural phenomenon. This combined with the Breens energy dampening weapons saw our ships off. I recommend our intelligence specialists try to gain information on a Dominion scientist named Etan Rathra. For some time he had defected to Starfleet but after 2375 disappeared. Rumours abound as to where he is and Starfleet refuse to confirm or disprove rumours of a biogenic weapon. Captain something is not right about this. It is almost as we have been set up to fail. However there is evidence of activity in the area.”

Finchley stroked his chin "That scientist, Etan Rathra, their name rings a bell."

"We transferred him from Starbase two three nine to the USS Horton" Karadis chimed in "Early 2375. It was an unusual request because there was no mission plan logged, it was an 'off grid' situation."

Clicking his fingers, Finchley then pointed at Karadis and said "That's right, he was also put in close confinement and his quarters sealed, no-one but no-one was allowed to speak to him the whole time he was with us."

Being silent for a moment, he then came to a decision "Karadis, contact 'The Bookkeeper', see what you can get from them on this scientist, they'll know something, bound to."

"You know he hates you Bird" Karadis replied, shrugging her shoulders "Taking his home in Riza in that card game didn't exactly endear you to them."

"Win some, lose a lot" Finchley replied "Tell them they still owe me the yacht and haven't paid up yet, if that fails, tell them the legal eagles weren't told he had the home on Riza , or that he had a yacht, but they soon may know."

"Gotcha Boss" Karadis replied.

Turning to Shon he said "Good work on the briefing, and yes, I think you're right, it looks very much like we're being set up. Find out what 'new' biogenic weapons appeared in 2375 and find out if any of the scientists who made them are still serving...and where."

“Yes Sir,” she looked at Karadis, “silly question but if I can help just ask?” She smiled at the Klingon.

Karadis' eyes moved round to look at Shon "Depends on what you're looking to help me with" she said to her, then looking at Finchley, winked before pushing herself off the wall, turning and walking out of the Conference Room.

Finchley just gave a little laugh, then looked at Shon "There was just one other thing Commander" he said, reaching over and picking up a box from the table "I got this news just five minutes before the briefing, so you'll forgive me if it's a bit rushed. As you're now officially the USS Blackeagle Executive Officer, it brings it's own responsibilities, but it also brings something else" he said, tossing the box to her. As he began walking away, he called back over his shoulder "It also brings with it a promotion, congratulations 'Commander Dex'."

She knew he was going to take some getting used to as she caught and opened the small box with shaking fingers. The pip sat there nestled in blue satin staring at her. Without further ado she took it out and clipped it to her collar. As she felt it snap into place she knew she was definitely going to have to earn it.

 

RSS Feed