Senior Meeting

Posted on Tue May 16th, 2017 @ 7:55pm by Colonel Jason "Jack" Frost

1,574 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Unknown Life, Unknown Dangers
Location: Ready Room / Observation Lounge

William had called for a meeting of the senior staff, it was time to brief them on what the mission was, all the facts to hand and essentially allow them to do the jobs they were assigned better knowing what they could expect. From within his Ready Room he gathered everything, all the information, updates and any follow on details from long range sensor probes, relay stations and civilian traffic.

When the last of the senior staff arrived William waited for them to sit before starting. "Thank you all for coming." He started. "Some of you I have already met but I know others I have not. I'm Commodore William Hood, I know many may be surprised by the sudden departure of Captain Havrelli, unfortunately I can't get into that because I know very little on the matter myself." He explained. "What I can tell you is that I have been permanently assigned to command this ship, its not a temporary assignment and I plan to be around for awhile, Command willing."

"Before we begin with the mission briefing, does anyone have any questions?" Will wanted to give people the chance to speak now, before he got stuck in with the briefing.

"Security reports full operational, Sir," Lieutenant Commander Reign said. "We have a full complement that's ready and willing."

James placed the PADD in front of him that contained his report, "Nothin' sir, except welcome to da Dreadnough'."

"No, sir," Kaia replied, forcing herself to make eye contact with the Commodore before looking down to the PADD she'd brought with her to take notes.

Ayla walked in with Marks, dropping the hand/paws hold. Both taking seats next to each other. She had her pad handy for note taking, even though she could access the same info from the ship's computer to refer back to.

Xavier had given a small smile to BJ when but knew it was on the job time, game faces on. "Sickbay is adequately supplied and staffed to handle a medical emergency." Xavier reported, he felt it was always better to be prepared than be caught off guard.

"If there is nothing else, I'll get right to it." William spoke then activated the tabletop holographics system to bring up a representation of the Civic. "This is the Freighter Civic, she set off from Earth with a layover at Galen before setting for her final destination of the Carnwennan system. She didn't arrive and long range sensors from Galen have lost contact with her." William changed the holographic to a map representation of the Civic's logged route prior to disappearing. "She's well overdue and communications have proved fruitless."

Will looked to his Chief Engineer. "Commander O'Connell, I forwarded you everything sent to us about the Civic, do you have anything to report that might shed some light on a potential mechanical issue?"

James looked down at the PADD in front of him, "As far as I ca' tell sir, there is not a single problem with da freighter she was in perfect condition before disappearin'. Perhaps a boron sweep, bu' otherwise nothin'."

"Commander Reign, I forwarded you crew manifests to look into, the families and close ties of the crew. All of the crew were vetted, did you come across anything that might shed light?"

"All the personnel check out, Commodore, but I had to issue citations to a few friends and family of the crew for drunk and disorderly. They slept it off in the brig, and I caught a minor in possession of Romulan Ale. Seems the parent got it from The Pink Kitty and snuck it out and their child got ahold of it," BJ said. "Fortunately, I found them before they drank it and the parent has been placed in the brig for possession of alcohol illegal in the Federation. What I want to know is why the club has Romulan Ale."

Hood knew the answer to that, but perhaps now was not the place to bring it up. "I'll look into it." Was all he said on the matter, a stalling tactic at best and he knew it.

"I ran through the medical files of the crew, medical evaluations prior to departing Earth were thorough. Everyone was fit and able, the last illness was almost 4 months ago, Adrenal stress of the Chief Engineer but hes made a complete recovery." Xavier chipped in revealing that if nothing mechanical could be found, the same was said for the crew.

Zan listened to the gathered officers speak and chip in comments and suggestions. "Perhaps when we are in the mission area we can use the wing to act as scouts, it would allow is to cover a wider area, quicker and with less risk to the ship in the event of something unexpected is found."

"Once we reach the area that is exactly what I plan to do, it's a lot of area to search but at the same time we need to be vigilant, we don't know what the cause of the Civic's disappearance is, be it mechanical or foul play." Hood warned.

"None the less the perimeters of our mission don't change, we find the ship or ascertain what happened to it and report in. Admiral Mitsue warned that the presence of the Dreadnought in the area can swing both for and against our favour so we have to watch what we do and how we do it so we don't disturb the region more than we have to." He paused briefly. "Does anyone have any questions, queries, worries, moans or groans to bring to the table?"

"Sir, what has made this particular freighter so important?" Xavier was sure freighters went missing frequently, but what was so special about this one that not only warranted the involvement of an Ascension class starship, but also not a vessel closer to the region.

"I was told that supplies were of little value, but obviously it's had value to someone if it has dropped off the radar and that is assuming it's cargo that was the focus. It could have been one of the crew." Will replied. "I know there are alot of unknowns, I can only tell you what Admiral Mitsue told me when she briefed me."

"Sir, speaking of the ship. What is the political status of the region? I doubt the locals will take too kindly to the presence of a ship like this in the backyard without some kind of observation?" I spoke, the Dreadnought was hardly the kind of ship that could be subtle in its movements.

"Politically it is a big of a tense location, typical border issues between the Talarian and Tzenkethi races and though no raider activity has been reported I suspect that where there is tension, there are raiders to pick the bones from a fight. While we are not out looking for a fight, we will defend ourselves. That said I will try and seek a diplomatic solution first." Will replied to Bawden's question.

"Sir, regardless of da cause I woul' like security personnel to beam over to the ship should engineerin' support be required. An' if the ship is found to be intact." James suggested to both Commander Reign and Commodore Will Hood.

"I can certainly do that," BJ said. "How many personnel would be going? I would like to assign one Security officer per two personnel."

"Once we have found the Civic I will deploy the fighters to screen. We don't know what happened but I want as much heads up as I can get especially with people off ship." Will spoke. "I'll let you two work out the details as we transit." Confident to let the two chief hash out any plans they needed to.

James nodded to them both, "How abou' 1900 in meh office Commander? In order to discuss da details further?"

"That works for me," BJ said to O'Connell.

James gave her a swift nod.

"I'll make sure continual sensor sweeps are conducted once we reach the target area." I chipped in, it seemed to me that given what we had to go on, which was very little, we were as prepared as we could be.

Will nodded. It was a sensible precaustion and agreed with it.

From a medical standpoint Xavier had nothing more to add. All he could do was make sure Sickbay was ready and his staff primed for action at a moments notice.

Ayla looked at Commodore Williams. "Yooz want mez to lead the away team once wez arrived on location? Iz can add mez Scientific skills for the forensic aspect to help the team also."

"I will assess the situation once it presents itself, while I like to plan for the eventuality of an away mission that sometimes may not be the case. I'll make the call when, should, we find our wayward ship." Will replied to his First Officer.

"Anything else?" Will concluded.

Jack had listened through the entire briefing and while there was nothing marine related to action he made a mental not to make sure that the department was ready. The new Chief of Security seemed capable and while he didn't want to tread on the ladies toes, if going by the earlier conversation was anything to go by he wanted to be ready if she called for his help.

"Alright, we have work to do so lets get to it. Dismissed."

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