Debriefing

Posted on Tue Feb 8th, 2022 @ 7:32pm by

948 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Not All Changes Are Welcome.
Location: Ready Room.

Mark's mood was foul and sour since arriving back on the Dreadnought, he was not sure what was going to happen to him but he'd been given command of a ship and soundly beaten in it. Worst of all however was that members of his crew were missing. For Mark that was what stung the most, he'd left people behind and for a former marine, that was unacceptable.

He's met with Ayla and after reassuring her he was alright, even with wounded pride, there was a measure of understanding that some explaining was needed. Mark had not said much, just what he knew but he knew the Captain would want more, much more if he was to keep his hide intact. Even though after-action medicals were required he knew the Captain had to be first, he had to know what happened. The ride in the Turbolift was felt an age, it seemed to drag longer than he expected it to but in part thankful for it because it gave him a moment to think.

When it stopped though, the doors opened onto the Bridge and from there only one place remained.

***Ready Room***

Ra only had a brief report made available to him and from the reading it was a grim one. Knowing that he'd have to meet with Ayla and Zan in person to get reports from them even while he waited for Engineering to give him an estimate on repairs it all proved one thing. The lack of Starfleet had bred a lawless area and Starfleet and the local populations were paying for it.

The door chimed, Ra knew that to be Mark. "Come."

Braced for whatever was to come Mark walked in, hearing the doors close behind him. "Sir."

"Commander, have a seat." Ra offered, there were many to pick from. The two in front of his desk, the sofa, even the single chair opposite the table between the two. "Are you alright?" It was Ra who knew perhaps a hollow question given what had happened, there was little to be alright about but he had to at least ask.

"As well as can be expected, all things are given," Mark spoke taking a seat and leaning forward so his elbows were on his knees. "Suppose from the start I guess." He added with a heavy sigh and straightened himself. Over the course of twenty minutes, Mark explained in detail, step by step what happened all the way up to the arrival of the Barham.

"They clearly don't see us as a threat, to attack a Defiant Escort so brazenly, abduct members of the crew." Mark spoke. "Why didn't they destroy me, I was dead to rights, disabled and unarmed."

Ra listened to every word, he had little cause to doubt that the Commander was taking this ordeal hard, the burden of command, but seeing him so did make Ra feel assured that Mark was doing his best, even at the expense of himself. "I suspect it was a message, 3 ships is a bold move but in that move, we learned much. We are sifting through the sensor information from the Agincourt now."

"Yeah, we learned that they are agile, hit hard, well-coordinated. I dare say they are well-practiced because just as we thought we had a lead on one another would threaten the freighter and the away team." That level of coordination, there had to be training there, military training.

"Major Snyder was picked up by the Barham, she was the only one of your away team to be rescued. Do you have any idea why?" Ra asked.

"My guess would be because the freighter had dead zones, comms were spotty, transporter locks were lost. If she was in one of those zones during the attack when the team was abducted that might explain why she was left behind." Mark answered. "That too was something strange, civilian freighters with sensor dampening materials."

"I have been in contact with the one of the local governments, they have been supportive in our goal to bring those responsible to account. They have provided me with information about lost ships, crews and cargo's for a time period that I am currently reviewing." Ra spoke at least in part trying to shift the doom and gloom view of the Commander into something more positive. Dispite how hard that might be.

"The Agincourt?" Mark asked, the ship he was tasked with commanding brought back to the barn in pieces and broken.

"It will be out for a while, I am waiting for a complete report from Engineering on it." Ra didn't need the report to know that, common sense and experience told him that. "Get yourself to Sickbay, get checked over."

Sickbay was the last place that Mark wanted to go to but he knew he had to. He'd been in a combat engagement and the rules were very strict on it, a check-up, a full report before anything happened afterward. Knowing it was pointless to argue and that he'd returned a ship broken to the Captain Mark didn't want to let his mood get the better of him. "Aye sir." He stood up and turned for the door.

"Commander, don't beat yourself up too much. The whole point of an ambush is to catch someone off guard. Now you know the lay of the land and the lengths they will go. You will be more cautious next time." Ra spoke, trying to divert the rage he knew the Commander to have into a more productive or constructive direction.

Only a nod in answer, words wouldn't have suited the moment given they would be emotional and angry.

Next stop...Sickbay.

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