A Plan Never Survives First Contact

Posted on Sun Feb 20th, 2022 @ 7:52pm by

616 words; about a 3 minute read

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

Ra sat heavily in his chair as he read over the initial reports from Engineering on the status of the Agincourt. It made for a grim read though some confidence remained knowing it was being dealt with. The enemy had revealed much in the attack and all of which Ra had mentally noted. It was not the opening to his arrival he'd wanted nor expected but it was the one he'd been dealt. He was determined to be more prepared next time.

"Captain, Minister Craven is signaling."

Ra sighed, rubbed the bridge of his nose and then placed his glasses back on. "Thank you." He answered before making his connection. "Minister Craven." The greeting as pleasant has he could muster all things considering. "What can I do for you?"

"Captain, our sensor network detected what happened. Is everyone alright?" Gwen asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"We suffered casualties." Casualties, a choice word Ra knew, it relayed there were injuries yet casualty included much more than physical harm. "One of my ships was crippled. We have retrieved it and effecting repairs."

"I'm sorry. You can understand the trouble we have been having. If they are willing to engage Starfleet though they are more of a threat our assessments suggested." Gwen felt sorry that the information she provided led up to what she witnessed in the security operations room at the capital.

"Indeed." Ra was freshly aware now of the rules that governed this region of space.

"Is there anything we can do to help, send supplies, personnel?" Gwen asked.

"No, but thank you for the offer," Ra answered knowing that he had everything he needed yet grateful that the offer was made. "I'd like to ask if you have any additional information available."

"If you like, we can provide you access to our planetary sensor array. I doubt it's as advanced or sophisticated as your own, but maybe it will provide you with something." Gwen offered to hope that by being as helpful as possible the situation in the system with the lawless ruling the trade lanes would be brought to an end.

"I will have my science department run the data and see if we can pick anything up from it, thank you." With one hand Ra was already tapping out the orders to his Science department to carry them out, off-screen so it wasn't noticed. Then another idea came to him. "Minister, what is the largest cargo vessel you have in service?"

Gwens expression immediately changed to a puzzled frown, curious as to what the Starfleet Captain was getting at. "We...commissioned a new freighter class last month, but have been reluctant to launch it because of the raider threat." Gwen paused for but a moment. "Why?"

"I would like to invite you to the Dreadnought, I think this is a discussion best held in person." Ra spoke as he was now seeing his plan take an initial shape.

"I...see." Gwen answered clearly still confused by where the Captain was going with this. "Very well."

"I will be in orbit in 4 hours. If can provide coordinates I will transport you to the ship to discuss." Ra was expecting resistance. If he was going to the planet then why would she need to come to him, why not he go down to her. The truth, though he'd never admit it, was that he couldn't be sure where he spoke was not being listened to, spied on or audio recorded.

"Very well." Gwen spoke before terminating the link. She rotated in her chair wondering why the Captain would ask about the new vessel or more to the point, what he might want with it.

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