Staff Briefing: Mission 1.

Posted on Sat Apr 22nd, 2023 @ 2:41am by Captain Ethan De Havilland & Colonel Jason "Jack" Frost & Commander Mark Bawden & Lieutenant Commander Ferrand Beaulieu & Lieutenant Commander Skovik cha Silask & Lieutenant Sheela Swiftpaws & Lieutenant Cassian Massy & Lieutenant Acacia Thomas

2,093 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Ethics, Morals & The Prime Directive.
Location: Observation Lounge

Ethan knew that sooner or later he would not only have to meet his entire senior staff but also brief them on the situation they were presently in, how it would affect things in the immediate future as well as the mission ahead. He'd already met some of the staff and from what he'd read and seen, they were a talented set of individuals in their respective fields. He was keen to see how they would function in an operational capacity firsthand himself.

The mission itself, as he saw it, while not strictly difficult or imposing, had a great many unknowns that would otherwise shed even a morsel of light on the situation, morsels that could make all the difference in the outcome. Even after reading over everything that the Admiral had sent him once more he still had the same questions, thoughts and considerations as before. Perhaps different eyes from his Department Heads will see something he's not.

=^= Senior Staff report to the Observation Lounge for briefing. =^=

Ethan trusted that his Heads would in turn brief their respective departments, he was counting on it. From there Ethan stood up still armed with the Padd that contained all the information and made his way across the spacious Bridge to the Lounge and waited.

When the doors opened it was immediately apparent that Mark was the first to arrive which was strange considering he was arriving from the Security section on another deck. He saw the Captain and nodded in greeting. "Captain." Not really knowing the man Mark wasn't up for casual chit-chat, so bided his time until more showed up as he sank into one of the many vacant seats.

Jack at first didn't notice that the Turbolift had already arrived and its doors open awaiting him. It was a slight attention-drawing cough from another officer that was also waiting that snapped his attention back to the moment. Without seeming phased by his lack of attention to the Turbolift, Jack stepped inside. "Bridge."

The ride was not as brief as he was used to or remembered but when the doors opened it seemed more like walking from memory then looking where he was going. The doors to the observation room drew closer with each step and parted when he neared them. Walking in was swiftly followed by a sweeping gaze without turning his head, assessing the room in a second before focusing on the occupants. "Commander, Captain." Jack spoke as he walked to a chair. The greeting was done, there didn't need anything else.

Ferrand didn't like rushing about for anything outside of his fighter duties, to do so as he put it, was a wasted energy that could otherwise be put into being a pilot. He briefed his team that he was going to the meeting and that he'd hope to return with some answers, answered he hoped would shed light on what lay ahead. When he got to the Observation Lounge and walked in he was instantly greeted with stone silence, not a word spoken.

"Salutations messieurs." The Frenchman spoke, a slight smile then eyed a vacant seat to slip into.

Skovik swept into the room with a great dignity gathered about him and nodded to each of the men at the table in turn. It had been an enlightening read when he'd researched them all in turn.

The doors opened and in walked Lt. Cassian Massy, the ships new Chief of Operations. To his dismay he'd discovered that others were already present, the Captain off to one side which made him think he'd missed the start of the meeting. Hardly an ideal first impression. "Sirs." He spoke generally to all present before taking a seat. In his hand he carried the latest updates and reports from his teams in case he was asked for them, hoping that his want to be prepared would come in handy. It was slowly starting to sink in now that he was seated along with most of the senior staff that his appointment, though only a Lieutenant, was real. He'd picked a chair that left one vacant to both sides of him, not comfortable in group settings much so trying to make the situation easier for himself.

Acacia slipped into the room, silently looking wan and exhausted but the bright intelligence still snapping in her eyes. It had been a long few days without sleep culminating in the birth of their child. She slipped into the chair next to Jack, her knee touching his under the table. "Morning"

"Thank you all for coming," Ethan spoke breaking the silence that had so far lingered. "Let's get started." He knew one or two more were due to arrive but with the size of the ship and the time it takes to get around he was a little understanding in this instance. Walking to the chair at the head of the table he sank into it granting him a view of all that were present.

"I understand that some of you were assigned to the ship prior to today, others not so. I understand that for some there is history here and while I respect that I've been given our orders and I hope together we can move forward with the same drive and devotion as we would any assignment." With that out of the way Ethan pulled up a view of the local area where they were to head to.

"Some years ago a colony was established on the edge of 'then' Federation space with the aim to build atmospheric repressors to terraform the planet, which had yielded promising results. Starfleet had aided the initial setup due to the rather large equipment needing transport and civilian freighters was just not big enough to accommodate." Eather paused, at least long enough to break the parts of the brief up.

"Reports and updates were frequent, about a year ago they started to run into trouble, raiders. At first, it seemed like a random event, to the point where attacks were so infrequent that there was little reason to believe otherwise. 8 months ago a freighter went missing, no distress signal, nothing. Further updates from the colony read as normal, no mention of the freighter, or follow on incidents. The freighter itself was also civilian-owned and subcontracted."

Ethan showed what little information he was provided about the freighter as a hologram on the table. "Long-range probes sent to the area following the ship going missing has detected a rise in regional traffic, far more than just the colony activities would suggest. The range of the probes prevented accurate identification or specifics about the traffic which is where we come in."

"Our task is to enter the area, investigate the missing freighter and if possible discover what happened to it and the crew. At the same time, investigate the colony while the ship deals with the raider issue if it is still present in the area." Ethan sat back indicating he'd concluded. "Any questions?"

"Oh Squeak!" Sheela rushed in, wearing simple clothing, with Com badge just above her waist, other than the prescribed uniform. Just in time to hear last question. "Destination?" Swinging her eyes over the assemble to see whom held the Captain Pips. Settling on Captain De Havilland. Coming to a stop near the doorway, not blocking it.

Who the late arrival was obvious, Ethan had checked on all his senior staff and only one struck that appearance. "Lt. Swiftpaws, nice of you to join us." While Ethan was not angry, it was obvious he had expected better. "Eta Serpentis system is our destination, please, a seat if you would."

Sheela moved quickly to an empty seat and settled in it. She pulled out her Data PADD and began typing on it as her ears swiveled towards De Havilland. Her muzzle slightly wrinkled a bit, then relaxed. "Speed run, sir?" Looking up at the captain. knowing if he approved of the speed run, she could push the ship up to maximum speeds. Even though if it was non-emergency, warp-6 was still the maximum speed authorized. Even though she had already took the ship out with the SFEC for the shakedown cruise at maximum warp before everyone started aboard the ship in preparation for the start of the ship time in service under command of the current captain and crew.

"I've not been approved for that, so Warp 5 only. With that in mind, I have elected that once we enter the system I will deploy the two Defiant escorts for recon duties. I'd still like some answers on the missing freighter so that while away teams inspect the colony, the two escorts along with squadrons of fighters will conduct the search." Ethan displayed his expected search pattern on the holographic display.

Sheela listened to Captain De Havilland and studied the holographic display with interest. Eyes sparkled with interest at the mention of the two Defiant Class escort ships. She looked briefly at her PADD while making notes and sending the destination to her back up pilots on duty to get the flight path inputted into the ships flight control system.

"What kind of security considerations are we aware of currently sir?" Mark asked, hoping that any information might help him prepare any teams of security that might be required but knowing that the Captain might use the two Escorts meant that teams of security would have to be assigned to them also.

"As it stands there are many unknowns, we don't know much beyond when the freighter went missing or the status of the crew. My intention is to venture onto the scene cautiously while making use of the ship's functions to get answers. Away teams will function on the ground and get answers there." Ethan replied.

Ferrand listened to what was being said as he thought about how his fighter wing can help. "With the number of fighters we have available, we should be able to establish multiple roaming groups for search purposes and recon. At the very least it would permit early warning of threats moving on the Dreadnought."

"That is my intention. Upon arrival we will conduct an expanding search pattern for any sign of the missing ship, any clues, debris, faint signals, anything." Ethan replied. "Once a more solid has been found I intend to launch the escorts flanked by the fighter wing." The plan was vague but at the moment the amount of information at hand was limited.

"Sir, I can have the marine detachment ready for immediate deployment. I understand we have limited information available right now but if we are needed, we will be ready." So far what Jack had heard didn't say much that would require marine involvement, but that didn't mean he'd be lax about preparations. If the Captain called, the marines would be ready.

"I am already compiling security details for assignment to the escort ships, if needed I can increase them at a moment's notice depending on the situation." Mark added, hoping that more security wouldn't be needed considering what such an act meant.

"If we fit the fighters with sensor probes in conjunction with the normal loadout, lay them like a web during their search, it might help us maintain observation capability and spread the net faster than launching them from the Dreadnought itself," Cassian spoke up considering his options now that others had spoken up with ideals of their own.

Ethan listened to all the offered considerations brought to him, they were valid, reasonable, and practical, things that he'd expected from the officers he'd read about. "Prepare the fighters with sensor probes, I'd like security lists drawn up for the escorts and to me 1 hour before we arrive, I'd like all ships systems tested and diagnostics run and completed before we arrive. This ship has been played with so much recently that I want to make sure it works as designed should the need arise." Looking at Lt. Massy for that last snippet.

Then the next part came up.

"I am aware as I am sure you have noticed the lack of a First Officer. I am informed that one will meet the ship at some point during this assignment. In the meantime, Commander Bawden will act in that function temporarily until that point. Most of you have worked with the Commander before so I do not anticipate any problems, if there are, you can voice them to me privately."

"We have much to do to get the ship ready to launch, so let's get to it. Dismissed."

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