Proper Preparation Prevents....

Posted on Thu Jan 18th, 2024 @ 9:41pm by Colonel Jason "Jack" Frost & Captain Ethan De Havilland & Major Samantha Snyder

949 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Ethics, Morals & The Prime Directive.
Location: Rea
Timeline: Current

Ethan watched the Administrator leave but he still had questions, he wasn't worried about his ship being targeted because scans had already revealed everything that he needed to know about the weapons and how little a risk they posed to the Dreadnought. Still, armed with what information he did he had the ability to present solutions for the colony while he dealt with the forces in orbit and the local area. =^= Colonel Frost, Major Snyder to my Ready Room for mission tasking. =^=

Mid-writing the invitation to the Captain when the Captain's order came through Sam paused for a moment as she looked at Jack. "Two birds with one stone?" She asked wondering if the invite could be relayed in person instead of the impersonal written form.

"Hmmm." Jack replied. "Regardless, the Captain has requested us, we shouldn't leave him waiting." Jack responded as he waved to usher Sam to follow.

"I wonder what developments have taken place recently. Rare that we are both called to a meeting." Sam spoke following Jack out of the marine section towards the closest Turbolift.

***Ready Room***

The doors opened to reveal the two marines standing there before walking in. Jack lead, Sam flanked to his right. "Thank you for coming at short notice. I have a mission for which I think the Marines are suitably qualified."

Jack came to a stop by the Captain's desk listening to the words spoken. In the one hand he was glad to be seeing some action again as he refused to play the role of MCO and yet everyone else have all the fun. "Which is?" Jack asked, getting straight to the point.

Sam elected to say nothing, letting her Commanding Officer do all the talking and the Captain converse.

"On the surface of the planet is a colony, scientific in design and currently held by an occupying force of hostiles. Hostages have been taken, we are unable to determine if they are dug in, but sensors have revealed a shield perimeter and planetary-to-orbit weapons systems." Ethan pulled up a holographic representation of the colony to hover above his table. "I'd like the marines to take a position on the surface, the Dreadnought will drop the colony shields then you will move in and secure the facility, and any survivors, and eliminate any hostile forces."

Ethan knew better than to tell a marine how to do his or her job, all he needed to it outline the desired result, which the rest the Marines would handle.

"Estimated enemy combatants Captain?" Sam asked, slipping into her habit of information gathering without being prompted.

"Our unreliable source indicates 200, recent events have lead me to believe this is a ruthless but controlled group, so I expect more." Ethan answered.

"Any external considerations?" Sam asked.

"The facility is also home to an assortment of labs, our source informs me that these have been subverted for experimentation purposes, viral, neurological, and unknown genetics. So chemical exposure can be expected. I am told that the leader of this hostile group is creative, which leads me to believe he wont hesitate to kill his own to achieve his desired outcomes. I can't say the range or extent of any chemical or biological weapons they have but it's not unreasonable to suspect there are some."

Sam was standing there using the same PADD that she was using to write out the invitation to the Captain to make notes of what was being said and any key points for later briefings to the command elements.

While all this was going on Jack was paying close attention to the hologram before him, taking note of topographical factors, vantage points, rivers, roads, and main junctions. Residential locations, key points such as information-gathering buildings, security buildings, checkpoints, areas where the population could gather, and choke points for ambush. "I'd like access to any information there is available so that I can properly plan and coordinate our efforts?"

"Of course," Ethan answered.

"Of the original count of the colonists, do we know how many remain?" Sam probed.

"No, though reports are he'd inflicted casualties to instill fear and terror, the extent of fatalities is unknown," Ethan replied.

Sam registered that it meant that even the innocent had to be guarded, she wouldn't put it past the enemy to hide amongst the civilians like wolves waiting for the perfect time to strike.

"I'd like a plan of action to me in 6 hours." Ethan knew that planning a mission took time and it couldn't be rushed, doing so frequently cost lives and he'd lost enough already.

It took a moment or two for Jack to realize that the Captain had finished speaking and for himself to notice he'd been staring hard at the hologram before him. "Understood Captain." Jack didn't know this Captain very well but was smart enough to let the professionals in their respective fields do the planning instead of inserting inexperienced mindsets into a difficult situation.

Sam had taken a score of notes which she would compile into proper briefing formats that would be distributed to the platoon and squad commanders. It had been informative but she couldn't ignore that the source of the information had been as the Captain indicated, unreliable.

"I won't take up any more of your time and I know you have plenty to do. I'll call a briefing in 6 hours to go over the ground and space portions of the mission. Dismissed."

Jack gave a single nod and turning on his heel headed out of the door, he could hear Sam close behind him from the brushing of her skirt on her legs. "Assemble the command element, let's begin planning."

"Aye Colonel."

RSS Feed