The Aftermath Of Battle

Posted on Thu Aug 1st, 2024 @ 11:11pm by Admiral S'iraa & Captain Ethan De Havilland

754 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Ethics, Morals & The Prime Directive.
Location: CIC Ready Room
Timeline: Post Battle - Planetary Surface

Names scrolled slowly down a screen of those that gave their all in the line of duty, that put others above themselves upholding the principles of Starfleet and what it meant to wear the uniform. Off to the left lay a litter of reports outlining the damage to the ship and the efforts his Chief Engineer was taking to handle the situation. The report that he would have to submit to command was already several pages long but each page was no better a read than the one before it. Even as he sat he accepted that he still had more questions than answers and hoped that his First Officer would have a little more luck in extracting answers from the Administrator, especially since his own life was at risk along with everyone else on board.

The saying went 'Silence was golden' but for him it was deafening. Peace was a luxury that he couldn't afford even on his best of days. His 'silence' was interrupted by the sound of his console chirping to life. The Starfleet Command logo appeared in the centre of the display which faded after Ethan entered his code to enable the connection. A slight tug on his collar and a tug on his tunic Ethan tried to make himself presentable just before the image displayed an Admiral.

"Captain De Haviland."

"Admiral." Ethan responded, his voice formal, respectful, polite. He was looking at a large framed Caitian male, the feline was hard to miss.

"I am Admiral S'iraa. I have just been briefed on your mission and I would like an update on the current state of affairs."

This was one thing Ethan was hoping to delay for as long as he could, hoping that repairs could be made to lessen the 'damage' his report would highlight. "May I ask at what point you read up to Admiral, just so that I don't repeat something you already know?"

The Admiral explained that the last point of information he read was just as the Dreadnought left long range sensor coverage as they headed to the mission area of operations.

"We arrived in system and opened a dialog with the colony Administrator to gather information on the state of affairs. We were informed that there were potential raiders in the area so we began to explore the area to ascertain any sign or indication of the mentioned raiders." Ethan explained the attack on his forces and the resulting losses and damage sustained. He studied the Admiral's face as if awaiting a response but when one was not forthcoming, he resumed.

Ethan continued on as he outlined bringing the Administrator on board when suspicions were roused that information was being withheld and that things were not adding up when some information was linked to other sources. He went on to explain his speaking to the Administrator when more information was revealed to him and that it shed more light on additional illegal activities that were being undertaken.

As Ethan went on there was no hiding the issue he was having talking about how the ship was devastatingly attacked while the marine mission was underway to resecure the colony from raider control. To make sure that he was as upfront as he could Ethan included holographic diagrams and representations of what happened. It was perhaps at this moment when there was a visible sign that the information had some impact to the Admiral.

"I will be leaving Earth Spacedock in 2 hours on board the Diligent. with two support vessels. We will render aid in repairs upon arrival, I will then beam aboard to meet in person for updates."

"Understood, I will have a guide meet you when you arrive." Ethan replied.

"No need Captain, I know my way around. I used to command the Dreadnought."

Ethan forgot that, he remembered reading it in one of the early reports prior to his getting on board. "Understood Admiral." The Admiral nodded, but Ethan then sank into his chair. Now an Admiral was getting involved and the ship he once commanded was hardly in a state to receive him. He would have to brief his First Officer, even his command team because they would need to know that a Flag Officer was attending, to do what they could or for some, get to see a familiar face.

=^= Commander Aventnova, when you are available, I have updates that you need to be made aware of. See me in the CiC Ready Room when able. =^=

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