Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance

Posted on Wed Aug 13th, 2025 @ 5:11pm by Colonel Jason "Jack" Frost & Major Samantha Snyder

654 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Let That Be Your Last
Location: MCO's Office

Sam was seated with the Colonel looking over the holographic display of the compound where the deliberations the Admiral was currently attending was taking place. The compound itself was split between the 3 major powers, each having a quadrant of the compound to oversee. The design was triangular so each party had an equal share, everything about the compound seemed to focus on this one thing, equality.

There were no weapon emplacements, not even a fence though there were strictly monitor 'lines' that could be seen on the hologram. There was no barracks or any kind of military force bar a equal number of guards walking a set path surprisingly timed so that no set of opposing guards would cross pass by each other.

"There is no way we can beam into the complex, we can't get a lock for transport so any engagement would be outside fighting in." Sam spoke. "Long corridors, straight approaches with minimal cover, it would be a costly fight to reach the Admiral if things went sideways."

Jack looked at the hologram as he considered the Major's words. "What about entry from above?"

"That would be a quickest, but also the most risky for the Admiral. There is no guarantee that we could effect breach of the room before the Admiral is put in danger, we'd be seen and heard on approach too so surprise is out of the window. Even if we could do it, we'd be putting the other delegates at risk which could be seen as an act of war. " Sam replied.

"We also have to consider that depending on our approach, the other two factions may believe the last is working with us, provoking an uproar." Jack replied. "We also have to consider that the complex is built for peace, neutrality, we'd be violating that."

"Is there any way we can get the Admiral outside?" Sam asked.

"Doubtful, doing so would show favoritism, which the Admiral can't afford." Jack replied though he'd considered the same thing. "By initial consideration it would see that an armed approach would be too risky, storming the complex would put the Admiral at risk, potentially spark a global conflict and they would have the homefield advantage."

"Not to mention that we don't really have threat assessments of the 3 factions that are current and if they unite against us, we'd be overwhelmed." Sam inserted.

Jack didn't like what he was hearing or what his mind was telling him. The risk to the Admiral was too great, they wouldn't risk the Admiral with the Dreadnought in orbit but they would if they felt survival depended on it. A fight up the many floors to reach the Admiral would result is disastrous casualties and even then, a favourable outcome was doubtful.

"If all my cards were on the table I would suggest a 6 shuttle flight, night time would be best so we can go in dark, breach the top floor direct from open ramps on all 3 sides at the same time. Concussion grenades, sweep in and secure." Sam put forward.

"We'd need 6 pilots comfortable in flying within really close proximity of a structure while stationary." Jack answered.

"We are assuming though that is where the Admiral will be. If things go south they could move him and it would take us a few minutes to transit from ship to surface, then search the floors to find him." Sam retorted. "Again, a costly fight but worse so because we'd only have the troops from the initial 6 shuttles."

Regardless of the method of deployment, the risk factor to the Admiral remained high, too high and the casualty risk was extreme. "Alright, I'll let the First Officer know." Jack knew it wasn't a great plan but often the situation didn't present all the pieces to form on. What they had was dangerous, the risks were high and if it was called upon, many wouldn't be coming home.

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