News Update: Live From Velis III

Posted on Wed Jul 22nd, 2026 @ 12:46pm by Penelope Haskell

998 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: The Hand That Rocks The Babe
Location: Marine HQ, Velis III

"This is Special Correspondant Penelope Haskell, live from Velis III, where the USS Dreadnought is battling an epidemic of global proportions."

Penny had a suitably grim face on for this particular broadcast because it was rather serious, not something for her normal perkiness, yet still she looked as pretty as she could arrange while wearing a set of surgical scrubs and had a mask hanging around her neck. What better to emphasize the medical nature of Dreadnought's mission?

"I would like to thank you all for joining me for this special update on the operations of Starfleet's largest command. I would advise our viewers tonight to remember that as Velis III is currently an interdicted planet, due to the nature of the disease here, which means that this transmission is not going to anyone on the planet. Federation protocols also prohibit recording and retransmission of this broadcast to any parities on Velis III as a crime and punishable by federal law."

She paused for a moment, ostensibly to let those who had nefarious plots to do just that to turn off the broadcast.

"Death tolls among the locals are still unknown, however the dedicated researchers that are studying this virus have yet to crack the code that will allow for an effective treatment. Current fatality rates are extreme, once someone is infected, they have less than a week of survival as of all reports." Her voice was somber, "The Starfleet facility has become the focal point of the local population, with everyone hopeful that a cure will come in time."

"Scouting missions by shuttles from the Dreadnought have confirmed that this virus has spread planet-wide, with some population centers found completely empty aside from some some enclaves that have not responded to any communications attempts. While there have not been any attempts at a mass-exodus through space, there are Federation vessels also waiting to turn anyone attempting to leave Velis atmosphere back."

She stepped to the side, the drone camera following her to show the bustle of the Marine command center behind her.

"On other fronts, there is also a good amount of civil unrest on the world of Velis III, including reports of looting and violence. Local hospitals are completely overwhelmed with patients to the point where most of them are turning new patients away. Armed residents have attacked several of them in the desperate hope to get medicine or a cure that has not been forthcoming."

She glanced off to the side and hurriedly repositioned herself to a window that looked out over the city in the distance. "As you can see, fires are burning in the city and with emergency services officially suspended due to a lack of personnel, they are left to burn. Rumour has it that Starfleet personnel may be sent out to fight these fires and to provide security for the hospitals and to keep the streets safe."

"While we cannot see them from here, this reporter can state that several Marine units have been sent into the city for reconnoiter missions to get a better feel for what the actual situation is. Broadcasts have been made for residents that are sheltering in their homes to place sheets on their doors with a list of who is inside. Red markings for people that are sick, black for those that are healthy. Marine shuttles are being prepared to handle both, to try to get assistance for everyone that is possible and to keep the healthy residents separate."

"While unconfirmed, there have also been some reports of organized fighting, Marine units having traded long-range fire with groups of people attacking from cover or ambush." Penny's face grew more somber even, "So far there have only been minor injuries among the Marines and additional broadcasts have been made to discourage the locals from attacking them, pointing out that they are here to help."

A Private came up to Penny with a piece of flimsy with a note scribbled on it, then bounced off again. "And we have breaking news. Sources have indicated that Marine reconnaissance forces have engaged an organized and heavily armed force of insurgents in the Government District of Velis III." She was glancing down and up from the flimsy as she tried to assimilate the information and report it at one time.

"Seven minutes into the conflict, Marine forces reported that they were advancing as the insurgents fell back underground and that they were taking casualties. Radio contact was lost shortly after." She kept going down the paper, "Elements of Company F under the command of-" Her eyes opened wide as she read the name and stopped for one second, two, five, then she choked out "Captain Wolfe Sean have not been heard from in well over an hour."

Her eyes looked up and tears sprung from them as she fought them off, one trail already making it down her cheek, "Command has sent additional units to the last known location and found only a handful of bodies and rubble, large amounts of it very recent." Her throat choked up and Penelope's chin quivered, "Captain Sean and his unit have been listed as Missing and Presumed Lost." Her hand flew up to her mouth as she choked off a sob.

It was a few more seconds before she could speak again, "Our prayers and hopes are going out to the unit-" Tears were running freely now and it would be clear to everyone watching that Penny wasn't all right, "An-And we'll update you, our viewers, as we get more information." She fought on. "Th-this is Penelope Haskell, Federation News Service reporting fr-from Velis Three." She did her best to put on a neutral face before the light on the camera went dark.

As the drone went into it's automatic mode of filming footage from out the window, Penelope staggered towards the command post before her legs gave out underneath her and she couldn't catch herself, falling to the ground in full sobs.

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