Senior Staff Briefing

Posted on 30 Mar 2012 @ 11:21pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Lieutenant Commander Chauncey Remington III (KIA) & Lieutenant JG Robin Hilyer MD & Lieutenant JG Drusilla McCarthy & Lieutenant Commander Evelyn Coleman & Command Master Chief Markum Quinn & Tarishiana Barel

3,744 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: USS Galileo, Deck 2, Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD 01 - 0900 hrs

[ON]

Standing next to the replicator in the spacious briefing room, Lirha clutched a warm glass of hot chocolate in her hands, taking long and slow sips of the delicious drink. She leaned against the wall and patiently waited for the rest of her staff to arrive, staring in an almost mesmerized fashion out through the large window and at the streaking stars. This was the senior staff's first official briefing and no doubt many of them had questions regarding the hasty circumstances of their departure.

Quinn entered the Briefing Room, surprised he was the first to arrive. He wiped his grease stained hands on his pants and smiled. "Sorry Skipper, I had to replace a neuro-gel pack on the main replicator transfer station. It was a big mess." He walked to a chair and sat down. It was the second chair to the left of the head chair. The chair squeaked some as he sat. He resisted the urge to flip it upside down and fins the cause of the squeaking. "Nice room in here Skipper. Lots of space."

Remington was next to arrive. He nodded to each of them as he made his way to a seat midway along the table. "Captain. Mr. Quinn. Mornin' to you."

"Quinn stood as Remington entered, then sat once he was acknowledged. "Good morning, sir."

Dru straightened her jacket before walking into the room, feeling slightly nervous. She smiled gently as she saw that she had already met the people in the room ahead of her which made her feel more at ease. As she focused on Lirha at the head of the table, Dru Nodded her head and addressed Lirha, "Captain", before taking a seat at the far end of the table. Once seated, the young counsellor smiled at Quinn and Will, "Mr. Quinn and Commander Remington."

Tarishiana let out a breath before entering the room. While she was adjusting to her new role it didn't stop her from dreading entering a room of Officers. Her saving grace was that fact that she wasn't the only Warrant Officer holding a department head position. With a nod towards Commander Saalm, "Captain." she took a seat not far from Quinn. She cast a glance towards Will. "Morning, Commander Remmington...Mister Quinn." After she had finished speaking she noticed the brunette also in teal. "You will have to forgive me Lieutenant, I didn't see you there." She said apologetically for not acknowledging the women's presence at the table.

As he approached the briefing room, John was acutely aware that he was running a few moments later than he would liked to have done. Usually he tried to make sure that he got to any briefings early, or at least at the same time as the CO, but this time he doubted that he would be the first to arrive. As the doors parted in front of him, his fears were confirmed as he met the eyes of his CO across the briefing room table, and looked at the collection of senior staff that had already gathered in front of him.

"Morning everyone." He said without a second thought, before taking his chair next to his captain, and waited for the briefing to begin. He had a rough idea of what was to be expected, but it was always useful to get the responses of the senior crew before any mission.

Evelyn walked into the Observation Lounge quickly finding her chair, "Good Morning" she said to everyone as she sat down, eagerly waiting for this briefing to start.

Hilyer entered last. He hated being late but that wasn't his fault. Lt. Prixten was budding and therefore, had many questions. It was his first pod. Robin took the last available seat and nodded to the crew assembled already.

With the senior staff assembled before her, Lirha put down her mug and moved in front of the large wall-mounted display. "Good morning." she began, giving a polite nod to the table full of officers. "I'm sure many of you have questions regarding our first assignment so I'll try and keep this brief and to the point. Before we begin, I'd like to congratulate everyone on a successful departure. I just received a communique from HQ and apparently that was the smoothest launch that the Fleet Yards have conducted in the last five years." she said with a small but proud smile. "Now that we are underway, we need to focus on the mission at-hand." she added, then walked to the far side of the monitor and pressed a button on the lower left corner. The blue and gold Starfleet emblem blinked and was replaced by a grey and white Starfleet Intelligence logo.

"The contents of this briefing are classified, Level Ten clearance." she said. Level 10 security clearance was for captains' eyes only, though in Lirha's judgement it would be impossible to keep this from her senior officers and still expect them to successfully complete the mission. Picking up a PADD from the corner of the conference table, she tapped several commands into it and synched it with the large multi-function display. The screen went black, then was replaced by a rotating technical schematic of a Regula Class Federation starbase.

"This is Starbase 152." the captain began. "For those of you familiar with our operations in the Beta Quadrant, you will recognize this as one of our primary repair and resupply facilities. At least, that's what we were led to believe. The base is actually one of Starfleet's most advanced and secretive research platforms." she said, then tapped a button her PADD promoting the giant monitor to zoom in on the diagram of the base. "The facility is equipped with the latest holographic and sensor technology, and operates by projecting false information and refracting sensor readings. In addition, Starbase 152 is situated in between the Z'Tarnis, Vodrey, and Krai'Jih'Na Nebulas. With the amount of natural and artificial sensor interference in the sector, any passing ships would be virtually incapable of seeing what really goes on at the facility." she said, then paused for a moment to let her words sink in.

"Located inside of the starbase, is Project Sienna." she continued. "The project is an experimental propulsion technology which has been showing substantial promise over the last few years. Its actual method of operation is classified, but it has the potential to render warp drive obsolete within the next fifty years. Starfleet has been able to keep the project's existence and location a secret...up until recently." she finished, then tapped several more buttons on her PADD to display a star map of the surrounding area. "As you can see," she said with a motion of her hand, "Starbase 152 is located fairly close to Klingon territory. Despite our best attempts, Starfleet Intelligence is concerned that the Empire has become suspicious of the experiment. The terms of our alliance with the Empire allow us to send resupply, medical, and humanitarian starships through their space, which we have been doing in an attempt to keep the starbase stocked with supplies and development personnel. Recently however, several of our freighters and cargo ships have been searched and harassed while traveling through Klingon territory. Starfleet feels that Project Sienna has been drawing too much attention, and the decision has been made to evacuate the project and its personnel from the facility. Our orders are to resupply at Starbase 234 next to the Klingon Neutral Zone, and then proceed across Klingon territory to Starbase 152. Once there, we will retrieve Project Sienna along with its development staff, and transfer them back to Starbase 001 inside the Alpha Quadrant." she finished.

"Questions?" she asked, then leaned back against the wall as she looked at everyone's faces.

Commander Remington cleared his throat. "I suppose it's bad form to ask why Starfleet has a top secret research facility located right next door to the Klingons? Well, I'd like to know if we are going to receive an escort? We're a small science vessel and can't evacuate all the personnel of a starbase along with goodness knows how much top secret equipment. We'd need a carrier transport."

The captain moved from the wall back in front of the display, then nodded and looked at the gold-collared lieutenant commander. "That was one of my initial concerns, and I asked Command if perhaps a larger starship would be preferred." she said meeting his eyes. "Unfortunately, Starfleet doesn't know how much the Empire knows about the project. They fear that multiple ships or even a convoy would attract too much attention. We've been dispatched because of our ship's relatively small and nonthreatening appearance, under the guise that we are surveying a nearby nebula. A covert extraction of sorts." she said, then paused for a moment.

"As for the personnel and equipment, we are only to retrieve the essential components necessary for Project Sienna's operation, and the rest of the data will be downloaded from the memory core." she replied. "There are currently twenty-nine members of the development team who we need to transport, so we should have enough space to accommodate them for a couple of days." she answered. "The rest of the starbase personnel will remain on board; our job is to transfer only the key personnel."

She tapped on her PADD to display side-by-side biographies of the two lead scientists. "This is Doctor Anthony Hardaway and his wife, Rachel. They are the developers and masterminds of the project and they must be transferred safely at all costs." she added.

John had so far had most of the information required from his own briefing with the CO a few hours previously, therefore it was more useful for him to act in a support role here, helpoing her to prepare and induct the crew for this mission.

"Meaning we're going to have to make sure security is tight....constant sensor sweeps of the ship, both interior and exterior, pattern scramblers around guest quarters to prevent transporter locks...the works. Mr Remington I'd like you and Mr Quinn to work together to make sure all preparations are in place before we reach our objective."

"Understood, sir," Will replied with a nod.

Evelyn wasn't sure if she liked the Captain sharing the classified information it was level 10, however she won't object to her decision. Evelyn leaned back in her chair. "To answer your question Commander Remington, the Federation decided that the location of Starbase 152 was prime for the secret research facility because the nearby pulsar gives off a great deal of radiation that masks any residual traces of any advance experimentation. That area is prime location to mask energy readings, also Starfleet didn't foresee the threat the Klingons will pose following the signing of the Khitomer Accords." She commented, looking around the table. "The rationale of sending the Galileo is the very fact this is a science vessel, the ruse of the Starbase is that it's a resupply station, Science vessels typically needs to resupply constantly."

Lirha simply nodded as she listened to the intelligence chief speak. Her assessment of the situation was accurate, and helped provide more of an explanation than she previously had.

Quinn scratched his beard while listening to the briefing. The mention of a new propulsion system instantly caught his attention. He remembered some of the projects he assisted on while with Xenotechnology Research Division. Quinn raised a hand and asked, "Excuse me, Skipper? The new propulsion system, is it Soliton, or magnetic charge based?"

"The operational details of Project Sienna are classified and even I'm not privy to that information." she answered simply as she looked at the older chief engineer. "Your best guess is as good as mine, Chief. Starfleet Intelligence has me on a need-to-know basis, and they're staying pretty tight-lipped about this." she added.

Dru cleared her throat softly, uncertain if it was ok to ask this,"Have we got files and reports on each of the people we are picking up? Are they aware we are coming from them? Are they aware of the threat from the Klingons?"

"Yes, we've got personnel files on all of the scientists and support staff." the captain answered, then proceeded to address the second part of the counselor's question. "Unfortunately, Starfleet is currently maintaining communications silence with the starbase. It appears that the Empire has recently expanded its network of subspace relays along the nearby Neutral Zone and Starfleet fears that any incoming or outgoing signals might be intercepted. The scientists are on their own until we arrive, which is why we must get there as soon as possible." she added.

"What should we expect from the Klingons?" Remington asked, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

The captain paused as she considered the lieutenant commander's question. She herself wasn't quite sure about the Empire's response, if any. "That's tough to speculate, Commander." she answered with an uncertain shake of her head. "We don't exactly know how much information the Empire has obtained about the project, if any. The Federation also has a mutual full alliance with the Empire, so they are technically prohibited from taking any forceful action against a Federation starship or facility. Unfortunately, anyone who's had dealings with Klingons can testify that they don't always follow proper protocol, especially if it involves something which they view as a threat. This new FTL propulsion system has the potential to change the balance of power through the galaxy, and I think it's safe to assume the Empire will want to protect their own interests." she finished, then took a deep breath. "I'm almost certain we will have at least one encounter with our honor-bound allies, and hopefully if we play our cards right we won't have any more." she added.

Evelyn adjusted in her seat and locked her eyes with Remington, "The Klingons will demand to see whatever we are doing should they have the tiniest suspicion we're hiding something from them." She added and then turned her attention back to the rest of the crew. "With the destruction of Romulus and the Romulan Empire in shambles the Klingon Empire is taking, not thinking about, actively engaging in becoming the sole-power in the Beta Quadrant. They've been craving the expansion of their territory since the end of the Dominion War. The High Command feels cheated that in a Geo-political sense things remained unchanged after the war. They see the Federation hindering their efforts of expansion. That, and that alone is why tensions between us and them are high."

"At the end of the day" John began with a rather matter-of-fact tone to his voice. He had been involved with Klingon combat tactics more than enough times during his career, and had to admit that really, he had a great deal of respect for the way they did business - the old addage of "shoot first and ask questions later" was something that so far, had held the Empire in relatively good stead.

"The Klingons will do what the Klingons do best - if they feel threatened, the first thing we'll know about it is the first wave of disruptor pulses bouncing off our shields"

Tarishiana was far from an intelligence officer nor was she used to these types of situations. In the grand scheme of things she was a simple scientist. "This might sound like a dumb suggestion, but seeing as how I am not accustomed to such situations I figured I would ask." she started. "If the rouse we are working under is the investigation of the Nebulea is the area surrounding the starbase. Would it be in our best interest have the science department actually do the investigation? In case Lieutenant Colemen is correct and the Klingon's demand to review our findings." She was sure that the Klingon's would have a basic idea of the stellar phenomenon in their area of space and was hoping the powers that be wouldn't suggest we falsify their findings.

"That might not be a bad idea actually" John looked up at his CO to gauge her response to the comment before continuing on.

Lirha considered the idea for a moment, finally nodding in approval. "We can even use a shuttlecraft without committing all of the Galileo's resources."

"If we start running a few...standard scans of the nebula....it might serve to delay the Klingons slightly....Tarish make it happen"

"Yes Sir," Tarishiana said with a respectful nod as she made a few notes in the padd she was holding in her hand. Her Stellar Cartography department would be excited for the assignment even if it was just a rouse.

With the first round of the briefing complete, it was time to turn their attention towards the upcoming resupply. Starbase 234 was less than a day away, and the Galileo's different departments needed to start coordinating together to maximize efficiency. There were many tasks which needed to be completed, and not much time.

"We're on schedule to reach Starbase Two-Three-Four in just under twenty-four hours. We have a lot of work to do once we get there." the captain said as she continued the briefing. "Commander Holliday?" she said, prompting him to stand up and continue the briefing with the details of Starbase 234.

"Thank you ma'am" He nodded to his CO before standing up and heading to the head of the table. In his hand was a standard PADD which he furiously typed data into, generating the list of duty assignments that he had been working on for the past few hours. It was nice to finally get a chance to run the show, he saw it as a great training exercise for one day obtaining his own command.

"Mr Quinn, Mr Remington, Dr Hilyer - we have a copy of the new Mark X EMH waiting for us on the Starbase, I want you to join forces and get it installed ASAP, once you're done with that, there are some deflector upgrades that need installing and testing - Markum you should find them in the database once you get back down to Engineering. I'm assigning Miss Peers to assist you."

Quinn aknowledged with a traditional response. "Aye-aye, Commander."

"Mark X," Remington mused, "Sounds interesting. I'll look at the specifications today."

"Oh, great," Robin spoke flatly. He disliked the idea of a synthetic doctor. It made him feel uneasy. Robin was on of the last physicians who spoke out against the need for such technology on Starships. And, working on one was not his favorite idea for spending an afternoon.

"Mr Remington, once you're done with the upgrades, I'd like you to join Cadet Im'er and myself on the Bridge, we'll be installing our new weapons quota, additional quantum torpedoes, phaser couplings, that sort of thing, I'd appreciate your insight on getting everything stowed accordingly"

"Yes, sir."

"Miss Coleman, as I'm sure you're aware, you and I are expected at the Intelligence meeting on the Starbase along with Commander Saalm"

"I'll be there promptly." Coleman assured.

John had to admit, it had been a while since he had last attended a meeting with the Intelligence department. Usually he preferred to shoot first and ask questions later, but for once it seemed to be a better plan for him to use his head rather than his fists this early on in the mission.
Tapping a few keys on his PADD, he moved to the next duty assignment.

"Miss Barel, Miss McCarthy, I'm assigning you and your teams the honour of sifting through what data Starfleet has let us have access to on Project Sienna - study it, bring yourselves up to speed. I'd like you to take Dr Hilyer with you as well once he is finished in Sickbay - an extra pair of eyes is always helpful"

Dru nodded her head before stating her request, "Can you please ensure the personal files are included in the data? I want to have a readup on the on individuals we will be taking onboard to make sure all requirements for them to be comfortable are in place. After the communication silence and being taken off of the station, I want to prepare for the worst psychologically wise."

"There should be a psych evaluation in the file, if not let me know and I'll have Starfleet send the data over marked for your attention" John replied, making a note on his PADD to follow it up if nothing happened.

"The science department will appreciated any help that we can get." Tarishiana said simply. She punched the notes into the padd as her brain tried to wrap itself around what all needed to be done. Which was a bit more then she had hoped but it was still doable. She looked up at Holliday confirming that she was good to go.

"I'll make sure to keep our new charges' Medical files are up to date. I am sure they'll need physcals once they are on board." Robin tapped a note on a PADD he kept in front of him.

Checking that the research assignments had been handed out, he thumbed to the final item on his PADD

"Once last thing...we have been assigned a member of the Federation News Service to do a piece on the launch of the latest member of the Fleet...you might be called for some kind of interview...needless to say, Project Sienna is highly classified...so watch what you say, understood?"

With all final questions answered, Lirha moved to take her place next to Commander Holliday, nodding at him in approval for his assistance in the briefing. She turned back to the group of officers assembled before her. "If there are no further questions, you are all dismissed." she ordered, "Get in touch with your junior officers and make the necessary preparations to complete our work." she added, then tapped a final button on her PADD causing the large briefing screen to go dark, replaced with only a large Starfleet emblem.

[OFF]

--

CMDR Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

LCDR Jonathan Holliday
Executive Officer
USS Galileo

LCDR Chauncey (Will) Remington III
Chief Operations Officer

LTJG Robin Hilyer MD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Drusilla McCarthy
Chief Counselor
USS Galileo

LTJG Evelyn Coleman
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

CWO Markum Quinn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

MWO Tarishiana Barel
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

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