Disaster and Unwelcome Guests
Posted on Wed Oct 29th, 2014 @ 3:53pm by Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer & Captain Patrick Dow & Commander Jonathan Roebuck IV & Lieutenant Nick Archer & Colonel Danny Lennox & Master Chief Petty Officer Mark Branson & Lieutenant K`Wor & Sogh Varn Son of M'ron & La Ch'Tal Son of Ren'al & Major T'Lana & First Ramata`tar & Commander Robert Stark & Fleet Admiral Sevlek & Lieutenant General Jewel 'M'lara' Dartt & Commodore Andrew Clifford & Captain L'Verrem & Commodore Leon `Lee` Pike & Major General Thomas Jackson & Commander Jonathan Coleman & Captain R'nard Lokran & Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Commander Tressa Brislan & Lieutenant Colonel Jillian "Phoenix" Sullivan & Lieutenant Commander Holly Gillo & Lieutenant Saith i-Ki Baratan & Captain Jack Solomon & Lieutenant Nuala Takabe & Lieutenant Zhao Quan & Lieutenant Ariel Gilmore & Ensign Sarah Ashley & Master Warrant Officer Gaius Aquila & Sergeant Maal son of Torg & Sogh M`Kota
3,285 words; about a 16 minute read
Mission:
Mission 87 - Disaster
Location: Starbase 400
Timeline: MD1, 0945 hours
ON:
It had been over a week since the Essex returned to Starbase 400 and the day was a typical morning aboard the Station. Ships were coming and going, the crew were at their assigned stations, and things seemed to be moving along smoothly. Then, the comm beeped.
In Ops, Bremer and T’Lar were chatting. Clifford was the Officer of the Watch (in command in Ops), Gillo was at Operations, Baratan at Tactical One, Coleman at Engineering, L’Verrem at Science, and Pike at Intel.
When the comm beeped, Bremer and T’Lar both looked over at Gillo, “On screen Lieutenant.” Bremer said.
Andrew moved closer to the center of the room to see the screen better.
A moment later, Commander Reynolds of DS14 appeared on the screen, “Admiral, we’ve had a report of a massive planetary event on Hunster II. Initial reports say the colony has experienced a nine point two quake. There’s a Tsunami warning as well, however other witnesses say they saw an asteroid or comet enter the atmosphere just before the quake. We only have one vessel we can send to assist, but she’s an old Miranda class outfitted as a courier ship. Everything else we have is already deployed along the Krazzle border, still assisting the C’Hakilians in their recovery, or in route to the Krazzle Border to rendezvous with Ra’Graline’s ship to escort him to Starbase 400.”
Bremer paused a moment, he didn’t know about Graline coming to Starbase 400. About the same time Admiral Sevlek entered Ops. “Commander” Bremer said to Reynolds, “we’ll send a relief force to Hunster II including an Engineering response team, Medical teams, and Marines to assist the Colony. Commander Coleman will be commanding the relief force, they’ll depart in less than an hour.”
“Thank you Admiral. Deep Space 14, out.” With that, the screen went dark. Bremer looked back at everyone, then to Sevlek, then back to everyone else again. “Alert the Senior Staff and Assistant Department Heads, meeting in Tactical Operations in five minutes!”
Tactical Operations
Five minutes later, all of Starbase 400’s Senior Staff, Department Heads, and Assistant Department Heads were gathered for a briefing. Bremer was at the front of the room.
“Okay, listen up. There’s been a major planetary disaster on Hunster II, affecting the new Federation Colony there. Hunster II is located near the Krazzle border in Federation space, between Cannopus and Kovar. DS14 only has one vessel available to send to assist, an old Miranda class courier vessel. Starbase 400 is going to send four ships, the Ark Royal commanded by Commander Coleman...he’ll also be the Mission Commander. The Medical Ship Mercy command by Doctor Brislan, the Saratoga commanded by Colonel Jackson with a full Marine detachment to assist as needed, and the Venator commanded by Commnader Yamaguchi. The Venator will be there to assist as needed, but her primary role is to make sure the Krazzle don’t use this disaster to try and cross the border. I don’t foresee the Krazzle trying anything though, since their leader is on his way to Starbase 400. Ra’ Graline will be here tomorrow morning, about zero-seven hundred hours.” Bremer then tapped a button on the massive wall display to bring up duty assignments.
USS Ark Royal
Commander Coleman – CO/Mission Commander
Lieutenant JG Solomon – Ops/Ship XO
Captain L’Verren – Chief Science Officer
Lieutenant JG Wooldridge - Engineer
Lieutenant Quan – Engineer
Lieutenant Shrok – Engineer
Lieutenant JG Takabe – Science Officer
Lieutenant Gilmore – Science Officer
Lieutenant JG Murphy – Flight Control
Lieutenant JG Heron – Engineer
Ensign Vega – Tactical/Security
Chief Blackthorne – Damage Control Specialist
USS Mercy
Dr. Brislan – CO/Mission Medical Officer
Dr. Romans – Medical Officer/Ship XO
Dr. Mclintock – Medical Officer
Dr. Raya – Medical Officer
Ensign Ashley – Head Nurse
Ensign Ragen – Flight Control
USS Saratoga
Colonel Jackson – CO/Marine Commander
Major T’Lyn – Marine/Ship XO
Major Sullivan – Marine/Evac Pilot as needed
Major J. Pepper - Marine
Captain Lennox – Marine
Captain Herondale – Marine/Evac Pilot as needed
Captain Banner – Marine/Evac Pilot as needed
1st Lieutenant Lasky – Marine/Evac Pilot as needed
2nd Lieutenant Wilds – Marine/Evac Pilot as needed
Staff Warrant Officer Aquila – Marine
Sergeant Major M. Pepper – Marine
Sergeant Major J. Worth – Marine Medic
Master Sergeant Duval - Marine
Gunnery Sergeant Ermey – Marine
Gunnery Sergeant Agtx –Marine
Sergeant G. Worth – Marine Medic
Corporal Olga Vaal - Marine
USS Venator
Commander Yamaguchi – CO
Lieutenant Archer – Ops/Ship XO
Lieutenant JG Lee - Engineer
Ensign Nechayve – Tactical/Security
Chief Branson – Flight Control
Ensign Amakawa – Strategic Operations/Communications
“Here’s a list of personnel that are assigned to the Hunster II relief mission. All ships will depart within the hour. Everyone else will be aboard Starbase 400 and will receive your assignments later today.”
Sara was excited and nervous at the same time. This was her first, official, off-base, real mission assignment! She knew she shouldn't be excited as the Mercy was being sent out to help injured people, but she couldn't help it. She started making a list of everything she would need to have on board. She knew that Dr. Brislan would be counting on her and did not want to let her down.
"I'd like ta take point in plannin' the CAP around Hunster II, if that's all right?" Phoenix asked, though in her usual tone it sounded more like a demand. "I'll also need a good drift scan from the science department, so I can plan the CAPs."
While her pilots were marines, she wanted to make it perfectly clear that her pilots were utilized as just that, first and foremost.
"You'll have it, and the CAP is at your discretion." Bremer replied, then added, "However if the need calls for it, you will need to pitch in on the ground too." Mike then added.
Jackson raised his hand. "Admiral, do we have a planetary description for Hunster II?"
"Hunster II is a small Class-M world, about three quarters the size of Earth. There are three oceans, four continents, a scattering of seas and islands. The Colony is on the eastern coast of the north-western continent. There's another small settlement further inland as well. Temperatures there this time of their year are about 24 degrees Celsius." Bremer replied, reading the information off the PADD he was holding.
Jackson nodded to the planetary overview. He then quietly spoke to T'Lyn. "Temperate battle dress. I need you to go put Third Regiment on alert, and have the Marine senior staff assembled at Marine Briefing. Also have Major Pepper put one of his companies on alert."
Yamaguchi listened with rapt attention as she frowned. A comet or an asteroid did not just fall out of the sky unless someone really missed something on their scans of the system during the mapping phases so she found herself wondering if this was the result of a deliberate action but just as she came to it, she dismissed the entire notion.
'I think Jake is right... I do hate the Typhon Pact too much...' Yamaguchi thought to herself but she still had two questions that she wanted to get answered but she would wait her turn.
L'Verrem then said with a purr in his voice "Admiral Michael Bremer, my specialization is in terraforming and planetary survey. I would like to study the geological structure of Hunster II and any data from the earthquake as we voyage there to determine if the geology could be stabilized to prevent further disaster. I was part of the geological stabilization project on Iskander IV. In that case, we were able to stabilize the planet through strategic placement of seismic stabilizers and pressure relief with antimatter charges."
Bremer nodded, "Absolutely, anything you can learn or insight you can provide will be helpful."
Jack looked up at the display, having taken on board the severity of the situation with the disaster on Hunster II and his assignment on the Ark Royal as both XO to Commander Coleman and Ops. With an earthquake having taken place and tsunami's underway around the planet, beaming up survivors and refugees was going to be difficult from orbit, but still possible.
"Admiral, our mission would go a little easier if the shuttles and runabout used to rescue survivors and refugees from Hunster II were equipped with extra transporter buffers and auxiliary power units to allow more power for the scanners and sensors to pick up the indigenous population. I recommend the same be done to the starships taking part in the relief fleet," he suggested.
Bremer nodded again, "Wise idea, that's something each ship can work on while in route."
R'nard looked at the list and looked up with questions in his eyes. "Where did you want me, Admiral, or did you want me on the base?"
"I need you here." Bremer replied, "With Graline coming, I want to make sure Security is fully in place."
Saith has sat near the exit door; she glanced at R’nard as Bremer spoke. She tapped quietly on her PADD and pulled up the information from Hunster II and Ra’Graline. She reviewed Hunster II first. There was not much of interest to her there. As she flipped over to information on Ra’Graline her mind began to wander. The Rihannsu and Krazzle had been allies due to the Typhon Act. They were strong warriors. She smiled slightly as she thought of home, her old home, her Romulan home. Suddenly realizing what she was doing her attention snapped back to the meeting. She glanced around to see if anyone had noticed her.
Jewel listened to everyone, "will I be in attendance with Graline arrive Admiral?" Jewel asked looking at Mike.
"Yes." Mike replied, "You'll be attending the meeting with myself, Admiral Sevlek, Vice Admiral T'Lar, and Marine Sergeant Taz as a translator and interpreter." Bremer then glanced at Colonel Jackson so he knew his Krazzle Sergeant would be staying on the Station.
Torilla finally decided to stick up her hand. "Sir, three questions..." she paused. "One, do we have a threat assessment for the section of the Krazzle boarder that's relevant to this assignment?" she paused a moment. "Also, how long should the Venator stay on station before going to assist with the relief efforts?"
“The Krazzle are known to have at least three ships patrolling the sector adjacent to the border, two Lanar Class destroyers and one Gramal Class cruiser. It’s also possible they have a squadron of Claw fighters there as well. Most of their fleet is still deployed along the C’Hakilian border or within their newly acquired space from the recent war.” Bremer replied, “Remain on station until Commander Coleman says otherwise. Run sensor sweeps along the border and within the Hunster system.” Bremer paused, then asked, “You had a third question?”
"Yes, is there any word on Volcanic activity, minor or major, anywhere near the Landquake zone on the planet?." Yamaguchi inquired.
“None has been reported. That area was void of volcanic activity prior to this event.” Bremer replied.
"Admiral, do we have a census of the colonists? Besides numbers a breakdown of species will help the first responders," Doctor Brislan asked.
“The major colony has nearly three thousand people, the smaller one has just over five hundred. We don’t have a species break down yet, we’re waiting on the Federation’s Department for Colonization and Terraforming to provide us that information. However we do know there were Humans, Deltans, Vulcans, Bajorians, Xindi, Trill, Bolians, and Caitians among Colonists.” Bremer replied, reading the limited information from the PADD.
Jackson nodded back, knowing this was going to happen.
Lee stood there with his arms folded across his chest:"So what will everyone who will still be on 400 be doing?"
At Lee's question Andrew ears picked up, this was the bit that would concern him and the rest of SB400 crew.
Saith smiled slightly and glanced at Lee in appreciation of the question.
"Aside from the obvious need for Security and full crew readiness regarding Graline's visit and meetings, we'll also be poised to assist the Relief Force if needed. Full assignments will be provided once the Relief Force has departed." Bremer replied.
It dawned on Phoenix that no one took into account what the colonists wanted. No one ever did on the political level. If it served to boot PR, colonists got their demands. And at the same time, ignored.
"If there're colonists that don' wish ta go, however small or large any group we run into..." Phoenix spoke up, irritable as ever from some part memories. "We leave 'em behind. It's their world. Any that choose ta stay with their homes an' battle it out, should be respected."
Andrew unfolded his arms and moved into the view line of the Admiral. "Admiral given the scale of the earthquake, it is not going to be possible to beam everybody off planet. What are we going to do for the rest of the population? They are going to need more resources than we can take to the planet."
Coleman was taking all of the questions and discussions in as they came. He knew the scale of this was going to be massive and was going to take quite a bit of resources for everyone. When he heard Clifford speak up about the rest of the population, he finally chimed in.
"As for the rest of the population that we don't take off the planet, it's a matter of helping to stabilize the planet as best that we can. It's something that Captain L'Verrem and I will have to discuss on the way there. I'd also like to discuss some medical details with Dr. Brislan about to make sure that they stay as healthy as possible. But, Phoenix does hold a point. Do we have a legal right to remove them if necessary? Could we have the holdings of reviving the ideals of the Maquis if we try and move these people away from their homes?" Coleman finally let it all sink in and took a look around the room to take in the reactions of his peers and colleagues.
Jackson just stood there, rolling his eyes. Everything just had to come down to politics in some form, or another. He was glad not to be a diplomat.
Yamaguchi was expecting all of this as she let out a soft sigh, to her politics was tiresome, it was overblown and exhausting. It was also something she generaly disliked as it required people to play that great game of talking funny ways, she frowned as she listened and watched the debate.
Sara frowned, there was a lot of information coming and going. Sara was concerned she was missing something important, yet all of these senior officers seemed to have a handle on it all. She hoped she would be that sophisticated and calm someday.
Bremer held his hands up, trying to stop the debate, "The Colonists asked for help. Of course, they don't want to leave their new home, and we're not going to force them to. The Relief Force's job is to help with medical and engineering aid. Help clean up and repair their settlements, but if some wish to relocate...off planet or on...we're to assist. We're not abandoning the Colony or any of its settlements, unless the Colonists themselves want to move, is that clear?" Bremer then tapped a few commands into the large wall display and brought up several images of the Hunster II colonies. “As you can see, these are well established cities, not the usual prefab temporary settlements we’re used to seeing when we assist a new ‘colony’. They have been there a few years, and this is now their home, let’s help them fix it.”
Coleman nodded. He knew that he would have to make some decisions that not everyone would like, since he was the mission leader. He just hoped that nothing too major would happen that would put him in a hard spot.
Takabe looked at Coleman and asked "Would it be possible to investigate the crash site of the meteorite? I would like to see what hit the planet or if it's still out there and coming in another time around."
Coleman thought for a second before answering. "It would be something we would have to take a look at once we arrive in orbit of the planet. If it is down on the planet, there will be a lot of radiation and I want to contain it before we send anyone into the region."
Jackson made his way next to Phoenix. "Excuse me Major, since we are going to ride the same taxi to the colony, I would like to invite you to the Marine briefing before we depart. I understand that you run your own show, and nothing I will do will impact on that."
Phoenix looked over to Necrom, her wing XO. He was relatively new to the base. To be honest, she did not take the time to get to know him. She rarely took the time to get to know anybody, come to think of it.
"I like to be called Phoenix, Colonel," the CAG reminded him and everyone else, for what felt like the hundredth time. "But sure, I'll attend it."
"Thank you, Phoenix" Jackson replied. He has dealt with fighter pilots before, but kept forgetting about their call signs.
More to the group, she added, "I will have mine and another scorpion pilot's sensor pods brought for this excursion, if that's all right Admiral Bremer. I'm fairly certain the sensor pods would do an outstanding RECON detail of the system."
Bremer nodded, then looked around the room for any other questions, seeing no one else speak up he then looked over at Sevlek, he knew the Vulcan Admiral had more information on the Graline visit.
Sevlek nodded to Bremer, then replied, "First. The psychological profile of Ra' Graline indicates he will be aggressive with all involved. He will do whatever he can to put himself in a position to assert his dominance." He paused as he looked around the room, "Any of you who remain and are not flag level officers will be dismissed as unimportant. Anyone who is flag level will be challenged." The Vulcan paused as a barely perceptible wave of irritation and discomfort went through a number of officers.
Saith nodded, she was familiar with Krazzle protocol. They didn't think much of women either but she would disabuse him of that notion if necessary.
Maal stood directly behind Saith with his arms folded across his chest.
Sevlek continued, "The reason for the visit is to begin the process of crafting a long-term non-aggression or peace treaty with the Krazzle Empire. The limitations of the treaty are already en route via subspace communication packets from the Palais de la Concorde." He looked at Bremer and T'Lar with the last statement. He continued, "Since the Federation Council Members have departed, the security personnel from their visit should be reallocated to provide assurances to the Krazzle that we do not underestimate them. They will view it as an insult if we do not heighten security procedures during their stay."
Yamaguchi had read the file on Ra'Graline and she was suddenly gratefull that she was not goin to be dealing with him, that paticular being always bothered her as he tended to use force whenever possible, physical force or political force made no difference to him, Torilla knew this.
Bremer waited for Sevlek finished, then looked around the room. “Any questions?”
When no one answered, Bremer curtly said "Let's get it done, dismissed."
tbc...
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