Getting On-board The Vanguard

Posted on Wed May 29th, 2013 @ 3:36am by Colonel Danny Lennox & Major T'Lana & Admiral Deela T'Lar & Commodore Andrew Clifford & Brigadier General David Hurd Sr & Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Lieutenant Colonel Jillian "Phoenix" Sullivan & Sergeant Maal son of Torg & Lieutenant Zhao Quan & Lieutenant Ariel Gilmore & Chief Warrant Officer Xelonul Blackthorne & Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Ermey & Gunnery Sergeant Agtx & Corporal Warner Schmidt

3,728 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Mission 83 - Recovery
Location: USS Vanguard
Timeline: ConCurrent with 'Readying the Lexington'

USS Vanguard

ON:

Vice Admiral T'Lar arrived back on the the ship and made her way onto the bridge. She sat in the command chair as she waited for the crew to arrive.

Andrew was not far behind her. As he stepped on to the bridge he mused, "almost like being back on another Sovereign class I remember." Seeing the Admiral sitting in the centre seat he walked quickly over, "Hello Admiral, Captain Andrew Clifford reporting for duty, Ma'am."

Deela smiled at Andrew. After all this time that they had served together, he had to know how much she hated protocol. She responded, "Welcome aboard. Take your spot...Captain Clifford."

Andrew smiled back, "Thank you, Ma'am. Yes, I hate it too, but I thought it necessary with so many new faces. I didn't want them to get the wrong impression." With that he sat himself down in the XO's seat beside the Admiral.

"True, true." She looked around at the familiar faces and some, not so familiar, then back at her XO, "Just like old times," she paused, "well almost."

Andy got in the bridge and proceed to the central chair and said "Brigadier General Andrew Jones the second presenting for active duty."

Deela accidentally let out a slight chuckle but recovered quickly, "Good to see you again. Lt. Col. Hurd should be aboard soon."

Captain Lennox stepped aboard the Vanguard for the first time. He made his way to the Marine area and dropped off a small duffel in his quarters. On the bed laid a Romulan uniform, rank of Sub-Commander. He wasn't eager to put that uniform on, and even less eager to allow the Doctor to alter his appearance to make him look like a Romulan. He stowed his things again, then headed for the Marine Briefing Room to await Colonel Hurd and the rest of the team.

Lt. Col. Hurd boarded the Vanguard, and swiftly made his way towards Marine Country. After dropping off his gear in his office, he started towards the Marine Briefing Room, deep in thought. He, like many if not all of the Marines under his command, did not like the idea of donning a Romulan Uniform, and much less having to have his appearance altered to pass as one. But still, those were his orders, and he intended to obey them.

A short time later, Master Sergeant Duvall walked onto the USS Vanguard, he dropped off his gear first as he took note of the Romulan uniform left there, it had the Romulan rank of Uhlan, but rather then protest or hate it instantly, he merely shrugged as he turned and departed his room, his next destination was the briefing lounge where the other marines were gathered

Entering the briefing room, he saw Captain Lennox had already arrived. Saying, "Good to see you Captain," he sat down behind the desk in the front of the room, and waited for the others to arrive.

"Colonel." Lennox replied, setting down a PADD. "I understand the Operative, Commander Hormas, has sensitive information we don't want the Romulans to have, but it is worth the lives of everyone on board the Vanguard and the ship itself?" Danny knew and believed in the 'no man left behind' unwritten policy, he knew what was at stake, but he made a good point. He wasn't scared, wasn't questioning orders, but he wondered just WHAT Hormas knew that Starfleet didn't want the Romulans to find out.

Phoenix's orders came fast and upon arriving to the station, had no time to report in to the base CO. She had been given only five minutes to refresh herself, after a long twenty-hour flight in her fighter. Without complaint, she grabbed a snack, pulled her duffel out of the small cargo/repair hatch, and pulled the dossier of her next mission from the nearest computer before she headed to the Vanguard.

The walk was fairly long, considering the mass of the stardock. And by how casual she walked without looking up very much to see her heading, one could surmise that she had served on bases like this one before.

Her mission assignment caused a wry grin upon her hardened features. Either someone did their homework on her and knew she had an extensive background in special operations, or she drew the short stick to pull her off CAP (which she was loathsome to do).

The analytical mind kicked in the moment she read to page two. WMDs, being built within the Romulan Empire once more... Phoenix wished it were the Cardassians that were responsible instead. She did not mind the Romulans all that much, having worked alongside many of them during the war.

Hell, their pilots traded tactics with her often in downtime. Sneaky green-blooded devils, yes. But by majority, dominance over other government powers was sought by their own government officials, which spoke little for the worker ants of their mighty civilization.

After she stored her gear in the senior officers' quarters she was assigned, she ignored the Romulan uniform for the moment, and remained in the sweaty flight suit she had arrived in. Most people would not know who she was until she introduced herself in the staff meeting, and even then, the former Marquis terrorist thought against introducing herself all together.

Her name was mud to brass and those that did not understand the strife she came from. All the same, she finished her energy bar and rubbed her cramped legs a few long moments before she walked into the marine briefing room and had a seat at the nearest empty chair.

Deela was handed a PADD, letting her know that they had an addition to the crew. She wished that she could have met her before they were assigned a mission but there wasn't much that she could do about it. She'd meet the Major later with the rest of the marines.

Maal stepped onto the bridge and then walked over to Admiral T'Lar, "Sgt. Maal reporting for duty ma'am. Where would you like me at?"

Deela was thinking about the mission when a voice interrupted her thought. She looked at him for a moment before speaking, "Lt. Col. Hurd is gathering all of the Marines at the Marine Briefing Room. I'd like you to go there and sit in. I think you can best serve there and help them strategize." Although she didn't really know Maal, she knew of him and felt that he could be a great asset to Lt. Col. Hurd. After all, this mission depended on the Marine division who would be responsible for getting the intelligence agent rescued safely and quietly.

Meanwhile the turbolift doors opened up and Lt Commander Torilla Yamaguchi walked onto the bridge and she could see that Admiral T'Lar was busy with a Klingon Marine.

She went over to the MSD as she wanted to make sure the USS Vanguard was up to par before they left the yard, all seemed as it should but then she realized she was feeling possessive, her own baby was still in dry dock and she was transferring her feelings to this ship, something she realized she would need to consider and observe.

Once the Marine was finished, she turned as she presented herself before the Admiral. "Admiral, Lt Commander Yamaguchi reporting for duty.." because protocol was protocol after all and her three stars severally outclassed her two and a half pips.

Deela wasn't much for protocol but she knew it was still important to others so she nodded to the woman, "Very good. Take your station."

Major T'Lana boarded the USS Vanguard, and received glances from nearly every crewmember she passed. Perhaps it was because she was Romulan, or perhaps it was because she wasn't wearing a Starfleet uniform, but instead was in her former Tal Shiar attire.

The Major proceeded to the Bridge where she saw the Vice Admiral speaking to one of the other Officers, 'Yamaguchi, the Halanan' she thought to herself.

T'Lana, her hands behind her back, walked over to T'Lar, "Admiral T'Lar, Major T'Lana reporting for duty." She wasn't sure where she would be assigned, but figured the only reason she was here was because of her knowledge of her people, knowledge she was now supposed to use against them. While she was opposed to the direction the Star Empire was going ever since the Hobas Event and the loss of her Homeworld, she still didn't like the idea of sneaking into Romulan space just to pick up one person. Why didn't this Commander Hormas just commit suicide like a well trained Tal Shiar agent that was about to be captured would do.

Deela looked up, "Major T'Lana, welcome aboard." Deela wanted to walk her down to Lt. Col. Hurd personally but she wasn't sure where to put her until then. She looked around. Gilo was at OPS and Yamaguchi was strategic OPS, Gilmore at Science and James at the conn to name a few. "Have a seat next to me."

T'Lana arched her eyebrow in a very, Vulcan, manner, then gave a respectful nod. "As you wish, Admiral." She was a little surprised, she expected to be asked to aid the Marines in using Romulan equipment, but she also knew she'd never be apart of the away team. Humans, and Vulcans for that matter, were too prejudice for that.

Marine Briefing Room

Back in the Briefing room, Col. Hurd stood from behind his desk. Surveying the room with his eyes, he said sharply, "Attention On Deck!" As most of the assembled Marines stood to attention, the Colonel continued to speak.

Phoenix was more lax as she stood, with hands in her pockets, never liking displays of ego, she rolled her eyes a bit and had a seat again almost as quickly as she received the call of attention.

Lennox watched the new Major out of the corner of his eye, he wondered if her lack of respect would rub off during the mission itself. He just hoped it wouldn't get anyone killed.

"Alright everyone," Hurd said, " Before I ask the Admiral down for a full mission brief, let me make two things clear." "First I, like many of you am not not thrilled about having to don a Romulan Uniform, and far less having my appearance altered to pass as one. But those are our orders, and I want no grumbling or decent from anyone, is that understood?"

I will not be going on the ground with this bunch of ignoramus, Phoenix thought to herself, for she already had her posting transfer lined up, once the ship's CO arrived.

Gunnery Sergeant Agxt stood to the side of the room and listened. He knew he wouldn't be going on the away team, it was impossibly to make a Gorn look Romulan after all. Still, the more he knew about the plan, the more helpful he'd be if called upon.

"And the second thing, under no circumstances are any of you to take anything on this mission that could be traced back to the Federation, is that understood?"

He was a master of stating the obvious, Phoenix was sure of it. It was a good thing she was the station's CAG... There was already temptation to deck him for cheek. But her reply was a single nod, nonetheless.

Gunnery Sergeant Ermey listened to the Colonel, but had an eye on the new Major. The expression on her face said it all. He wondered what her issue was, then he noticed Captain Lennox was also watching her.

Maal stepped off the lift and headed for Marine Country, he then entered the Marine Briefing Room, "Sgt.Maal reporting as ordered from Admiral T'Lar, sir!"

After the Marines had replied, Col. Hurd tapped his combadge and said, "Lt. Col. Hurd to Admiral T'Lar, please report to the Marine Briefing Room."

Bridge

"On my way." She stood up, "Captain Clifford, you have the bridge." Deela stood up, "T'Lana, you're with me." They entered the turbolift. It was almost time to depart.

T'Lana stood and followed the Admiral to the turbolift. 'Time to teach the children in the use of adult things' she thought to herself.

Andrew nodded, "Understood Admiral." He looked towards the comm officer. "Have all decks, report and what's our status for leaving dock, please?" Andrew had a habit of putting please into his speech. It didn't mean there was an option, only what his father had had said to him. 'being polite to people, even if you out rank them, doesn't hurt, and it's good manners'.

Yamaguchi turned her head as she smiled at the Exec, she found he was much easier to serve with and get along with then he let on, he gave his people a lot of latitude but then they had to work for it. However he was fair... which made him worthy of her respect.

Marine Briefing Room

Once T'Lar and T'Lana arrived to their destination, they walked in and took a seat, "Hello everyone."

Now it was a waiting game, of finding the right time to ask her, as Phoenix looked up for only a moment at the brass before glancing back down at her mission packet.

T'Lana scanned the room, she hadn't met most of the people gathered before, not that they would listen to her anyway, but she knew she'd do her part, it would be up to them to fail.

Master Sergeant Duvall looked calm and relaxed, he was not troubled by the mission and nor was he troubled by crossing into Romulan space, he took a moment to look around at the assembled personnel as he noticed the Admiral who had walked through the door, he knew what would follow was going to be good so he settled in for what he knew would be a short wait.

Bridge

Meanwhile on the Bridge. Lt Commander Torilla Yamaguchi had made herself at home over at the Tactical station as she narrowed her eyes as she looked over the system display and what they were telling her.

She was not satisfied with the readout so she decided to do a quick check of all the systems displayed before her and a minute or so later after doing her checks, everything was ready to go. "Captain, All defensive and offensive systems are ready. If someone shoots at us, we can make them go away..."

Andrew looked over at Yamaguchi and smiled, "A little better than the Kearsarge, wouldn't you say? "

"She has her fan club, same as the Intrepid has her own sir." Torilla responded. "Me... I'm somewhere in the middle.. but what really matters... isn't the ship... its the officer in command... sir." she paused. "Also weapons are ready to fly... all I need is a target and a button to push."

"Very good, Lt Commander. Hopefully we won't need to use them just yet."

"We can hope sir... But.. I expect trouble.." she paused. "Maybe I'm cynical but I believe in being prepared, the Vanguard will be ready for anything before we leave."

Marine Briefing Room

Deela looked around at the Marines. She wasn't used to having them on her ship under her command. It had only been within the last year of her command of the Essex that she had them.

"First of all, I'd like to introduce you to Tal Shiar Major T'Lana. She was an Intelligence Officer for Romulan Affairs. You will be working with her to gain insight to the Romulans." She addressed Lt. Col. Hurd, "What have you discussed so far?"

M'am, we have discussed the fact that no matter how much we may not like the circumstances of our current mission. We will do it. "And second thing we talked about was that under no circumstances are to carry anything with us that can be traced back to Starfleet or the Federation" Col. Hurd paused for a moment and continued, "Ma'am. before we continue, there is a problem that I would like addressed while you here". Turning to face the assembled crowd of Marines, he said, " Major Phoenix, front and center NOW!"

"My direct superior is the base CO," Phoenix informed as she remained seated, then pointed casually to the admiral, "Then the base XO, as I am your CAG, Colonel, and I operate outside your jurisdiction unless either of them tell me different. Because I'm the one that makes sure enemy ordinance doesn't shoot at you, but me and my pilots. So you'll excuse me if I remain seated for the duration of this meeting. We do, after all, have more pressing matters than my choosing not to indulge egomaniacs who thrive on salutes and curtsies as displays of power and manhood, Sir."

She could have pointed out the moronic misuse use of tying her rank with her callsign, but thought better of it. Instead she just stuffed her hands in her pockets and looked back casually to Admiral T'Lar, as if she was not phased in the slightest by the colonel. She wasn't here to be liked. The condition of her release, was to kill bad guys for a government she did not support all that much, politically speaking.

Duvall watched the proceedings with a cold, dispassionate view because as far as he was concerned, this issue that was brewing between the Major and the Colonel was only going to slow things down, drag out this meeting and everyone in brass would be in a foul mood as a result.

The major was a looker but her casual disregard for rank made him consider her a security risk, he wanted to open his mouth and say something about it but another part, the career marine did not open his mouth as he waited for the issue to resolve itself.

Deela had to nip it in the bud before it turned into a whirlwind, "Lt. Col. Hurd, I'll handle this. Major Sullivan, I don't normally do this but if you would rather stay on Starbase 400, you have my permission." She looked at Major Sullivan, for a moment before continuing with the meeting, "Now that we have that cleared up, let's move on. While we are en route to the Algorab system, I would like you to implement a plan for the extraction. I'd like to see a plan on my desk by the time we are close to our destination. We need to go in there unnoticed and get out of there in the same condition."

Deela stood up, "Good luck." Deela headed for the door, not knowing if Major Sullivan's mind was made up but it didn't matter. Deela needed to get back to the bridge for departure.

"It's just Phoenix, if one prefers to use my callsign, which most people do, Ma'am," Phoenix noted respected. "Major Sullivan, if one prefers using my rank. But I'll consider the offer Admiral, and I thank you for it." Now that Phoenix thought about, Jill or Jillian had not been used in over 20 years.

Deela turned back to Phoenix, "You are welcome...Major." Deela left the room.

Lennox smirked while the Vice Admiral was dressing down the new Major. Of course not everyone would get along all the time, but with the seriousness of the mission, having a maverick on board could cause more harm than good.

Duvall merely raised an eyebrow with the dressing down but then the Major had needed it, he had no idea how she had kept her commission or how she had made it to Major but such things were beneath his notice as he thought about the mission ahead, this would be a small level infiltration, getting in would be hard and getting out would be interesting. "A question... if I may?" Duvall inquired. "Do we have a breakdown for the Romulan forces deployed in system.... also do we have a threat assessment of the Local Field commander and the forces deployed under his or her command?" he was curious about the answer he would receive, it would help him formulate some sort of battle plan.

"Could we fit a Runabout or shuttle with a cloaking device?"

She looked at everyone as they talked listening contently as they talked about the mission ahead of them.

Andy Just arrived to the deck when Admiral T'lar was leaving the deck and saw all the bad manners of the major and decided to have a chat with her "Major Sullivan... A word with you if you please."

"Sure." Jillian stood up, straightened her smelly flightsuit, and joined the General. From there she stood loosely, but attentively to her superior.

As the major answered Andy pointed to the wings attached to his uniform reminding her that not only he was a Brigadier General but a fighter pilot as well, "Phoenix I can understand that we flyboys are a little different from the regular marines but if you really want to keep those wings I would suggest that you keep military protocol to the letter... I understand what you feel but I would suggest that you remember we salute the rank and not the person... as an old CAG myself of DS14 I can relate with you... so please if you need to talk my door is always open."

He did not relate to her. Not really, though Phoenix was wise enough at this point not to point that out. Instead, she went for addressing the latter, "I'll keep that in mind, General."

"Ok Major... DISMISSED!" he answered and continued to talk to Lt Col Hurd

Phoenix gave him a respectful nod, then returned to her seat and returned to the mission outline in her PADD as if nothing happened.

Maal just stood there with his hands clasped behind his back watching everyone and silently shaking his head, 'This was all going over like a lead balloon for sure. Such a fun way to start a important mission.'

Lennox was glad the General arrived, and spoke with Sullivan. He really wanted to say something himself, but with the way she disrespected those offices with higher rank, he knew she wouldn't pay him any attention.

Once back on the Bridge, the order was given to undock. As the Vanguard turned, she started to cloak.


OFF: TBC

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