New Mission

Posted on Tue Mar 25th, 2014 @ 3:20am by Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer & Commander Jonathan Roebuck IV & Lieutenant Nick Archer & Colonel Danny Lennox & Master Chief Petty Officer Mark Branson & Lieutenant K`Wor & First Ramata`tar & Admiral Deela T'Lar & Lieutenant General Jewel 'M'lara' Dartt & Captain L'Verrem & Commander Jonathan Coleman & Captain R'nard Lokran & Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Commander Tressa Brislan & Lieutenant Colonel Jillian "Phoenix" Sullivan & Lieutenant Saith i-Ki Baratan & Captain Jack Solomon & Lieutenant Nuala Takabe & Ensign Anthony La Baron & Commodore Alexandra Harrison & Lieutenant Ariel Gilmore & Ensign Sarah Ashley

3,737 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Mission 86 - Discovery
Location: Starbase 400
Timeline: Three Days After the Weddings - Stardate 67712.2

ON:

It was 0930 hours, Bremer was in Ops looking over everything as he did
every morning before starting his paper work, but today was different.
After verifying all was well within Starbase 400's area of operations,
Mike headed for the turbolift and descended down to the Station's
internal Docking Bay.

The alarm abruptly woke Anthony, leaving him dazed. Rubbing his eyes, he realized that he was back aboard Starbase 400. His journey from San Francisco to Starbase 400 involved hopping between civilian vessels until he reached his destination. Once he reached the station, he promptly tumbled onto his bed and fell fast asleep.

Now the new day had begun, and Anthony had to begin a new chapter in his life. After a quick, hot shower Anthony dressed himself into his freshly starched uniform. He stood in the bathroom of his quarters for a moment, gazing at the striking red undershirt, which he had earned taking Flight Control courses and several Command intro seminars.

"This is the first step to the big seat." He said to himself.

Anthony was beginning to grasp and continue the legacy of his ancestors. It felt right. With confidence, Anthony made his way through the station towards the USS Essex, one of a seemingly endless amount of ships assigned to the station. This would be his first time being at the helm of a starship since his second year at the academy, which was a simulation.

When Bremer arrived, he made his way to Docking Port Two and started down the short walkway toward the Defiant Class vessel docked there. NCC-1717-F, USS Yorktown, was ready for her maiden flight, but first the ship needed to be officially commissioned.

Once onboard the ship, Mike made his way to the Bridge to find a very
happy Captain K'Temoc.

"Think she's space worthy?" Mike asked with a smile.

"Absolutely!" K'Temoc replied.

"Good, just don't run into anymore Jem'Hadar Attackships." Bremer smirked.

"I'm not planning to scratch the paint at all on her, much less ram
another ship." K'Temoc replied. "I just wish all of the Special
Operations Team was here...but Pike and Harrison need their privacy right
now.

Aboard the ship was a small group of Officers. K'Temoc, Yamaguchi, Gillo,
Gardner, Nechayve, Lasky, Blackthorne, Dvald, Gillmore, Coleman, and
Bremer...they were all gathered on the Bridge.

K'Temoc, Yamaguchi, Gillo, Gardner, Nechayve, Lasky, Blackthorne,
Gillmore, and Dvald would take the ship out for her trial runs following
the commissioning ceremony.

Bremer held up a PADD, "If I could have your attention." He looked at the
PADD, "By order of Starfleet Command, as of this date, NCC-1717-F, USS
Yorktown, is hereby commissioned in Starfleet as an active vessel. Captain
James K'Temoc Bremer is requested and required to take command of
NCC-1717-F USS Yorktown while operating out of Starbase 400 under overall command of Admiral Mike K'Wor Bremer. Yada-yada, so on and so forth, signed Fleet Admiral Alynna Nechayev."

At the same moment, the forward view screen changed from its standard
forward view, the another angle showed something drifting closer and
closer to the Yorktown. After a moment, the small object could be clearly
seen as a bottle of champagne from Chateau Picard. After another few
seconds, the bottle impacted against the Yorktown's hull and shattered.
Everyone aboard the Yorktown's Bridge as well as people gathered at
Observation Windows aboard the Station clapped.

"Mister K'Temoc, the ship is yours...oh, and the Ambassador sent this to
you as well." Bremer said with a smile as he handed K'Temoc another bottle
of Chateau Picard champagne before he and Coleman headed off the Bridge.

"You sure you don't want to come along?" K'Temoc replied.

"We can't, the Essex is leaving in about ninety minutes. Starfleet wants
us to check out some unusual readings coming from Socala Major...it's
outside Federation space so I figured now would be a good time to test the
Essex's upgrades including her new Slipstream Drive." Bremer replied.

K'Temoc nodded, "Have fun with your exploration mission."

Bremer nodded to his Brother, then he and Coleman left the Yorktown.

As Bremer and Coleman left the Yorktown, a stunning Orion Woman in a teal trimmed uniform entered the Bridge. K’Temoc, who’d always had a ‘thing’ for attractive Orion women, noticed her.

“Ah, you must be the new Assistant Chief Science Officer for Starbase 400, Lieutenant Takabe?

Takabe looked a little disoriented. "Yes sir, hello. I'm sorry, I'm a little overwhelmed right now." Nuala seemed nervous and flashed a quick smile. "I just got off a supply freighter from my last duty station and before I know it my luggage is going to my new quarters and I'm back on a ship." Takabe took in a deep breath. "It is still nice to be aboard a Star Fleet ship even if it is just to run some tests. I'm glad to be here sir." She told K'Temoc, her nervousness still evident.

K'Temoc paused a moment as he stepped forward, he didn't want to seem rude with his next question. "You are using a pheromone suppressant, aren't you?" He knew, all too well, how Orion women could, entice men.

Nuala inadvertently giggled. "Sorry sir. It's just that I get asked that question a lot. Although I'm usually asked in the ready room and not on the bridge." Takabe told him. " Yes, I'm taking precautions. It's a term of service for Orion females. I'm doing a series of meditations and taking a supplement. I have it routinely checked by medical. It should be in my file."

"Very good Lieutenant." K'Temoc flashed a smile, "Take your station."

K'Temoc then looked back at the Officers gathered. "Yamaguchi take Flight
Control...you'll also serve as my XO. Gillo take Engineering/Operations.
Nechayve, Tactical One. Gardner Tactical Two. Takabe Science, Gillmore take the Aft Bridge Station. Lasky and Blackthorne will be in Engineering. And Dvald, the Medical Bay. We'll only have about forty Officers and Crew aboard for this flight. We'll keep it simple, testing the Yorktown's systems...flight operations, warp, impulse, and slipstream, we'll also test her weapons systems, sensors, communications...give her a full shake down over the next two days of her positronic core and LCARS 7 as well. Questions?"

Siaxx Dvald raised an eyebrow as she moved over to where Torilla Yamaguchi was standing. "Here we go again Commander." she greeted the larger woman with a jovial smile and a joke.

"Indeed Siaxx... I hope you packed properly this time."

"Of course I did." she explained with a smile.

"Did you look at the medical facilities yet?" Yamaguchi inquired.

"No.... do I dare ask?"

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "You know how I feel about anything small." she commented as Siaxx sighed. "Torilla, please.. I am begging you on my hands and knees... don't bring that up... ever.."

Torilla chuckled softly. her opinion on the Defiant class was no secret in that she thought of them as oversized Escort Frigates and little more. "Flight Control... should be interesting.."

"Torilla... when was the last time you flew anything other then a shuttle or a Runabout?"

Torilla had serious misgivings about her assignment a she was not a career pilot as she went over to Captain K'Temoc. "Captain. a moment please." the two of them moved to the back of the bridge rather then make a scene as she kept her voice quiet.

"With all due respect sir... I'm not a career pilot and I believe I'm not qualified for the post for which you have assigned me sir." he raised an eyebrow as he looked at him. "My skills are in tactical and operations, not flying... I've not sat at Conn since I was at the academy." she explained.

K’Temoc looked at Yamaguchi, “I know piloting it’s your strong suite, but not only is this a test flight for the Yorktown, but a training and observation mission for the command crew. Most of them don’t get time to be a Department Head or even Bridge duty, I need them to be at their departmental positions for the mission to effectively evaluate them. The Admiral wanted you to service at my Executive Officer to help me evaluate them. Sadly, the only position that isn't filled is Flight Control.” K’Temoc quietly said.

Yamaguchi looked at him. "I will need some time to become familiar with
the Helm controls." she paused. "I'll try not to crash into anything on the way out..." she sighed softly. "I can fly shuttles and Runabouts easily enough."

"If you prefer, I'll have Chief Branson come aboard to handle Flight Control." K'Temoc decided to have the experienced Chief Petty Officer come aboard either way, just in case...since Yamaguchi seemed unhappy or uneasy with the assignment.

Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow. "No... I'm sure I'll relearn how to drive in a hurry... but having the Chief along might be helpful just in case." she explained. "My last ride was a fraction of the size and mass of this ship and she had far less firepower."

Chief Blackthorne patted Lasky on the shoulder, "We better get to Engineering."

Lasky nodded his head. "Yeah... Lets go." he commented as he walked past the lovely looking Bolian woman as he departed the bridge, he had an eye for the ladies and the more unusual she looked, the more the lady appealed to him on a personal level.

He followed the Chief Warrant officer. "We have Sixteen engineers and we need to make sure they work as a well oiled machine. My specialty is Damage control, how do you want to play this?" he looked at the other man.



Meanwhile, Bremer and Coleman made their way to the Intrepid Class USS
Essex. Mike glanced at another PADD he was carrying that listed the crew
of the Essex;

Bremer - Mission Advisor/Observer/Overall Mission Commander
T'Lar - Commanding Officer, USS Essex/Mission XO
Lokran - Acting USS Essex XO
Baratan - Acting Chief Security/Tactical
Solomon - Chief Operations
Coleman - Chief Engineer
La Baron - Chief Flight Controller
Brislan - Chief Medical Officer
L'Verrem – Chief Science Officer
Keikeya - Diplomatic Officer
Sullivan - Marine Platoon/Fighter Element CO
Lennox - Marine Platoon XO
Pepper - Marine First Sergeant
Duval - Marine

Bremer and Coleman made their way to the Bridge where the rest of ship's
Command Crew for the mission was gathered for a quick briefing.

Deela was going over the duty roster for this mission. As soon as she heard the door of the turbolift open, she looked up in time to see Bremer, along with Coleman, enter. She nodded to Bremer but didn't break a smile. Her eyes followed his movements as he faced the bridge crew.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting." Bremer said as he entered the Bridge.
"We'll keep this short so we can get to work. Last week, the USS Searcher
passed close to the Socala Major system on her way back to Federation
space after a two year deep space exploration mission. They picked up some 'strange readings' from the third planet in the system. They were able to tell the planet has a Humanoid population of about three billion in a
pre-warp level of technology...probably closer to the level Earth was at
during World War Two. However, energy readings they picked up were clearly something much more sophisticated, but they couldn't get clear readings because of some kind of sensor malfunction that cut their deep space mission short. Starfleet wants us to check it out, and I thought this would be a good time to test the Essex's new upgrades, including her Slipstream Drive...but even at Slipstream, it'll take us nearly ten hours to reach Socala Major...that's a distance of more than double that between Starbase 400 and Earth."

Bremer walked over the Helm and tapped in a few commands, a map appeared on the main viewer with a plotted course on it running from Starbase 400 to Socala Major. "Socala Major is here, twelve sectors further out than DS13 and Omega Antares. DS13 will be of little assistance to us with all of their focus on supporting the Theta Antares Sector and supplying aid to M90. So this will be a good test of the Essex and her upgraded systems. I'm not sure what we'll find there, but it's nothing we can't handle. We will of course, avoid Gorn and Tholian territory."

Mike looked over at the new face in the room, the big Caitian, Captain L'Verrem, “I apologize for the quick assignment, you having just arrived on the Station.”

Saith scrutinized the map. She did not like the unknown parts of the territory beyond Omega Antares and DS 13. Much exploration had occurred in that area, but there was still a lot of unknown. Not to mention they would be passing close to the Gorn Hegemony and the Tholian Assembly. Even though they would be traveling using the Slipstream, if it didn't work or any other number of problems arose, it could spell trouble. She located Socala Major on the map, dicey space she thought. She went through her memory about the World War II era on earth; mostly projectile, but newfound atomic/nuclear weaponry as well. Dicey, she thought again. Saith let her gaze reach the Caitian that Bremer was addressing, she had read the Captain’s file when he was assigned, so her attention returned to her map and her musings. She felt a strange disquiet, not the anger she usually carried but tenseness just the same.

L'Verrem bowed his head slightly and closed his eyes, then straightened back up and looked at Bremer. "I look forward our destination, Admiral Michael K'Wor Bremer," he said as his tail swished slightly in contentment.

Bremer nodded to L'Verrem, then looked back at the whole group.

"Admiral T'Lar will be in Command of the Essex and she has duty assignments for everyone, and I will be commanding the overall mission. Questions?"

Saith spoke up. "Do we have any more information on what 'strange readings' might mean?" she hated ambiguity.

Bremer shook his head, "Unfortunately, no. The USS Searcher is a Miranda class ship, her sensors aren't the best the fleet to begin with, before the system malfunctions. Their Science Officer believed the readings were Tetryon based, but they weren't able to confirm."

Deela glanced around, thinking about how different everything felt, especially without Captain Clifford serving beside her. She was thankful that a familiar face was serving beside her on this mission. With the exception of Brislan, Lokran and Solomon, everyone else was new, not to Starbase 400 but to the USS Essex. She would have to get used to a new crew and that was fine with her. Deela welcomed this new mission as it would keep her mind off of the very recent death of her husband.

Deela's attention moved back to the mission at hand. She started to think about what Bremer said about the energy readings coming from the planet which made her think about a similar situation that happened a long time ago. She spoke up, "Did they detect any other ships in the vicinity of the planet that did not belong there?"

Bremer shook his head, "Negative, not even an artificial satellite in orbit. We're really heading into the dark on this one."

"Are we are using duck-blind protocols?" Phoenix asked.

"Possibly." Bremer replied, "If we have to beam down. It's going to depend on the situation. We will evaluate when we arrive."

Bremer then glanced at La Baron, "As soon as we drop from Slipstream at the edge of the system, I want to cloak the Essex right away. Keep the ship from being detected by any tracking systems they might have."

L'Verrem briefly scanned around the bridge his ears swiveling independently as he took in the sights and sounds. He familiarized himself with the location of the stations, then made his way to the science station, his bare foot pads landing softly on the deck plates in stark contrast to his shipmates who had the burden of having to protect their feet with cumbersome shoes. He felt subtle vibrations through the deck plates. Each ship he had been on had a distinctive feel and smell. He knew when the engineers had tinkered with the immensely powerful reactor of a ship he had been on before because the vibration changed enough for his Caitian senses to detect. This ship was no different. It felt different from other Intrepid-Class vessels he had been on. As he arrived at the science station, he wondered what modifications the engineers had made to this vessel. He placed his paws on the console and activated it, his ears now pointed directly at it in full attention. Satisfied with the self diagnostic cycle had found no errors, he returned his attention to the bridge's center.

Deela stood up and walked over to her Chief Science Officer, "Captain L'Verrem. I'd like to officially welcome you to Starbase 400 and aboard the Essex."

L'Verrem heard her approach and pointed an ear at her, then turned to face her. He bowed his head once again. He looked back up and placed his palms upward, claws retracted, in the traditional Caitian greeting. He then said "Peace be between us, Vice Admiral Deela T'Lar. I am honored to be assigned here. I greatly anticipate our journey. This will be my first time aboard a ship capable of entering the quantum slipstream. The experience will be...interesting."

"I am honored as well. And I have to agree that it will be interesting." She observed him for a moment, "Anything you need, let me know. Carry on."

"I believe I shall begin with reviewing the sensor logs of the USS Searcher. I am curious to see if the energy source can be identified before we arrive. It might provide us clues to its origin."

"Good idea. Let me know what you find." Deela turned and walked over to La Baron next, "Ready for a ten hour trip Ensign?"


After the Admiral's briefing, Jack made his way to the Ops Station and began running a level one diagnostic on the sensor array's on board the Essex and he ran a second level one diagnostic on the primary and secondary power flow regulators. He didn't want any issues to pop up during the mission, however he also knew better than that when a new ship left port.

As the computer reported back both completed diagnostics with no issues, he looked across at Deela and was glad to be serving on board a starship again with her. With the recent bad news they had both suffered, a mission off base would allow them both to focus a little more on something different.

Tressa touched Deela's arm gently; in the hustle and bustle of life she had not been able to express her sympathy to her friend.

"What can I do for you?" she asked. "Is there anything you need?"

"Tressa, thank you but I'm good for now. If I need anything, I'll let you know. I do want to say that I am happy that we will be serving together again. It almost seems like old times, almost." Deela smiled.

"Yes it does," the doctor replied, smiling back. "Another adventure together."

"Well, you'd better get to Sickbay. We should be leaving shortly." Deela watched her leave.

Deela scanned the bridge for her Chief Engineer, "Commander Coleman, I need you to personally go over the ship's systems one more time before we depart. I do not want any problems when we go into slipstream or try to cloak." She didn't like leaving things to chance.

Coleman nodded before saying, "Aye, aye ma'am. The system check shouldn't take longer than 20 minutes and we should be underway. Anything else you need before I begin the system check?"

Deela shook her head, "Not at this time. Once you have finished, please let me know. I'd like to depart in thirty minutes."

R'nard had entered in his usual manner, silent and unnoticed. "I have no questions, ma'am." he said. "I am ready.

Roebuck came aboard the Essex and headed for the Bridge. He stayed back out of the way while Admiral Bremer briefed the Officers that were going on the mission.

Once done, he walked over to the Admiral. “Sir, I wanted to let you know the new First Marine Division XO and Assistant Chief Science Officer have arrived a few moments ago.”

Mike nodded, “Very good. Let the Major settled in aboard the Station before he’s thrown into the fire, however the Yorktown could use a Science Officer on her trial run.” He smirked.

“Aye sir.” Roebuck replied, handing Bremer a PADD. “Here's Major Thomas Jackson's and Lieutenant JG Nuala Takabe's Starfleet Records and information.”

Mike took the PADD, and handed another to Roebuck. “Admiral Sevlek will be Acting-CO while T’Lar and I are away, you’ll serve as his XO. Here’s the duty assignments and some orders for Sevlek.”

Roebuck took the PADD and nodded, “Understood, we’ll be here when you get back.” With that, he turned and left the Essex and headed back to Starbase 400’s Ops.

Lieutenant (JG) William Keikeya Jr. had gotten up eager for his new assignment that started today. He quickly wen through his morning routine of breakfast, showering, shaving and dawning a crisp clean uniform. He packed up what he needed and proceeded to board the USS Essex and went to the quartermaster for his temporary quarters on the Essex. He hoped for a chance to show off his Diplomatic skills to his new CO otherwise he'd basically be a spectator on yet another Starfleet mission. Once he settled in he proceeded to the Bridge to report for duty.

Billy approached the Center Chair to the Officer in Charge and offered his PADD with his orders, "Lieutenant (JG) William Keikeya Jr. reporting for duty as Diplomatic Officer."

Deela looked up at the new officer, "Welcome aboard Lieutenant. Since you missed the briefing, go see Admiral Bremer so he can bring you up to speed."

"Thank you, Ma'am," replied Billy. He added, "Thank you." He then went in search of Admiral Bremer.


OFF: I've added a mission map to help everyone know just where we're going, if this helps I'll do this for every mission in the future. Mission Map - http://starbase400.org/map2389a86.png

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