Briefing

Posted on Fri Jul 15th, 2022 @ 5:53pm by Lieutenant Talsi Carey & Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine & Lieutenant Commander Aalis Rinne & Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey

Mission: The Lost Brother
Location: Commander Doctrine's office, Deck 9
Timeline: current

CJ swaggered up to Commander Doctrine's office and press the chime. Commander Wagnor had assigned him to her team so he needed to briefed on the mission.

The door swished open to admit the lieutenant. Diane was inside, at her desk, studying something on her workstation screen. "C'mon in."

"Lieutenant CJ Boucher reporting for briefing Ma'am," He said with a boyish grin.

Diane looked up from her display, “Well, if we’re going to have a mission briefing, we may as well call in the rest of the team. I’m not a fan of repeating myself. How about that?”

"Sounds like a plan," Boucher smiled.

Diane sent out the call for the rest of the people she wanted on this away mission and waited. “You can have a seat if you want, this may take a minute.”

"That fine," He flashed his boyish grin.

Having received the call Sky made her way to Commander Doctrine’s office, she had been expecting it as Xavier had already mentioned that she was to go. Though how safe it would be compared to being aboard the ship was another matter. Pressing the chime the door slid open to allow her entry.

“Reporting as requested Commander,” Sky smiled warmly, giving Caleb a smile as well.

Ensign Peterson walked in. Being fresh out of the academy, he looked around, "sirs, ma'am."

"Ma'am?" Diane asked with a bit of sarcasm, "I'd like to think I'm a little young to be a "ma'am"," she chided the ensign.

"I'd like to come to the defense of young Peterson here, Ma'am is a general term of respect. It's also a key point of Southern vernacular, which is why I also use the term ma'am a lot also." Boucher explained in his southern twang. "Age isn't a factor, Ma'am."

Diane leaned back in her chair and sighed, "I was kidding," she deadpanned.

"So was I Ma'am," CJ smirked. "There's no need to take offense."

“No offense taken,” Diane smiled a little. “We’re waiting for one more person, as soon as they get here we’ll get started. Feel free to use the replicator.”

Boucher walked over to the replicator, "I'm gonna get myself a black coffee whatever one else having."

“If you don’t mind would you pick up a ginger tea please?” Sky offered a warm smile.

"Here you go Ma’am," CJ handed Sky the tea with a boyish grin.

“Thank you” Sky smiled warmly as she took the tea, sipping it carefully.

Diane sipped her hot coffee. She decided it was time to get the show on the road. "I can fill in the stragglers when they get here," she announced, "Our mission is simple, really, but might not be easily executed. We have some supplies to deliver to some colonists in the Stella Transient system... but we also have to convince them to leave their colony of their own safety. We've found out that an alliance of Cardassians and the Dominion are going after Maquis and former Maquis. There are many suspected Maquis in this particular colony. Whether or not they choose to leave, they get the supplies that Captain Carey and I have procured."

Sky nodded. “I’m guessing that we won’t be entirely welcomed with open arms?”

"Unsure at this time," Diane replied honestly, "However, we are bearing gifts so it depends on them. We'll be armed and the rules of engagement will be don't draw unless we're drawn upon... I don't think it'll really come to that though."

"My family's been on a Federation colony for for several generations, We run a survival school that has trained thousands of colonists." Boucher explained. "Permission to speak freely Ma'am."

Diane silently gestured for Boucher to go ahead.

"Colonists are some of the most stubborn hard headed people you'll ever meet." CJ shook his head. "They have a love-hate relationship with the Federation. I wouldn't expect out right hostilities, but they're not going to roll out their welcome wagon either. The team should be armed and I'd like to bring my rifle, I'll leave it in the shuttle."

“I agree,” Diane answered, “and for the record, I wasn’t planning on any of us being unarmed. I would also like to contact them before we land so there’s no surprises.” She turned to the resident telepathic counselor, "Sky, I'd like you to monitor the people were meeting. I'd like to keep track of their mood so we aren't surprised by any sudden changes in their feelings towards us. Will you be able to do that?"

Sky nodded. “I can do that Commander, not a problem.”

Ensign Peterson remained silent, watching, he had nothing to add, nothing stood out for him that he knew would work for the team.

The intelligence officer went on, "We're to convince as many as we can to come with us. We're going in three runabouts. If more people decide to leave than we can carry, The Resolution is scheduled to pick us and them up two days after we land. Any questions?"

Sky shook her head. “Lets bear in mind that these people maybe wary of us, fear can make people do things that are totally out of character.”

"Agreed," Diane replied, "I want to give them the choice. They can come with us or not, but they also need to understand if they stay they will most likely be in danger. We'd like to prevent that."

Aalis had slipped into the briefing just as the commander was beginning the debrief. She had dealt with the Maquis in many briefings but had no first hand experience with the Maquis themselves. She did, however, have extensive experience with dealing with grumpy people, especially when they don't want to do what they should do. This was a tenuous time in front of them. Knowing that they were going to be gone for a couple of days, she needed to make sure that Geiger would have Lonén well in hand. "We've worked out an exfil plan just in case of a spiral situation," she mentioned as in her and the Security Chief.

"They have me in the loop on that as well ma'am," CJ nodded.

"It's good to see you're all thinking ahead. I like that," Diane complimented. "We're taking off once the runabouts are loaded with the supplies."

"The ordinance that we will be supplying, according to Starfleet protocol, they forfeited their right to any assistance if they did not heed Starfleet's prior attempt to evacuate." Peterson replied "Have they changed their minds Commander?"

Diane's eyes narrowed on Peterson. "What makes you think any part of his cargo is ordinance?" The exact nature of the cargo was kept between Captain Carey and Commander Doctrine. No one else was supposed to know... at least not yet.

"Those planets are self sustaining, they can grow anything they want, they trade with plenty, with the hostilities becoming more and more likely with the Cardassians and the colonists, the only conclusion that there are weapons being supplied to the planet should they choose not to leave."

Diane leveled a gaze at Peterson. "You're saying you thought of this on your own, did you?"

"I read on the Maquis and their capabilities Commander, its why they didn't listen in the first place. They can make it on their own in times of peace. But we all know this isn't a time of peace and far from it. The Captain has been away from Federation space, he doesn't know what all they put Starfleet through, not first hand experience."

Diane stood up and walked around her desk. She stood about two paces from Peterson. Though she was shorter, she made her presence felt. "Ensign Peterson," she started, emphasizing his rank, "How long ago did you graduate from the Academy?"

Quietly, Aalis watched the dialogue between Peterson and Doctrine to see what was going to come out of it. She knew that there was going to be resources and supplies for the colonists, as per were most runs. However, with the nature of the cargo seemingly figured out, or subjectively tossed out into the briefing as such showed either a hole in the information route, or it showed a willingness to get unconfirmed information confirmed through confrontation and guestimation. She wasn't partial to either way that this conversation was going, and kept a keen eye on the situation as it unfolded.

"Two months."

"Two months." Diane stated flatly as her eyebrows rose mockingly impressed. "You sir, have a lot to learn." Diane slowly paced around where Peterson was standing, "What you're going to find out about serving in Starfleet is that not all rules are always followed to the letter. When we're out here in the black," She waved her hand to encompass the space surrounding the ship, "Sometimes we have to bend those rules a bit to protect people. And when I say 'people' I mean all people." She stopped pacing right in front of him and looked Peterson in the eye. "You think these colonists are our enemy?"

"I agree with Starfleet, those who don't want to listen should be left to fend for themselves. They made their choice they should lie in it.”

“You can have your opinions and prejudices if you want but you can’t bring them with you on duty. If you think they’ll get in the way of following orders you can stay on the ship,” Diane replied flatly. “If you have a problem with that I suggest you talk to Captain Carey.”

CJ was seething at the conversation unfolding in front of him. He was happy to see the commander was handling it. He made a mental note to give the kid education if he got a chance.

"I will do my job Commander." Peterson replied as he stared at the Commander. "I follow orders."

“Good,” Diane moved back to her desk and sat on the front edge. There was a right way and a wrong way to bring up issues with a superior. Peterson, clearly, had a lot to learn. Diane made a mental note to speak with Wagnor when she returned. “So, we know where we’re going, what we’re doing, are there any other questions before we set out?”

Sky shook her head. “No questions Commander.”

"The situation seems pretty straightforward to me ma'am," Boucher said sipping his coffee.

"It should be..." she agreed, "and hopefully the colonists aren't any trouble."

"All good here," the Trill responded to the question after the other spoke up. "I'll distribute the security plans to each involved after the meeting."

"We're leaving in four hours. We'll meet then in shuttle bay three. If you think of any questions or concerns before then please bring them up." Diane then sat back at her desk and looked at her assembled team.

Aalis nodded and dispersed with those that were leaving the briefing.