Surprises

Posted on Wed Nov 9th, 2022 @ 12:01am by Fleet Admiral William Ross & Captain Xavier Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine

Mission: Evacuation
Location: Ready room
Timeline: Current

Xavier walked into his ready room with Captain M'Grerow, Commander Stoffels and Doctrine, with Ross wanting to speak to him, regarding changes to the Resolution, he was a bit concerned.

Tony took a seat and waited for the briefing to start.

Diane stood with her arms folded while leaning against the wall. She observed her shipmates and wondered what they were thinking. News of war always put people on edge and it didn’t take a telepath to see people were tense.

Ross walked in after them. "Captain and Commanders. I am going to make this meeting short, and to the point." He paused as he waited for the two marines to enter the room before continuing.

Jack and Sam didn't arrive much later and through a nod was the most in way of greeting it was obvious they were both here for the meeting that was about to begin.

"These marines are part of a 400 marine contingent that will be loaned or assigned to the Resolution for the time being. The USS Hermes is not here for the colonists, however they are here for any non essential civilians. Families of officers and crew onboard are exempted for now. With the Dominion now at our door step... and the Resolution currently slated to join Starfleet's 11th fleet. When the need arises which it most likely will."

400 Marines and the loaned status was nothing new to the Special Forces compliment of marines, as with most things there were classified elements of any briefing and his orders were to tell no one the particulars that had not been cleared or the required clearances.

Diane continued her observation from the side of the room absorbing any and all information she could. Marines on a Starfleet vessel sometimes caused friction between the two entities. How things went at this meeting would be a precursor to how things went with moving all the colonists.

Daneel stood next to her, mostly at attention, listening. His ship was here to aid and protect. He and his crew were ready to follow any orders given to complete the mission.

Xavier could only pause. "I take it Colonel, you are no ordinary marines. Considering things?"

"Correct Captain. The Major and I as well as a number of those with me are Special Forces, the rest are regular marine elements of various tasking and training." Jack answered, he saw no harm in answering, information was after all good to have.

"Special forces... lovely." His remark was sarcastic... he glanced over at Commander Stoffels. "Welcome to the ship."

"Will that be a problem Captain?" Jack asked already getting the vibe that his arrival was about to ruffle feathers of more than just the Captain alone.

Pausing, "None Colonel Just the whole thing being thrown on me unprepared for it all."

Tony felt like kicking the captain but couldn't do that in full view of everyone. "Welcome on board, Colonel, Major. I have heard good things about the marine special forces." Things must be getting out of hand very fast if Resolution was to have such a large contingent on board. "As XO I can work with you to see the move on board goes smoothly."

“I apologize, Captain,” Diane spoke up, “I’ve heard Marines were being deployed to different sectors because of the Dominion fleet coming through the wormhole, I should have given you the heads up. I wasn’t told they were being deployed here.” She turned to the Colonel and Major, “In any case, welcome aboard.”

"Thank you." Jack replied knowing full well that his arrival could very well surprise some considering his line of work. Communication was frequently 'need to know' or delayed for operational security.

Xavier leaned back in his seat. "Commander Stoffels, Commander Doctrine, once this meeting is finished, would you start the transfer of civilians."

"Aye sir," Diane replied simply.

'Yes sir." Tony agreed as well. Busy days ahead again.

"Colonel, I want you to talk to the Leader of the colonists, him indicating that there may be some weapons being delivered outside of the city, to groups that are willing to fight. I want you to find out where, and find out if there is any evidence of malcontent. If there is indeed evidence of the population being armed with military grade weapons. We will deploy the marines around the city. With Security dealing with normal duties regarding the evacuation, and making sure its running smoothly. I hardly expect there will be enough officers to look into those reports."

"I can deploy a number of small man recon teams for covert observation around the city, in/out avenues and any woodland areas that might provide concealment. It would give early warning of movements, permit visual evidence gathering and if needed, immediate reaction elements." Jack answered. "As for the leader, will I be meeting him aboard or beaming down to his location?" The answer would dictate his security element.

"His son, a security officer onboard the ship, is showing him around the security offices. I can have him report to the Conference room, and you can meet there."

“If you need to augment your security manpower, Ellie and Hermes can lend some people for that,” Daneel spoke up. “We are here to help after all.”

"If the leader has a son onboard can't we use that to our advantage?" Tony added.

“Another excellent suggestion,” Diane added.

"I am sure he will accompany his father." Xavier replied.

"But shouldn't he lead on this? He knows these people, they may trust him above us." Tony stressed.

Xavier paused, "He is fresh out of the academy. He may know the people. But he's only two months out of the academy." He nodded "He will be there. but he will help his father understand."

"Ok. That's understandable." Tony said.

"Colonel, I will have the leader of the colony in the conference room in an hour."

"I would advise caution. Using the son in any way could be construed as strong-arming him into a situation or position more beneficial for us or our agenda than him or his needs. The leader needs our help true, however the use of his son could be a detriment to our efforts and at worst, the son might be force to pick a side if things get heated. As you said Captain, he's not long out of the Academy, he had little then to lose." Jack cautioned, he knew this, because it was a tactic he'd played a number of times during his operations when information saved lives and a threat had to be removed. Not all actions, are honourable.

Diane folded her arms across her chest. "That's a good point," she conceded, "It might be different if he'd been in Starfleet longer. Perhaps we should keep father and son separated in this instance."

"I don't agree," Tony said. "They have to move there is no other way. Asking him to help is win win for everyone. I suggest we but all the facts before him and also the downsides of his helping and then let him decide what he wants to do. This involves his family his people. I would want to be given that chance if it was me."

"Respectfully Commander, the uniform doesn't always permit us the luxury of what we want. You can't just take the uniform off when it suits because of a conflict of interest no matter what that interest is. It is his family yes, it is his people true but when we put the uniform on we put the needs of the Federation above all else. Every other species serving aboard this ship has agreed to do so. So can this mans Son." Sam injected into the conversation.

"I thought we were in this to save as many lives as we could." Tony said. "I have said my piece, and I will follow orders." She always did, whether she thought they were the best orders or not.

Xavier thought. Both points were valid, "I don't like having someone so green having to feel like he has to choose." Xavier replied as he looked to the people. "Perhaps, he can best help anyone that might have questions... on the surface. Lt Jenson, and Dr Bryant seems to be on good terms with the leader."

"That is a really good idea, sir." Tony said.

"I will have Mitchell in the conference room within the hour Col, Major along with Dr Bryant. I will get everything ready for the arrival of your men. If there is anything you need. Dont hesitate to talk to any of the senior staff." He replied and stood. It was a silent indicator that this meeting was over, things were divided to what they had to do. It was a time sensitive manner.