Fortified

Posted on Fri Jan 30th, 2026 @ 9:30pm by Captain Xavier Carey & Lieutenant Commander Tony Johnson & Lieutenant JG Larissa Milton

Mission: Those who are left behind
Location: CO's Ready Room

Lieutenant Commander Tony Johnson stepped out of the turbolift with Lieutenant Larissa Milton him. The recent development an agricultural world that seemed to be fortified out of the blue was just too strange to ignore. Everything the Dominion did, had a strategic purpose, and in his humble opinion, needed to be addressed sooner than later. Reaching the office, he pressed the chime to the Captain's office.

Larissa always felt a little self conscious about her skirted uniform when around the Captain. Still she kept in step with her friend. Waiting for a reply to the chime.

Xavier had already gathered some of his stuff, and was packing it away, stuff he knew wasn't to Tonis liking. Now with the Resolution, out of his command within a few hours, he looked up. Should he ring for Toni. This time he figured he would take himself. "Enter." He replied calling out. Placing the box on the couch in the corner.

Larissa followed Toni into the Ready Room, she had been in here a time or two with her Husband during his Bridge Watches.

"Captain, thank you for seeing us sir." Larissa bow her head slowly in reverence.

Tony looked around the room, which looked as if the Captain was packing up some things. "Captain are you leaving?"

"Reassigned Commander." Xavier replied as he looked around. "Volunteered. Don't worry, the new Captain will be just as suited for you guys as I am."

"Understood," Johnson simply responded. "We wanted to bring this to your attention. Dominion forces seem to be fortifying on a world in the Loval system." He turned his attention to Larissa and nodded for her to hand over the PADD, which not too long ago was presented for him to review. "The Loval system is agricultural at best."

"Something doesn't sound right about that. What are recent reports saying other than fortification. Previous reports. Is not like the dominion to prioritize agricuture."

The Strategic Officer nodded in agreement. "My thoughts exactly. Before the last two weeks, this area wasn't fortified at all. Yes, they had defenses. But absolutely nothing like we're seeing now."

"Before I go, one change. You are now the chief Intelligence officer on the ship. With Price gone, I want someone that te crew respect and know. Not someone placed here by starfleet." He brought up the reports of the planet. "What do you think Lt. Any ideas?" He asked Lt Milton.

Surprised once more by another huge change within the last five minutes, Tony nodded. "Yes sir."

"There is a point I should bring up."Larissa spoke. "The Chief Medical Officer had made inquiries about this same sector nor long ago. I-I think it might have a connection in some way, it was with some research he was conducting.

Tony was surprised to hear this bit of news. "What research was he conducting?"

"It was when he worked unsuccessfully to make a cure for the Jem'Hadar." Larissa recalled the disheveled lab and her husband slumped against the wall in total defeat. "He had the formula to make it but not the materials from what I understood." She shrugged. "That is all I know about it."

"I guess those materials would be strictly in the Gamma Quadrant," Johnson replied with a shrug.

"Doc did show me the formula, some element that could be made artificially, and what he needed seemed linked to that sector; he was depressed about it being unreachable behind enemy lines." Larissa relayed.

Thinking about what was just revealed, Tony was shocked. "Didn't think would be so quick to give up on such a task."

"Trust me it wasn't an easy thing to give up. But if they have a new supply of the white... that could mean big trouble for us." Xavier replied as he leaned back in his chair. "The Resolution is already going to be heading out that way..."

"New orders already?" the Commander questioned.

Larissa wondered if she should tell her "Doc' after the meeting or wait for Toni and the Captain to do something?

Pausing for a moment, "The Captain will brief you in about six hours about your new orders. But from what I am reading about your findings, it wouldn't be too far out to do a little recon of the planet in question."

"I have learned a bit about how their computers talk." Larissa mentioned. "Since their computers do the tedious work of checks and such it might help that 'intrusion to blend better?"

"Sending in a small team to conduct recon is definitely a low-risk solution," Johnson acknowledged.

A scary thought hit Larissa, what if Are-Jay had to lead the team; rush into the danger? SHe did not let her expression betray her and this seem a hint of things to come.

But her husband also wanted to know something about that place, who was she to want him not to go?

"A small recon team would be suffice, if the reconnaissance earns valuable intel... then we send in the calvary." Xavier replied

"Its a given that I will be volunteering for this reconnaissance," Tony spoke up. "Anyone in particular you wish to be a part of this Captain?"

"Ma'am, Sir..." Larissa spoke slowly. "Do you know what to look for, aside from the tactical angle?" It was a valid question. "The Doctor was looking for something in that sector, might that mean he could know 'what to look for while recon-ning?"

"Then the doctor may need to be in on that mission. He will have to be the next one I speak to. With Commander... I mean Captain Stoffels being preoccupoed with her mission, Commander Rutherford... needing this mission. As you I am sure..." He gestured to the Chief Intelligence officer. "I picked a hell of a time to volunteer for a sui... mission of my own."

"With you out on a mission..." Larissa mentioned. "Captain Stoffels will be needed even more in the Command Conversion would she not?"

"It would be nice to have you with us," Tony responded. "But I get that you have another assignment. Guess it would be Commander Milton. Lieutenant Milton and myself for now. Going to need a good pilot as well. Any other recommendations?"

"Oasis...Larissa suggested. " Best Fighter pilot and she has had some of her simulator programs modified , I had to help her stream line them so I know she can fly well." She thought. Maybe a Botanist if there is room?"

"I don't like sending husband and wife on away teams together. Especially when there are children involved." Xavier replied. "I will let you both decide the staff needed for the team. Bring said team to Captain Stoffels."

Johnson nodded in approval. "Oasis is a good pick. Guess we can let Captain Stoffels decide which Milton should make the trip. Might I suggest Lieutenant Kingston from science as well."

"I-I think my Husband would be best as he has a curiosity there." Larissa put in. "Unless he is busy with something Medical on the mission."

"That puts four of us on this mission. Captain should we bring this up in the senior staff meeting or bring this to Captain Stoffels prior?"

"I will put all necessary information in the file, but it will be brought up in the meeting."

"That's all I needed to bring up," the Intel Officer replied. "Anything else that needs to be addressed?"

"I do not know what is the mission for the ship so I am good. Larissa agreed.

"Very well... Dismissed."