Mission Change

Posted on Sun Feb 2nd, 2020 @ 12:28pm by Major Naomi Sylan Griffiths

Mission: Discovery
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: Incidentals

[ON]

Frank read the report from Starfleet, they had a colony transport ready to leave as soon as an appropriate class M planet was found. "Talk about putting the cart before the horse." He checked the time on his desk, Major Griffiths should arrive at any moment for their weekly briefing. The last intel brief from Iota indicated the Hirogen had attacked multiple ships that were transporting trade goods. With Hirogen activity increasing, Frank was beginning to worry that sooner or later the Penn would have to deal with it.

Naomi with Padds in hand arrives outside the CRR and presses the buzzer and waited for the predicted response.

“Enter,” Frank said as he looked up from the briefing, “Good Morning, Major thanks for coming on short notice. I know we have our department head meeting shortly but I wanted to brief you before we go in there.”

*Smiling as she entered* "Good morning Captain and congratulations on getting the 4th pip" Griffiths said and found a seat to sit in as she sat back and crossed her legs "how is married life treating you?" she asked.

“It’s going well Major, thank you. I wanted to bring you up to speed before we brief the crew. We are going hunting for a planet to colonize. It’s part of the new Delta Initiative. Starfleet thinks its great idea, between you and I, I think it is a little premature but orders are orders.”

"Good, good, so new planet, huh Federation Colony in the Delta Quadrant, interesting location, especially considering how much the species of this quadrant quarrel with each other, the colony is going to need defending ships while getting its feet, and a planetary defence and speaking as a Marine tactically this idea is terrible on a logistics side, it is resource consuming as well as time, I hope High Command knows what it is getting itself into! Also, I think that it is a bad idea, but we have to carry out the wishes of the top brass, regardless of what we think. So what is it I need to know Captain?" Griffiths asked.

“First let me say that I agree with you. Depending on the location of the said planet there may be a Marine FOB established. The logistics will be a nightmare no matter how you take it apart but orders are orders. So I wanted you to know first, I’m hoping with your tactical training that if and when the time comes we take that into account when establishing a defensive sight. The Federation wants to establish an office facility for political and economic meetings. They think through trade and treaties they can settle the Quadrant. If the Hirogen is any indication of the other races here it may be a bumpy mission, Major.”

"Well I agree on those Captain, but the F.O.B would be needed to be set up where the Colony capital is to be, we will need extra marines to man this base as those on the Penn is insufficient to do this for any length of time. Not to mention Security would need to be used for the other buildings, plus an Early Warning system or EWS. SO if and when we find a Class M planet what should be established in order is the F.O.B, Power Generation and water, Security station with a large perimeter defence set up mainly to defend against any wildlife that may be hostile, then the main reception centre and some accommodations and an EWS. Those are just the basics we can do, but we cannot man the military and Security stations indefinitely" Griffiths said.

“Understood Major, I am hoping that the new Marine Commander that has arrived will assist with the coordination efforts. The long term plan is to move part of the garrison from the moonbase at Iota once we have identified a planet.”

*Thinks for a moment* "that will leave Iota short on defensive abilities Sir, the same defence problem, just on a smaller scale *looks up* I hate to quote the odds Captain, but finding a Class M is like 90-1 chance finding one that is uninhabited 95-1 and one that is already claimed 100% in brief Captain difficult, especially this far out into the galaxy and I have not included that the planets may be in claimed space we will need to tread lightly but carry a Photon torpedo for emergencies" Griffiths said, "might be a bit jaded, but I am taking into account the area of space we are in, the Voyager could not scan where we are going so we are essentially in the dark" she added.

“You have summed it up perfectly Major. We’re literally headed into the unknown with no backup or support. I honestly don’t know what the Admirals have up their sleeves but I hope they’ve taken all of this into account. I’m just an engineer, not a Marine or tactician. I will be relying heavily on your opinion in the weeks and months to come,” Frank said honestly.

*nods* "I can tall you this Captain, none of the Admirals has any idea as in what in the hell they are doing with this venture, while it is a good idea I do not think it was really thought through it was probably a case Oh there is room to expand into the Delta Quadrant, good idea, screw the logistics and the ability to defend our colonists, let do it anyway and they all gave each other slaps on their backs for *sarcastic quote motions with hands* good idea, to quote an old film saying Captain, I have a bad feeling about this!" Griffiths said.

Frank laughed at his animated second in command, "I agree with you Major, and I'm glad we both understand the intricacies about what may happen. I will be meeting with the rest of the Department Heads to notify them of this as well. I am hoping that they have sobered up and will be ready to depart in 24 hours. If not the Doc may be fixing a lot of hangovers."

"Nevermind the hangovers Captain, it will be the stress levels that we will have to worry about, especially my stress levels, but if Frel really annoys me I will crucify him, he has already skirted the boundary between life and death with me once since coming aboard, with all the stress we are going to be under that Ferengi better behave himself," Naomi said in Ernest.

Frank’s shoulders moved up and down gently as he tried to stifle a laugh, “Duly noted Major, thank you for your time.” He turned and glanced down at the maps wondering what the unknown space held.

Taking that as her cue to leave, "Yes Sir" she stood and did a shallow, but a respectful bow and left the room, mind running through all the worst-case scenarios concerning Frel, which then moved to the daunting task of trying to find an unclaimed Class M planet for a new wave of colonization.

[OFF]

Captain Kamar
Commanding Officer

Major NS Griffiths
First Officer