Senior Staff Meeting: Even the Slightest Chance

Posted on Fri Nov 1st, 2024 @ 2:14am by Captain Remy Johansen & Sub-Lieutenant Osirin Acainus & Commander Maxun Spello & Lieutenant Commander Razka Kas & Major Clay McEntyre III & Lieutenant Eirly Andersen

1,615 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Gone, Without Ever Knowing the Way
Location: USS Astrea Conference Room, Deck 1
Timeline: MD 0

"Let's get started," Captain Johansen spoke out into the room to start the briefing once everyone had arrived. "Not that any Starfleet mission is ever typical, but this next assignment did surprise me a bit. Hopefully it ends up being in a good way."

"Some of you may remember the USS Dalton. It went missing nine years ago while studying the Vaulteran nebula in Bolian space. What was so unusual about the disappearance was that Starfleet, the Bolians, we never had a trace of what happened to them. Until now." Remy paused. "We're hoping it's not just chatter. But, there is now information that it may have been seen in the Alpha Doradus system."

Maxun looked over at Remy. His brow furrowed. "That on the complete opposite side of Federation space! How could someone sneak a Starfleet vessel all that way, and not one person or sensor caught wind of something?"

"Wormhole, time travel, foul play..." Remy responded. "We're just spitballing theories at this point. We don't even know if the information we have is good or not. One of our people overheard a couple of people trying to sell the location of the Dalton to a group of Pakleds at a flea market on Freecloud."

“Freecloud is a hive of scum and villainy. I wouldn’t go there without some heavy hitters as backup.” Clay spoke up from his place at the conference table, his chair straining slightly under his weight. “But these…information brokers, we could extract them, get them to tell us what they know about the Dalton.”

"Kidnap them?" Remy responded by means of attempted to summarize the Marine commander's intentions. "Perhaps if we obtain enough information to warrant taking them into custody. But Freecloud is outside of Federation territory, and as of now, we don't have any evidence that a crime has been committed."

"Like you said, Freecloud is outside of Federation Territory, thus, Federation law does not apply. It wouldn't be kidnapping it'd be the extraction of Human Intelligence." Clay retorted, professionally.

"He has a point," Kas said. "We could use the Holana. I can easily disguise her well enough to avoid any connection to us. Give me enough time, and I could get free agents to help if you like." The Hybrid spoke casually as he sipped his coffee.

Maxun was about to say how bad that idea was, but he held his tongue, when he saw Remy shaking her head already.

Remy shook her head, trying to hide the slight bit of amusement she was feeling that these two would want to team up and go rogue on this.

"I appreciate the sentiment and the enthusiasm. But this is a Starfleet mission to try to recover a Starfleet vessel, and we'll be operating under Starfleet orders," Remy said firmly. "Don't get me wrong, IF we are even in a pinch, life or death situation in this room there are no bad ideas, I want everything on the table. But that's not where this mission stands, so we'll go in under the Starfleet rulebook."

"From your briefings, you know that Cyn, Siv, Winters, and one of our science officers, T'lenn, traveled to Freecloud a few days ago to try to track down some information about a Nausicaan weapons dealer. As of now, we haven't received any updates on the weapons dealer mission, but Commander Winters and Lieutenant T'lenn stumbled on the Pakleds trying to make a deal to find this lost ship. The Pakleds will likely attempt to buy this information later," Remy explained.

"However, Commander Winters downloaded a PADD from the dealer's shop. He's hopeful it will give us enough information to intercept the transmission. With Lieutenant Capulet's help, maybe even send them somewhere else," the Captain explained.

Osirin cleared his throat. "If I may," he inserted, "I'm not Starfleet and not under your strictures, and my first year at the Akadian academy I was an Intel specialist."

This time, Maxun did speak up first. "While we are aware of your past training, Sub-Lieutenant, and also aware that you are not a member of Starfleet, as our guest for the officer exchange program, you are, temporarily, required to observe our rules and laws as well. The same would be true for the Starfleet officer that is serving on one of your ships. While assigned to this crew, your actions will reflect on both the Astrea and Starfleet."

The Captain nodded along with her First Officer's point. "Yes, we aren't looking for loopholes. We are going after our own ship." Remy took a deep breath. "And god willing, hopefully our people. If we can get the information we need the old fashioned way, we shouldn't need to run afoul of any regulations, which is why we've been given permission to use our slipstream drive to make the best time possible. Before Commander Winters left, he indicated it was finally ready. We'll be notifying engineering and setting a course as soon as possible after this meeting is adjourned."

"We will send updated briefs as more information is gathered," the Captain promised. "Hopefully we learn more on our way. Any quick questions?"

Osirin was a bit disappointed, but he understood the sentiment of his hosts. "Could I at least tag along if I 'mind my manners'."

"You'll be expected to, Sub-Lieutenant. Your position here carries all the responsibilities and privileges of a Starfleet officer. You aren't here to watch, Mr. Acainus," the Captain replied giving the new counselor an affirmative nod.

Eirly sat up a little straighter in her chair and cleared her throat to speak, "If, or when, we end up finding the Dalton, do we have some sort of an idea of any repercussions that might manifest themselves afterward? I understand it might be a stupid question to ask, but do we know the chances of someone who's been after the Dalton, coming for the Astrea instead?"

"We're not sure that anyone has even known about the Dalton before now, but we'll be running continuous threat assessments as the mission progresses. As far as the Pakleds are concerned. They can be a nuisance, but they know they don't want a war with Starfleet," the Captain responded. "We need to stay on our toes, but as long as we keep alert we should be able to handle them if they try anything." She turned to Spello to see if he had anything to add.

Maxun nodded in agreement with what the Captain has said. "I would keep an eye out for any scavengers asking about the Dalton." He took a breath, then added, "Though it is far from their territory, I wouldn't be surprised if a Ferengi ship was in the area as well."

The Captain stood at her chair. "Before we adjourn, there is a point of order that I need to address with our first officer. Lieutenant Commander Spello, will please stand up."

Surprised by what the Captain said, Maxun did as instructed and stood up from the briefing table.

"I couldn't help but notice that something seemed off with your uniform today, Number One. I want to make it clear that I expect my senior staff to set a good example for the junior officers on board this ship, who look up to you all," the Captain stated take a brief second to look around the table before pulling a small box out of her pocket.

"Commander, one of your pips is the wrong the wrong color." Remy opened the box revealing a solid gold pip indicating a promotion to full commander.

Maxun was both surprised and gratified by the promotion. He knew that it was a rapid one, but hoped to do his job well enough so as to not embarass Captain Johansen or the Astrea. He stood at rigid attention, as he waited for Remy to affix the rank pip.

The Captain removed the hollow-centered pip and replaced it with the solid gold one in one movement then turned to face the table. "I present to you, Commander Maxun Spello."

"Thank you, Captain," he said with a bit of humble pride in his voice. "I will ensure you never question you decision to make me your First Officer."

"Congratulations, Commander. The crew is lucky to have you, as am I." The Captain faced the room, "Bridge crew, you're with me, the rest of you are dismissed. We'll plan a proper celebration for the commander when things slow down a bit. Right now, it's back to work, and we need to get engineering on the line."

Remy put a hand on Spello's arm before walking out of the conference room. "Take a minute, but not too long," she said with a nod. She then left the conference room, leaving Spello with the rest of the senior staff.

Maxun nodded to his commanding officer, before turning his attention to the est of the senior staff as they started to file out.

"Congratulations, Commander!" Jason stated, with a smile and handshake with Maxun.

Maxun accepted the handshake as he replied. "Thank you, Jason. As before, my door is always open to anyone on the ship, should assistance be required."

Clay stood, before turning on his heels and headed for the bridge.

On the Bridge Remy took a seat at conn and opened a comm line to Engineering. "Engineering, this is Captain Johansen. Please prepare the Slipstream Drive."

~Off~

Captain Remy Johansen
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea

Commander Maxun Spello
First Officer
USS Astrea

Lt. Commander Razka Kas
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Astrea

Major Clay McEntyre III
Marine Commander
USS Astrea

Lieutenant Eirly Anderson
Chief Tactical Officer
USS Astrea

Sub-Lieutenant Osirin Acainus
Chief Counselor
USS Astrea

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