Approaching Jenefra (part 6)

Posted on Mon Jul 25th, 2016 @ 3:27pm by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant JG Talia "Phoenix" Richards & Colonel Damon Raine & Commander Hans Munich & Lieutenant Mara Cross & Lieutenant T'Pral & Captain Cameron Bourne & 1st Lieutenant Leroy Mangalia

1,598 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Shadow Dance

[CONTINUED]

[OLD

Colonel Raine didn't appreciate the notion that his thoughts on operational security was nothing more than childish bickering, however, he remained silent and instead gave a simple nod to the Flight Commander. Leroy was entitled to his expert opinion on the matter and wouldn't demean him for it.

[NEW]

Cam sighed. He knew this was a sticky situation without security and the Corp at each other's throats. "Alright, how about this. A joint security presence, two marines and two security per group. By the sound of it sending down anyone other than the diplomats might risk drawing us into this conflict, but we can't send them down alone. It's Starfleet protocol and just good tactical sence. If needs be, we can have an extraction team on hot standby incase something gets misinterpreted. Is that more acceptable?"

Mara observed each individual in the room as they took turns speaking about the matter. She sighed at what Damon had to say. Maybe it was the scientist in her, who knew. After the room seemed to pause for a moment she looked over at Colonel. “With all due respect Colonel I tend to disagree with the point you are making – Starfleet, at least the one I remember is about exploration, building friendships, and working together to achieve greater good in the galaxy. It isn’t about being the military hand of the Federation.”

She looked away from the Colonel – her eyes shifting from one side of the room to the other. “From my understanding our primary mission is to meeting with the planets ruling body to review their application into Federation. We should act accordingly with that. I would recon that if we bring a force of security with the away team – Marine or Starfleet that it might spook some individuals if they are truly in a war and it might even spook the Princess enough to where she doesn’t feel comfortable enough discussing whatever matter she wants to discuss with us.”

"Starfleet is the military arm of the Federation," Sam replied. "Even though our primary responsibility is exploration. If the need arises -- which I hope it won't in this case -- we will take the appropriate actions."

“My recommendation for what is worth in this matter is for the Commodore to meet with their Council – bring a standard away party with her. After all, we are all trained in defending ourselves if need be even if it isn’t our primary duty. The ship will be on standby; the Marines can be on standby; Fighters can be on standby. Trust me when a Galaxy class starship sits in your orbit you think twice before doing anything especially if you have nothing to compare with that firepower.”

"Do we know if these dissidents think theyre freedom fighters?" Leroy asked as he drained the water. "Because anyone that is desperate enough to attack their own government wouldn't think twice about attacking a star ship that they know nothing about."

"We know nothing about the Qunari except that they are a primitive race that lives in the wilderness areas of Jenefra," Sam said. "As for military or no military, we have been invited to a formal dinner to meet with the Jenefran Council and the royal family. Department heads will go down in dress uniform. Damon will be there, as will Lieutenant Wolfe and Captain Bourne. If you have a spouse or significant other, they are also welcome. I think that will be enough of a military presence for now. I will ask for tours for each of your departments to be taken on tours of their facilities to ascertain their readiness to join the Federation. That is our official position. While you are there, see what you can find out about this war -- if they will even talk about it. Hans, scan the planet and see what you can find out from the Calypso. Leroy, you can either have your pilots on standby, or send someone to the dinner in your place. I do not know if the Jenefrans have any sort of air force, but we will find out. I expect each of you to be on your guard, just in case, but I do not expect there to be any problems at this stage."

Sam paused, realizing that not all may have read over the original notes on the meeting as the ship broke down at the same time. "In the initial information I set out at the first briefing, it stated that Starfleet has already met once with the Jenefran Council. There was no mention of a war or any sign of trouble. We have no plausible reason for us to take armed security with us at this time, but we can have a team ready to beam down if a need should arise."

To appease Damion she added, "If you would rather take one of your security officers instead of Ronnie, she will probably be okay with staying behind. That will give you a second security officer. The invitation said spouse or mate, but I do not thing anyone will question who your partner is."

Leroy looked at his XO and sighed. He was going to have to delay his departure until after the party. He wasn't going to leave Talia to that den of wolves. He trusted her, he just didn't know if he could trust everyone else. Looking at his padd he moved his departure back, then sent it to the Commodore, the Commandant and Yui so they could all be kept apprised of what was going on. Grabbing another glass of water he dreaded putting on his dress blues and the medals again, but that was something he was going to have to do on earth.

T'Pral had watched the discussion degenerate, not able to get a word in edgewise. But she had already provided her opinion. For now, she took it as an opportunity to observe the crew interactions, such as they were.

"We will reevaluate our position after we have a chance to see for ourselves what is going on," Sam said. She understood the desire to take precautions, but she also had to consider how the Jenefrans would react to a military presence, and what it might do to the Princess and her desire to speak to them. Sometimes, she didn't like being the one in charge, but she could only do what she felt was best. She looked around the table at those assembled. "Are there any more questions?"

"I agree that a small Diplomatic Delegation would be best." Munich said slowly so his German accent not to pronounced. "I take it Commodore York I shall miss the festivities and look after the safety of the ship during your absence?" He asked.

"I'm afraid so," Sam replied. "I need to be there at the dinner to represent Starfleet and the Federation. We'll see if something can be arranged for you to go down later and have a look around."

Cam sighed, "if a small delegation is all we are sending, than I shall join it, for the porposes of a military evaluation if nothing else. Even a society such as this will see the need for a personal body guard assigned to a foreign diplomat."

"I'm right there with you." Leroy was trying to remember where he had packed his Dress Blues. "I want to see what if any airforce they have on the planet. I can leave after the dinner, but I want to see what they have to offer for fighters."

Phoenix was relieved that she wouldn't have to go to the dinner. "Great. I'll stay on the ship and make sure the pilots are on standby if you need us. I'm not a fan of military dress."

"Good, make sure that S'renn is the one giving the orders, it's his week." Leroy took another sip of water before returning to his seat. "Now, I'm guessing that there is no reason for a flyover?"

"Not at the moment," Sam said. "But that will also depend on how your visit with the head of their air force goes."

"Copy that," Looking over at Talia he smiled. "I may do something like that when I'm leaving. I do have a couple questions before we go down to the planet Commodore, for both you and the Colonel."

"Sure. When and where would you like to meet?" Sam asked.

"Couple of minutes, I know we're all busy Commodore," Leroy said with a smile. "Its nothing important."

Sam nodded. She looked over at Damon before speaking. "Okay. Meet in my ready room in fifteen minutes."

Sam looked around the table. "I'll see the department heads in the transporter room 1 at 1800 hours ship time. Hans and your assistants will be in charge while we're gone," Sam said. "Until then, dismissed."

Leroy looked at Yui and offered his hand to her. "When I'm done talking to the Captain we can continue our discussion."

"I Vill be getting the subderal transponders ready." Munich said to York. "Den I vill be on Bridge until dinner is over hoping I vill be bored to tears ma'am?" He clicked hsi heels and bowed before going to exit.

Silently, Sam wished he WOULD be bored to tears. It beat the alternative.


____
OFF

Colonel Damon Raine
Chief Strategic Operations

Captain Cameron Bourne
Marine CO

Lieutenant Mara Cross
Chief Operations Officer

Lieutenant T'Pral
Chief Engineer

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

1st Lieutenant Leroy Mangalia
Flight Leader

Ensign Talia "Phoenix" Richards
Fighter Pilot

Lieutenant Commander Hans Munich
Acting XO

 

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