Post Number: 58 *Mission Briefing*

Posted on Wed Oct 23rd, 2024 @ 3:06am by Captain Marius Pontmercy & Lieutenant JG Celine Quinn

4,027 words; about a 20 minute read

Mission: Obsidian

ON

Jordan Haines stood in the conference room, if one could even call it that. He had managed to get the room cleaned up, found some chairs to sit on and even managed a replicator, that if they were lucky, just might make coffee when someone wanted it.

Captain Pontmercy would be walking in the room at any moment, as would the crew of the USS Arcadia, to receive their new orders. He had the luck to know what he was getting in to, at least that was a bit of an advantage for him.

Jordan looked forward to seeing some familiar faces. His best friend Mike McMahon would be serving here, as well as David Chambers and Marty Stokes. He hadn’t seen them since he left the station, after the battle with the Zaj. He had taken off, having serious business if his own to attend to.

Also, a couple family members, Joel and his wife Celine, alone with his nephew Jude would be on board as well. It would be like a family reunion of sorts. Jordan took a seat at the head of the table, the chair to his left was for Marius.

Marius walked into the room, glad to see that he had arrived before everyone, save for Jordan. He smiled dryly at his Executive Officer as he crossed the room, stopping in front of the replicator.

"Coffee, black," he ordered. When his drink had materialized, he turned to face his friend. "Well, well," he said with a laugh, "here we go again.

“No other place is would want to be.” Jordan replied honestly. “I know you were the one who got me here.” Marius said nothing, but gave another small smile, sipping his coffee. There would be time to catch up with Haines soon enough.

Marty was the next to walk in, when she heard about Jordan’s return as well Pontmercy’s, she wasn’t sure what to think except that this reunion was going to be very interesting to say the least. Marius turned as Stokes entered the room.

"Lieutenant," he said warmly, "good to see you."

“Good to see you as well, sir,” Marty said with a broad smile. “How are you, Jordan?” she asked looking past Pontmercy to where Haines was sitting at the table.

“I’m good, Marty.” Jordan said with that cocky grin of his. “Some would say better.”

Mike ran into the room. Almost crashing into the door as it had not opened timely. "What the hell..." he said looking at Jordan and Pontmercy. "I mean Good Day Captain. and Jordan What the hell."

Paul came in behind Mike laughing. "Good catch there buddy."

Marius kept himself from laughing, but only just. He ignored the now familiar pain in his chest, a reminder of the past that would never fully go away.

"Commander McMahon, welcome," he said. He greeted Eschenauer as well as the men took their seats.

T'Shas entered the conference room, and sits near Stokes. "Lieutenant JG Cruz reporting."

Following right behind the woman was another familiar face. Celine Quinn grinned at Marty as she entered the room, and then nodded politely at Jordan and Marius. She smiled at McMahon and took a seat next to him. She was still getting used to being in the uniform of the Diplomatic Corps, but it was a role she would succeed in, that much she knew for sure.

"Hello everyone," she said softly.

Jude came into the room next and stopped near the table. “Ensign Haines reporting.” He said a she looked from his Uncle Jordan to The Captain. Following the others lead, he took a seat.

Jordan had had enough of this Federation briefing pomp and circumstance. He stood up and felt the look from Ponty but went for it anyway. He walked over to where Mike was sitting and slapped him on the back. “That isn’t any kind of greeting for me, Mikey! He leaned over and gave him a bear hug from behind. Continuing to Marty, he turned her chair around and picked her up, spinning around as he hugged her. “We’re family!” He declared. “Family greets one another better than that!” He grinned at the two of them. “Here we are back together again!”

Paul looked at Mike and then Jordan and then Mike again. "THIS is the Jordan you've told me about? There goes the neighborhood."

Mike nodded. "And this is the Captain I told you about. Not many get mentioned. But even Uncle Chris likes this guy." Marius shook his head at the interaction, bemused. Jordan was right, most of this crew had history, and he was glad to be with them again. However so much had happened that he struggled to feel the lighthearted mood that many were displaying. Maybe that was the curse of Command, forever being distant from people, even those you cared for. He looked back and saw Jordan and Mike talking, old friends reunited at last. And then new faces as well. He saw the Science Chief sitting politely, T'Shas was her name. He glanced back at McMahon.

"Chris may like me well enough, but he never stopped being a hard-ass."

Mike nodded to the Captain. "Admiral Bradley is a hard-ass to those whom he loves and sees a future for." Mike laughed. "Look at me being all offical."

Jordan continued on. He wasn’t saying anything about Chris Bradley, the man almost beat his death stare, like the time he had yelled at Admiral Olvera. “Paul.” He said with a grin. “I will school you on proper officer etiquette. He stopped next to Celine and Joel.
His brother stood up and they embraced. Jordan smiled at Celine and said .”Hello, sister.” Before she could speak he saw Jude and a wide smile crossed his face. “Little Jude is all grown up and taking after the black sheep of the family.”

Jude rolled his eyes and grinned. “I learned from the best!” He wished he could he a little more relaxed, to be honest.

Chambers walked in, eyeing everyone. "My God. It's like old home week and a high school reunion.* He smiled. "Captain, Jordan..." And then his eyes widened in shock as a ghost appeared in the doorway. Stokes. David stood in the doorway. He shook his head, but the vision persisted. What the hell?!

Celine hugged Jordan, a change from the last time they were all in this room together. In the past the pair had hated each other, but time heals all wounds.

"Hello Jordan," she said warmly.

T'Shas was observing the interactions that were going on around her, making note of names and possible connections between the attendants.

Master Chief Petty Officer De Bruinhiena sauntered into the room and took his seat, followed closely by Lieutenant Junior Grades Hemsley and the lower ranks of the intelligence department - Ensign Locklyn, the Trill Ensign Kyl and the Bynars Dot and Dash. Only a few seconds later 1st Lieutenant Koroth Mek'Tor walked in, nodded at everyone assembled, and took his seat.

"I'm telling you when the scenario is called escape from Minas Morgul, the clue is in the name... escape." V'Lar said as she walked into the room, somewhat distracted with her thirteen year old adopted daughter Ruby next to her and her voice somewhat muffled as she was drying out her face with a towel - holodeck family time was a big thing for them, the pair were dressed in what was best described as civilian clothes, though light armour would not be an inaccurate description,

"Hey how was I supposed to know that the program was going to put Ungoliant in the dungeon?" Ruby said

"Because last time it decided to make Amon Hen more challenging by including the Nazgul..." V'Lar trailed off as she finally noticed they'd arrived and had the entirety of the senior staff in front of them, including two persons whose reputations preceded them a Captain and Commander. Her internal alarm bells were ringing a little, something was up and it wasn't the embarrassment of walking in talking about a holodeck program. Shepherding Ruby into the room V'Lar grabbed a hot chocolate from the replicator and sat down in the seat at the foot of the table.

Marius nodded politely to the newcomers and cleared his throat to grab everyone's attention.

"Hello, everyone. For those of you who don't know me, my name Captain Marius Pontmercy. It's obvious that several of us have served together before, and I'm glad to see you." He sighed. "I know the past several years have to been easy on any of us, and the Federation as well. We've all lost people. This war...it has done so much damage to the stability of the region. I know you were just getting used to Captain Michaels, but he's been reassigned, as has Commander Walsh. The Arcadia has been assigned to this Starbase, known as the Obsidian. We will use it for missions, but this base is where we will call home. I'm sure you all noticed the severe damage it sustained a few years ago, but Starfleet has ordered us to begin the repairs and get it up and running. We are not black ops, but while we are not a secret installation we are here as another area of defense." He looked around the room. "Are there any questions so far, before I continue?"

“Are we getting a cook?” Jordan spoke up. “I think it would help with crew morale if we didn’t have to suffer with replicated crap.”

"I can request some, certainly," Marius said. "As it is a Starbase we will eventually have shops open on the promenade that will also offer food and beverages as well."

"And we're going to get told the truth when exactly?" V'Lar asked. Marius looked at the Intelligence Chief, surprised.

"The truth about what?"

"What's really going on here." V'Lar said "It's not unusual for Starfleet to assign ships a home base, however it is highly unusual for Starfleet to assign a crew and ship that they likely need on the frontlines of a war to a base that they've managed to fight the war reasonably well without needing, the word that comes to mind is illogical. So my question is what is so valuable in this area that it's worth hamstringing us for? Either you know and you're not telling us or Starfleet hasn't told you, which is it?"

Marius' eyes narrowed and his expression grew cold.

"This may be one of the more informal meetings we've held, or will hold as a crew, but let me be perfectly clear. If you, or anyone for that matter, choose to speak to me in that tone again, I will bring them up on charges of insubordination. I am the Commanding Officer, and I have earned the respect that goes with that title." Pontmercy took a moment to settle himself. "That being said, you are not wrong. There is something strange about us being stationed in this area, and after preliminary questions I was going to say that while I have not been given a specific mission, I wanted to find out why this area was important." He sighed. "Look, we all know that Starfleet is not the most...forthcoming with information. However, I want to find out what's going on."

Amanda Hemsley wasn’t one to normally speak up or ask “prying questions.” It had only been a couple of months after her training had ended. Many of her fellow JG’s didn’t, or more aptly didn’t want to, understand that because training to become a specialized doctor, in order to be allowed to lead a medical department, meant that you graduate the academy as a JG. even though her fellow JG’s would have graduated ensigns and worked their way up. They would have had the time to settle into their ranks and proof themselves and earn the right to ask questions. A lot of the time, Amanda felt she hadn’t yet. Even though her teacher, command Shran, always encouraged her to “ask the tough questions.” She remembered the speech he gave her after a visiting surgeon blew her off. “You’re an amazing doctor Hemsley. You know your way around a laser scarpel. Now you need to learn to use your own voice. Question, always question. Use your voice. If you stole a nerve, you know you’re onto something. Press on!” Andorians aren’t the easiest to get along with, but when you meet that one you click with, you have a friend for life. Remembering that speech she decides to go for it. “Captain, if I may. How do you propose to do that? I doubt Starfleet will let us just snoop around.”

“By being sneaky little bastards with hidden agendas.” Jordan said with a smile.
“V’Lar here has quite a reputation for finding out information that most can’t. My being a former smuggler, have had my hands in things you don’t even want to know about. I have friends in very dark places. If we aren’t told then we do some digging.” He paused. “Every person here has served and not been told everything, why would this be any different?”

“Our first priority should be having Chambers make certain we can sustain power.” Jude said as he looked to the captain. “I’m Jude Haines by the way. I would also recommend that we get security protocols in place. We are vulnerable at the moment and someone is likely to try and mess with us.”

Marius pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing that there were still a lot of things to ve done. He glanced up as Jude introduced himself, and he gave a small smile. Another Haines on his base.

"I agree with Lieutenant Haines. Power and defenses first. Then we figure out what the hell is going on. I read the information on your last mission, there is definitely more there than meets the eye. I'd like to know more about that, and try amdbfind a way to get ahead of our enemy...for once."

Marty was just as suspicious about this whole base thing as V’Lar had been. She was right to question it because it did not make s sense to any of them. They were supposed to be explorers first not defenders and lately that seemed like all they were doing. Looking around the room, she would tell by looking at those in the room that tensions were high but none higher than the feelings she was getting from Pontmercy no one liked being duped.

"In order to be messed with you must first be found, that's easily rectified." V'Lar said glancing in the direction of Dot and Dash "It was done sixty nine years ago with far less resources than we have available."

“We need to get the base in some more.” Jordan spoke again. “And at the same time find out who sent us here and then work on the why. It could be about this station or something or someplace near here. It won’t be easy and will take time. I suggest we get busy and deal with it when we have answers.”

"The Science Department has been busy surveying what we have and what we will need to get. We also are putting together a list of things that need to be repair." T'Shas spoke up.

"I agree with Jordan." Mike said not believing he said that. "1: 69 years is a long time, however not only have we evolved, so have our enemies. 2: We need to learn about this base. Get it up and in better shape than it is now. Now it's dead. 3: We all know what we know and follow orders well. So we need to do our jobs and not question our command staff. I think first we get this place back in order, and while we do that - I'm sure command will figure out what is happening. It's Always on a Need to Know Basis with various missions."

"Excellent," Pontmercy said. "Lieutenant V'Lar, once your department is up and running I'd like you to... discreetly start looking into this. Keep me informed about what you find out. Engineering and Operations, you have your work cut out for you, unfortunately. Keep me informed of anything major but send your teams to get things repaired, essential systems first off course. Security, get working on our defenses. Everyone else, work on your departments and then start helping others as your time permits. "

Marty listened intently at what V’Lar had said and was intrigued. “What about sixty nine years ago?” she asked curiously.

"Sixty nine years ago the then Commander Sisko discovered the Bajoran wormhole, less than twenty four hours later Deep Space Nine had been moved, under the guidance of Chief O'Brien and Lieutenant Dax from orbit of Bajor to the mouth of the wormhole. And they did it without a top of the line science vessel, which we have because we're sat on it." V'Lar said "I'll do my job and I'll get the answers but understand this the Cardassians hit this base once, they know where it is and they'll hit it again given the chance. My recommendation is find a planet in the area with a lot of ocean and hide the base down there. You want good defences? No better place to start than nature."

“Move the station?” Marty said quietly. “Could it really be done?”

“With or without Federation permission.” Jordan asked. “I don’t particularly care I have spent a lot of time in the brig. But is everyone in this room willing to?”

"If that is the consensus, then I would agree." T'Shas stated, looking at the Commander.

"In response to the Counsellor I'll defer to Mr Chambers professional opinion but we have a Pathfinder class vessel with a tractor beam so it should be doable, but I imagine repairs would need making to the base first." V'Lar said slowly "Secondly, there exists no reason why Starfleet would say no, it is a tactically sound move under the circumstances."

“Except we do not have orders to move it.” Jordan returned .”nor has Captain Pontmercy agreed. I understand the logic of what you want to do but we aren’t out here to di whatever we want. We answer to command.”

"And Sisko didn't have orders to move Deep Space Nine and it happened." V'Lar said, she was starting to like the XO, "Here's the reality, the Captain has been given command of a heavily damaged base in the border region with the Cardassians, the location of the base is known to the Cardassians, the first sign of Federation activity around here and we'll have Cardassians coming in our direction and that I guarantee right now will end badly for us. I'll say it again you can't be messed around with if they don't know where to find you. By the same token they can't attack you if they don't know your position. Make the recommendation or request to move the base to command and they'll agree because they'll see the same logic. If they don't then they're making us lambs to the slaughter in which case their refusal should be disregarded." Pontmercy thought for a moment before replying, thinking on what the Intelligence Chief had stated.

"I'll give you that it makes tactical sense to be in a more fortified position," he said, "however we are not a clandestine or secret base. There will still be traffic in and out of this base regularly." He held up a hand before more conversation started. "I will raise the suggestion to Starfleet Command because it isn't a bad idea, but like you mentioned the base is in no condition to be moved at this time as it is. Let's focus on the repairs and cleanup, and get ready what we can. I want weapon recommendations for our defense, I can't imagine there is anything of significance remaining after the last battle. We need to be able to do some serious damage if the need arises."

Chambers looked at a PADD he'd brought. "Based on the data I'm getting from the worker drone flybys I've been running, it's gonna take the better part of a week just to assess the extent of damage we're dealing with here. Then my crews have to get in here and clear the debris enough to get a workshop and fabrication plant working before anything else. A timeline, if you'd ask for one, is thirteen months for minimum battle readiness. And that's running crews 24/7. But to move her, give us seven weeks." Marius blinked.

"Thirteen...months." He sighed. "That is just not going to work. We need to come up with a better solution, then. I can request crews from Starfleet to assist with the repairs, but prioritize shields and other defenses, and offensive measures as well."

"I hate to disagree, but the station was put here for a reason. There is no reason except for cowardness to move the station. And I know the Captain and the First Officer are not cowards. We were sent here and the only thing we know is we have to fix the station - so why we are talking about moving the station is beyond me. Also there was a battle here - but we don't know the Cardassians are coming here. We know they are attacking Bajor. We are not there." Mike said shaking his head at V'Lar.

“There are good points on both sides.” Jordan said, almost laughing that he was trying to be the voice of reason. “The captain has stated we are currently to fix the station as well as do some digging. Moving the station at some point has merit but not right now. He is in charge here not any of us.”

Paul nodded. "My suggestion right now - would be to fix what we got and then go from there. I think we should all get to that."

Celine had been quiet up to this point, but opened her mouth to speak after listening to the others talk.

"What I'm hearing is that there are a lot of things that need to be done, and a lot of questions. I suggest we find answers, and figure out a way to ensure that the base is stable. Once that happens, let's figure out a few suitable options for the base to potentially be relocated to."

"Then I guess I'd better go and start making some calls." V'Lar said "But I do recommend starting with a full purge and reinstall of the computer on the base, Cardassian's have a habit of planting rather nasty viruses."

"Agreed," Pontmercy said. He pushed away from the table, and stood. "You all have your assignments. Dismissed."

Off:

Captain Marius G. Pontmercy
Commanding Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Commander Jordan Haines
Executive Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Lieutenant Commander Michael McMahon
Chief Operations Officer / Second Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Lieutenant Commander Joel Haines
Marine Executive Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Lieutenant Junior Grade Jude Haines
Chief Security Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Master Chief Petty Officer K'Ral De Bruinhiena
Chief of the Boat
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

1st Lieutenant Koroth Mek'Tor
Marine Commanding Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Lieutenant JG Paul Eschenauer
Chief Flight Control Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Lieutenant Junior Grade Celine Quinn
Chief Diplomatic Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Lieutenant Junior Grade V'Lar
Chief Intelligence Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Lieutenant Junior Grade Marty Stokes
Chief Counselor
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Lieutenant Junior Grade David Chambers
Chief Engineering Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Lieutenant Junior Grade Amanda Hemsley, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Shas Cruz
Chief Science Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Ensign Freya Locklyn
Infiltration Specialist
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Ensigns Dot and Dash
Encryption Specialists
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Ensign Timor Kyl
Intelligence Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

Ruby Starling
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

 

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