Post #164: Reasoning, Planning and Favors

Posted on Thu Nov 21st, 2024 @ 6:18pm by Major Charlotte Thrace & Admiral Michael Tabolt & Captain Marius Pontmercy

1,544 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Secrets
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: current

On:

It had taken a good few hours worth of shooting weapons on the target range but Charlotte's fury had eventually abated and that crystalline, cold blooded, icy focus she was better known for among the senior staff had taken hold. She knew the dance they were in, first gather information and then it would be on her but this time the stakes were a whole lot higher than they had been in a while, in some respects this was much worse than Qon'os had been. She wasn't normally the type to make requests, to ask for anything, normally she made do, but this time circumstances necessitated it. She made her way up to the Captain's ready room and stepped inside. "We need to talk about what we're about to get into and I'm probably going to have to ask for that which I've never asked for before." she said a little softly "And that's probably above your head sir."

Marius paused for a moment before speaking. Charlotte had come in quickly and obviously with a lot on her mind.

"Alright," he said after another moment. "Why don't you tell me what you are thinking, and I will call in an Admiral if necessary."

"Based on all information we currently have we've never had a first contact situation with these Synthulans." Charlotte said taking a seat "So we don't know where their territory is but we know where it's not. The Federation over the last close to three hundred years has charted the Alpha Quadrant, we've charted most of the Beta Quadrant, to get to possible locations where the Admiral may be being held we're talking distances that are akin to entire mission directives for deep space exploration. We're going to come to a point in planning a rescue that has a chance of succeeding, where we have to be able to do things without being asked questions. I'm not saying blank cheque but we're probably going to need things that we don't presently have to do this." Frowning, Marius thought on what she had said. It made sense, and in wartime... well things needed to get done. He sighed, and then pressed his combadge.

"Captain Pontmercy to Admiral Tabolt."

"This is Tabolt," came the reply a few seconds later. After glancing at Charlotte, Marius spoke again.

"Admiral I am in a meeting with my Marine CO in my ready room, and I think this is a conversation you need to be a part of. Do you mind joining us?"

"Not at all, Captain. I am on my way."

A few moments later, the chime on Pontmercy's door rang, and Admiral Tabolt came in. After greeting the two already present, he took a seat.

"Okay," he said, "what's going on?" Marius looked at Charlotte, and nodded at her, indicating that she should answer the Admiral.

"We currently have people combing through every single bit of data we have trying to piece together as much as we can about these Synthulans." Charlotte said "Now at some point in either a few hours or a few days that information is going to end up with me and I'm going to have to use it to plan a mission to rescue Admiral Bradley." she paused "Normally I can work with what I have to hand, this time that probably won't cut it. I don't think the Synthulans are in the neighbourhood, I think we're talking a long distance trip or high risk or both. I'm almost certainly going to have to make requests for extra equipment that will raise eyebrows and we're almost certainly going to be flirting with the line in terms of Starfleet regs. I don't like saying this but we can't be asked a million questions by command, I don't want a blank cheque but I need a clear run in the planning stakes, I'm happy to keep both of you informed as to what is going on, because part of me suspects this is a longer game situation, but we simply don't have the time to be getting into philosophical discussions with bureaucrats." Michael raised his eyebrows at her directness.

"What extra equipment are you thinking," he asked?

"At this point an Inquiry class starship and two or three Kaplan F17's." Charlotte said "And we'll need a cloaking device, the rest I can probably scavenge from scrapyards. If I need anything else after we get all our information back from people working through data I will let you know." Marius and Michael exchanged looks.

"Our shipyards have been fairly decimated," Michael admitted. "However, I'm pretty sure I can get you most of that. What are you planning?"

"A highly unconventional rescue operation." Charlotte said "We need punching power and plenty of sleight of hand."

"Then you'll have it," Michael said with certainty. "Give me a list, and I'll make it happen. When do you think you can be ready to go?"

"In all honesty that's not something I can say with certainty." Charlotte said "There are a couple of variables we're still figuring out which may impact it, hence why I wanted to have things in place now so that we have what we think we'll need as the information comes in and things come into focus. I would estimate that assuming there aren't any major wrinkles in the data that we have people analyzing that we can theoretically be ready to go very quickly but either way I'd rather have what I'm working with and be ahead of the curve than have to play catch up." Michael nodded.

"There was someone who worked closely with Chris-Admiral Bradley, back when he was stationed here. Doctor...Ryan I believe," Tabolt said, thinking. "I believe that reaching out to him will be helpful. I will have him come out here, and maybe his experience with these... Synthulans will be beneficial to what you are trying to do."

"All help welcome." Charlotte said "I don't normally like the idea of going into the monsters lair so to speak, especially when at a disadvantage, I'd rather be the one choosing the battlefield but this time we've not got that luxury, we'll be walking into the lion's den and we need to be ready for that."

"Indeed," Pontmercy said. "We need to get to him quickly. I do not like our odds if we delay too long," he said. "Is there anything else you need?"

"At this point no." Charlotte said "Depending on what comes back report wise there may be other things I need to ask for but at this point I don't think I need to ask for anything else." Tabolt looked between the two of them before speaking.

"I am glad to know that you are working on it, Lieutenant. I would like to be updated with what you have going on."

"I would as well," Marius said, speaking up.

"Well, I have a lot to do, especially now," Tabolt said as he stood. "Thank you for working on this, I look forward to your results," he finished, and then exited the room. Pontmercy sighed and looked at Charlotte.

"I know you know this, but we cannot afford mistakes on this. Please ensure that whoever you have working on this gives their absolute best."

"I will." Charlotte said "Just promise me one thing." she was glad the Admiral was out of the room at this point "No one has asked who knew what when, it's perhaps the one good thing in our favor right now, I'm not going to tell you how to do your job but please keep the lid on tight, there will be questions we need to ask when this is over but promise me we'll do everything we can to avoid court martials and inquiries and internal affairs and all that baggage," Marius held up his hand.

"We have the Fleet CnC on our base, who had her husband taken by force. I already had permission to do what was necessary before this... but now? Now we can do whatever is needed."

"Short of that which would turn us into that which we're not." Charlotte said "Once we've got the data from everyone we'll need to see how it all shakes out, we've got three variables and let's just hope it doesn't get any more than that."

"Please keep me informed," Marius said, his eyes serious. "I want to know what you do, and when."

"Understood." Charlotte said getting to her feet "First thing I'd like is all knowledge of any rescue attempt kept on base, once we've got him back the Federation think tank is more than welcome to kick in and think about how to deal with the Synthulans in the future but until then let's keep the more paranoid higher ups out of this." Marius nodded.

"I agree with you. We already are going to have a hard enough time keeping this quiet and keeping them out of our hair. I have no intentions of adding any more to it. Thank you, Lieutenant. You are dismissed."

Off:

Captain Marius G. Pontmercy
Commanding Officer
USS Arcadia / Starbase Obsidian

Admiral Michael A. Tabolt
Director of Fleet Operations
Starbase Obsidian

First Lieutenant Charlotte Thrace
Marine CO
USS Arcadia/Starbase Obsidian

 

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