Post Number: 246 *Another Survivor*

Posted on Thu Mar 13th, 2025 @ 3:15am by Admiral Michael Tabolt & First Star Admiral Dakota Olvera & Admiral Christopher Bradley & Admiral Sam Fernley

1,864 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Secrets

On:

Dakota walked through the station to her office, having just received word that yet another Admiral had survived the attacks. Admiral Sam Fernley and his family had arrived and he was on his way to meet with her.

She had sent a message to the other admirals, Talo was unavailable but the others were in their way to her office. She was feeling encouraged even more with knowing she would have an Admiral in charge of security and section 31. This was a crucial position to have filled. She entered her office just as Michael arrived.

"Fernley is alive," he asked her without greeting? His happiness was evident. "I didn't know him well, but we crossed paths several time. He is a good man."

The arrival of the, Ascension Class, USS Renee Picard hadn't gone unnoticed - it would have been pretty hard not to notice the ship considering it was just over 1400 meters long, 600 meters across at its widest point and 47 decks large, it was the largest ship currently present at the base and it currently had a Galaxy class saucer section in a tractor beam and a pair of dolphins in one of its large cargo bays, that was all courtesy of the mini adventure they'd had getting to the base. Sam himself was the same as ever, fairly relaxed, calm and as usual wearing a more casual uniform which was something akin to a t-shirt and the Starfleet vest style jacket with the usual trousers. It would have likely seemed unusual to see so many admirals aboard a single base but the circumstances being what they were no one was batting an eye.

He made his way through the base, only having to stop on a couple of occasions to ask the computer for directions, eventually arriving at the office he'd been heading for, stepping inside he smiled "I brought homemade cake." he said producing a tin "Figured we could use it." Michael stood up, smiling.

"Sam, damn I am glad you are okay." He crossed the room, and went to shake the mans hand.

“Cake!” Dakota stood and headed over as well. “This is the best news, Sam.” She said with a smile. “It is good to see you!”

"And you. " Sam said setting the tin down on the desk "Had some fun getting here."

“From the reports we’ve been getting it’s a miracle you made it at all.” Dakota said seriously. “Things are not good.”

"From what I hear 'not good' is an understatement." Sam said glancing around before turning back to Dakota "How is he?" he was referencing Chris.

The door opened, and Chris stepped inside, still relying on his cane as he moved with measured steps. His usual sharp gaze swept over the room, landing on Sam Fernley. He exhaled, something between relief and satisfaction flickering across his face.

"Well, I must be seeing things," Chris said dryly. "Sam Fernley, in one piece, and bringing cake. Now I know miracles exist."

He moved closer, shaking Sam’s hand firmly before lowering himself into a chair with a quiet grunt. "Glad you made it, Sam. And you’re right—'not good' doesn’t begin to cover it."

He glanced at Dakota, then back to Sam. "As for me? I’m alive, which is more than I can say for a lot of people. Took a few hits, but I’ve had worse." He tapped the cane lightly against the floor. "This is just a temporary inconvenience."

His expression sobered slightly as he studied Sam. "But enough about me—tell me, how the hell did you pull off getting here in one piece? Because from what I’ve been hearing, that trip shouldn’t have been possible."

"A fair bit of luck." Sam said "We were out in what used to be solidly Romulan space but is these days contested as the colonies there don't want to be under the rule of the Romulan Empress." he was now cutting the cake as he spoke "We had four of our Kestral's flying a CAP while we were picking up an aid run to one of those colonies, one of the pilots called in an unfamiliar ship that suddenly appeared out of nowhere, we just about got the shields up before we took the first hit, good thing we did or that would have been the end of us. Niamh managed to maneuver the ship so that when the second hit came we took it in the side rather than a critical area, still sent us into a descent into the planets atmosphere but we managed to crash land into ocean and stick to the sea floor and wait it out while we made repairs. After that making a pickup or two for the intelligence department here wasn't anything we were going to break a sweat over." Michael let out a whoosh of breath as he took in the Admiral's story.

"Well that sounds... awful," he said. He glanced around the room. "Unfortunately, I think you were one of the few to get out alive," Tabolt finished with a sigh. "The few of us here, along with Jackson, and Admiral Monroe are what seems to be all that is left of the Admiralty."

“We are very happy to see you.” Dakota said seriously. “And to have you join us on the station. You have your work cut out for you, just like the rest of us.”

"Speaking of." Sam said "What's the state of play?" Michael sighed.

"Starfleet Headquarters and the Academy were destroyed, as of now there hasn't been word of any survivors. Most of the Federation worlds have sustained heavy losses, and most of our fleets destroyed. The Federation Council has also been confirmed lost. We voted in a new President yesterday, and she is here on the station." Michael frowned, knowing that was a lot to digest. "With the loss of most of our vessels patrolling the quadrant, there has begun to be power struggles to claim our lost territories, and we do not have the manpower to fight them back. Our most likely course of action is a retreat to the Delta Quadrant to regroup, rebuild, and survive."

Sam's mind was racing as he processed that information it was a lot worse than he'd imagined but at least it sounded like there were some very sound planners and strategists aboard the base if they were thinking about that course of action "From what I heard the deep space missions that we have weren't hit." he said slowly "Who's the President?"

Chris took a slow breath before answering.

"President T'Kes" he said simply. "She took the oath yesterday."

“Lieutenant V’Lar’s quick thinking brought her on board.” Dakota spoke up. “It has been a little chaotic but we are moving forward as best we can.”

"Well you certainly couldn't have asked for anyone better." Sam said "Especially under these circumstances."

“The Starbase has an exceptional crew.” Dakota continued. “The senior staff is doing their best to keep morale up and use their officers to continue operations on board.”

Chris gave a small nod, his expression serious but steady.

"We were fortunate to get her out in time," he said. "V'Lar acted fast, and now we have a President who understands the gravity of the situation." He exhaled sharply. "But it's not just about survival. We have to think ahead, make sure Starfleet and the Federation can recover from this."

"I'll guarantee right now that there's plenty of planning ahead already happening." Sam said.

"There is." Dakota nodded. "Lieutenant Haines, the security chief on board." She shook her head. "I should have said Lieutenant Jude Haines, we are fortunate to have the notorious Haines family all serving here. Anyway, Jude has been reaching out to contacts and working diligently to keep the starbase safe with what people he has."

"We have our Science and Engineering teams working on the Synthulan technology. So far they haven't found anything of note, but we are hopeful," Michael said.

"And if I know V'Lar she'll be looking a good few moves ahead as well." Sam said he sighed "It's going to be a very long game that much is obvious."

“But we can do this.” Dakota said determinedly. “We have the heart and we will find others.”

"So I assume the priority is firm foundations during which the tactical end gets an idea of what moves we can make from the position we're in?" Sam said.

"Indeed. It's my hope that we can eventually begin taking back Federation territory, but for the time being, it's survival and establishing a secure headquarters." Michael finished and leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of the coffee that had almost gone cold.

"One meeting you will need to have once you are settled is with Iris Bradley." Dakota spoke up. "She was the Administrative Assistant to Command back on Earth. She has been very mysterious about the contents of the discussion but insists that she needs to speak to whomever takes over as admiral of security."

"And you and I have to speak about a few things Sam. Not extremely urgent but whenever you can." Chris said.

Sam nodded, it sounded like there would be a few meetings for him to have "I'll get a schedule together once I've got my feet under the table." he said

“Since you are taking over Section 31 as well.” Dakota spoke up, she turned and walked ones to the wall, opening a safe with eye and finger print identification as well as entering a few numbers and letters she kept shielded from their eyes. She took out a small stick and walked back over, handing it to him. “This lists your people, most of whom are probably gone but I am certain some are still alive. I assume you know the code to open it in the event you ended up here. The note indicated I was to pass it on to you.”

Michael watched the exchange and nodded. It was good that they were all together, even with everything that had happened.

"I'm glad you're here," he said out loud to Sam. Standing, he nodded at those assembled. "I have a few things to take care of, but let's grab a drink soon. There is a nightclub called the Obsidian Flame on the promenade we should visit."

Sam stretched out his shoulder, he was looking forward to a shower and not feeling as beaten up after the near miss he'd just had, he was compiling a mental list of meetings he'd be having and he had a drop off to make, well assuming Felix hadn't already taken care of it. "I'd better go and find my office." he said.

"Of Course." Dakota stood as well. "If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to ask. We will do our best to accomodate you."

Off:

First Star Admiral Dakota Olvera
Commander In Chief
Starbase Obsidian

Admiral Michael A. Tabolt
Director of Starfleet Operations
Starbase Obsidian

Admiral Chris Bradley
Director of Starfleet Intelligence / R&D
Starbase Obsidian

Admiral Sam Fernley
Director of Starfleet Security
Starbase Obsidian

 

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