Post Number: 325 *Mission Briefing*

Posted on Sun Jul 26th, 2026 @ 6:12am by Captain Marius Pontmercy & Lieutenant JG Celine Quinn & Ensign Erin Couldis & Commander Jordan Haines & Lieutenant Commander Michael McMahon & Major Charlotte Thrace & Lieutenant Peter McMahon & Lieutenant Jude Haines & Lieutenant Marty Stokes & Lieutenant Aurora Winters & Lieutenant V'Lar & Lieutenant JG Jason Neniphim & Lieutenant JG Robert McMahon

3,187 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: A Leap of Faith

On:

Marius strode into the conference room and was surprised to see that he was the first to arrive. He normally was the last, but he knew that everyone had been interrupted with news of this last-minute mission briefing, and so he simply made himself some coffee and took a seat while he waited.

Only a few minutes had passed before he was joined by Erin Couldis and Celine Quinn. The two women were deep in conversation, but stopped when they saw the Captain.

"Hello sir," Ensign Couldis said quietly. Celine gave him a small smile, which he returned.

"Hello, as you were." The two women quietly returned to their conversation, taking seats slightly down the table and across from him

Aurora hearing the call to report to the conference room for a meeting grabbed a PADD and made her way to the conference room. To say she was a bit nervous was an understatement. She'd not met too many people since she'd arrived. Walking in "Hello captain," Aurora greeted as she took a seat. Marius nodded at her.

"Welcome Lieutenant."

When Marty entered the conference room, she nodded at the Captain before smiling at the others and took a seat before glancing down at her padd. Curious to know what the meeting was about.

Jude came in with Jordan. They were in a discussion on the best ways to train security officers. Jude knew Jordan was giving him crap. His uncle liked to test the waters, always making sure Jude was on top of things. He didn't mind a bit, he was used to Jordan's ways by now.

"Captain." Jude said as he took a seat. He nooded to the others.

"Hi Boss!" Jordan said with a grin and took a seat next to the captain, a cup in his hand. He looked around. "Morning, Ladies!" Celine rolled her eyes with a smile and turned back to Erin.

V'Lar's arrival was to some extent predictable, she walked in carrying a mountain of PADD's in her hands, all reference material that she expected to need for this meeting, she took her seat and began doing some doublechecking of her material while they waited for the others.

Charlotte's entrance wasn't quite as equally predictable, yes she was wearing the sleeveless style uniform top over her green short sleeved uniform shirt, yes she went straight to the replicator and got her usual hot chocolate and then turned towards the table, but... she didn't take her normal seat at the foot of the table this time she walked past that and took a seat on Jordan's other side, this wasn't simply because of the feelings she and Jordan shared either, her choice to sit at the foot of the table, directly opposite the Captain had, many years earlier been born out of protest and resistance to how her department had been treated, then it had become habit, she'd long dropped any grievance with the Captain over that, it wasn't worth it especially at times like this. She giggled a little when she saw both the Captain and the XO exchange a glance "What?" she asked jokingly "Anyone would think you've never seen a girl change her mind before. Don't tell me I caused you to panic."

Marty couldn’t help but giggle at Charlotte’s comment. “Anything women do differently causes men to panic, it’s an act of self defense.”

Marius held up his hands in mock surrender.

"You can sit wherever you damn well please Major," he said with a glance at Jordan. Looking around the room he nodded to himself. "We will give the others a few more minutes and then we will begin."

Charlotte just grinned, it was moments like this that the senior just seemed to relax which was something they sorely needed to do, but they did have a job to do. She sipped her hot chocolate and did a mental checklist of who was in the room.

Walking in, Jason had just a simple glass of water. It still didn't feel right to be attached to these meetings. Nodding around the table, he sat down quietly. Setting the glass down, Jason didn't touch it, or even look at it again.

"Welcome Lieutenant," the Captain said as the man took his seat. He knew that although the man wasn't part of the senior staff, he would be important to the mission discussion ahead.

Jordan smiled to himself at the banter between Marius and Charlotte. "It isn't panic, it's calculation. Women are always thinking of a way to trip us men up and so we have to try to be one step ahead of you." He gave the classic Haines grin he had perfected over the years then. "I have no issue with admitting it is an epic failure on our part. But still we have to try."

"Well, that's certainly not a conversation I was expecting." Jason said looking at the Commander. "What's going on that I evidently missed?"

"Nothing more than the usual pre meeting conversation." V'Lar said "The Commander and the Major have what might be called a ritual of friendly banter that tends to surface before we get down to business. It's generally how they take the tension out of the situation."

As the rest of the Senior Staff slowly wandered in, Marius looked at those assembled. Some new faces, some that have been with him for years- but all dedicated and determined.

"Thank you all for being here," he said after a moment. "Listen folks, we don't actually have a lot of time so I'll cut right to it. We have an opportunity to possibly gain a treaty with the Kazon, something our fledgling Federation desperately needs." He glanced over at the Major before speaking again. "We have a small window in which to accomplish this. Major, will you please fill everyone in?"

Jason's eyes went hard immediately. No longer bright eyed, he grabbed the padd in front of him, his knuckles turning white. *An alliance? With them?* He couldnt stop the thought. He couldnt stop the anger in his face. "Raiders." He spit out. "You want an alliance with pirates. Why not just invite-" Jason stopped when he saw the looks. "I said that out loud... didnt I?"

"Yes you did." Charlotte said she took a breath before activating the conference table's holo emitters to bring up what she needed "This is the Iskaryn system, it's about two days away from us at warp seven. It's not much to look at it's a water world with three ice moon's, very mineral rich though. There's what we believe to be a mining outpost in orbit of the planet, it belongs to the Kazon Ogla sect and we picked up a distress call, we don't have any details as to what it is but something is clearly having an effect on the crew of that outpost. Intelligence indicates that the Ogla are sending ships to try and resolve things but the Kazon likely lack the medical, engineering and scientific technology to solve whatever this mystery is and they probably don't have the tactical awareness to combat it if it is something hostile." she took a breath "What we've been asked to do is send an away team to investigate, we should get there about the same time as the Kazon do or after them, which is good because we don't want to get there before them as that potentially sees us getting accused of being responsible. We don't think it'll be too difficult to convince the Kazon to let us risk our necks in their place, after all from their point of view why would they risk their lives when we're happy to do so instead? We think that solving this mystery for the Kazon Ogla will gain enough trust or at least create a situation where they owe us one, enough that they call a summit with the other sects for the purposes of negotiating a treaty of some sort which tactically at least we need. The system we currently call home is claimed by the Kazon Ogla, we haven't seen them since we got here but assuming the territory map hasn't changed over the last sixty seven years then they claim it. The Kazon are the power in this region of space, if we can get a treaty with them then the diplomatic concern of rebuilding the Federation gets easier, the tactical focus can then shift a little more to what's going on back in the Alpha Quadrant."

“What exactly are we looking at from a medical standpoint, our department is stretched pretty thin already,” Marty asked curiously.

"Less thin now with the influx of Federation Officers from the Alpha Quadrant," the Counselor said with a soft smile. Erin noted the tension in the room and sighed.

"Exactly," Marius said. "We don't need a large medical team, just you and three others you seem appropriate. Our ship will be equipped with the equipment you should need along with an EMH if the need arises." He looked back at Charlotte to continue.

"The honest truth is that we don't know what's going on on that outpost." Charlotte said "It could be medical, scientific, engineering, hostile threat or something completely out of the blue. We're not going to know until we get there exactly what this is, so we don't worry about what we can't control." she turned her eyes towards Celine "However what we can control, what we can prepare for is negotiating with the Kazon. We're not going to betray what Starfleet and the Federation stands for, we're not going to go and violate the Prime Directive or anything like it, but we're going to talk with the Kazon. With a bit of luck we can start talking with the Kazon Ogla while we're trying to solve whatever's happening on the outpost."

"Pirates are no different than us." Jordan spoke up quietly. "They just live by a different set of standards and rules than we do." He sat up then. "I am an example of how a pirate can do a complete turn around. We have to meet with them on their level and gain there respect and trust. Without that, talks will be useless." He thought back to who he used to be as his eyes met Jasons. "I get where you are coming from, trust me. This treaty is paramount to both sides for survival. They know it as well as we do."

"Sciences will be ready," Aurora spoke up, "I do agree with Commander Haines, if there is to be trust then someone needs to offer the olive branch, Hopefully both sides will want the treaty."

"Remember." V'Lar said "While it's true that the treaty is beneficial to both sides we need it more than the Kazon do, the Ogla are one of the more powerful sects, if Federation and Kazon technology has advanced at a comparable rate then they still outpower us and they more than likely outnumber and outgun us. Lieutenant Quinn understands the negotiation nuances better than I but our greatest advantage is that the Kazon sects don't get along, the Ogla have to weigh the consequence of saying "no" when we can turn around and go to the Relora, the Oglamar, the Halik or the Monstral and that's just the more local sects."

"With that all said." Charlotte said "We're proposing to take the Arcadia in. It being a science vessel it's better equipped to handle the investigative mission profile, it can hold its own in a fight but hopefully it doesn't come to that and if it does we have a very very fast cavalry ability." she looked at Marius "So who goes sir?"

Jordan looked to his captain. The "old" Jordan would be demanding to go but this Jordan, the one who had learned with time that he did not have to be the center of attention, waited patiently. If Pontmercy wanted his hands in the cookie jar, he would stay behind and have the whole damn cake to himself.

Marius took his time before replying, glancing around at the group assembled before him. This was an extremely important mission, and they needed a win. Finally, he spoke.

"Commander Haines, you will lead this mission. Major Thrace, you will take a team of Marines, Jude will go with a group of security officers. Lieutenant Commander McMahon, Lieutenant Quinn, Ensign Couldis, Lieutenant Andrews, Lieutenant Chambers, Doctor Stokes, Lieutenant Winters, Lieutenant V'Lar, and Lieutenant Neniphim will go as well." He sighed. "Any final thoughts or suggestions?"

Jason stopped looking at the padd. And swallowed hard. "Me? Sir, are you sure you want both of your intelligence officers to go?" He asked quietly. "I wont say no to a little.time off station, but at the same time I did just... vehemently oppose talking to pirates."

Marius thought for a moment.

"On second thought, Lieutenant V'Lar will remain and you will go by yourself. Your opposition was nothing more than a different opinion, and I encourage that. As long as you follow the orders given, I don't mind disagreeing opinions."

Mike had remained quiet through the entire briefing, listening to every angle before speaking. Operations had taught him that plans built on assumptions usually failed, but plans built on preparation survived first contact.

He folded his hands on the table.

"I think we've covered the away team well." He glanced toward Charlotte, then V'Lar and Jordan before looking back to the Captain. "Operations will make sure Arcadia leaves with every sensor package, modular fabrication unit, and emergency supply we can spare. If this turns into engineering, medical, or humanitarian work, I'd rather have equipment sitting unused in the cargo bay than wish we'd brought it."

He paused thoughtfully.

"My only concern is what happens after we leave."

His eyes shifted briefly to his brother across the table.

"We've committed a fair amount of senior leadership to this mission. If something unexpected happens here while Arcadia is gone, we need to make sure the station isn't left reacting instead of acting."

Mike leaned back slightly.

"So my question is less about the away team..." He smiled faintly toward Peter. "...and more about what the Starfighter Wing should be doing while we're gone. If this treaty is as important as we think it is, I'd rather have them positioned before we need them than scrambling afterward."

Peter McMahon had listened with the quiet patience that had become his trademark. Unlike his younger brother, he wasn't part of the away mission, and that suited him just fine. Someone needed to keep the skies clear.

He nodded once toward Mike before addressing the room.

"I've been thinking along the same lines."

The Chief of Strategic Operations rested his forearms on the table.

"The Wing should remain here, but not idle."

He looked toward Marius.

"I recommend we move to a heightened readiness posture. Fighters fueled, armed, and crews on immediate alert. Not because I expect trouble, but because if negotiations go sideways, we're the quickest force we have."

His gaze settled on Charlotte's tactical display.

"If the Arcadia calls for help, we can have fighters in space within minutes and a relief group already forming before larger ships can get underway."

Peter glanced toward Jordan.

"And if everything goes well..." he smiled slightly, "...then no one ever knows we were waiting."

Looking back to the Captain, he finished calmly.

"My recommendation is simple: let the away team focus entirely on diplomacy and solving the crisis. Leave the contingency planning to those of us staying behind. We'll make sure Obsidian remains secure, and if Arcadia needs us..." He gave Mike a brief nod. "...the Starfighter Wing will already be in the air."

Robert McMahon had listened quietly throughout the briefing, his attention shifting between the tactical display and his two brothers in the room. Mike's question about the Starfighter Wing was exactly where his own thoughts had gone.

"I agree with Mike and Peter."

He sat forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table.

"The Wing shouldn't just be sitting on alert—we should use this opportunity to make ourselves better. If Arcadia runs into trouble, we're the fastest response force Obsidian has."

Robert looked toward Captain Pontmercy.

"I'd like permission to increase our operational tempo while the away team is gone. Daily scramble drills, escort formations, combat air patrol rotations, search-and-rescue scenarios... anything that keeps our pilots sharp. If a distress call comes in, I don't want our first launch under pressure to be the first difficult one we've flown all week."

He glanced toward Peter with a slight smile.

"Peter can oversee strategic readiness. I'll make sure the squadrons are ready to execute whatever plan he puts together."

Finally, he looked at Mike.

"And while you're handling Operations, we'll make sure you never have to wonder whether the Starfighter Wing can answer the call. If Arcadia needs us, we'll already be suited up, in our fighters, and on the launch rails before the order finishes coming through."

Charlotte wanted to applaud, she didn't even need to say it because the McMahon's were right on top of it. "Exactly." she said "We're sending the Arcadia because it's the right profile for the mission, it is also helpfully the vessel that we haven't done that much experimenting with so there's no highly classified or experimental technology onboard, so we minimise the risk with the Kazon. Worst comes to worst it's going to be a case of the USS Renee Picard getting us out of there while the starfighter wing handles the Kazon and then we recalibrate our diplomatic approach as always we hope for the best but we prepare for the worst."

"Agreed," Pontmercy said. "Permission is given, of course. We need to remain protected and ready."

Jordan had wanted to speak several times but someone else had already jumped in so he simply sat back and listened. It looked as if they had everything all handled. All he waited for now was them to be dismissed so he could get back to his job. "Are we done here?" He growled.

After a moment, Marius nodded.

"You leave in two hours. Get ready as quickly as you can and report to the Arcadia. Dismissed."

Off:

Captain Marius G. Pontmercy
Commanding Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Commander Jordan Haines
Executive Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Major Charlotte Thrace
Marine CO
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant Commander Michael McMahon
Chief Operations Officer/Second Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant V'Lar
Chief Intelligence Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant Charles Andrews
Chief Flight Control Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant Peter McMahon
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant David Chambers
Chief Engineering Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant Junior Grade Celine Quinn
Chief Diplomatic Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Ensign Erin Couldis
Counselor
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant Aurora Winters
Chief Science Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant Jude Haines
Chief Security Officer
Starbase Obsidian

LT (JG) Jason Neniphim
Intelligence Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant Junior Grade Robert McMahon
Squadron Leader
Starbase Obsidian

Master Chief Petty Officer De Bruinhiena
Chief of the Boat
Starbase Obsidian

LT Marty Stokes
CMO
Starbase Obsidian

 

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