(USS Arcadia) Post Number #51: Best Laid Plans
Posted on Wed Oct 23rd, 2024 @ 2:58am by Commander Jordan Haines & Lieutenant Jude Haines & Lieutenant Marty Stokes & Lieutenant V'Lar
Edited on on Wed Oct 23rd, 2024 @ 2:59am
1,417 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission: Out from the Ashes
NOTE:
Was Commander Walsh
On:
On board the Arcadia, the Ensign manning the communications console turned in surprise to look at the command chair. “Commander, we’ve got an incoming communique from the planet sir!”
“What is it!” Brandon immediately spoke. He had been working on a rescue plan with Walsh’s assistant when the ensign called to him.
“He says, he’s the new praetor and wishes to give you his demands,” the ensign said hesitantly.
“Bring him up on screen.” Brandon ordered. “He was interested in what he had to say, knowing it would more and likely be something he wouldn’t agree to. He stood and faced the screen waiting for the connection to complete.
As the connection completed, the alien being stood stiffly in front of the screen. “I am Praetor Zerroth,” he said. “I have your Captain, crewmen and the mining hostages in my custody. You will leave our planet or you will never see them again!”
“We will not leave the area without our people.” Brandon stated calmly with a level of confidence. “That is not the policy of the Federation. Release them immediately.”
“We will not release anyone until you give us assurances that you will leave immediately,” Zerroth said angrily.
Brandon thought for a moment. “I will contact my superiors and consider it if you show me an act of faith that you will return our people unharmed.” He wasn’t budging at this point.
Zerroth leaned off the view for a moment before he came back to glare at Walsh. “We will return everyone but your Captain,” he said. “That will be all the negotiations we will be making.”
Brandon almost blinked but showed no emotion. “Send them back and I will contact Starfleet headquarters.” He wasn’t happy but it was a start.
Zerroth nodded. “As soon as they are beyond our shields, you can bring them back,” he said cutting off the communication.
“Have them transported immediately when they are done outside their shields.” Brandon ordered. “Have them taken to my briefing room immediately.” He wasn’t giving up on the captain, they would come up with a plan to get him back.
When their captors release them, Marty wasn’t too happy about leaving the Captain behind but they had little choice as she and Haines along with the miners were forced beyond the shield where the Arcadia beamed them all on board.
“I need to meet with the Commander.” Jude growled as they walked off the transporter. “I need to get a team and go back for the captain.” There was no way they were leaving without him.
“The commander wants you both brought to the briefing room immediately.” The transporter chief informed them.
“Let’s go,” Marty said steering Jude toward the doors. “I’m sure Haines has a plan.”
“I’m sure he does.” Jude grinned at her words. “Haines always has a plan.” He did too, he wasn’t leaving without the Captain and Commander Walsh would learn that soon enough.”
Marty walked into the briefing room right behind Jude and took a seat to wait for Commander Walsh and the others to come in.
Brandon walked into the room and took a seat. “Lieutenant V’Lar and Lieutenant Chambers will be joining us shortly.” He looked at them both. “Do either of you need medical attention?”
“I am fine.” Jude said dismissively. “When are we going to get the captain.” He wasn’t asking a question it was more of a demand. I’m true Haines fashion he was outspoken and direct.”
“When we have a plan, Mr. Haines.” Brandon replied with authority. “And not a moment sooner."
“I’m good as well, sir,” Marty said with a sigh.
V'Lar stepped into the briefing room, to say this was bad was an understatement and that was despite having hostages returned, it made sense the Romulans were on the way and the Arcadia's presence was something not helpful to the locals in fact it was probably a significant risk factor. She had been impressed with Commander Walsh's negotiation skills, it was something taught at the academy but to do it under the pressure of the situation was a whole different ball game, but knowing there was only one target now was the most helpful thing. She was on her second hot chocolate of the night and sipped it as she moved to stare out of the window, her mind going over the metaphorical chess game, "Romulan warbirds are six hours out." she said providing Walsh with the update "And you're not going to like what I'm going to say when you ask for ideas."
“Does it involve leaving the Captain behind?” Marty asked calmly.
“That won’t happen.” Jude spoke up before the first officer could speak. “I cannot in good conscience leave him behind.” He looked to Brandon. “Tell me, Commander, we are not leaving him here!”
“Let us hear what Lieutenant L’Var has to say before we proceed.” He hoped the chief engineer showed up quickly.
"I have no desire to abandon the Captain and it would be the end of all our careers if we left him behind. However we have Romulan warbirds that will be here in less than six hours and with the greatest of respect no one aboard this ship can guarantee a successful rescue in less than six hours let alone fighting off the warbirds when they get here." V'Lar said "The Romulans are coming for the Captain, he's a big intelligence prize for them, they're not going to kill him until they've got every bit of information out of him. That gives us time. It's risky but I'm recommending we let the Romulans take him off the surface and we rescue him from the warbird, that protects the planet's inhabitants because the failure will lie with the Romulan captain not the planet." she took a breath "I'm also going to tell you not to inform Starfleet if you choose to do it this way, because the minute you do Starfleet intelligence will change the mission directive from rescue to elimination. I want the Captain back as much as anyone else but let's do it without having innocent blood spilt."
“I concur with the Lieutenant.” Jude spoke up. “I can take a small team into the warbird, set some explosives to disable them, grab the captain and be back here before they realize what is happening.”
"I can get us onto the warbird." V'Lar said "I'm Romulan enough that I can pass their security measures without raising eyebrows, if Chambers when he gets here can figure out a way of getting me over there without being detected then I can knock out their internal sensors and you can beam in at least that way Romulan security isn't on you right from the start."
Chambers walked in, during the last. He’d heard the question and his wheels were turning. “Do you have a spare lifepod?”
V'Lar smiled, a lifepod was small enough that if running at very low power it wouldn't be immediately picked up by the Romulan sensors, "I like the way you think Mr Chambers." she said "Just about big enough to fit a small team on it and small enough that sensors won't immediately see it. With a little modification it'll be suitable."
Brandon smiled at them for a moment. “It looks like we have a plan. Chambers will get V’Lar over there to knock out sensors, Haines and V’Lar will rescue the captain and we will beam them back.”
"As soon as we're in the lifepod the Arcadia needs to either hide somewhere or get out of the system." V'Lar said "We do this right and the Romulans won't know what's happened until it's too late."
“Understood.” Brandon nodded. “We need to move quickly. Get ready and let me know when it is a go.”
Several hours later, V'Lar and Haines were ready to head to the ship. Things went off like clockwork. Haines and V'Lar and a small team were headed to rescue the captain and the USS Arcadia headed off, in all appearances leaving the system, only to hide behind the moon.
******
Commander Brandon Walsh
Executive Officer
USS Arcadia
Lieutenant Junior Grade V'Lar
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Arcadia
Lieutenant Junior Grade David Chambers
Chief Engineer
USS Arcadia
Lieutenant Junior Grade Marty Stokes
Counselor
USS Arcadia
Ensign Jude Haines
Asst Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Arcadia
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