Starbase 152 (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on 29 May 2012 @ 10:56am by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Lieutenant Commander Chauncey Remington III (KIA) & Lieutenant JG Kestra Orexil & Lieutenant Commander Pola Ni Dhuinn M.D. & Lieutenant Commander Evelyn Coleman & Command Master Chief Markum Quinn & Lieutenant Commander Dea Mialin & Lieutenant Kiri Cho

3,310 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: USS Galileo - Bridge, Conference Room
Timeline: MD 07 - 1410 hrs

Previously, on Starbase 152 (Part 1)...

Several long moments passed and Lirha paced back and forth in a tight circle, waiting for confirmation to begin the next phase of her mission. Finally, the station commander straightened herself in her chair and nodded to the captain. "You may proceed, Captain." she said in a monotone voice with betrayed no sign of emotion. "I will need time to inform the station's personnel of your arrival. You will find that your transporters are unable to operate in the vicinity of the starbase, nor are we authorized to allow you to hard dock." she informed her, citing the classified protocols of the top-secret research facility. "I hope you have made alternate preparations."

Lirha nodded in reply. "Yes, our shuttlebay is standing by to transfer all required personnel and equipment." she answered. "We will wait for your signal to launch."

"Understood." came the curt reply, followed by a final glimpse of the red-collared admiral before the screen blinked and reverted back to an orbiting view of the starbase.

Letting out a mental sigh, the captain tapped her combadge as she looked around the bridge. "All senior officers report to the conference room." she said, summoning her department heads from various parts of the ship in order to brief them on the upcoming evacuation. Grabbing a PADD from a sleeve in the side of her chair, she walked around the side ramp of the bridge and stepped into the mid-sized briefing room where she walked next to the wall monitor and stood, patiently waiting for the rest of her crew to join her.

And Now, the Continuation...

[ON]

Following his commanding officer's lead, John picked himself up from the chair and grabbed a PADD, following behind her into the conference room. With their arrival at the starbase, the time to keep their crew as occupied and focused as possible was now. The entire of the Federation were depending on their actions, and the XO for once, was not planning on letting them down any time soon.

Limping slightly, Pola arrived at the conference room on Deck 1. She had been in a meeting with Brayden when the call came through to report to the briefing. She understood that they had just arrived at Starbase 152 but they didn't seem to be moving to dock. Sure the mystery would soon be solved, the Doctor entered the room, smiling at the people already gathered there.

Dea made her way to Deck 1's Conference room. Nodding to the others already present as she took a seat. She placed the PADD in her hand on the table in front of her.

Kestra initiated security protocols at the security console and nodded to Marek to take over for her as she followed the captain into the conference room. Taking a seat at the table, she set down her PADD and waited, alert and calm, for further instructions.

Quinn entered the room and took a seat next to Tarishiana. "Good afternoon everyone,"

Evelyn walked into the Conference room promptly, quickly taking one of the free chairs remaining. She leaned back in her chair, her facial expression serious. She then turned her attention to the Captain and waited for the meeting to begin.

Lirha looked out across the small room as all the ship's senior staff was assembled. Now came the moment of truth when they needed to put all of their plans and preparations to fruition, and quickly transfer Project Sienna with no complications. They could not afford any more delays. Moving in front of the wall monitor, the Orion captain spoke. "We've just arrived at Starbase one-five-two and have been cleared to begin transferring personnel and equipment." she began, then tapped a button on the side console. The screen blinked to display a real-time schematic of Galileo alongside the large starbase, with important sections of the diagram highlighted in different colors. "Unfortunately, security protocols prohibit at this site prohibit any unauthorized vessels from hard-docking with the station. And due to the electromagnetic interference in the region, we are unable to use the transporters since the targeting sensors are so degraded. So we're going to do it the scenic way, with shuttles." she explained, then turned her green eyes towards the chief flight control officer. "Is your team ready to go?" she asked Dea, who simply nodded in confirmation.

"Very good. You'll be in charge of shuttlecraft operations during the evacuation and coordinate directly with Commander Holliday who will be on the bridge." the captain said, glancing between the lieutenant and her XO.

"Yes ma'am" John acknowledged directly. He had always assumed that it was going to be that sort of job role to which he would be assigned, and he saw little point in giving too much flamboyance in his answer.

Turning her attention back towards the large screen, the captain tapped several buttons and switched the screen's schematic to display three different areas of the starbase, the living quarters, computer core, and science laboratories. Looking back at her senior staff, Lirha motioned to the screen as she spoke. "In order to quickly and successfully evacuate Project Sienna, we will split into three teams." she began. "Lieutenants Ni Dhuinn and Orexil, along with Cadet Im'er and Ensign Williamson will be in charge of the personnel evacuation. There are twenty-five development personnel on the starbase who we need to relocate in a short period of time, including their belongings. I would like all security personnel available to assist with this operation." she said, her eyes darting between the security and medical chiefs.

Reading through the information on her PADD, Pola moved forward in her seat. "I understand that there is 27 personal that we are due to transfer over. I'm assuming the missing two are the lead scientists? What is happening with them?"

Kestra looked up from her PADD with the same question and a tilt of her brows.

"Yes, thank you for mentioning them." the captain replied to the two women, then switched the screen to display the doctors' side-by-side profiles. "Doctors Anthony and Rachel Hardaway are Project Sienna's lead scientists. They have VIP status and must be protected at all costs. Without their research and calculations, the prototype is useless." she explained, then continued. "We will need their help to unlock Project Sienna's data files, as well as transfer the required hardware. Your first priority should be locating them and acquiring their assistance."

Kestra inclined her head, knowing this already from their last meeting. The doctors and Project Sienna were the priority mission objectives. Everything else was secondary. "Are we to allow development personnel to bring research files and equipment with them in addition to or in lieu of personal items, sir?"

"We should have space for all equipment as well as personal belongings." Lirha answered, then shot a quick glance to the operations chief to confirm that they had the available room necessary for all of the proposed items.

Before Remington could answer, Pola leaned further forward and also addressed Will, "As well as Lieutenant Orexil's request, can you supple us with a list of quarter assignments so as we can easily get people tucked away, quickly and efficiently?"

"My department has been preparing for the transfer throughout the voyage," Will assured them all with a nod of his head, "Crewman Kilborne is prepared to assign quarters and coordinate the movement of all Sienna's personnel and equipment. Quarters and cargo bays are already prepared to receive them."

"The second team will include Commander Remington and Lieutenant Mialin, as well as our engineers Chief Quinn and Warrant Officer Peers." Lirha continued then turned her head towards the briefing screen and pointed at a cluster of science labs deep inside the starbase. "After Lieutenant Orexil has secured the Doctors Hardaway, the four of you will coordinate with them to transfer any and all hardware needed for the experiment on to Galileo." she explained. "I believe there might be several transport shuttles for us to use which would help expedite the process."

"If I may," Quinn asked, "I'd like to avoid the use of any shuttles, if possible. They can be a giant target, easily over taken by a boarding party. Unless of course shields are up, then that raises a question as to why they would be up. I'd prefer to use the cargo transporter for what we can."

"I agree, the cargo transporters would be quick and efficient." Lirha replied, then let out a breath. "Unfortunately, the starbase emits too much electromagnetic interference for our transporter's targeting scanners to effectively function. Even if we had the time to make some sort of modification to our sensors, we can't take the chance that there might be a malfunction during the transport process. I do not understand this new technology well enough to take any risks." she answered. "We'll have to make do with the shuttles. While we are transferring the project, I also want you to send a repair team out on the hull to take a look at that nacelle and make sure there isn't any additional damage we missed during our initial repairs."

Quinn nodded, "Aye-aye Skipper. Understood. I'll be sure to have the teams sent out ASAP."

Lirha walked over to the nearby replicator and produced a glass of water, then took a long sip before returning to the head of the table. Looking back at the large monitor, she finished explaining the final team which would be sent over. "The third and final team will consist of Lieutenants Coleman and Barel, as well as Ensign Cho and Chief Petty Officer Willis." she stated, then folded her hands in front of her as she looked at the intelligence chief and senior science officer. "You will be responsible for downloading Project Sienna's files from the station's computer core and transferring them to a secure matrix aboard Galileo." she said, then paused to retrieve her glass and take another drink of water.

Evelyn nodded, "That shouldn't be problem. I'll make sure there is an encrypted section in the Galileo's computer core to store the information."

Evelyn's eyes shifted between Orexil and Lirha, before finally staying at the Captain. "Perhaps, while we're here at a Starbase, we should look into a way to upgrade our defences."

Kestra glanced up from her PADD where she was busily organizing her department into ship-board monitoring, personnel arrival scans, and shuttle security crews. It would, indeed, be nice to get some stronger defensive systems in place on the Nova-class, but the time it would take to manage that might be suspiciously long for a resupply drop-off. "If they have materials and parts unavailable to the replicator, it might be wise to transfer those along with the parts for the prototype. It would act as camouflage of a sort and allow us to begin upgrading the ship's systems away from the starbase."

Evelyn smiled nodding in approval of what Kestra was saying. "I concur, we should use this time to prepare for our return trip. The Klingons will be much more aggressive the second time around."

"It is possible they may be," Kestra equivocated, meeting the Intelligence Officer's eyes, wondering if she knew something she hadn't shared. "If they discover what we've done. The best course of action is still to avoid a confrontation and utilize diplomacy to its fullest extent, but if there is an altercation, I would prefer to have as many safeguards in place to protect the mission, crew, and ship as possible." She looked to the captain, "Do we have a list of the station's stores? Lieutenant Coleman and I should be able to identify any useful parts."

Lirha glanced sceptically at the Betazoid security chief. "I had been contemplating a possible resupply but I'm not certain if we will have the time or resources." she answered with a shake of her head, then continued on to explain. "Our priority is Project Sienna, the development personnel and research files. With our inability to hard dock and both of our shuttlecrafts already in use during the transfer, our personnel are already going to be already stretched thin." she said, then leaned her shoulder on the wall. "What sort of supplies and equipment are you hoping to acquire?"

Kestra's head tilted slightly to the side. "Of course, Captain," she agreed. "It was a conditional suggestion based on the availability of the supplies. And those supplies would need to be carried along with the items already being transferred." She had said that, hadn't she? The captain had a lot on her mind, it was understandable. We have limited resources as far as photon torpedoes go. If we were to get into a firefight, our tactical options are limited to defensive posturing and flight. They may have access to the items we would need to build additional torpedoes, or other defensive utilities. "Lieutenant Coleman and I can provide you with a short memorandum on the upgrades we are considering for the Galileo's defenses." She looked at Evelyn for a moment, then turned her attention back to the captain. If, during the course of the first wave evacuation, we come across supplies that can safely be transferred along with the personnel, do I have your permission to bring it aboard? We can make do, captain, and I hope to avoid a firefight all together, but should it happen, I want to protect the interests of the mission and the crew. A suggestion, only, sir.

Hearing Kestra's thought echo through her head was still a strange sensation to the captain. It was terribly efficient, she had to admit, but to the untrained person it was a...unique feeling. Looking at the security chief, Lirha nodded in approval of her suggestion. If the opportunity to acquire upgrades presented itself in a doable fashion, she had no reason to say no. "Have your requisition requests sent to my PADD within the hour." she said.

Evelyn looked at the Captain and the turned to look at Holliday. "We are going to have to make the time." She said turning her attention back to the Captain. "Before we entered Klingon space, Orexil and I discussed different defensive measures that we could use. One including using a spy satellite, which I have already configured...however," she paused as her fingers dated on the small control panel on the table. Suddenly on the large screen starfield picture appeared. "I discovered this image." she said as she manually instructed the computer to magnify a section of the image. After a few seconds the image was replaced with one of a Klingon Bird-of-Prey towing a Miranda-class vessel. "That is the USS Petersham."

The captain stared at the image for several moments. She had not been aware of Petersham's fate, only that they had discovered no sign of the vessel on their journey through Klingon space. Now, this image confirmed many of her suspicions...and fears. "How long ago was this taken?" she asked the gray-collared intelligence chief. "Have you sent this to Starfleet Command?"

"The Klingons have a Federation starship dammit....that's an act of war as far as I'm concerned"

John thumped the desk with his closed fist as the image of the stricken starship developed in front of him. He simply could not believe that the Petersham would have simply handed itself over to the Klingons, and that no attempt to inform Starfleet of their position would have been made.

"We need to inform the other starships in this region immediately....we have to mount a rescue operation, at least secure the vessel!"

Kestra remained quite still, absorbing the sudden explosion of panic and fear in the room. Neither were conducive to rational decision making. And her original concerns that Hollidays's inherent mistrust and dislike of the Klingons would lead to eventual problems were confirmed by his outburst. She took a breath, centering herself, and focused on the XO, "With all due respect, sir, we have to do nothing of the kind," she said slowly, imbuing her words with a sense of calm. "Our mission is to retrieve Project Sienna and the scientists from the station and bring them back. Our responsibility is to do so, and to inform Starfleet and the Federation of exactly what we witnessed, without bias; then they will send either a rescue mission or a diplomatic vessel to handle the situation. We do not yet know what transpired with the Petesham. It is within the realm of possibility that they are being assisted by the Empire in that image." Calm, she projected to him. Think.

A deep sigh decided to break free of the Commander's lungs right at that moment. It was true that they had a mission to complete, and Sienna was, arguably, the most important thing he had probably been involved with in his entire career. But that did nothing to sate is own appetite to rescue his fellow Starfleet officers from the hands of a supposedly-allied species.

"Dammit we can't just do nothing....what happened to the other starships sent into Klingon territory to search for the Petersham? If they're still in there we can at least alert them to what has been learned here? Give them an idea of what to look for?"

Kestra breathed again, empathically releasing a general sense of centered serenity. Rishi? Help me? "We can alert the other Federation vessels, yes," she agreed, "but it might be prudent to wait until we have resolved this end of our mission and are underway back to safe space. Our transmissions may be monitored." She glanced at Coleman, wondering why the El-Aurian had chosen this moment to reveal this information instead of simply alerting the Captain in private before the meeting. "I apologize, Captain," she said quietly. "Lieutenant Coleman, please go on. Knowledge is more useful than supposition and plans are the wiser for it."

Evelyn shifted in her chair, giving a few seconds to organize her thoughts. "I did not send this information to Starfleet, nor was this image taken recently." She answered the different questions asked of her earlier. "You mentioned knowledge..." she said addressing Kestra. "This is what we know. The Petersham's Captain at least knew about Sienna. When the vessel disappeared Starfleet asked the Empire knowledge about the missing vessel, they replied with not knowing anything. That image proves they were lying." Her gaze shifted to Holliday, "The sensor readings showed no lifesigns on the Petersham and I believe the Klingons captured or killed the crew. The ship was taken to a Klingon strong hold there is no hope for a rescue mission."

Evelyn sighed turning her attention to Lirha. "Captain. I feel the reason why we made it to Starbase 152, is because the Klingons know of our mission. Whether they know the exact details or not, depends on if they tortured the Captain or not. I assume they do know, and the moment we re-enter their space, they'll attack us. The alliance between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire is over as far as they are concerned."

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

CMDR Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

Lt Cmdr Jonathan Holliday
Executive Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Kestra Orexil
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Evelyn Coleman
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Pola Ni Dhuinn
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Chief Warrant Officer Markum Quinn
Chief Engineer
USS Galileo

ENS Kiri Cho
Science Officer/Sensor Specialist
USS Galileo

Lt. Cmdr. Chauncey William Remington III
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Dea Mialin
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Galileo

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