Senior Staff Briefing (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 15 Jan 2015 @ 5:40pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Lieutenant Commander Dea Mialin & Commander Norvi Stace & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Commander Andreus Kohl & Lieutenant Min Zhao & Lieutenant Asahi Kita & Command Master Chief Markum Quinn & Commander Luke Wyatt

2,718 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: Starbase 84 - Deck 684, Conference Room
Timeline: MD 38 - 1615 hrs

Previously, on Senior Staff Briefing (Part 1)...

Taking Stace's cue, Kohl cleared his throat and began to speak to the room at large. "We've prepared a project plan with the timelines and resources we'll need to assess the functionality of the new deflector in our laboratory settings." --Kohl looked over at Stace again, and he cocked an eyebrow-- "We believe we'll be preparing for most eventualities, including the most arcane of research subjects that may be subjected to our deflector array someday."

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

Allyndra cocked her head. "I presume there has been precaution taken for when the two deflectors are operating simultaneously that we do not get degradation of signals?"

"I would presume so as well. Our current secondary array operates with similar mechanics as this new one, and we have yet to experience any issues," replied Lirha to the winged doctor.

"Our primary deflector array houses Galileo's long range navigational sensors...without it, we cannot go to warp without risking a collision with a stellar body. Our secondary array, on the other hand, provides enhanced scanning and data collection and can also serve as a backup to our primary array, if needed. For the most part, the two arrays perform different functions and should not conflict with each other," she elaborated.

As per usual, the chief engineer was nodding along, making note of various points in the schematics he found himself absorbed in. Though delayed, he gave the CoB a side-long smile. "I'll even do one better. You probably know that wiring better than I do, wanna be in charge of it?"

Quinn's mouth fell open and he sat speechless for perhaps the second time in his life. "Ehh, umm, Yes, sir. I'll make damn sure I won't have too many extra parts left over."

Chuckling, Asahi disengaged from the PADD, nodding toward Min. "We'd probably have to discuss some energy output settings as well, so we don't miss anything when we account for it?"

"Agreed." Min had been glancing over power consumption curves and it was just more strain on the little nova's already overloaded EPS system.

Dea listened carefully to what was being said about the new array. While she wasn't a scientist the enhancements could come in useful for various navigational purposes. Taking a few notes here and there but remaining quiet as the discussion continued.

Luke had jotted down notes regarding the new deflector dish, on first impressions it seemed impressive and appeared to have a tactical advantage as well as that of a scientific one. "From a security and Tactical point of view I can already see how useful the SDA-23 is going to be but does it come with a defensive, offensive Manuel? Or can I go over it with small team? Deflector dishes can be more than just scanner's and this one I think we could come up with some frontier style ideas. and I promise not to break it" He looked to the chief engineer.

"Yes, Starfleet has published an operational manual that all of you should be able to access with your security clearances. It has been uploaded to Galileo's database and you may access it here on the station using the main computer's data link," the commodore answered. "And yes. Please do not...'break it'. At least not before we are able to put it through its paces."

Once Lirha had determined there were no more questions regarding the deflector installation, she gave her typical curt nod of approval before finalizing the basics of the work schedule. "Very good. In that case, I would like our engineering personnel to assist the dock workers with the removal of our current array and the installation of the new one. I believe there are several available Workbee pods for use in one of the starbase's auxiliary shuttlebays. Lieutenant Commander Mialin, you are welcome to assist if we end up short on pilots," she added while glancing briefly at the Trill/Betazoid hybrid. "An EVA inspection of the surrounding hull will also be necessary once the old deflector is uncoupled, and once that is finished, we can connect the new array to the hardpoints and begin systems integration."

The Orion turned her attention to the science and operations personnel present. "Lieutenant Commanders Stace and Kohl, please work with Lieutenant Zhao and Commander Blake to oversee the integration process on Galileo's end. Captain Holliday will be in charge of the overall repair process and will also be available to lend a hand, if needed."

"Yes'm. I'll have whatever engineering staff I can gather in a meeting ASAP, ma'am." Asahi had returned to his normal mode of half-mumble, half-paying attention to the meeting, eyes down on the PADD to send out messages and take notes.

Stace raised a delighted eyebrow to Kohl and then nodded with a smile to Blake. The Trill was satiated to be assigned on the Gally's end of operation. It was heart warming to know that she could enjoy the creature comforts of her own quarters again, even though she half expected to spend little time in them. But it was a good distraction from her now annoying situation with Mott and his family. Pretending to be one of his wives during his family's visit was beginning to become a burden. Emotionally exhausting, she hankered for the distraction of work again.

Kohl, meanwhile, nodded at the instructions given by Saalm. He smiled over at Stace then, and his smile easily reached his eyes. The respite provided by shore leave was something Kohl sorely needed, but he found himself equally eager to return to his life. There wasn't much on the starbase to keep him there. Kohl felt himself missing the Gally.

"Yes ma'am. We'll get it done." John replied with a curt nod, knowing that his XO and senior staff would take care of the majority of the work but he would at least have to sign off on the necessary requisitions. A small part, but with the big chair came nothing but a never ending supply of signatures.

"Excellent. Now, about our new orders..." Lirha paused again and took a long sip of her hot chocolate, then placed the mug back down and began to tap away at her PADD to bring up the details of their assignment. "We are -- surprisingly -- being ordered to the Chi'Dan sector to participate in NIMBUS." The large wall-mounted LCARS screen flickered and changed to display an overview of a tactical sector grid map with outlines of both Starfleet and Klingon starship icons.

"For those of you who are not aware," she continued, "NIMBUS is the annual joint Starfleet/KDF tactical training exercises that have been taking place for the past ten years. Knowledge of these exercises is classified and kept secret from the public and many of our officers, for obvious reasons, and in the past we have had captains of the Romulan and Cardassian fleets also join us. These exercises give us a chance to exchange tactics and training in the spirit of...'cooperation'," the commodore smirked. "In actuality, they are a chance for each government to test their new starship designs and tactical systems in a non-hostile environment, and each government gains a tactical advantage from training with each other."

Norvi's eyes flared with a spark of nostalgia at the thought of NIMBUS, and both brows shot up in surprise as it pricked her ear. It had been almost a decade since the Stace Symbiont had even thought upon the joint operation between the Fleet and the Klingon Defense Force and it filled her belly with a hearty glow. She looked towards the commodore with knowing eyes as a smile broke like a soft wave upon her lips. "It was never officially in my previous host's service record, but Janel Stace actually attended the second and third conferences of NUMBUS. With his ill health," she continued, hurrying the story along with a rolling gesticulation, "he was no longer allowed to attend them in an official capacity. Just as an observer aboard his former admiral's ship. He -" she paused and then took an anxious yet controlled breath, "- had a lot to do with the original organisation of NIMBUS before his health took a turn for the worst. Janel needed to see his work through, even if he couldn't take part."

"Let's just be careful," cautioned the CoB, "because I remember when I was with the XRD, we would occasionally find close variants of our classified tech aboard Romulan and Cardie ships."

John had heard rumours of fleet activities towards the farther edges of Federation territory but he had never found anything substantial - it was hard for him to hide his excitement however, with a tactical background, these kinds of events were something that he relished, and the chance to take Galileo into combat, even if in a controlled scenario, was enough to get his blood pumping.

"We'll have to dust off the photon torpedoes then Commodore - I've been itching to get the newer members of our crew some combat experience."

Kohl's eyes widened, as he nodded at John's words, never having seen the Captain so animated. Kohl's nodding was in agreement with John's sentiment, but also as a crew member in need of ship-to-ship combat experience, especially as a science officer. "I have to admit," Kohl said, "this is the first I've learned of NIMBUS."

"It is one of Starfleet's better kept secrets," said Lirha. "I did not learn of its existence until I was promoted to chief intelligence officer on one my earlier career postings. I think it will be a good experience for Galileo...and for all of us. We are being detached from Task Force 72 and are being assigned to Task Force 21, which is currently mobilizing here at SB-84 and will be representing Starfleet this year. Many of you will be assigned to different starships along with some of our crew, in an attempt to provide everyone with as much command and tactical training as possible." She paused and looked at John with a wry grin. "I even think there is a Defiant-class in need of a commanding officer."

Much like the Chief Research Officer, Asahi was in the dark on NIMBUS Project. His eyes snapped upward again at the words 'combat experience,' and he was barely able to keep his thoughts to himself. His nose scrunched, and a frown appeared on his features. It took another skipped beat before he registered the rest of what the commodore had said. "Different starships?" Pause. "Wait, command and tactical training?" The engineer was far from pleased with this news, though the thought of tinkering around on a Defiant-class starship was tantalizing, to say the least. "... Interesting."

"Yes. We will all receive our new assignments in the coming days. And rest assured that while some of us may be aboard different starships during this exercise, we will all be working together in a greater strategic capacity to reinforce each other," Lirha elaborated.

Quinn grinned at the moment a Defient class was mentioned. He looked at both Lirha and John, then the rest of the group. "This is going to be interesting."

John's eyes opened wide at the idea of a Defiant class vessel - he had been posted to one early in his career and had enjoyed every minute of it until the vessel was lost in combat to the Jem Hadar. The fact that such a ship may be in need of a commanding officer would be one of great excitement to Holliday.

Looking back towards Lirha, he allowed himself a brief smirk before clearing his throat and regaining his usual composure.

"Of course should a vessel be in need of a commanding officer, I would be more than happy to take the role during NIMBUS operations. It only makes sense that all vessels start out on an equal footing."

Quinn tried not to laugh, but knew Holiday better than most anyone, save Lirha. "Wow, you'd take a Defiant Class against the Gali, Sir?" he asked in his most surprised voice. Quinn remembered how the young lad had to adjust to life on a science vessel. It was hard, but the old timer never doubted Holiday's or Saalm's possibilities. He simply grinned at the young man, and giving a nod of understanding.

John let out a snigger of his own - it was true that a few years ago a Nova class posting was the worst thing he could have thought of, but the Galileo had become his home since then, and not commanding her during a combat engagement certainly felt a little alien.

"Sometimes it's good to stretch the legs Mr Quinn. I haven't been on a Defiant class since my days on the USS Damacles as an Ensign - come to think of it, you served on the Thor - sure I can't tempt you with one last romp with a warship?"

Dea had no questions about NIMBUS. Their new orders were indeed an interesting change of events. It would be a good opportunity to test their skills.

"Very well," the Orion concluded as she wrapped up the meeting. "We will have an intelligence briefing the day before we depart for NIMBUS, and some of you will also receive your new temporary commands. You have all done very well over the past year, and I for one am proud we are to be a part of this exercise." It wasn't every day that a starship was invited to participate in classified military briefings nor receive the latest prototype deflector array, and certainly Starfleet must have felt Galileo and crew were worthy of the assignments.

"You are all dismissed. I will see you shortly aboard Galileo for the deflector installation."

As she got up from her chair Dea nodded to Lirha. Given the information they had just received she knew they would all be very busy. Exiting the conference room Mialin headed straight for the Galileo.

Stace elbowed Kohl in the ribs affectionately as they both stood to leave. "I think that this will be a fun couple of weeks, don't you think? Trying out this deflector on an old stomping ground."

Kohl's only response, at first, was to look directly at Stace. His brow was knitted and his lips were pursed together tightly in a curl of skepticism. "Will it be engaging and intriguing work? Most definitely," Kohl affirmed. Kohl pushed his empty chair closer to the table and he took away his empty mug. Before they moved away, he lightly bumped one side of his hips into hers. "But fun?" he continued, and his eyebrows rose up his forehead. In a sotto voice, he concluded, "Nope. I thought Trills knew how to have fun?"

She stopped, almost as if accused of something, and then raised her brow to him in an unimpressed fashion. She cocked her head to the side in a defensive posture and then cleared her throat in answer to the challenge. "I can show you more fun in one day that you've had in your entire lifetime up until now, Commander. So don't tempt me. But then again, you've resigned yourself to becoming the ship's stiff and I'm not entirely sure it's within my power to coax a little personality out of you. I'm not God." She smiled her jest in an upturned, flash of a grin.

[OFF]

--

CDRE Lirha Saalm
Mission Advisor
USS Galileo

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

LCDR Dea Mialin
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Galileo

LCDR Norvi Stace
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

LCDR Andreus Kohl
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

LCDR Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

LCDR Amynta Markos
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

Command Master Chief Markum Quinn
Chief of the Boat
USS Galileo

LT Min Zhao
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galileo

LT Asahi Kita
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Luke Wyatt
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

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