Off the Rock (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 14 Feb 2017 @ 4:21pm by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lamar Darius & Commander Medara t'Keras & Commander Aren Ban & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Stephanie Fraiser (KIA) & Commander Marisa Wyatt & Lieutenant JG Ricardo Montoya & Ensign Miraj Derani & Senior Chief Petty Officer Martin Caine (KIA) & Chief Petty Officer Torgeir Naes & Lieutenant JG Noah Khoroushi & Ensign Oswald Goodshire
Edited on on 14 Feb 2017 @ 4:24pm

2,384 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Episode 13 - Rogue
Location: Kreanus Colony - Deck 18, Cargo Bay
Timeline: MD 15 - 1610 hrs

Previously, on Off the Rock (Part 1)...

"Right..." the chief warrant officer nodded having grasped that part of the plan. "But how are we supposed to really get to Qo'noS?" he asked again, trying his best to elaborate upon his question. "I might be wrong, but just because we have a cloaking device doesn't mean we'll be invisible, right? I thought there's sensor stations lining each side of the Neutral Zone? How are we supposed to get through and make it all the way to their homeworld without being discovered?"

"Due to operational security, I will not divulge that information at this time. Once we depart, I will inform the crew as to how we plan to get close to Qo'noS. Further more, we will have a couple of weeks to war game and improve our insertion." Aren said, in a tone that welcomed further questions, but also one that would not elaborate anymore on this topic. "Do you have any more questions?"

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

"Operational security," Lamar repeated in his head. It sounded shady to him and in his experience, either meant the OICs would figure it out as they went along, or that something devious was in the works. It wasn't his place to question such jurisdictions, and so he gave a simple nod and remained quiet to allow others to ask questions.

"Will they let all of us go?" Sandoval asked. "Or will they make some stay behind until the job is done?"

Allyndra did not interrupt but they were all valid questions and even though she had been at the briefing before this, she still thought it a fool's errand. That was her problem though, and giving the impression of anything but solidarity was not going to work now. Her thoughts trailed A ship, a ship, Kreanus colony for a ship!

Aren nodded. "Yes, all Federation personal will be leaving Kreanus. But remember we will not be alone on the ship and we need to successfully complete the mission. At the completion of our mission, all Federation personal will be able to go home." Aren reiterated. There were other requirements and he knew that it wouldn't be easy.

"Thank you," Marisa said. She didn't expect it to be easy, but it was a chance, and that was better than anything she'd had since arriving on Kreanus.

"If I may, commander," Allyndra figured that now was as good a time as any to say this. "If any of you wish to stay here, then you may. I have already received one resignation. I am sure the help would be appreciated. Unfortunately due to the time constraints you will have to make your decisions shortly. Further there will be no contact with the Federation until either we reach our destination or we accomplish the goal."

Marisa had no desire to spend any more time on Kreanus than she absolutely had to, so she remained silent.

Aren nodded a thank you to Commander Warraquim. "That is correct. Any who wish to stay are welcome to do so" He reiterated as he scanned the crowd for any more questions.

Martin knew it was a done deal about everything that had been discussed here today. He was glad he had been part of the mission planning, he had brought up some of the points that the other crew members did today at that meeting. He got the jitters knowing that they were going to be out numbered by Klingons, they wanted and need us to do this but didn't trust them enough to let them do it on their own. He looked around the room looked at Commander Ban. "If I may sir?" He continued as if the permission had been granted. "The only way we can guarantee your safety is for you to come with us."

Noah was conflicted; going with this mission meant putting Yasmin in the line of fire - something he could not stomach - yet he could not fathom leaving her behind alone. Staying with her would not be an option. In the end, he knew, it would be her decision.

Stephanie frowned at the comments and questions that had been raised. "Apologies ma'am, sir, but I don't want to stay here forever but you are asking me to take a 1 year old child into a possible war zone? You are asking an entire crew to put themselves under the control of people and i use the term lightly here as they are more like animals at least the ones under the general who have terrorised and abused them? How many crew have had to be patched up over and over because of them. I know of several women that have been less than kindly treated by the general's men. I only escaped because my husband took my punishments for me but not all are that lucky."

Taking a deep breath to calm herself Stephanie tried to put her thoughts into a way that made sense. "We should be sending a small team to Kronos if we send any at all. The Klingons hate the Federation so you don't send a whole lot of hostages into their lap that is just suicide. We are better off making a deal with the Romulans to get off this rock and back out to where we can get a message to the Federation. Hell worst case scenario we make a diversion and steal this Klingon ship, subdue anyone on board and fly back to Federation space. The Klingons wont take kindly to us getting involved in internal politics!"

Martin cleared his throat at Stephanie's husband commented and smiled at the Romulan tack before he silently sent to her. *Who do you think brokered our deal so we got of this rock at all!*

Sending him a mental nod Stephanie sent *Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Yes I know not husband yet but the Klingons don't know that!* She winked at him. "But seriously, you say that the Klingon crew is there to 'help' us. What is to stop us from simply taking the ship and heading back to the Federation. Do you really think the Klingon High Command is going to be happy with the 'trick' the Federation has played on them by turning up in one of their ships? Good intentions or not I am sorry I cant in good conscience as an officer send my daughter and the other junior officers and enlisted into that situation ma'am, sir, even if it means disagreeing with you in public."

Aren listened to the concerns from some of the newest members of the Galileo Crew. “To put you at ease; we are, and I can’t emphasize this enough, not entering a war zone. We are headed into to Klingon territory, and while there is currently hostility between the General Ko'raH and the High Council, and the potential for conflict is increased, we will not actively seek it. I will remind you, you brought your daughter along with you to your Starfleet posting, which was to the Galileo if I recall correctly, and regards of the circumstances that brought you here, and she was in danger. I will not let anything happen to her, children are precious to us all, and they have no control where their parents take them. As the Senior Chief said, if you feel it is too dangerous for you and her to go with the rest of the crew, Commander Medara has assured me that any who wish to remain can. That being said, those who do with to remain will become part of the colony and remain as such. We are one team, one crew, and we are stronger together, than we are apart."

Marisa agreed with Aren. She glanced at Stephanie. Perhaps she'd have a chance to talk to her later. Her daughter would be far better off leaving this place, even on a Klingon ship, than she could possibly be here on Kreanus. At least on the Klingon ship they had a chance at survival, at getting home. Here they had nothing.

He looked out over the crew with a sincere look on his face. “We have all had to endure struggles and deal with brutalities that never should have to be endured among civilized species. I know all of you want to go home, and I am included in that. But we are Starfleet; we are part of the Federation. Here is a space faring nation that is being attacked, and it is our duty to put a stop to it.” He paused for a moment, looking around the room. “Commander Warraquim and I have spoken at length about this, and we feel that this is our best option to both stop this, and to get home.”

He stopped and looked to Fraiser. “As to you last point, I appreciate your concern and I encourage my officers to speak their mind in a forum such as this. That being said, you are not making the call for this.” Aren’s voice took on a more stern and serious edge. “There is a reason we have chain of command, and Starfleet saw fit to make me a commander. I am the one making the call, and I will take full responsibility for any and all actions that take place during this mission. There will be no sabotage of the ship. We have been requested by an independent nation to help them broker a diplomatic deal with the Klingons, the sooner we can complete that mission, the sooner we can get home. Am I clear, lieutenant?”

Stephanie nodded as she said "Yes sir." Respectfully in response. She wasn't trying to get in trouble but she had needed to be sure that the command staff were protecting them. "The three of us follow where you lead sir. Staying here is not an option, but I needed to know for my peace of mind that all options had been explored. Thank you for answering my concerns."

Martin was glad that Commander Ban had answered her questions in a way Steph could accept, because he was certain that leaving her would be bad for both of them not to mention JJ. He felt JJ was off following something colourful and enjoying the chase.

Allyndra nodded her head, it was important that there was a united front and since her other plans had not come to fruition then this was the only course left right now. She would not put it past that the ship was not only monitored but prepared to be destroyed if they took over and headed for Federation space. She had no feelings for this place especially the way it was run, but like many places, the people here had little choice in the matter and were just trying to make a living, poor at that was.

"Let us show what we all stated to do, explore and bring peace to the galaxy. There are many here, including some colleagues that are staying behind that deserve our protection. We move forward from this point and I urge all of you to come together and let us prepare for departure."

Taking several mental notes after hearing the various objections and advocacy for sabotage of the mission they'd been assigned, Medara cast a heavy gaze over the entire Federation crew from where she stood. Her initial reaction was one of disappointment, primarily directed at herself and her now-obvious misjudgement of the Federation's principles. She had assumed the Starfleet crew would follow their general orders to the letter -- that they would willingly assist her people and the thousands of civilians on her world. She cast her gaze downward and cursed herself for being so ignorant. Of all the people, she should have known the Federation's principles of virtue were only a fairy tale meant to serve as propaganda for their empire. Her only saving grace was the two contingency plans she'd set into motion weeks ago.

"You have my support," Marisa said aloud. "This is our one best chance to get out of here and I will do what I can to make it successful."

"Me, too," Petra added.

Aren looked around the room one last time. "I know we have asked a lot of you all, and I will be asking just a little bit more. The quicker we successfully complete this mission, the quicker we all get to go home. Trust me, I will get us home. Remember we are all Starfleet personnel. There will be no sabotage of the ship or the mission. We have a mission to complete, and must adhere to Starfleet regulations. We are a team, and we work best together, not separate. Your departments heads will notify you if there are any changes to the current mission briefing. If you have any further issues with the mission, you may discuss it with me privately. You are all dismissed."

Martin looked at Stephanie then spoke up quickly, "Not necessarily this mission but will we be going back to Earth or changing to a fleet ship before that?"

"We will discuss that at a later time Senior Chief, please come see me privately if you have any further question. We have a lot to prepare. As I said, you are all dismissed."

"Understood Commander!" Martin said as he turned to leave with Stephanie and JJ. It was then he realised his niece had wandered off.

[OFF]

--

CMDR Medara t'Keras
Colony Administrator
Kreanus Colony
[PNPC Ko'raH]

CWO2 Lamar Darius
Support Craft Pilot
USS Galileo
[PNPC Ko'raH]

Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical and Second Officer
USS Galileo

CMDR Aren Ban
Executive Officer
USS Galileo

Ensign Miraj Derani
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant JG Marisa Sandoval
Counselor
USS Galileo

SCPO Martin Caine
Chief of the Boat (CoB)
USS Galileo

Petra Varelli
Forensic Anthropologist
USS Galileo
[PNPC Sandoval]

LTJG Stephanie Fraiser
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

CPO Torgeir Naes
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Noah Khoroushi
Asst. Chief Operations Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Naes]

LTJG Rico Montoya
Medical Officer
USS Galileo

ENS Oswald Goodshire
Engineering Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Montoya]

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