Your Orders, Sir? (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 05 Feb 2012 @ 3:38am by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm
Edited on on 05 Feb 2012 @ 4:44am

1,445 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 00 - Pre-Deployment
Location: Starfleet HQ, Briefing Room
Timeline: MD 02 - 0915 hrs

[ON]

"For almost two hundred years, Starfleet has been exploring alternate methods of faster-than-light travel, commonly known as FTL. Warp propulsion has always been efficient, yet limited by a maximum sustainable velocity. This essentially puts a cap on how fast we can travel and limits our operational capability. In the early 2280s, we began experimenting with Transwarp drives, however we discovered that dilithium becomes unstable at such high velocities, and we were never able to break the Warp 10 barrier."

"I thought it was impossible to achieve a velocity greater than Warp 10?" Lirha asked while trying to recall her Academy courses in warp theory.

"Perhaps, Commander, but there are certainly alternatives. Also, consider that four-hundred years ago, they were saying the same thing about warp speed. Even the lead scientists at the time declared that it was physically impossible to achieve a velocity greater than the speed of light."

Lirha nodded. The admiral had a valid point and she was now more curious about the matter. "You mentioned alternate methods, Sir?"

"Yes. As you know, warp propulsion operates by generating a subspace displacement field around a vessel which causes space to distort around the ship, while keeping anything enclosed in the field relative to our own space-time physics. It is this field which prevents vessels from disintegrating the moment they enter warp. And it is also this field which limits our maximum velocity. Fortunately, we've made some breakthroughs in the past few years. We have discovered that instead of attempting to increase our speed over distance, the smart thing would be to simply decrease the distance traveled."

She ran a hand over her head and shook her head in confusion. "I'm not sure I follow you, Sir. How do you decrease the distance between any two static points in space?"

"By folding space-time." he said simply, then tapped the monitor to bring up a display of the space-time curvature. "Take two different points at different areas in space, fold the curvature of space-time so that those two points coexist for a brief moment, send a starship through, then revert space back to its normal form." he said, then stopped to let the words sink in.

Lirha brain went to work as she considered the theory and practical applications behind such a technology. It would allow almost instantaneous travel of ships from any two points in the galaxy, as well as open up all types of operational capability for the fleet and the Federation. "I take it that this is not a theory anymore?" she asked.

"No. This is Project Sienna. Our scientists at Starbase 152 have created a Magnetic Core Drive which is capable of producing the required gravity-well to manipulate space. The project has been under development for five years and we are close to making a substantial breakthrough." the admiral answered.

"I see," she answered, "So my mission is to test this prototype drive?" she asked.

"No." said the Rear Admiral who walked next to the Vice Admiral to replace him at the monitor. "Your mission is to travel to Starbase 152 and retrieve the experiment as well as the rest of the development and support staff currently stationed there. Twenty-two personnel in total. After you have successfully evacuated the facility, you will travel back to the Alpha Quadrant and deliver the prototype and scientists to Starbase 001, so that they may continue their research and testing."

"Why the change in location?" Lirha asked as she stared at the monitor which now displayed a map of her destination. She also noticed that she would have to travel through a small portion of Klingon territory going both ways.

The intelligence officer next to her spoke again and motioned to the map being displayed on the LCARS terminal. "As you can see, Commander, the research facility is close to Klingon territory and even closer to the Neutral Zone. Our treaty with the Klingon Empire allows us to send medical and resupply convoys through their space, which we have been doing for several years now with no trouble. Recently, however, many of our cargo ships have been stopped and searched, and one was even boarded several months back. We cannot resupply and maintain this research center with the type of scrutiny our vessels are currently subjected to. The terms of our alliance do not give us much leverage for protest, since we are sending ships through their jurisdiction."

"You think the High Command has become aware of the project?" Lirha asked the Romulan.

"We do not know, but it would explain a great deal as to why our cargo ships are constantly being scanned and harassed. With Project Sienna safely back in the Alpha Quadrant, we would be able to continue the experiment without any intervention."

She nodded, "I see your concern." then turned towards the admiral. "May I ask, Sir, why are you sending the Galileo? She's only a small survey vessel...certainly there are larger and more capable starships in the closer vicinity?" she asked.

"On the contrary, Commander, we believe that a 'small survey ship' would be the perfect discreet method to successfully carry out this operation. Yes, we have larger and more heavily armed vessels, however if we sent even a Steamrunner or Akira through Klingon territory it would set off all types of alarm bells. Chancellor Martok is a smart man, and he has plenty of experience working with the Federation. He knows we would never send a cruiser for a simple supply mission. The Galileo, on the other hand, is a very capable alternative solution. You will deploy under the guise that you are charting the nearby Z'Tarnis Nebula, then discreetly make your way to Starbase 152 and recover Project Sienna."

"And the Klingons?" Lirha asked, unsure of who or what she might encounter.

Having been silent throughout the briefing, it was Jen's turn to speak up. "That's why we chose you, Lirha. You have a strong intelligence background and you are well-versed in dealing with customs. I know you speak the language and you have a knack for smooth-talking even the toughest competition." she said in a professional manner.

The admiral switched the wall display again and zoomed the map in on the Neutral Zone. "Chances are good that you'll be escorted across their territory, whether you are aware of their presence or not. In the event that you make contact with one of their vessels, I expect you to do everything you can to accommodate them while maintaining your cover. If in fact they are suspicious of us, which they might be, they will probably test you and prod you for information. Make sure your cover story and your ship's demeanor match. This project means everything to us and we can't afford to lose it."

"Yes, Sir." the Orion woman replied. "When do we depart?" she asked.

"0845 hours next Wednesday. That gives you four more days to assemble your crew and get the Galileo prepped for departure. Engineers are still installing many of the final systems and the primary computer core won't arrive until tomorrow, but other than that she is almost operational. On your way to the Neutral Zone, you will need to make a quick stop at Starbase 234 to receive your full torpedo compliment and pick up a few new crew, but I expect that should take less than six hours to complete."

"Full torpedo compliment?" she asked with a frown. "What are you send me out there with?"

"Unfortunately, Commander, we have just launched two Saber Class escorts as well as refitted and rearmed the Venture and the Sybaal. Our munitions depot will not be resupplied until next Friday and concessions had to be made. We have allocated you five Mark-VI photon torpedoes, and you may rearm once you reach Starbase 234."

With a sigh, Lirha looked down at the table in disappointment. Five torpedoes would only last them seconds in a fight, and she would have to take extra precautions to stay out of harm's way. Fortunately, they would be staying inside of Federation territory for the first leg of the mission, but she knew any pirates or raiders would have a good chance at picking off her small vessel if they so chose. "Yes, Sir." she said quietly.

"Good," replied the admiral. "Dismissed."

[OFF]

--

LCDR Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

CAPT Jennifer Rosewell (NPC)
Commanding Officer
USS Kato

LCDR Sanara Lemot (NPC)
Intelligence Advisor
Starfleet Command

RADM Michael Kilby (NPC)
Fleet Strategic Operations
Starfleet Command

VADM Jacob Reshman (NPC)
Fleet Research and Development
Starfleet Command

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