Aloha Wyoming
Posted on 22 Apr 2018 @ 2:19pm by Captain Akio Tachibana & Major Terrance West & Commander Juan Zamora (Dec [CDO]-Jan 2389 - TRSNFR to Gorn Dip.) & Commander S’chqenr T’Jedf Tolkath (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Commander Rafe Cassidy (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Deeli Kosu (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Jake Winchester (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR, XFY) & Lieutenant Junior Grade Eira Cortez & Lieutenant Junior Grade Radun Dran (Dec - Jan 2389 TRNSFR After Second Battle of XFY)
Edited on on 22 Apr 2018 @ 2:19pm
Mission:
Ne Me'e Laua Na Paio - Heroes & Villains
Location: Bridge - Deck 1
Timeline: 0800, 3 Jan 2389
Soundtrack
ON:
There was some reminiscing with the Senior Staff of the Wyoming on the hangar deck. Akio joked with Carson about how they almost shot the Wyoming right out of space.
The Senior Staff made their way to the conference room through the bridge.
Juan greeted the arriving party with an easy smile as they filed through, "It's so good to finally see some friendly faces out here."
Senior Officer Conference Room - Deck 1
Akio sat next to Carson, allowing him the head of the table as the senior officer. The Wyoming crew took the left side of the table leaving the right to the Hawaii crew.
Tolkath took his seat at the table, placed his hands together and waited for the briefing to begin.
Cassidy pulled up his chair, accustomed to taking a seat at the lower end of the table when sitting by seniority, and suddenly and uncomfortably aware that was no longer the case. Something still felt off, but that had to be the fading adrenaline from their encounter almost turning into a fight, so he ignored it.
Deeli scratched the back of her head as she sat down looking at some drawings of torpedo schematics. The problem was in the calculations that was working against her. Deeli narrowed her eyes and just kept reading until the meeting started.
Cortez walked in and took her own seat opposite her counterpart on the Wyoming. They exchanged a polite and silent nod to each other and then focused on their Captains.
Winchester took a seat at the back. Looking at the crows with fire and ice in his eyes he did not like what he was seeing.
Dran sat neutral towards everyone, deciding to be a mediating party.
"Well, as I said below, I am glad we found you Commander Tachibana. It has been a harrowing time," Carson started.
"I can imagine, sir. One thing we were curious about was how you were able to mask your ship with Gorn signatures?" Akio asked.
"It has become a necessity. The Gorn have sensor dominance for the most part of this sector. Hopefully our approach and you hiding in the radiation clouds masked your warp signature enough to delay any Gorn response," Carson replied.
"Based on the necessity, I am sure my engineer, Lieutenant Kosu, would be interested in keying those protocols into our database," Akio delicately asked.
"Of course. Commander Plante, go ahead and help Ms. Kosu," Carson nodded.
Hearing her name, Deeli looked at the given data and read the idea of how to mask it and smirked as she placed the PADD down. Taking a deep breath as she tried to stay professional "The Wyoming is a different kind of ship, a Steamrunner; to say the least, the criteria in the retro specification of that in the line of Hawaii requires more adjustment that would be a weight on its engines." Seeing some puzzling eyes, "Meaning that our resupply ratio would be shortened if we would apply the same camouflage. I leave the decision to you Captain," Deeli stated looking at Akio.
"Considering our environment, we may need to employ it. How much shorter would it cut the resupply ratio?" Akio asked.
"A few months less, not that much as I can calibrate it to have a better results in the output of it" Deeli confirmed as she still looked at the Commander.
Akio again appreciated the expertise of Deeli. He knew he made the right decision when recommending her for her promotion.
Tolkath nodded when Captain Carson confirmed the Wyoming's use of Gorn energy signatures as camouflage. He was about to enquire as to the process when Tachibana passed the matter to Engineering, who would undoubtedly have to carry out the actual mechanical aspect. He remained attentive for the next item.
"Sir, how long have you been out here?" Akio asked.
"We're on our third week of patrol. We have the area pretty mapped as to the Gorn patrol routines. There's been some close calls, yet we've been able to outrun the Gorn scout ships," Carson explained.
The Wyoming XO, another Commander, keyed some protocols on the conference room's computer and a display showed Gorn ship captures.
Akio glanced at Tolkath. These were actual captures and didn't look anything like the intelligence that was provided to the Hawaii.
Tolkath's left eyebrow raised as he viewed the images. They were indeed different to those he had been given. There were clear inherent design similarities, yet these were most definitely not the same. At preliminary observation they appeared to be more advanced, probably one or possibly two generations beyond the specifications he had received. He gave Tachibana a look and a brief shake of his head.
"These are amazing captures," Akio said.
"You haven't seen these before?" Carson asked. "These are from our first week of patrol. We transmitted them to Starfleet Command and Intelligence."
"Negative, sir. We were only provided computer assessment models," Akio answered, his jaw stiffening.
"It's what I suspected sir," the Wyoming Intelligence Lieutenant Commander said.
Cortez' eyebrow shot up in alarm as high as it could go and looked at Akio. "I apologize, sir, but I can only work with what I've been supplied, and I've not ever seen these before."
"I am inclined to agree with Lieutenant Cortez, if that's what you're insinuating. What is it that you suspect?" Akio asked turning to the Bolian intelligence officer.
"I didn't want to bring this up before, yet I am glad you didn't bring him here, Commander. You have a Gorn on your senior staff," Carson said.
"Yes. He was assigned to us as an asset on this mission," Akio replied. "He has proven himself capable in his medical duties and is a Starfleet Officer just like you or I."
"Really? I can't believe I am hearing this, sir," the Intelligence Chief responded with disgust.
Akio looked at Darren. Darren looked at Winchester.
Akio was a bit miffed by the blank look on Winchester and hoped it was just a decent poker face. He looked to Major West.
West sat up straighter. Whatever was going on, he didn't like the tone of this meeting now. The mood had clearly changed. When marines fought, things were great. It meant the men were getting along as ironically as that sounded. When the fleeters fought among themselves, bad things happened.
"Sir, with all due respect, if there is something you know that I do not, I cannot properly respond to it. Are you accusing my doctor of something?" Akio asked.
"Akio, let's talk just you and I," Carson said in an obvious attempt to ease the tensions.
"It is ok, sir. This is my senior staff and what you say to me can and should be said in their presence," Akio replied.
"Fine, Commander. Have it your way. We don't suspect your Doctor of anything aside from being a clear Gorn plant. He's a security risk and the fact your crew has integrated him into your staff is negligence at best or dereliction at worst. Furthermore, the fact you and your crew could not access the latest intelligence shows your inexperience--" Carson explained until Akio interrupted.
"Sir, pardon the interruption, but I think you are out of line. I have clear orders from Starfleet and we have done nothing but followed our orders," Akio shot back.
"I'm sure you've done your best and it's appreciated, Commander. Do not forget your place though. I will be taking command of the Hawaii and conducting crew transfers," Carson announced.
"Sir?" Akio was stunned. "You are not the Chief of Starfleet Personnel and I do not have any notice to relinquish my command."
"Yes, but I am the ranking officer and our orders are to form a Space Action Group. You've followed your orders, Commander. You've delivered the Hawaii to the theater. You will take command of the Wyoming," Carson returned in a paternalistic tone.
Tolkath's eyebrow raised again. What Carson was ordering was unusual but not unprecedented, the senior ranking officer would normally command the most powerful ship in a flotilla. It was the logical decision. Tachibana's objection was an emotional reaction, possibly understandable but still emotional.
This was a matter better left in private between Carson and Tachibana. He stood "Perhaps the rest of us should step out for a moment" He looked to Marian, the Executive Officer should step up and give the Captain and Commander privacy.
Marian wasn't sure what was going on.
Cassidy glanced at Tolkath. The Vulcan was right, but that also sounded like an excellent way for Tachibana to get strong-armed by regulations, without backup in facing Carson's arguments. On the other hand, would Carson back down in public? He looked to Tachibana. "You wanted us to stay, sir?" He tried to make it sound as respectful as possible, shifting the power back into their CO's hands without committing the skipper to either course.
"For now. I may need witnesses. Commander Marian, please pull up our orders for the Captain," Akio commanded in as neutral of a tone he could muster at the moment.
Marian tapped a few keys and the Hawaii orders appeared on the screen.
"Sir, we are to form Space Action Group Hawaii, not Wyoming. While I am willing to give deference to your judgment for tactical maneuvers, you and I both know Starfleet Command had a certain reasoning for my command as well as a certain process in choosing command teams. Unless you have a contravening order that removes me from command or another basis, Hawaii is my command, not yours. I would be happy to call up Rear Admiral Banda or Captain Ramsey or any other flag officer to confirm my position if you continue to doubt my authority," Akio ended probably a little bit more aggressive than he'd like.
Carson stared at Akio before speaking. "You leave me no choice, Commander. I am placing you under arrest for collusion with the enemy. It is our assessment that at best you have been negligent in your duties, placing your crew in danger, while at worst, you have conspired with your Chief Medical Officer to endanger Starfleet Operations. Commander Hannaford, confine Commander Tachibana to his quarters," Carson said to the Wyoming Tactical/Security Chief.
Akio was stunned and looked at his crew, trying to decide what to do next.
"Anyone who seeks to aide you, Commander, will also be held under arrest for aiding and abetting," Carson warned.
Cassidy was keenly aware in that moment that most of the Hawaii officers still carried their side-arms in anticipation of trouble in the shuttlebay. Probably none of them had anticipated trouble in the conference room. He kept his own hands under the desk, out of sight.
"Sirs, this surely doesn't need to escalate this far. It's no sense to call working with a fellow officer, Gorn or not, collusion. It's no sense to mix up two sets of senior staff who don't know how to work with each other in the middle of a combat zone. This doesn't need to be so rocky, surely." Cassidy still found himself shifting his chair back so the table didn't obstruct his movements, still found himself shifting his weight and glancing towards Tachibana, waiting on his lead.
West noticed the officers adjusting their chairs from out below the desk. The tension was tighter than a Cardassian trying to negotiate with a Ferengi. The marine kept calm as he slowly backed away from the table himself.
Deeli placed both her arms behind her head and leaned backwards looking at the showdown. This was getting out of control, these people of Wyoming were trying to show muscles and it was annoying. Deeli moved up from her seat and towards the side panel tapping on it as she stepped back and looked at Carson.
"Captain, I formally request to be placed in my quarters. Your reasoning is not backed up by any information and seizing command on those terms is not even legal. So as Chief Engineering, I revoked all support systems that allows the systems to work on full drive. This includes full warp, side engineering systems and full use of weaponry." She placed her hands behind her back and narrowed her eyes.
Carson looked livid.
"Do you want to assign an escort towards my room? Oh..." Deeli rose one hand and shook her head, "I will not release those systems, you can still operate in the sector, but be careful Captain as new updates are disallowed and facing the Gorn in this condition without the ability to camouflage your engines is tricky," Deeli gave a soft smile "...but not impossible"
"No matter. Anyone else want to join the list?" Carson asked openly.
Tolkath sat back down and watched as the two command team's emotions took hold, this kind of emotional stressful response to confrontational situations had almost led to the self generated extinction of his species. From Carson's bullying; Cassidy's tense movements clearing himself to potentially draw his weapon, to Kosu's defiant gesture with the Engineering controls, something that could be overridden by any of the Hawaii's command staff... He wondered what Tachibana would do about that action.
Cortez stood up and moved around to the opposite side of the table to stand behind Carson. She was already in enough crap to know that she didn't need to be in any more and this move would work in her favor. Self preservation. Eira looked over at Cassidy and gave the tiniest nod to him before looking at Carson, "Sir."
"Glad you chose the winning side," Carson said with a smirk.
Starfleet protocol be damned, Dran thought.
"Captain Carson" Tolkath said clearly and evenly, remaining in a relaxed posture at the table. "As the senior ranking command officer, you indeed have the right, and precedent, to assume command of the Hawaii, since we are in a zone of conflict with an enemy of the Federation.
"However, at this time we are not in direct contact with that enemy and therefore you have the duty and obligation to seek to have that decision ratified by the designated Task Force command officer for the Gorn theater, Captain Ramsey. I note, sir, that you have made no attempt to do so."
He let that sink in for a moment. Carson could not pick and choose which command authority regulations to employ. When there was an inquiry into this, that failure would be recorded.
The Vulcan continued "You have also made several serious allegations against Commander Tachibana and Lieutenant Junior Grade Sthilg, along with a threat to other officers of this ship. Suspecting Lieutenant Junior Grade Sthilg of being a Gorn agent is not evidence. Neither have you presented evidence, nor probable cause, to place Commander Tachibana under arrest.
"As Starfleet Officers we are all sworn to obey the orders of our superiors. But those orders must be legal. We are under no obligation to obey illegal orders, certainly not under duress, and it is our clear duty, defined by regulation and legal precedent, to refuse to obey any and all illegal orders.
"If you wish to take command of this ship sir, you will need to follow the correct procedure. Or provide evidence sufficient to arrest and relieve Commander Tachibana of his command," He concluded and fixed Carson with a steady gaze.
Akio was genuinely impressed by Tolkath after the feeling that the Vulcan was abandoning him earlier in the name of avoiding confrontation.
Carson's patience was visibly running short. "I don't have time to explain everything that's driving my actions to inexperienced officers to the situation. However, since you insist, Mr. Tolkath. Commander Karafar, show them." Carson ordered the Bolian.
The screen came up with intelligence reports as the Bolian started highlighting key passages within them.
"The Gorn were able to infiltrate Federation space and conduct a surprise attack at XFY because they had inside information. It is our assessment Starfleet officers fed information to the Gorn to facilitate the attacks. Now, it is also our assessment that these officers would seek to go to Gorn space for protection. The Wyoming and Hawaii are the first two ships sent to the theater. Our ship, the Wyoming was already commissioned though so it would be a lot harder to plant someone aboard... yet, a newly commissioned Sovereign, especially with such a junior crew and starved for personnel..." The Bolian drew the dots allowing the other officers to connect them.
"Open your eyes, Commander. Your Gorn Doctor is a traitor," Carson said.
"These are all just insinuations, sir. I still do not see any evidence that Dr. Sthilg has sympathized with the Gorn or done anything wrong. It would seem your intelligence is paranoid at best, faulty at worst," Akio shot back while looking at the Bolian.
"We'll let the court-martial sort it out. For now, I will be taking command though," Carson said as he nodded to Commander Hannaford, the Tactical/Security Chief.
In a swift motion, the huge human that gave even Winchester a gamble on size, seized the small frame of Deeli and spun her around as he applied restraints before pulling out his phaser.
Getting into a restraining position, Deeli did not resist and stayed her loyalty towards the Commander. The systems might be overridden, but the edits or updates take way longer without her at the helm.
The Bolian came around the table towards Akio.
West stood up and slammed his palm on the table as he stood up. "Now wait just one frakking minute. Y'all think you can just come up in here and remove a Commanding Officer? I might just be a marine, yet like the pointy eared Commander said, there's people we can call to sort this out. Captain, you are way out of line and I suggest you return to your vessel before we decide to take further action."
"I see I've angered your bulldog, Commander. A nice touch. Major, this is not your fight. If you want us to call Captain Ramsey, we can do so after I take command of the Hawaii. Let's stop fighting," Carson said, again adopting a paternalistic tone.
West drew his phaser and pointed it at the Bolian. "Sir, who said anything about fighting? I again advise your crew to stand down. We're not doing anything until I am convinced it is legal."
"Stand down, Major." Cortez had already drawn her phaser level with West's face and the look on her own was beyond impressed. She just wanted to get out of there out of there but was ready to put up a fight if she had to.
West pulled another phaser from his side and pointed it at Cortez. "We can do this all day, Lieutenant. I'm going to enjoy seeing your ass in the brig."
"Oh honey I'm already headed that way, so I'll meet you there." Cortez responded with another unimpressed look. She was referring to the warning she'd been given a few hours prior. Her stance never changed either.
Carson nodded and the rest of the Wyoming crew stood and drew their phasers, pointing them at their counterparts.
Tolkath remained seated, inwardly he was extremely concerned that there would be violence between the two command teams. Outwardly he remained poised as he slowly reached out his right hand and tapped the button on one of the desk top communicators and announced in a loud but calm voice. "Computer. Establish communications channel with Providence Shipyard, Office of the Commander Federation Forces for the Gorn Theater, Captain Leslie Ramsey, emergency priority."
The computer's disembodied voice replied "Accessing emergency priority communications channel."
After a brief pause it said "Unable to establish communications channel to Providence shipyard due to localized radiation interference."
"Of course it's not, that'd make it way too easy." Cassidy deadpanned, but again pushed his chair back, this time half-raising his hands in an appeasing manner. "Look, I'm here to fight the Gorn. I'm not fighting fellow officers; this is insane!" Though he notably looked less like he was about to go for his phaser, and this time wasn't looking at Tachibana for prompt or direction.
Suddenly the klaxons sounded and the a red glow tinted the room before the computer shouted "RED ALERT!"
Carson looked at Akio. "Come on Commander, other matters call and you and I both know I am the more experienced CO here. Let's resolve this dilemma after we deal with whatever is out there."
Akio couldn't help but chuckle, "Nice try, sir. I have the utmost faith in my crew. It is your ship that does not have a senior staff aboard during a red alert situation and we both know the Hawaii will fare better with whatever fate awaits us. If you want to return to your vessel, though, no one will stop you."
"Hey, sirs." Cassidy's voice was taut as he half rose. "How about we get to, watch each other's backs with the enemy out there, and keep the hundreds of fellow officers on both ships alive?" Despite the irreverent tone, a muscle twitched at the corner of his jaw.
The minutes that passed were the most excruciating as the red glow blinked on and off, highlighting the faces of the officers in the most sinister color. Who was right and who was wrong?
Suddenly, Carson pushed down the phasers of the officers next to him. "Enough! We need to get back to the Wyoming. I will deal with you later," Carson said, pointing a finger in Akio's face.
Akio just smirked and let out a huge sigh of relief after the Wyoming crew left. He put his hands on the table and bowed his head. He was just beginning to process everything that had happened and he felt his eyes tear up from the emotion of the situation. His crew had been pushed up against the wall and they chose him.
Akio brushed Darren's hand away. "We need to get to the bridge," Akio said softer than he liked.
"Well, don't dawdle, you heard the Captain. Let's go!" Marian said.
OFF:
Aloha is the most Hawaiian word. In the Hawaiian language, it can mean hello or goodbye. It also means love and affection. The word aloha is used in a combination with other words, such as aloha kakahiaka, which means good morning; aloha auinala used as a greeting that means good afternoon; and aloha ahiahi is how you can wish good evening in Hawaiian. Because of aloha's unique meaning and popularity, Hawaii is called the Aloha State.
Aloha is a Hawaiian symbol. Its meaning goes beyond any definition you can find about it in the dictionaries. In Hawaii, you hear aloha all the time and you are treated with aloha everywhere.
Akio Tachibana, CDR, SF
CO, USS Hawaii
Juan "JJ" Zamora, LCDR, SF
2XO/CDO, USS Hawaii
Tolkath, LCDR, SF
CSO, USS Hawaii
Rafe Cassidy, LT, SF
CONN, USS Hawaii
Deeli Kosu, LT, SF
CHENG, USS Hawaii
Jake Winchester, LTJG, SF
TACSEC, USS Hawaii
Eira Cortez, LTJG, SF
INT, USS Hawaii
Radun Dran, LTJG, SF
ACDO, USS Hawaii
Terrance "Terry" West, Maj, SFMC
CO, 3 MRBN
Guest Starring
Senior Staff of the USS Wyoming, led by CAPT Carson (played by Akio/Jacob)
