Operation Dragon Fire (Backpost)

Posted on 21 Jul 2018 @ 8:44pm by Captain Akio Tachibana & Commander Juan Zamora (Dec [CDO]-Jan 2389 - TRSNFR to Gorn Dip.) & Commander S’chqenr T’Jedf Tolkath (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War)

Mission: Ne Me'e Laua Na Paio - Heroes & Villains
Location: XFY Operations Deck - Conference Room 3
Timeline: 0900, 15 Jan 2389 (Before the Gorn Hunt & "Enemy Within")

ON:

[XFY Operations Deck - Conference Room 3]

Akio sat along the side of the nondescript table awaiting the Devonshire crew. He felt comfortable being flanked by his Commanders as he was about to have another discussion with Rear Admiral Banda and Captain Ramsey.

Tolkath sat impassively alongside Tachibana and Zamora, quietly contemplating the upcoming meeting.

Juan sat tall and straight in the seat to the Captain's right, still and coolly professional, silently waiting.

With a subtle limp to her stride and slightly disconcerting stiffness in her movements, Commander Franchezska "Frankenstein" Braxton entered shortly thereafter. Her silvery gray hair was cropped short but still seemed somehow unkempt, and her face and visible neck was dotted with scars from years of sustained burns and cuts, that disappeared beneath the neckline of her command-division red shirt...which she wore under the standard vest-variant uniform. As she sat her tall and gaunt frame down in the briefing room chair, she scanned the other officers and brass assembled with her synthetic eyes that glowed with a pale sapphire blue.

The old veteran rested her arms on the table, taking a small moment to collect herself, before sitting back into the chair, the faint sound of metallic clicking briefly echoing from her back.

Akio sat up straight and figured he would introduce himself, although he was not sure what was in worse shape, the Commander or XFY.

"Commander Braxton? I am Captain Tachibana. It is nice to meet you in person. Your reputation precedes you," Akio smirked.

"It does have a tendency to do that, Captain." Frankie replied grimly, her nerve-damaged face failing to reciprocate the Hawaii CO's smirk. "Might as well get it out of the way...what horror stories have you heard?"

"Well, I am glad your humor is still in-tact. I was expecting more machine than human," Akio responded playfully.

"Technically, your expectations are met." The Devonshire's new captain stated with a small sigh. "I am past the 51-percentage point of synthetic anatomy. During the Dominion War, starship engineers made up the majority of personnel killed...if only just because we made up the largest portion of every ship destroyed.

"I suppose I am what happens when that War and the five decades before now, fail to finish the job." She let that statement hang in the air for a bit. "An in-tact Humour is the best defense against the implications of that, sinking in...it may also just be the only in-tact thing I have, come to think of it."

There was a pause. To be honest, Akio felt like her had met a command officer with a more grim outlook on the situation than even his most pessimistic side. "Well, your experience will serve us well," Akio said with genuine respect.

Commander Logan entered the room at a brisk pace and moved to the chair beside his new commanding officer, giving a respectful nod to the Hawaii's staff. "Captain, Commanders, I'm Lieutenant Commander Jack Logan, the new XO of the Devonshire. A pleasure to meet you. And a pleasure to have you at Xavier; they need all the help they can get here." He pulled up his chair next to Braxton, straightening his uniform once he was sat.

Akio nodded to the Klingon hybrid. "It is good to be here and in one piece."

Juan waited politely for his CO to speak, then began himself. "A pleasure to meet you as well," he inclined his head to the man across the table, "I am Commander Zamora, Hawaii's executive officer." Still perfectly civil on the outside, Juan had nonetheless rattled himself, he had almost said 'Lieutenant' out of sheer force of habit.

Tolkath nodded to the Devonshire and introduced himself.

Akio was always impressed by his senior officers, yet particularly by Zamora. His charm could turn even the most hostile room.

Leo strode through the door and took his seat to the commander's left, offering no introduction.

Akio wondered why a marine captain was present, yet he figured that was the Devonshire's second executive officer.

The weary Commander Braxton glanced momentarily at the Flight Captain and then let out a small sigh from her thin tight lips. While compared to the well-put-together crew of the Hawaii, the Devonshire was not exactly putting on a good show for the Admiral. Instead of a Captain, the Devonshire could only offer up it's first officer and current Acting Commanding Officer as ship representative...a position she had held for less then a full day's cycle....and instead of the ship's second officer or a fellow commander, she had Flight Captain Corso...and their relationship had always been somewhat...coloured by their first encounter, that was not even two weeks old.

Everyone else in the Devonshire's chain of command had more pressing matters to attend to: the Second officer, Lieutenant Brown, was running the runabout patrol the Devonshire had set up to survey the "Graveyard"...Dr. Hawthorne was technically next up afterwards, but he had been left in charge of the Devonshire's bridge.

Short-staffed, tired, and jury-rigged together... Frankcheszka mused. Well, at least they can't accuse us of not being representative of the rest of the crew...

After a few moments, the screen crackled to life as the Federation seal was replaced by a similar conference table with similar officers dressed in Starfleet uniform although the jolly African woman at the head of the table wore boxed pips: Rear Admiral Banda.

"Ah, greetings Captain Tachibana and Commander Braxton. I am glad that you have found your way to XFY. I hope the station is well, considering what I have read in your reports," Banda started. "I do not want to belabor the point, yet you know the situation is dire. How soon can your ships disembark from XFY?"

"Ma'am, the Hawaii can leave in a couple days. We took some heavy damage from the brief combat with the Gorn cruiser. You have seen our report and we have discussed some ideas," Akio answered.

Frankie waited for the superior ranking officer to finish and then gave her own update. "The Devonshire has a bit more work to do, I am afraid. Unless it's an emergency call, we'll be here a bit longer, cleaning up the mess enough so larger vessels like the Hawaii can approach the station without a smallcraft escort. We've also got damage control, security, and medical teams currently assisting the relief and repair efforts on the Station...we're short handed and understaffed though, since we were rushed out of Providence the moment our refit was complete."

Banda nodded. "We do appreciate the work you have been doing to assist XFY, Commander. Once you are ready to disembark, we do have further plans for you," the Admiral continued while Captain Ramsey was typing notes on his PADD.

"You bring up an item we do want to discuss further, Captain Tachibana," the Admirals eyes shifted to the Hawaii CO. "Is there any further assessment or conclusion about the new technology the Gorn possess?" the Admiral asked.

Akio looked at Tolkath, "Ma'am, I feel like Commander Tolkath may be the best person to field that question."

"We were attacked by a new form of torpedo, Admiral" Tolkath began "As far as we can tell the torpedo has some kind of on-board force field or shield generator, which surrounds the weapon with an electro-magnetic sheath.

"Unlike a standard field or shield this is not designed to repel or repulse. Instead it appears to be configured to absorb energy from any other field it encounters, then dissipate it around the weapon.

"Essentially when the torpedo encounters a shield it is able to absorb the shield's energy and, for a second or so of time, become a part of the shield itself, before it's own generator circuits are overloaded and the field collapses.

"But, that is just enough for the torpedo to pass through the shield and detonate. It is a highly advanced and ingenious system. Due to some materials found in the weapons construction I suspect that it is not solely a Gorn innovation, they may have had assistance in designing or producing it. I do not yet have data on whom may have helped them, at this time."

Tolkath paused for a moment. "The weapons may also have been pre-programmed with our shield harmonic frequencies, which would greatly improve it's effectiveness. Our Security department is conducting an investigation into the possibility that this information was passed to the Gorn from an agent aboard the Hawaii" He dropped this bombshell in his usual level and unemotional tone.

Akio was like a statue as his Second Officer and Chief Science Officer gave the update.

"...an Agent...the Gorn..." Frankie restated for herself, in disbelief, before leaning forward into the table. "Gorn aren't known for having a sophisticated intelligence network...hard to infiltrate other predominately humanoid powers when you're over seven feet tall, green, scaley, and move like grav-lifter set to low power....that said, if they had help in their technical development, maybe they've outsourced their information gathering too."

The aged commander could feel her engineer's mind at work, gears and cogs rotating with logical curiosity. "I don't suppose I could get a copy of that technical data you've collected?"

Tolkah held up a PaDD. "I have your copy here Captain, it contains our current reseach to date" He passed it over the table. "I will have the data transmitted to you also, Admiral" He nodded towards Banda on the screen

"You say you can't be sure who helped make this weapon," Leo Chimed in, "But, surely you must have a guess. What would you say is the most likely option right now?"

Those who knew Tolkath well might have noted the slight tightening of his jawline when it was suggested he guess on the matter. After a short pause he said, "The weapons are indeed advanced, possibly more advanced than we would have expected from the Gorn, prior to this current conflict.

"But we have also seen a previously unsuspected improvement in their starship designs, thus it is not improbable that the weapons are their own design as well.

"However, from analysis of fragments of the devices, there is also the use of advanced materials; in particular alloys which are more usually associated with offensive ordinance from the Romulans, the Klingons and the Dominion.

"It is not possible, at this time, to determine which of those three, if any, may be assisting the Gorn with their weapons design.

"To address Captain Braxton's point, if the Gorn are getting assistance with their weapons, it would not be illogical to expect cooperation in intelligence operations as well."

"Hmmm, the Klingons, the Romulans, or The Dominion. I don't like any of those options, but I suppose that's better than not knowing." Leo mused out loud.

Francheszka seemed to space out for a brief moment...it was still a bit unsettling to hear those words: Captain Braxton. "Klingons are pretty self-embroiled in their own borders right now...but the houses have always had their own agendas and projects...and a lot of Klingons do find a lot in the Gorn species and culture to admire....one should always suspect the Romulans, especially now without the strong central leadership of Romulus and Remus guiding them.

"...as for the Dominion. I would say that the Gorn are a bit out of their way...it's not exactly like the Bajoran wormhole is next door to Cestus..." She paused, briefly, and then continued. "...then again, a lot of people said the same thing about the Dominion prior to the 'War...and the Gorn did have a neutrality pact with the Founders in place then too."

"The prospect of renewed Dominion aggression is particularly disconcerting." Juan reflected. "In the worst case they could be probing our weaknesses as a prelude to open war. The stakes in this conflict keep getting higher."

Akio enjoyed the academic and astute discussion.

"I am glad you all are aware of the stakes involved. Our Director of Intelligence is working to track down the latest information you have provided, Commander," Banda acknowledged the Vulcan science officer.

"As for our initial assessments," the Admiral continued, "we are inclined to agree with the sentiment that this was not just a product of the Gorn and could be evidence of further security failures within the Federation. As you know Captain Tachibana, through your own appointment, many senior officers called for a stronger response following the surprise attack at XFY. Yet, based on current resources, we cannot haphazardly send ships and crews on a full-frontal assault. Captain Ramsey has been working on a battle plan with our new Director of Strategic Plans, Commander Calida."

The Admiral turned to a wispy haired Captain who was balding, "Thank you, Admiral. Based on our preliminary work, we are forming two battle groups centered around your respective vessels. We do require further intelligence collection to see this through, yet make no mistake, the Admiral has cleared us to transition to combat operations. Our focus for the moment will be Canterra."

The Captain looked back to the Admiral. "You will be receiving detailed orders in the coming days. Are there any questions?" Banda asked.

"Yes, Admiral. Is there any word on those reinforcements we need on the Devonshire?" Braxton asked. "Now that I am in a position to have an actual yeoman, I suddenly find it very concerning that they have to do shifts in Environmental control when there is coffee needed and PADDwork to be done."

With combat duties on the horizon, that still in-tact humour was going to need extra practice.

Logan kept his expression studied as he glanced sidelong at his new commander. It was, he suspected, going to take some time before he'd figured out what comments to take in stride and what was going to need addressing.

"Starfleet Personnel is doing its best to ship inbound personnel to your sector of the quadrant. Until then, please do well to take care of the crew you do have," Banda answered. "Good luck and Godspeed to you all."

---

OFF:

Yewande Banda, RADM, SF (played by Akio Tachibana)
CO, TF93

Leslie Ramsey, CAPT, SF (played by Akio Tachibana)
Commander, Federation Forces for the Gorn Theater (GRN/CC)

Akio Tachibana, CAPT, SF
CO, USS Hawaii

Francheszka "Frankie" Braxton, CDR, SF
CO, USS Devonshire

Juan "JJ" Zamora, CDR, SF
XO, USS Hawaii

Tolkath, CDR, SF
2XO/CSO, USS Hawaii

Jack Logan, LCDR, SF (played by Rafe Cassidy)
XO, USS Devonshire

Galileo Corso, Capt, SFMC (played by Juan Zamora)
CAG, USS Devonshire