Scanning Dust

Posted on 18 Jun 2019 @ 3:19am 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) & Lieutenant Junior Grade Emma Walken

Mission: Hahai i na pilikua nui - Hunting Monsters
Location: Science Department - Deck 18
Timeline: T+3 1505 Hrs

[ON]

[Bridge]

After discussing with the CONN, and third officer of the ship, the Intelligence Analyst made a bee line to the Science Deck to put in the requisition for a sensor scan.

With both the top two intel officers still planetside, it was enlisted mayhem for the Senior Chief and the rest of the intelligence department. He just hoped he had enough stripes to pull this off.

Approaching the reception desk near the leadership offices, the Chief asked: "Excuse me, is your Commander around?"

Emma was passing by when she heard the request, "Excuse me you are looking for Commander Tolkath? I can take you to him just follow me." She spoke with a smile.

The Senior Chief wanted to laugh as the unsuspecting Ensign took him to her boss.

Tolkath looked up from his panel as Walken arrived with a non-commissioned officer in in Intelligence grey. "How may I be of service? He asked.

"Sir, I apologize for being here myself. As you know, our senior officers are planetside. We need your expertise in getting after a blind area of space dust. We've sent out scans and patrols, yet due to natural interference or something else, we have not been able to see a certain area on the outskirts of the system," the Senior Chief explained.

"I see" Tolkath consulted his panel and brought up the sensor controls. Adjusting the long range settings he began focusing them in on the nearby nebula.

"I see, class two type. Several areas of intense radiation and distortions" He spoke aloud. "It would be a logical place to hide ships. Although while in there their sensors would be as limited as ours"

He thought for a moment. "I would suggest a staggered series of probes, six should suffice. Launched in succession, link them together so that each one relays back data over a shorter distance. That should overcome the majority of the interference."

"Yessir," the chief nodded, thankful he didn't have to fight for science support when he was preparing for a battle with the Vulcan. "When do you want to start launching probes? If the enemy is hiding there, we may find ourselves in combat again."

“We can launch probes at any time” Tolkath stated “However, as you say we would need to be ready for a response should our investigations of the nebula provoke action the Gorn. Let us inform the Captain.”

The Senior Chief nodded. This was now way out of his league. He had never met the Captain face-to-face before.

[Ready Room]

Tolkath led the way to Tachibana’s Ready Room where he found the Captain and Zamora. After the Chief had explained the situation despite his nervousness showing once or twice, Tolkath asked “I can have a series of probes ready to go within twenty minutes Captain, but is the battlegroup ready to fight another engagement if we flush out the Gorn?"

"Sir, I think it would be prudent to delay the launch by an hour, and draw the battlegroup into formation. We know where the enemy would be attacking from, if they are there, and would be able to deal with them rather more safely that way." Zamora advised.

"I am not suggesting any time table Captain" Tolkath clarified "Merely stating when a series of probes would be available. I am not in possession of sufficient data on Battle Group combat readiness to say that an hour's delay is appropriate or not."

Akio listened to the suggestions before chiming in, as a good Captain does. "I don't think the entire Gorn fleet happens to be hiding in this nebula. I agree with our intel expert that there is something there. Zamora's course of action seems the best given the circumstances. Most repairs are completed. If we find ourselves in engagement though, it will pull air support off the planet which may risk Cold Comfort. It may be better to await the outcome of that operation."

Tolkath checked the time “It is fifteen oh-five hours now. I believe The Aubrey is scheduled to depart at sixteen hundred. The Marine assault on the mine is expected to commence between approximately seventeen thirty and eighteen hundred hours.

I believe we would be prudent in allocating at least five hours for that operation to be accomplished, undoubtedly considerably more if they have to pursue large numbers of Gorn down into the mine
levels.

Once the Marines have control of the mine we have committed to delivering supplies and personnel to care for the colonists, again at least five hours. We should not expect the entire operation to be concluded before around Oh Four Hundred tomorrow morning.”

"Very well," Akio nodded to the Vulcan, appreciative of his rundown. "Let's plan for the probe at 0800 then during the Senior Staff watch. Then if anything does transpire, we'll be ready to handle it. For now, keep an eye on the... dust."

Tolkath nodded "I shall prepare a full report Captain" He replied with a straight face.

OFF:

Akio Tachibana, CAPT, SF
CO

Juan "JJ" Zamora, CDR, SF
XO

Tolkath, CDR, SF
2XO/CSO

Emma Walken, ENS, SF
BIO

Intel Senior Chief NPC
Played by Akio