Canterra - Operation: Cold Comfort: War Crime

Posted on 22 May 2019 @ 4:30pm by Captain Akio Tachibana & Colonel Hayes McGruder & Commander Juan Zamora (Dec [CDO]-Jan 2389 - TRSNFR to Gorn Dip.) & Commander S’chqenr T’Jedf Tolkath (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Captain Edward Bolingbroke (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Yeoman 1st Class Halona Grayson

Mission: Hahai i na pilikua nui - Hunting Monsters
Location: CO's Ready Room USS Hawaii
Timeline: T+1 1830 hrs

[ON]

[Transporter Room 1 - 18:30 Hours ]

Bolingbroke checked over his uniform, rubbed the toes of his boots on his calfs, just to give them a final polish, then waited for the arrival of the Battlegroup's Marine Commanding Officer, Colonel Hayes McGruder.

As soon as Second Team had returned Bolingbroke had contacted Tachibana's Yeoman and McGruder's Adjutant and informed them he needed an in-person meeting with the Colonel and the Battlegroups Starfleet commander as soon as possible.

Young Marine Captain's did not demand to see Corps Colonels and Ship's Captains, but he managed to phrase the request to get over the urgency of the matter without revealing any details and both had agreed.

Now he waited for McGruder to arrive. There was a beep and a communication from the panel behind him.

"That's the Adelaide Captain" The transporter tech reported "Energizing now"

A moment later the pads shimmered, McGruder and his Ajudent , Major Timms, appeared, flanked by two Marine escorts.

Bolingbroke came to attention, snapped up a salute and held it.
"Sir, welcome to the Hawaii Sir. Major West is currently planet-side. I am Captain Edward Bolingbroke, Bravo Company, Third Raiders, Sir."

McGruder returned the salute. "Yes, I received your report, Captain. I think we have a room, Bill?" The Colonel turned to his Adjutant, a Major, who nodded and led the way to the turbolift.

[CO's Ready Room]

Bolingbroke led the way from the Bridge turbolift to Tachibana office and hit the chime, entering when called, the two sentries taking up position outside. The Captain, Zamora and Tolkath were waiting for them.

"Captain, this is Colonel McGruder and Major Timms" Bolingbroke said "Colonel, Major, this is Captain Tachibana, his Executive Officer, Commander Zamora and his Second Officer, Commander Tolkath"

"Welcome, Colonel. Please have a seat," Akio gestured to the many seats in his office brought in for the occasion. "My Yeoman, Y-N-1 Grayson, will also likely be joining us."

"Colonel," Juan greeted succintly.

The Colonel nodded to each and took a seat next to the Major.

Halona walked in through the doorway her hands filled with a tray of drinks. She smiled as she met each gaze of those in the room, "Good evening everyone I wasn't certain how long this briefing might be so I brought refreshments." The tray held coffees, several teas, and hot chocolate.

Akio smiled as he took a tea. The Colonel was surprised by the hospitality and took a coffee.

Bolingbroke accepted a cocoa, he still felt the cold from being on the surface and this horrible discovery had chilled him further.

Tolkath stood and greeted the Marine officers. Taking his seat again when the introductions were over. They were gathered around the Captain's conference table

Bolingbroke went to stand by the viewscreen, he linked a PaDD to it and felt all eyes turned to him.

"Colonel, Captain, gentlemen" He began "Yesterday at Oh Six hundred hours Zulu Second MSOT began a recon mission of the Xore Strike Mine area, that concluded at Seventeen Forty Five hours Zulu today.

The team was split in to it's three Elements. Orange covered the Mine complex; Blue covered the facilities power generator substation and Command covered the Xore colony settlement, some ten kilometers west of the mine.

During observation of the mine we recorded seven Gorn shuttle flights delivering colonist prisoners to the mine. Anywhere between six to fourteen colonists each flight, men, women and teenagers. We did not see any one younger than maybe ten or twelve.

Several of the prisoner's were observed to have the implants found on survivors of the USS Wyoming who were held aboard a Gorn Apophis Class Crusier The Rends with Teeth which attacked Xavier Fleet Yard.

I have summaries of the Second and Forth MSOT Teams After Action Reports of the boarding of that vessel available, if needed later Sir," this to McGruder.

"I'm familiar with the reports," McGruder responded.

"Understood sir" Bolinbroke continued "At approximately Fourteen fifteen hours today Command team were carrying out a patrol through the Xore settlement." He tapped his PaDD and the viewscreen began to display images of the colony.

"They found evidence of a Gorn attack, blast damage consistent with Gorn disrupter weaponry; doors kicked open, stores and homes ransacked and so on. There was no sign of survivors or Gorn. They appeared to have attacked the colony but apparently did no choose to occupy it.

As Command Element was completing the patrol they moved through a warehousing area when they discovered this..."

He tapped the PaDD and the view screen displayed an image of the snow covered log pile taken from about twenty five meters away.

He let them look at that for a moment, then tapped his PaDD and the image became video. The camera moved in closer to the pile, slowly the nature of the logs became clear, the bodies of children.

Akio's neutral look visibly turned into a frown. He was familiar with the initial report, yet seeing the images were gruesome.

Halona gasped as her hands flew to her face covering her mouth, her eyes wide with horror as she realized what she was seeing, tears started tracking down her cheeks unchecked...

Juan remained silent, but pressed his lips together into a thin line, clenching his fists so tightly that the nails drew blood from his palms. As his eyes took in each cold, lifeless body it was impossible for him not to see his daughter's face on each corpse. Bile rose in his throat as he began to hear his pulse pounding in his ears, he grappled with one of the most profound feelings of rage he had ever experienced. In that moment he wanted nothing more than to personally end the lives of every last animal responsible for this. While he seethed, he said nothing, he feared he would only speak irresponsibly.

Tolkath raised an eyebrow, but otherwise remained silent.

McGruder was exposed to pretty gruesome sights during war. He showed no visible emotion, which was a testament to his military bearing.

"We estimate there are around eighty bodies. From infants to those around ten years old" The images changed to show the various bodies of the youngest children and those older.

"Our Corpsman believes the majority were killed by disrupters, but there were several, at least a dozen, with what can only be described as bite marks and a further seven or eight had limbs that appear to have been bitten off" The images moved over the mutilated bodies.

"We made all efforts not to disturb the area, doing only what was required to record the scene. I submit this.... event... needs to properly examined and documented by a Starfleet Security Forensics investigation team.

"Finally, I instigated total containment of this information. Only four other members of Second MSOT and yourselves are currently aware of this."

"Right, well, I think we need to find a cause of death for each of the bodies. Unfortunately, we don't have a hospital ship among the group. I hate to put more on the Hawaii, yet I think you may have the most space," the Colonel commented.

Akio thought about the two sickbays and nodded. A nebula's sickbay was not small, yet certainly not large either. Plus, he figured the Marine population aboard the Nebula could make things messy with such a sensitive situation.

"I will have Doctor T'Lara send a team planetside and start the process," Akio offered.

"What is the plan for the mine?" McGruder asked.

"I have scheduled an operational planning meeting for Twenty Thirty hours to work up an assault plan for the Xore Strike mine and substation, Colonel.

"We are hoping for an infiltration of the facility to cut the power to the shield, followed by an Infantry assault. Estimating a jump off time of Eleven hundred hours tomorrow."

"Could your Adjutant attend to coordinate the Infantry assault phase sir?" Bolingbroke finished.

"I'll be there myself," the Colonel said.

"Very good sir" Bolingbroke acknowledged. "And for distribution of the infirmation? " He asked, wondering how the Battle Group command staff wanted to disseminate or contain this grursome event.

Akio looked at the Colonel. Technically, the Marines found it so it was their show.

"Classified TOP SECRET, SPECIAL ACCESS PROGRAM COLD COMFORT. My office will control the release authorities. Aside from who knows now, no one else is to be read-in without my authorization," McGruder answered.

"Very good sir. Might l also request the security and medical investigation be delayed until after we have liberated the mine" Bolingbroke added.

"Granted," Akio said, thankful for Bolingbroke's suggestion.

Halona had to swallow twice before she trusted her voice, "Is there any thing you want me to take care of for now Captain?" Her eyes were still wide the horror of what she'd seen, she heard the orders that the scenes wouldn't be discussed until later. She wouldn't say anything.

"Yes, please schedule a meeting with Captain Ramsey. Get with Major Timms to work the Colonel's schedule," Akio paused as he saw the dried tears of the Yeoman's face. "Thank you," Akio added. Protocol was very difficult to show empathy or emotion, yet he hoped the Yeoman was not too perturbed by her duties.

No one expected the Gorn to do something like this.


[OFF]


Hayes McGruder, Col, SFMC
Marine CO, TF-ODF

Akio Tachibana, CAPT, SF
CO, USS Hawaii

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

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

Edward Bolingbroke, Capt, SFMC
BMSOC/CC, 3d MRBN, USS Hawaii

Halona Grayson, YN1, SF
ADMIN, USS Hawaii