Divide & Conquer

Posted on 16 May 2019 @ 10:59pm by Captain Akio Tachibana & Colonel Hayes McGruder & Commander S’chqenr T’Jedf Tolkath (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War)
Edited on on 23 May 2019 @ 5:38pm

Mission: Hahai i na pilikua nui - Hunting Monsters
Location: USS Hawaii C-I-C
Timeline: T+1

[ON]

[Combat - Information - Center]

"All commanders are present Sir" A Yeoman informed Tachibana. A row of holographic avatars of the various Captains of the Battle Group's ships and the Marine Colonel shimmered in the subdued lighting of the CIC.

Akio nodded. His XO and 2XO were also in the room. This was a high-level meeting, yet Akio wanted to be sure they understood the plan as well.

The Captain at the far end of the table spoke.

"Welcome, Captains and Colonel," Captain Ramsey spoke. He was the COMFEDFOR - Commander, Federation Forces - for the Gorn Theater.

"Brilliant work at Canterra IV. I heard the losses were minimal," Ramsey gave a slight nod.

Akio resisted the urge to show any emotion. 'Minimal'? He wondered at what point Command considered the casualty threshold to no longer be defined as minimal.

"Captain Tachibana, can you please bring up the current picture of the ground?" Ramsey continued.

"Aye, sir. Go ahead, Commander," Akio transmitted back and nodded to Tolkath.

"Yes sir" Tolkath replied "I have the initial sensor scans for the orbit" He tapped a panel displaying the data on a screen and simultaneously transmitting it to the various Captains ship. Map of Canterra

"There are two weather satellites; three communications satellites; one orbital research station and one orbital dock for ore carrying cargo ships.

"The weather and communications satellites appear functional. The research station appears to have been partially destroyed, possibly in the Gorn's initial attack. The cargo dock was operational, but we detected several Gorn shuttles leaving it a few minutes ago, they appear to have abandoned it.

"There was no indication of orbital weapons platforms. However, there are several large cargo barges in the vicinity of the orbital dock. Three of them appear to be empty ore barges, but the sensors indicate two of them contain dismantled weapons systems, possibly the components of orbital weapons the Gorn had not yet assembled and deployed.

"Scans of the surface are underway, but they appear to have some kind of jamming system in operation which is causing interference to our sensors. So far we have detected heavy shielding and ground based weapon energy signatures around the Capital, Onidon, but nothing specific due to the jamming.

"Our Marine reconnaissance mission may provide more detailed information.

"There is also extensive shielding in the Xore region, there is a Topaline mine there which the Gorn would want to protect.

"We are attempting to adjust sensors to overcome the jamming but that is all we have for now," Tolkath finished.

"Thank you, Commander Tolkath," Akio replied, awaiting what was next from Ramsey.

Ramsey continued without a beat. Even though it was a high-level meeting, he expected senior ship officers to be on the line and present details. After all, that was how things usually worked anyways.

"Battle Group Hawaii's mission will be to ensure continued space superiority. Intelligence assessments suggest the Gorn fleet is regrouping for a counterattack," Ramsey explained. "Our hope is that the ground campaign will stall, or even force the Gorn to think twice about coming back to Canterra. I have put in an additional request for forces with TF93. Colonel, I will let you brief the ground campaign."

"Thank you, Captain," McGruder smiled. "The idea is simple. Intelligence says the capital is the likely central operations for the Gorn. Everything on the planet revolves around the capital. So we isolate the capital and squeeze it from the outside. Every metropolis from Xelron, Sophiaville, to Xore, will be systematically eradicated of Gorn. We find out where the Gorn are, swoop in and eradicate, then move on. Any questions?"

"Where do we begin?" One of the Captains asked.

"Intelligence assesses the two Gorn strongholds outside of Onidon are likely the Gorn cities of Xore and Xelron. We've already identified preliminary targets of Xore, some mining on the outskirts of the town. I have our Special Forces already drawing up a plan."

"Thank you, Colonel," Ramsey said. "Fleet positions around Canterra IV will be designed to maximize communication uplink and ensure sensor coverage against possible Gorn attack. Hawaii and Adelaide will provide the bulk of ground operations support, so the rest of the vessels are on patrol duty with Hercules providing command and control for the patrolling operation."

Akio nodded. It was expected that Hawaii would be supporting the bulk of the ground operation with its CIC. Since they would be sending shuttles to and from the ground, it didn't make sense that they would also be directing the patrol mission of the planet. Akio was actually relieved since they really just had to stay in a stable orbit, so bridge duties would be fairly easy.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have embarked on a milestone in this war. We have brought the fight to the Gorn," Ramsey concluded.

OFF:

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

Akio Tachibana, CAPT, SF
CO, USS Hawaii

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