Task Force: Gamma

Marek · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:10 pm Post subject:

Admiral Thomas James Croft surveyed the officers in front of him, gathering his thoughts. He took a moment, nodding to Marek, before speaking. He was a tall man, still fit and trim for his age, his silver hair well trimmed and matching his beard. The Hartington crew couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance between the Admiral and their Flight Ops Officer, Xavier. Croft cleared his throat as he began,

"Thank you Captain Marek, Captain Brennon. I am immensely proud to be here on this historic day. A generation from now, young cadets will be looking back on these days, wishing they could be here for such times as this, just as we wished we could be on the Enterprise when we where cadets. This discovery has not been without a price, as both vessels have suffered casualties in the line of duty. We would be negligent if we did not remember those that have fallen. As we begin this new era of a permanent Federation involvement in the Gamma Quadrant, we will look to building ties with the Myosian Federation and the Alterran people. We will strive to better our ties with the Dominion as we become closer neighbors. We will attempt to establish diplomatic ties with the Tal'Harton. And hopefully explore more of the galaxy as we continue on our peaceful mission of exploration and discovery." Croft paused for a moment, looking into the eyes of every officer in the room, pausing lastly at his son,

"We will succeed if we work together, and although there will be many hurdles to overcome, I have faith in each and every one of you. Thank you."
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uvek · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:34 pm Post subject:

(OOC: We are going to move to the next phase now....we will be opening a secondary storyline, and anyone is welcomed to start their own thread, provided we control the number and direction, keeping things on track to the new action)

*CONFERENCE ROOM - 2 HOURS LATER*
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Admiral Croft
Captain Brennon
Captain Marek
Commander Talbert

*ACTION*

The formalities over, the senior officers retired to a large conference room with huge bay windows overlooking the nebula. The azure and flashing white of the swirling gases marked a stark contrast to the space around them and beyond. Admiral Croft seemed anxious to discuss his next phase of events, and had begun the orderly collection of technology, files and equipment to be taken aboard the Conquest. At first there was alarm at the volume of materials involved, but with a Fleet directive in his hands, Croft would suffer no refusals. Talbert felt blackness well in him, recalling his conversation with Captain Marek just days before. What was this all about? Whether or not the truth of what was going on here would come out, one thing was clear...Croft held all the cards.

(FOR THOSE NOT LISTED IN THIS POST, PLEASE REFER TO THE SECONDARY STORYLINE, all first officers will be back aboard their ships or free to move through the station)....
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Live a life of action...not reaction.

Marek · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:23 pm Post subject:

Croft placed the PADD he had been looking at on the table, looking around at each officer in turn. He clasps his hands, placing them on the table in front of him,

"I have several items I would like to discuss, but first I would like a report. I have read all of your reports on the encounters with the Tal'Harton, but what have you left out? Do we have any chance at diplomacy? Any chance at a compromise?"
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uvek · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:01 pm Post subject:

Talbert cleared his throat. Looking hesitantly at the fleet captains before beginning, he thought now was as good a time as any to start acting like a leader. Besides, it was going to be him and his team standing their ground if there was another atta...encounter.

"Well, sir, from what I have gathered in talking to these beings, they seem very focused on their faith. According to Inquisitor Vell we were insignificant; just another pawn in the will of their god, Tal. He seemed completely unconcerned over his capture and subsequent detainment, and had even prepared for it by placing a transmitter on the hull of the station before boarding! Despite our security procedures he had secreted the activator on his person and held off using it until he learned of our purpose. I don't see any negotiation succeeding with them at all."

"In my view, we need to be strong enough that they'll just leave us alone, and vice versa." Talbert leaned back and eyed the other officers, seeking confirmation.
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Live a life of action...not reaction.

Captain David Brennon · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:05 pm Post subject:

Captain Brennon shook his head and sat forward, projecting his voice strongly out to his fellow Commanding Officers.

"With all due respect to the Commander, people have been saying 'negotiations won't work' with regard to every adversary the Federation has ever encountered. The Dominion, the Romulans, the Klingons, the Cardassians, the Ferengi, all were considered deadly enemies at one point in time and now, if they're not potent and invaluable allies they are no longer hostile neighbors. 200 years ago the Andorians, Tellarites and Vulcans were at each others throats only to form the Federation a few years later. Reading Captain Janeway's reports from the Delta Quadrant, Species 8472 have even become less intent on their initial platform of purging our galaxy. My point, Admiral, is that negotiations are always an option, they always have a hope of succeeding. Without that hope, the only recourse left is war and that is not an option for the Federation right now."

Brennon took a breath, pausing to let his words sink in for his colleagues. After a few moments, he continued with his evaluation.

"That said, we cannot afford to stand idly by. They have announced hostile intent and we should be prepared to defend ourselves. Commander Talbert's suggestion that we need to position ourselves in strength is a sound one, if a little flawed. The Tal'Harton see it as their holy duty to convert the universe to one order, theirs. No amount of strength will force them to stop. In fact, I believe a show of force would provoke them. They know about us and they are curious. When Commander Qech and her team were held captive by them they were exposed to a great deal of stress. Lieutenant Uvek was tortured for apparent pleasure and Commander Qech herself subjected to a variety of barbaric medical experiments designed to learn about the Trill Symbiont."

The Captain took a drink of water and sat back, fingers bridged in front of him as he reached his conclusion.

"We are at a very important stage right now. We're playing a waiting game. The next encounters with them will be substantial in forming our neighborly relationship with them. I'm not saying they're going to come over for a cup of sugar, I think that they're going to actively seek out more data on us, possibly using more and more invasive techniques, as they did during Commander Qech's incarceration and Veil's recent stay aboard the Guardian. They are smart, they're not going to start a conflict without gathering intelligence. We should attempt to do the same, ascertain what it is they are looking for and, if possible, approach this from a diplomatic angle."
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Marek · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:32 am Post subject:

Marek had waited until last, trying to organize his thoughts, he finally spoke, his Vulcan exterior firmly in place.
"While I have witnessed everything Commander Talbert has, I would agree with Captain Brennon. We must be prepared for anything, but we also must make all attempts at diplomacy. It is far to early to tell what direction our relationship will ultimately take."

Croft nodded, then turned to a small pile of PADDs that had gone unnoticed until now. He pulls off the top one, glancing at it,

"Thank you, I appreciate your frankness. On the subject of strength, I am sure you are aware of the samples and data that have been collected to my ship. I fully intend to do everything I can to give Starfleet a position of strength." He glanced at Brennon,

"Captain, you are to continue your mission, it is vital that we continue to improve our relations with the Myosians, and assist them in their struggles as the Prime Directive allows. It will be you and Captain Marek that hopefully ensure a positive outcome to our efforts." Croft looks at Marek, handing him the PADD,

"This are orders for Ensign Lenara. While the temptation to reassign her to the Conquest is strong, I don't have time for a fight if she refuses, so I am ordering her to work with Commander Maddux over at the Daystrom Institute. Our communications are stable enough she should be able to do this on subspace frequencies. Starfleet's attempts at continuing Dr. Soong's work has stalled. I hope that the artificial lifeform can jump start our research, if not give us a new line of discovery all together." Croft grabs another PADD, handing it to Talbert,

"Commander Talbert, the station is nearly ready for trade and diplomatic missions, but it is imperative that we get the shipyard facilities functioning. Commander Osaka should be a great asset in that regard." Croft hands him another PADD, "These are orders for Osaka to assemble a design team with the Regent and whomever else he sees fit. All of our information says a retrofit of the plasma weaponry will be nearly impossible. I want a redesign of one of our existing vessel designs that will allow for Alterran technology. It will be assembled here once the shipyard is active." Croft took a moment to look at his officers,

"I am sure you have questions, but I want to reiterate that while I predict that we haven't even begun to discover the wonders and dangers of this region of space, it will be.." He hesitates ever so slightly, " our legacy to the future of the Federation what we accomplish here."
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uvek · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:25 am Post subject:

"Commander Talbert, the station is nearly ready for trade and diplomatic missions, but it is imperative that we get the shipyard facilities functioning. Commander Osaka should be a great asset in that regard. These are orders for Osaka to assemble a design team with the Regent and whomever else he sees fit. All of our information says a retrofit of the plasma weaponry will be nearly impossible. I want a redesign of one of our existing vessel designs that will allow for Alterran technology. It will be assembled here once the shipyard is active."

Talbert received the PADDS with a glance at his former captain. He felt like an amateur in the presence of these men, but in truth his was not a diplomatic background or experience, merely information and operations management. Now that he realized the limits of his knowledge, he purposed within himself to gain that information as quickly as possible.

"If there is nothing else, Admiral, I'll see to it that Commander Osaka receives this data, and ensure that your materials are onboard the Conquest." He rose to leave. For some reason Croft was making him feel...greasy, for lack of a better word, and he wanted away from him. He extended his hand to Captain Brennon and then Marek.

"Captains, it is my pleasure and honor to serve with you. I look forward to great things."
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Live a life of action...not reaction.

Captain David Brennon · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:28 am Post subject:

OOC: Just a nerdy nitpicky point of order I wanted to address. Our story currently takes place in 2377, Star Trek Nemesis takes place on and around Stardate 56844.9 in 2379. Data isn't "dead" yet.

Captain Brennon stood and shook hands with the Admiral.

"Thank you sir." he said, nodding to each of his fellows and then leaving the conference room. As he made his way back towards the Hartington, Brennon's thoughts couldn't help but to linger on Admiral Croft's insistence that Talbert redesign Starfleet ships for use with Alterran technology -- specifically the weapons. He didn't like it. Unfortunately, Captain Brennon had little say in what the Admiral's direction would be. Tapping his combadge, he called ahead to the Hartington

"Commander Qech, prep the ship for launch. We'll be resuming our mission."
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uvek · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 12:49 pm Post subject:

(OOC: I'm glad that was mentioned, too...Now, we will keep this open into the weekend for wrap up on the meeting, and to give the secondary storyline a moment to indulge....we will be going right into action and by Monday should be seeing the true nature of the story...thanks all for a great start!)
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Live a life of action...not reaction.

Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"Commander Qech, prep the ship for launch. We'll be resuming our mission."

Qech's voice came over the combadge.

"Already done, Sir. All pre-flight checks are green, and I had M'Rowl put a fresh cup of coffee on your desk. Mocha, of course."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:10 pm Post subject:

"Thank you Commander, you're a life safer. I'm en route now. Assemble the senior officers, I would like to hold a quick briefing."

(Briefing to be held in the Hartington Secondary Storyline area)
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"Thank you Commander, you're a life safer. I'm en route now. Assemble the senior officer, I would like to hold a quick briefing."

"Will do, Captain."
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Marek · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:15 pm Post subject:

OOC ah crap. Shows how much I hated Nemesis, I've only seen it once. I'll edit my post. I just removed the offensive post, thanks for the clear up. Wanders off to check the stardate on Insurrection.

edit again
Apparently Insurrection had no stardate reference at all... well, I've mentioned the briar patch but nothing that has happened otherwise in the movie so I guess I'm cool that way.
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Marek · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:24 pm Post subject:

Marek stands, nodding to the Admiral, "I will pass on the orders sir, if you will excuse me." He leaves the room, his mind trying put his finger on what exactly troubled him about the whole meeting.

Croft leaves the remaining PADD's for his adjunct to take care of, and went in search of his son.

OOC Marek's events continue in the Guardian secondary storyline
Crofts continue in the Hartington Secondary storyline "A House Divided"
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:49 pm Post subject:

OOC: Rough timeline of TNG movies for reference

There are little cues from Insurrection that tell us when it takes place, along with watching what shows were on when it was released. It was released during the middle of the 7th season of DS9 and the Sona are referenced during that season as allies of the Dominion.
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