Previous Next

Into the Wolves Den

Posted on Thu Dec 25th, 2014 @ 1:04am by Lieutenant Commander Maurelle Valentine & Commodore Kathleen O'Shea & Lieutenant Commander Holcrut Brezibluxz

Mission: Bloodpath
Location: Command Center (Ops)

Maurelle arrived on the Starbase and quickly made her way to Main Operations . During her journey she had been briefed on a Weapon of Mass Destruction that had been detonated in a prominent Government facility on Taranok IV. It was imperative she determine who was on the planet, whom remained on the Starbase.

As she arrived in Ops she approached the officer standing at the Command Podium.

"Commander. My name is Lieutenant Commander Maurelle Valentine. I am new Chief of Intelligence. Where is the Captain?" she asked speaking with a heavy russian accent easily marking her place of origin.

Holcrut turned and looked at the newly arrived officer. "Commander Valentine...we have been expecting you. I'm sorry, but Commodore O'Shea is not on the Base at the moment. She is currently located on Taranok IV, status unknown. Comms are blacked out over that region due to a WMD detonation of an unknown type in the capital city of Prepheradus." He reached up seemingly into mid-air and waved his hand. Suddenly a medium sized holo-image appeared in mid-air. "This is the Taranok system as of the last data packet we received from a fighter that was dispatched here as a runner. The crew reported no airborne issues, however there were several ground-based anti-aircraft batteries located in proximity to the Forward Operations Base. Going in there the original team had experienced significant fighter traffic, and they also reported heavy fighting withing the Prepheradus city proper from an unknown enemy force, and starting to spread to the outlaying suburbs. Mostly ground troops, but a scattering of vehicles and aircraft as well. The planetary police and military are fighting back, but they are woefully outgunned."

He left the image in place as he picked up a PADD of the desk and, after working on it a moment, handed it to Maurelle. "We are working several tasking orders at the moment for both humanitarian and military response, including starting to open up several cache bases scattered around the region. We have a Macpherson attached to this base, and it is being loaded out as we speak. However..." Why is it there is always a however. "...there is a possibility that is not isolated to Taranok IV, although we have no indications of any other WMD devices being detonated in the sector."

"Intelligence has not found evidence of mobilization of other military powers in sector. At first we thought it was civil war and this was knee jerk reaction but their is no evidence of destabilization of government. This weapon of mass destruction comes as surprise to intelligence as well and my first task is to determine type of device so we can reestablish communication with away teams. I also must secure the Captain as I must ensure safety of Federation flag officer. I would like to use assistance of Science department to determine if enemy force is native to sector or traveled from outside. If you allow me I would like to get started right away, as longer away team is without support more danger they are in." Maurelle said cooly hiding her concern for both the safety of the away team and her lack of knowledge of the current situation on the planet. It was not common for Starfleet Intelligence to get caught off-guard as it had now.

Holcrut smiled "You are authorized to use any resources that you require. However, where Commodore O'Shea is concerned, I don't think that you really need to be concerned with trying to protect her. She can take care of her own, and she has a couple of powerful friends to assist with that." Suddenly his features took a bit of downward turn, as he remembered why O'Shea had gone to Taranok. "She...Commodore O'Shea does not require any hand-holding."

Maurelle raised her brow. She could tell there was something this man was holding back and she didn't need a betazoid to tell. She stepped a little closer to the Commander placing her hand on his shoulder and moving her head so their eyes met one another. "Commander. You are not telling me something. What is going on with Captain?"

"Someone very close to her was killed on Taranok. She went to bring her home." He paused for a moment before continuing. "The news of Rosaleen's passing hit us all kinda hard."

A tear fell from Maurelle's eye. She too had just experienced a heartbreaking loss. It had only been a few weeks since Vladimir's death and the sorrow was still fresh in her mind. "I understand." she said solemnly wiping the tear from her eye. "I will not interfere with Commodore's affairs. I will try to contact Blackstorm Station Charlie. It is possible they have found means to establish communication. It is our best opportunity to determine what happened on planet." Maurelle's demeanor had changed mid-dialogue from the somber tone at the beginning to a serious down to business tone near the end. While Vladimir was still on her mind, her focus was now on the planet and the station's personnel.

"Very good. And remember...anything that you need. Take your pick of craft in the inventory. The Commodore has collected some...well, unique items to be used here. Comes from her days in the Yards. She made quite a few friends." He couldn't help but smile when he thought of the first Edison Class Runabout that had been delivered. The little craft seemed so ridiculous...until they saw what it actually was capable of. "You may know this, but if not...make your approach low and from the west through the canyon. Best chance of not being seen. But if you are, there is a fake mining camp set up on the west side of the mountain."

Maurelle crossed her arms using her left hand to rub her chin focusing on a random point in the room. She moved her eyes back to the Commander. "Sir. I will not personally leave station as station is short on senior personnel. I was assigned here with team of capable intelligence officers who I will send on away mission. Once relay is set up they will transmit information back to station on what happened and find our personnel on surface. Most priority is finding out who did this and what they used so it does not happen again."

"As you wish, Commander. You have total autonomy in your course of action. Just please try to coordinate with us and Combat Ops so we know what to expect."

"Aye sir. Is there anything else you wish of me or maybe I begin task?" Maurelle asked before she would leave.

"No, thank you. I've got a million other things to handle at the moment, the most important of which is to get the logistics train moving. If I need you, I'll shout. And anything we get here I'll make sure is passed on to your shop."

"Thank you sir. I will make myself available when you need me. Excuse me sir." Maurelle said bowing her head before leaving.

"Oh...I'm sorry. Here, you will need this." Holcrut reached into a small drawer in the console to his right, and pulled out a small wristband. He handed it to Maurelle. "This gives you access to the station's holo system. We are pretty integrated here, and you will find it quite handy."

Maurelle placed the wristband around her wrist motioning her hand in the same way the Commander had earlier bringing up the capital of Teranok IV. "This will be very useful. Thank you Commander." Maurelle said with a smile bowing her head once again.

Holcrut returned the gesture, then went back to work as Maurelle made her way out of Operations. With any luck, he could at least get things started in motion by the end of the day. If not...well, who needed sleep anyway.

-----------------------

Holcrut Brezibluxz
3rd XO/Operational Support Specialist
Starbase 80

Lieutenant Commander Maurelle Valentine
Chief Intelligence Officer
Starbase 80

 

Previous Next

labels_subscribe