Building the Stockpile

Posted on Wed Mar 4th, 2015 @ 2:14pm by Commodore Kathleen O'Shea & Commander Eliana Masters & Lieutenant Commander Ethan Mackenzie & Lieutenant Stacy Pierce

Mission: Bloodpath
Location: Taranok IV: FOB Pheonix

The Edison Runabout made one of the quickest descents and landings that anybody could remember witnessing in a long time. So quickly did it make it's approach that a few people felt they were about to witness a spectacular accident. Upon landing, the crafts occupant quickly powered down and exited the craft, making his way directly for the Forward Flight Operations Module that had been set up on the western edge of the encampment.

"Excuse me. I'm looking for Commander Masters."

"Who?" One of the mechanics pull his head out of a supply closet to see who had been addressed.

"Richards, I don't think you could be any less useful," another man rolled his eyes and laughed before turning to face the group that had arrived. "If you're looking for the boss, she's next door with the UAV team, but I gotta warn ya, she's not going to be happy about anyone busting the TFR in the area. She got busted herself for flying when she wasn't supposed to."

"She can take it up with my boss." Finnegan replied, already headed out the door and making for the...tent?

'They really are off the plan here.' He had been informed that there were some logistical issues ongoing with Starfleet's deployment here. That was turning out to be quite the understatement. He entered through the tent's flap, almost knocking down a stack of storage bins located just inside the entrance as he did so. "Commander Masters?" He yelled to be heard above the din.

"Ah, a new face," Masters turned her attention away from the camera feed to see who had walked in. "You'll have to excuse the mess for the moment. What can I help you with?"

Sean looked around the...tent. "Uh...well, we have a problem, sir. I was informed that there was a full logistics facility in place here, including Cerberus and Rekonda Processing Depots. Plus enough personnel to facilitate the processing and distribution of material. Plus craft and equipment." He pulled out a PADD and handed it to Masters. "The logistics train is about to roll. And from what I can see, there is no place for it to roll to."

"Come on, take a walk with me," Masters motioned, leading Finnegan out of the makeshift canopy and back into the Taraken morning. The noise was quite high in the area with the amount of machinery and bodies jammed into a contained space. The drone operators themselves were all wearing noise-cancelling headsets, but others standing around with no ear protection not only had to deal with the noise but also the immense heat from the electronic equipment.

"Ah, much, much better," Ellie spoke in a relieved tone. She loathed the standard duty uniform jacket, donning her flight suit as often as possible. It had been a plan of hers to slightly relax the department dress code and perhaps even request a departmental color change, but there had been no time to deal with such nuances.

She turned to study Finnegan, hoping that the conversation would not devolve into a one-sided blame-fest. There was a reason why the logistics facility was not set up. Most of the equipment that had been earmarked to do so had been re-purposed for the housing and supply of the refugees surrounding the camp, and this did not even take into account the recent emotional state of most of the command team, having dealt with the loss of one of their own.

"We sort of had to improvise a bit," she began. "There was no predicting the amount of humanitarian aid needed. This is a job for a starship, and the Betty is no starship. But, we managed to keep our heads above water and, dare I say it, it looks like we're beginning to get caught up. Now, we can devote manpower and resources to getting you logistics boys set up, then we can really start making an impact."

Finnegan was sympathetic with the situation, but he had a job to do as well. "I am appreciative of the circumstances that you find yourself in, sir. However you must understand that without the proper facilities...at least the bare minimum. The Vitellians already have several aid ships en-route. The Marines will be mobilizing as well. We need to be ready for all of them."

"I understand," Eliana nodded. "What's the ETA for the first group to arrive?"

"Approximately 28 hours til the first elements arrive. After that it should be a regular rotation."

"Okay, well, let me get some people from operations involved. We have two large replicator modules available for general purpose that can be re-purposed from disaster relief back to logistics. Yesterday got a bit crazy," Masters explained, addressing the raised eyebrows in the room. "After that, we've got the Bettina and McClusky available to assist. The Bettina has Cerberus processing equipment on board, so that should be sufficient to get us started. As for the Vitellians, we'll have to figure something out using the replicators or maybe, just maybe, some good old fashioned Starfleet ingenuity."

Ethan took that as his cue to finally speak up in the meeting. He cleared his throat in a matter that one would do when attempting to get attention of others. "Operations can definitely have several teams here to assist right away. I will arrange it as soon as we are done here."

"That would be perfect Commander," Masters nodded. "Meanwhile, I'll get on our guys to clear some more landing space. We're space critical right now, and it's not going to get any better if and when they decide to lift this flight restriction. Questions? Good, now let's get to it."

Most of those who were assembled scattered like ants as soon as their impromptu huddle was broken. It was as if they had all independently arrived to the conclusion that the processing facility needed to be completed. There was some pride to be had; Masters rarely, if ever, had to crack a whip to keep her department working towards the goal. Some simple guidance or clarification is all they needed.

"Speaking of clarification," Eliana continued the thought, turning to address the officer from Operations, "I don't believe we've been properly introduced. Eliana Masters, it's nice to meet you."

"Ethan Mackenzie, new Chief Operations Officer." Ethan introduced himself to Commander Masters. "It's a pleasure to meet you Commander."

"Likewise Mister Mackenzie. Our departments will be spending a lot of time working together for the foreseeable future, so don't be shy. Let's take a walk," she pointed towards the exit. "Our guys are about to start leveling some forest to get an LZ ready. What more do you need from us in order to optimize the offloading process?"

“I look forward to working together, Commander.” Ethan responded. As she motioned towards the exit he followed her out the door. He walked in step with her. “Space.” He answered as he grinned. “Honestly, I’m still playing catch up with everything that is happening here. Commodore promised me that I would be just throwing into the deep end and she seems to be very intent on keeping that promise.” Ethan looked at her as they walked. “I’d like a layout of this place so I can get my bearings and evaluate what is the best and most efficient plan to get this done.”

"Good luck with that, sir" Stacy had finally made her way into the tent, having needed to make several detours along the way. "From what I can tell, there is no set layout, official or otherwise. People are just putting stuff where they think they should at any given moment. My team's equipment is a great example. I have no clue where ninety percent of it is even located."

"I know that feeling," Masters sympathized. "Try to do your best for now. We need to clear out as much space as possible so we can get everyone organized and working as a cohesive group. Less of, well, whatever all of this is," she waved her hand around, enclosing pretty much every piece of Starfleet equipment scattered across the landscape.

"Commander? I hate to interrupt, but here are those overheads you wanted." A member from the drone team had walked outside to join them.

"Ah, good," she accepted a PADD and waited for the screen's brightness to adjust to the bright Tarakan day. "Well Mister Mackenzie, here's our first look at a top-down view of the area. Why don't you take a look at this and mark out the areas that you'll need to keep the logistics people happy. Lieutenant, same for you," Eliana beckoned towards the engineer.

His eyes wondered over the numerous pieces of equipment that filled the landscape. His expression had changed just a bit. It wasn't yet of a man who might have been handed an unachievable goal but it was a concerning one. He sighed as he looked over to the Commander and the PADD. He accepted the PADD from her. His eyes shifting to the image on the PADD. "Well, this might not be as bad as it appears." He stated with a grin on his face. "I can work with this."

"Good. Get back to me as soon as you can and we'll start moving heaven and earth, literally, to get everything done," Masters nodded. "And you, Lieutenant Pierce? What are you going to need?"

"That's easy. Manpower, equipment, and time." She handed the PADD that she had been taking notes on to Masters. "And yes, I know we are short on all three, so I'll make do."

"We'll do our best," Eliana assured her.

OFF:

Commander Eliana Masters
Director of Flight Operations
Second Officer
Starbase 80

Lieutenant Sean Finnegan
Mobility Logistics Specialist
Starfleet Logistics Command: Frontier Division

Lieutenant Stacy Pierce
ScE Division Commander
Starbase 80

Lt Commander Ethan Mackenzie
Chief Operations Officer
Starbase 80