Making a Plan

Posted on Fri Dec 8th, 2023 @ 7:15am by Commodore Jacob Kane & Major Jason Burke & Commander N'Garzi Zora & Lieutenant Commander P’rel M.D

Mission: The Trojan Horse
Location: USS Athena - Intelligence Office
Timeline: MD-02
1673 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Kane wasn't the first to arrive at the designated mini-briefing. Interestingly, as he escorted the Major through the door, both P'rel and Zora were already there. And nobody was nursing a black eye yet, so Kane figured that was at least one small victory already.

"Commander Zora, Lieutenant Commander P'rel," he announced, motioning to the tall Marine. "Major Jason Burke, Starfleet Marine Corps."

The marine struck an imposing figure, even standing next to Kane. In some ways that just made him seem more like a roughneck, but his face was calm and composed rather than having the typical bravado one might expect. "Glad to be on board," he responded.

"He's here with a unit from the Planetary Special Operations Division. The Major's strike team will be leading a portion of our mission when we arrive at Naghel IV," Kane explained.

"We appreciate the lift, Commodore," Burke nodded slightly. "We'll try not to outstay our welcome."

"Indeed. We should get to the briefing. Commander P'rel, why don't you start us off with our target package?" Kane motioned.

Nodding at Kane and the Major, the Vulcan officer rose and moved to the head of the table to access the briefing screen. It has always struck her as something of an oddity, that the briefing screen be behind the CO's chair at the head of the table, requiring the Commander of all people to spin round fully to view the briefing. Nonetheless she activated the screen which showed a profile of who was now public enemy number one, Ta'ang and his smug sneer coming from beneath that deep green complexion in a mugshot from some arrest record or other.

"Ta'ang..." she began. "Mid level thug with limited resources. He's been an active player in this region for at least the last decade, so far as we can tell. In truth, he simply appeared in our watchlists around ten years ago meaning he either rose rapidly from obscurity, or adopted a different identity with the original unknown". She thumbed the screen ahead to the next slide, showing a montage of long and medium range visual sensor intercepts; "Ta'ang has never generated sufficient attention to warrant the additional resources in finding out one way or another, and he was recently linked to chatter about an ion storm in the Naghel system - " she rose a placating hand "-which I will come back to- but we classified it as low risk low probability..." she inwardly cursed herself.

She had been, though not solely, part of that decision making chain. The sub sector intelligence networked had lacked clarity of communication in recent months, and her new position at least her some influence over it. Being second officer to Captain Kane was one thing, but being Second Officer and Intelligence Officer to The Commodore came with it the mixed bag of a certain level of responsibility and control over the regional flow and actioning of information. She hoped she could at least use the position to effect some positive change in that regard, if nothing else.

"Naghel IV..." she began, quickly switching to a slowly moving display of the privately owned and operated resort. It was often used between Alpha and Beta Quadrant powers, owing to it's reputation as a reasonably luxurious destination and a specialist in conference facilities. Security was reasonable but not over the top nor imposing - a flaw perhaps - but it served over the past century as a useful location for discreet talks. "...conference centre, nothing particularly of note. Neutral and privately owned. The Federation and the Gorn were holding mid-level talks there, somehow Ta'ang has been able to discover and then use this opportunity to abduct both delegations from the planet. We have a starship now entering the Naghel System, the Valiant under the Commodore's command, and they report total traffic and subspace communications absence. The colony has gone completely dark, suggesting either a biological or technological purge..."

"It was on a quiet rotation," Kane noted, observing her somewhat cold assessment. "For the talks. It was deliberate."

"Do we have boots on the ground?" Zora asked as she studied the information on the screen.

"Not at this time," Kane replied. "And honestly, we should try to keep it that way to avoid collateral involvement. Let the Marines do their work."

Resuming her briefing, P'rel continued; "All we know presently, is that captives are being held here..." she pressed the display to final screen, "Podriea Sigma...a former Gorn prison boasting more than formidable defences, and with a number of natural barriers which prevent beaming and egress without an EV suit. The primary landing pad is controlled by an atmospheric forcefield, though is heavily guarded at all times and - to defer to the Major -" she said, nodding in his direction; "not suitable as an entry point. There are several other external hatches which may be part of the ventilation or other engineering systems, and it would be logical to assume some kind of emergency egress hatch. We will need to be in close proximity to run confirmatory scans however. We do not know when this prison began to be used as a base for Ta'ang, though we can assume they are prepared to repel a rescue operation. The scale of fortification and having been able to claim the prison in the first place, certainly suggests that Ta'ang is funded and connected far beyond what our profiling suggests however. Unfortunate surprises are likely to be a recurring theme in this mission..." she turned the screen to a montage of everything she had discussed, nodded at Kane and retook her seat.

"My people are used to dealing with surprises," Burke nodded. "We'll begin putting together assault plans based on your information."

"Good. As we all know, hostage rescue comes with extreme risk. We need to be in-and-out rapidly. Ta'ang is a zealot; his people are likely torn from the same cloth." Kane looked at Zora. "Commander, let's give the Major's people whatever logistical support they need. Have our science and engineering teams put together any additional suggestions for penetrating this prison complex."

"Aye Sir," Zora replied as she nodded to Kane and Burke in turn. "I'm sure Ryan and Keating will have a number of ideas by the time we arrive. What kind of ship resistance are we expecting?" She asked turning to P'rel. "I'm sure a Federation starship won't exactly be greeted with open arms."

P'rel stared blankly at Commander Zora, there was a human idiom she was thinking of; something like 'no feces Sherwood...'. Ignoring the blatantly stupid comment, she turned her attention back to the Commodore. "To pick up on Commander Zora's somewhat...axiomatic tactical assessment...I suggest we separate the ship and approach from three vectors to maximise our tactical support situation".

Zora rolled her eyes, internally. The Vulcan was so desperate for attention, not caring how she got it, and Zora wasn't going to rise to the bait.

"We have the Valiant on station for tactical support, not that I suspect it'll be needed," Kane said.

"It would be good to have some of your people help with practice runs," Burke added. "Perhaps you can lend us some of your security team? Play a little hostage rescue?"

Kane nodded. "Lieutenant Zade and her team will be tasked to assist." He looked around the room. "Anything else?"

"Sir" P'rel replied, just the slightest hint of urgency in her voice. "I must reiterate my suggestion to separate the ship. Perhaps Commander Keating can modify our warp or power signatures to make each section appear as a larger starship..." her eyes glanced around at the other two senior officers, trying to gauge their reaction. It certainly made sense from a tactical point of view; if the captors saw, for example, three Odyssey class starships converging on the system they may be more inclined to surrender.

"...With your permission, I would at least like to explore the possibility and present a fuller plan for your consideration...?" P'rel finished, telling the Commodore what she was going to do, more so than actually asking his permission.

"I disagree," Zora chimed in, her gaze fixed on the Commodore's. "If our last mission taught us anything it's that the ship is stronger as a whole than in parts. I don't think the slight tactical advantage outweighs the risks."

"Which is why a proposed plan, not a decision..." P'rel chided, keeping her eyes on Kane and not looking over at Zora. "Unless the Commander has sufficient clairvoyance to know the tactical outcomes before looking at plans...besides, was it not an ancient human warrior who said the greatest victory requires no battle...?". Ultimately, if Ta'ang saw three enormous Federation battleships bearing down on him, self preservation might kick in.

Kane raised a hand, as if to say 'not in front of our guest'. "The plan currently in motion is the plan we will carry-out. Ta'ang is a fanatic and a zealot. If he sees an enormous fleet of starships heading his way then we back him into a corner and he does something big and stupid." He glanced around the trio. "A covert infiltration is our best option."

"Then perhaps Commander Keating can look at lowering our warp and power profiles instead" P'rel responded, not showing - at least trying not to show - her derision at Kane siding with Zora. She rose from the chair at the table as if she had been dismissed, "I will go to engineering" she reported, placing her hands behind her back.

Zora's eyes followed Commander P'rel as she left the room and then found Kane's. She didn't say anything, he didn't either, the look was enough. "If you wouldn't mind following me Major," she said turning to the marine, "we can go and find Lieutenant Zade and the rest of your people."

Burke eyed the departing P'rel and then nodded at Zora. "Thank you, Commander. Lead the way."