[b][color=6ecff6][centre][h3]Medical[/h3][/centre][/color][/b] [b][color=6ecff6][centre]Wardroom - Personal Quarters - Med bay[/centre][/color][/b] The meeting was thankfully short. The Captain was not one for small talk, posturing, or well anything. It kind of was a relief because her previous post the medical director loved to monologue. The only thing of real note outside the meeting was the Captain, blank... Silent... Something, somewhere did not add up. Making her way to the ward room to get a meal, her quarters were by Starfleet standards spacious as a lieutenant Commander but change of scenery. They still were [i]"Vegetable Calzonei, One glass, red wine. Ryzan."[/i] Replicated however much starfleet claimed to have updated the systems, models and even the latest generation of isoliner semi organic gelpack or whatever latest updates were not the real thing. Healthy, filling, it included multiple supplements and all but... Real. No. [i] "Lieutenant Commander? Rexa Avuam? Betazed Hospital? Just before the evacuation? You always had coffee in the courtyard each morning?"[/i] Contrary to crew rumours, Science Lt Natalie Chandler had met the "Bitch of Betazed" before the war had affected her and much as surprising... Was a friend of a strange sort. An tall and more developed brunette with an slight limp thanks to dominion but passed the physicals after her ship was hit by a Breen raider and shields reduced to nothing and put the USS Warspite into space dock for over 18 months with damage that should have scrapped her but somehow made it home. [i]"Mind if i join you mam?"[/i] [i]"Lieutenant i'm... Chandler? Feel free. You took yours black with no sugar. They finally promoted you, well deserved they recognise you."[/i] Looking relaxed and surprising a few Officers present. [i]"Can you keep, you know quiet. I never advertised it or openly declared it." [/i] Thankfully no explanation was needed switching to native language temporarily , the Human LT had ended up learning a passable understanding of during her sustained assignment to the planet and turning to lighter topics and also learning more about what was going on in science deck, a kinda part sibling almost to medical. ... The door to her personal quarters opened with a swoosh and a beep, lights powering up automatically and leaving her work pad on the desk for morning. She already had sent out a meeting request for the following early morning to ready her department for the mission. Almost all of required crew would be available then, plus she had time to double check exactly what was required, what was dangerous and notable previous cases.[i]"Lights. Reduce power 10%. Playlist. Betazoid four."[/i] It only would take about an hour to cross check everything and confirm her facts and set the computer to run through them too. Just incase. [i]"Lieutenant Valicos. Have all areas cleared and readied for potential action. Check all the emergency kits and get them on increased stand by... Just get it done. We do not have the luxury of perfect. Avuam out."[/i] Work done, Quiet... The noise was minimal and mostly more fuzzy static than clear information. Shedding her uniform into flexible fitness clothes she reserved for private exercise mostly taking a chance to just go through her yoga and mediation routine that helped calm and make the Betazoid feel in control of her abilities while time allowed. She fell into an easier sleep that night. ... Lieutenant Valicos was cursing heavily mentally. Orders were orders but he had just spent several hours getting that stuff into its neat storage bay. Now she wanted all the kits out and ready? They already checked them. Regulation sure but did they need checking twice in a day? . [i]Assemble the team Medical Chief. New orders and make sure everything is stowed and secured. Looks like we might be seeing action quicker than expected.[/i] Several disgruntled crew members gave an annoying glance to the upper decks. [i]"Long night sir. There's a bunch of Energy drinks stashed in Bay 9, left hand near the quick setting cement. No idea why we have it. Traditional i guess sir. If may Sir. We may hate her at times, but I'd rather have her skills to hand than not."[/i] ... The medical bay was apprehensive, tired, grumpy. Lieutenant Commander Rexa Avuam could feel the noise growing mentally, emotions, thoughts at times particularly loudly and general discontent at an early morning briefing that came with any branch. [i]"Everyone, Good to see you. I cut straight to the point. We are or will be entering what was Romulan space as part of a mission. The current situation is unknown, we may be in battle, so we will be prepared for one. We have an escort Destroyer, however Vigilance for all intents is on her own from the rest of our battlegroup. This is real, I know for some of you this is your first real taste of enemy territory. Trust your Officers and NCOs. Follow orders and we will get through this. Lives depend on us. One thing at a time, and then work out what the next priority is. Part of this Mission involves a VIP. They are a Romulan. On your work pads you will all have the treatment, drug protocols and what we know about their biology. Also you will find information on their weaponry, disruptor injuries are different, and extremely damaging. From prior experience i can say this is based on my experience and others. It is accurate so pay attention. I expect everyone to study these. The VIP is valuable to Federation and the RPG. If she is wounded, her survival is a mission priority. There may or may not be an entourage. Our intelligence is unknown due to this being an urgent operation. Any questions?"[/i] ... Checking her seclude, Physical, some follow up appointments, Conor Lox at some point, he was easy to fit in as most cases seemed to be relatively minor so far. Good experience for the newer crew, under supervision of a more experienced member. Lt Agrippa was a headache. Commodore Agrippa was on some intel committee, his son was not a bad medic, just young and probably should have waited a year or two for promotion by her evaluation. The Andorian sub Lt was an excellent technical hand though and mostly lacked leadership skills. Hopefully a little team manipulation could round out both her Officers and make two good Lieutenants from the mix. Much as she despised the Political aspect of the fleet and saw the Sons, Daughters and favoured few of upper ranks find self promoted above their ability. people probably died because of the nepotistic culture among a few. You had to deal with it as even she, blunt and tight to regulations, taking on a Commodore at HQ was never going to be winning the battle. [b][color=6ecff6][centre][h3]Science[/h3][/centre][/color][/b] [b][color=6ecff6][centre]Wardroom - Personal Quarters - Marine Bay - Engineering[/centre][/color][/b] Of course his first mission aboard ship would be this, trying to cross enemy space, cloak equipped enemy warships, pirates, raiders, and whatever else lay on the other side of the border. [i]"Science. Respond. I need all the sensors online yesterday, full power. I know Sulak is off duty and its his work, just being the systems online ASAP. Run the Kirk test 1-14 while you're at it. Glitches, I know. We going across the N Line into unknown territory. Lights and a few broken sonic showers are least of problems.``[/i] Deciding to take advantage of privacy taking his meal in quarters, however it ended up less private as a rather large klingon clad in dark green marine uniform with an ramrod straight posture was at his door hearing the chime. [i]"Lieutenant Commander O'Sullivan, we need to request your assistance tomorrow. You have a lot of experience working with Romulans. We need you to brief our landing team on what to expect on ground, cultural information, etiquette and anything else that may help us in battle. We have a Romulan marine but she was an exile, so practical experience with the empire is minimal."[/i] Checking the name badge, Captain, Marines. Poggok, the big Klingon, tended to have been too busy to have noticed much. Direct, straight to the point and no fluff. Klingons whatever you say about them, they got to the heart of a matter. [i]"Captain Poggok. Yes. I know you hate time being wasted or games. I'm free at 07:55. Have your team ready. I can spare an hour or two."[/i] One marine leaving he could head back to his meal, one quick message to Lt Chandler to take charge of the morning shift and prep work. Having competent officers to delegate too was a relief. Even Pike, he had his doubts about someone from a famous name but he proved solid so far. ... He was exiting fleet country, by his Surprise at breakfast leaving ward room someone talking how Lt Chandler and rather prickly Doctor seemed to get on well. Admittedly they shared a hatred of political promotions and both climbed by hard work and late nights but still. The number of people she opened up to on any level could probably count as one right now. Mysteries later. Marines first. Exchanging a crisp salute with the sentety on the marines bay and walking him without pause. Showing too much weakness would ruin his position for the entire tour, yet not get backs up either. It was a careful balance. [i]"Major is in the aft sir. Right. Hand side. Go right in sir. "[/i] The bay was busy, a senior Sgt was stood by a plan of ship, notes and a list calling out which squads was to stand watch, a few on a break chatting round a table and generally not noticed his arrival. Heading on though he was met by the Major, Captain and the top ranking NCO of the unit, they really where seriously planning and preparing for this mission, half the team where Corporal or above of some sort or other, and rest those with prior experience, scarred and steely eyed. [i]"i'm not going to waste time, i'm busy and have a dozen other jobs to do. If you do not know, I am Lieutenant Commander O'Sullivan and head of Science aboard. For a start. We expect the structures of the empire to operate for an undetermined time. The head is gone but its limbs remain and are still in possession of warships and troops. They will still be able to fight. First. Take notes. Ive got alot to go over and not repeat myself... If you do not know. There are two kinds of Romulan directly and many client species. on this image are the main groups and their status. your Target is one Indicated and composed of an upper caste. On the right is what we know including strengths and abilities.``[/i] Science had over time strayed into intelligence in the new Starfleet system, plus his personal experience with the race in question made information useful. Even if it was explaining how not to offend the senator too badly and smaller cultural stuff that helps on the ground. Being able to tell what district you're in or avoid a busy area could be key between coming out successful or a dangerous failure. Leaving quickly afterwards he had an appointment with the engineering, the power relays where... To be polite was a little creative and tended to have the occasional conflict or unplanned interference. Maybe the CHENG would be about, he was a master at creative solutions of not a little... Eccentric. Any engineer would do though, with such extensive modifications tracking what went where was an... Adventure. Adjusting the wrong power relay could turn off anything from life support to gravity plating to something as basic as a shower or the light that lit up the ship's name on the hull. Getting expert support was very much needed. [b][color=6ecff6][centre][h3]Marines[/h3][/centre][/color][/b] [b][color=6ecff6][centre]Marine main Bay mostly[/centre][/color][/b] The Marines had a simpler mission in some respects, though his part was potentially the most risky. Retrieval and pick up on a potential enemy planet? For a first mission this hardly was a soft start. Comm badges. Usual. Being permanently on call did not always appeal though. [i]"Captain Poggok. Asemble the First Sgt, gunnery Sgt and Engineering Gunnery SGT, Lieutenant as well as someone to pull together files. Anyone who got diplomatic, prior experience under fire and considered steady under pressure. I'll brief you shortly, get a good pot of coffee going and some decent meals. Might be a late night but i want them able to simulate and test out the variables. Check with the science chief, I sent a short brief to you over the pads also... I know Captain, it's a lot but we are on the clock. heading across N Line into Em. Former Empire."[/i] Rushed, a long night but considering how they could be landing on an enemy planet, they needed time to prepare a response. This mission required a more delicate hand given a member of a potential allied government was involved. Reaching there main bay they considered the central point of operations. The watch standing plans were being out into effect, that was just a bit of human resources stuff. He could trust the NCO cadre to manage the job. Reaching his officers and senior NCO team, the imposing marine returned the salutes and proud they answered it with question be it combat or a planning meeting. The Company was proud, motivated and ready for action, even if their views on the crisis varied somewhat and like all marines took a firm hand to lead, rough, ready but reliable and loyal to their own.[i]"We have a VIP retrieval Mission. Target is a female Romulan Senator, 30 approx. Probably having a small entourage, Starfleet wants her picked up and taken to the RPG. Our job is to get her off the planet and safely aboard ship. As you can understand this is not a mission for green recruits and anyone deployed needs to be steady and able to maintain cool under pressure. We are going to select a team."[/i] The First Sgt had a long career of experience, everything from boarding to battles and ceremonial honour guards. This was an interesting operation but just another day of the week for the 20+ year veteran. Seasoned and tempered the slightly greying man was still able to outrun, out pace and match any of the newest recruits. [i]"As long there's Coffee Sir, you can consider it done already. Some are less happy on your sentry duty Sir but cannot trust a Romulan."[/i] ... [i]"Marines You have been chosen for a mission, this one may not be an easy one and could get dangerous so I want to see you at your best. Every one of you is experienced and chosen because of your temperament and skill. The Major will brief you shortly on the details. There will be another from Science with relevant information, this could save your life so I want open ears and quiet mouths. If you are chosen you are excused from Sentry duty. Now. Should anyone have reason to back out now. Choose... you have 5 minutes, then the Major will Brief you on the operation and our objectives. you have 10 minutes before we brief so grab a coffee now or got a leak because we will not stop later. Dismissed."[/i] The first Sgt was tired, had been up late but that was hardly a new situation for an old Marine. They had selected a few spare candidates more than optimal if anyone failed the simulations. Personally he thought Major was going a bit too far but this was their first operation, impressions counted and the Crew and Captain would not see them fail, nore would Starfleet command. Success and showing their metal would gain them respect from the crew so the Officers push on this Mission made sense even if the Senior Enlisted did best to avoid the Officers Political Makavelion moments and intrigues at ship and fleet levels.