SEPTIMUS final op order

Posted on Wed Mar 3rd, 2021 @ 11:43am by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Commander Samantha Howard & Lieutenant Michael Stonebridge

Mission: Sabotage
Location: USS Washington briefing room

SEPTIMUS assault

Stonebridge was studying the map of the planet. He was going over the phase lines for the op. Make a mistake in training you get a do over. Make one on an op like this and you’re screwed. He had not yet spoken to the XO about the previous situation but he had spoken to the doctor and she made good sense.

Dr Sam Howard poked her nose into the room, seeing Stonebridge there currently on his own. "Glad to see you here" she said as she made her presence known.

“Oh hey Doc. Yeah I figured regardless of the outcome of my talk with the boss. I’m going to do me and be ready whatever they decide.” Replied Stonebridge.

Jon entered the room a few moments after Sam, he was surprised to see Stonebridge but didn't say anything about his presence. Instead he greeted Sam warmly. "Hi Sam" and then Stonebridge, "Lieutenant, you were saying?"

“I have coordinated with the security dept. and they have given me a few hot shots that are level headed and properly trained prepped for this type of action. I’m going over the phase lines so the Washington and the teams are on the same time line. This way no body escapes.” Said Stonebridge.

Jon remained silent listening to Stonebridge talk.

Samantha nodded but kept quiet, taking in as much information as she could.

Stonebridge began pointing at the topographical map of the land they would be accessing. “Once we expose ourselves things will go quickly and we need to operate with military precision. As the element of surprise will be gone.” Said Stonebridge

Stonebridge pointed at the map, identifying a Terran feature called a saddle. In the middle of that map feature was a cave.
That was the objective. But first they would deploy crossing phase line DODGE.

This would let the Washington know they were initiating the op. Once past Dodge, they would touch down in two shuttle crafts and set out snipers and Overwatch.

Upon completion of that they would alert the Washington they had made phase line Gambler.

Just before they breached the defenses, they would announce phase live Maverick.

If all went well they would gain entry and kick some butt and grab a few prisoners and hostages. That would be phase line Jackpot.

If that went well, they would consolidate and Exfil the planet expeditiously and link up with the Washington a job well done. Yeah right. Only in fairy tales. The best they could hope for was minimum casualties on either team. Each team would enter through a different point in the saddle thereby affording us the element of surprise from at least one location.

Sam swallowed any notion of fear that may have been bubbling beneath the surface. Both Stonebridge and Grayson were highly skilled at their jobs. Hopefully everyone came back in one piece, herself included.

Jon looked over to Sam and gave her a nod but still remained silent.

"We are going to need one shuttle in reserve as a medivac in case a casualty can not be beamed out. We will not be leaving anyone behind." replied Stonebridge as he looked into the eyes of those in the room. "The other two shuttles will carry the teams Omega and Delta. each squad will consist of 14 members. That breaks down into four teams. Delta 2 will seek out the Hostages. Delta One will be looking for Cardy prisoners to bring back for questioning. Omega Squad will gather intel and be on the look out for HVT (High Value Targets) and they will also back up Delta if they get bogged down. We all know our call signs so keep it simple. Once we make entry, we move through the objective and regroup at phase line Jackpot and begin exfil. Any questions?" asked Stonebridge but before anyone could speak, Stonebridge spoke up. "Doc, you stay with the XO, right in his rear pocket if you will. If you acquire a patient, treat em to travel and keep moving once you stabilize em." replied Stonebridge "The only stupid question is the one you don't ask." as he waited.

Sam nodded "I have prepped a small number of medics to deal with any casualties" she started "I'll give them this further detail so they're fully aware of the plan" she noted the marks on the map and the location of the shuttles. She was comfortable sticking with Jon, they worked well together and knew how each other thought. "I'm happy to stay with the XO, we work well as a team" she added with a smile to Jon. She turned her attention back to Stonebridge. "How much time do we have from go to whoa before this turns to hell in a handbasket?" She asked honestly.

Jon returned her smile and added a wink.

"It depends on if they see us coming or not. Every moment they don't see us is a blessing. Intel showed us the entrance to the complex, and the location had lots of foot traffic. So I expect great resistance. If we don't encounter a large force we consider ourselves lucky." this news did not feel her with confidence of that he was sure. But at least she had the honest truth.

"So get the hell in then get the hell out basically" she simplified the mission rundown into a single sentence. "Why didn't you just say so?" The attempt a humour was a weak cover for the nerves that were starting to creep in.

"In a nutshell, you got it Sam." Jon told her.

Shran looked at the information that had been laid out and remained quiet for several moments. He had to admit that this was a well thought out plan, the sort of thing he would expect from an Intel Op. He remembered giving several of these himself long ago. "You can use the San Antonio and the Bunker Hill as your main shuttles, and take the runabout Amazon as your medical back up. I think the doctor would approve of having the runabout facilities should you require them. I am fine with this plan, but Cmdr Grayson is leading the ground teams, so the decision is his ultimately."

Jon stood silently as Shran spoke, he was still angry over Stonebridge's attitude and take charge approach but the hostages were the main concern here along with the success of the mission. "I have no issues with it Captain." He replied diplomatically.

"Very well" said Shran. "Deploy when you are prepared Commander, and good hunting."