Briefing

Posted on Mon Feb 7th, 2022 @ 7:10pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Ayana Hillis & Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Dr

Mission: The Orion Syndicate
Location: USS Washington

The conference room was quiet as the officers entered and began taking their seats. Ayana expected that she'd be busy once they reached Orion, and it was a bit strange in her mind that they were actually going to the heart of the Orion Syndicate which was dangerous even at the least of times.

Jon entered next, he still didn't move as gracefully or a fluidly as he normally would but he was better. He saw Ayana and walked over to her. "Ayana, I want to apologize to you. I am truly sorry if I caused you problems with T'Vall and his death." He said quietly but sincerely.

"You did what you thought was right commander. In truth I would have liked to have done the same, but I dare not go against the regulations the way you did. You had cause, that is enough for me. But please, don't do it again."

Dex sat in her chair quietly her fingers tapping against each other watching the Officers as they entered. She nodded and smiled to Ayana and watched Jon as he walked in, his fine movements still troubling him. The last thing she had wanted to do was have anything to do with the Orions. It had seemed that their last few missions had troubled them all on the mental level as well as physical. The Breen, T’Vall and his machinations and now the Orions. She felt apart from the team despite the friendships she had developed. She sat, morose, coddled in her own thoughts as she waited for the Captain.

Celes leaned over in her chair towards Dex, "Everything alright doctor? I would think you would be in a better mood after a few days of shore leave."

Dex jumped, “oh, oh yes we had a wonderful time, It’s just that since I returned I have felt increasingly unsettled, ill at ease as though something is coming, something awful.”

"Well we are going after the Orion Syndicate, so I would say that fear is justified."

“Maybe, but this feeling is something else not entirely connected.”

Shran entered the conference room with a very serious look on his face. He walked to the head of the table and sat down. "People, we are going hunting for a dangerous prey. I would say the best thing to do is to consider us under war conditions. The Orion Syndicate is the largest and most dangerous criminal organization in the quadrant. StarFleet has dealt with them to an extent through the years, but we are going to be the tip of the spear in the first ever direct strike. I am fine with this because the Syndicate has directly targeted this ship in its foul acts, and its members have done serious harm to several members of this crew. Admiral Carroll has given us a wide berth on how we proceed on this mission, including the use of deadly force as needed. This is essentially a black operation, and I will be treating it as such. Everything I am about to tell you is classified. Any questions before we begin?"

“Captain, the Syndicate is a massive organisation are we doing this alone without any help?” Dex asked.

Jon sat quietly. he had nothing to add or say and was waiting for Shran to start the briefing so they all knew what they were actually dealing with.

"As I said, we are the tip of the spear. For all intents and purposes, we are functioning as part of StarFleet Intelligence for the duration of this mission. We, as most of you are aware, are headed to Orion to deal with the Syndicate on their home turf. We will have additional support craft a few hours away and when necessary they will be ready to join us for the possible large scale battle. Intelligence has tasked the USS Valiant, USS Thunderchild, USS Spector, USS Galaxy, and the USS Prometheus as support for us, and they will be holding station in the Farius system while giving support to the troops going in there. Intelligence is launching a massive assault on the Orion Syndicate and will capture or eliminate their operatives on a dozen worlds that are considered important Federation locations to the Syndicate." Shran paused to see if anyone had questions at this point.

"It sounds like they are going to war with the Orion Syndicate" said Celes.

"Fine with me." Jon said flatly.

"That would be an accurate assessment" replied Shran plainly.

Dex looked at Jon wondering how he was coping, she was definitely worried about him and made time in her mind for an appointment with him. She gave her mind back to the mission already thinking of casualties. “So what is our plan Captain?”

"The short version is we go in and we clean house. Sadly, you will be busy in this mission doctor."

She nodded, “I thought you might say that sooner or later Captain.”

"Simply put, I expect us to do battle with a Syndicate fleet at some point, which doesn't worry me. What does worry me is what happens when we physically go down to Orion. As Federation worlds go, it is dicey on the best of days, and we all know the regs regarding Orion females, but obviously, the Syndicate will be aware of us almost as soon as we arrive, and that spells trouble, especially once they figure out why we are there." He looked at Jon, "I know you aren't a 100% yet, but I'll need you at the top of your game once we arrive."

Jon met Shran's gaze and replied evenly. "I may not be 100 percent physically, but my mind is and I will be."

Shran nodded confidently, knowing Jon would be good to go. "I'll provide more information on a need to know basis. We'll be at Orion in 21 hours. You have time to wrap your minds around the situation."

“Have we had any word from Samantha? I would feel much better if she were here but I will prepare sickbay. For the moment I will delegate this as an exercise. I will also prepare a report on Orion physiology.”

"The most recent communication from Samantha is that things are going well at StarFleet Medical but she is still uncertain when she will be back. Until she returns Dex, you are the acting head of the medical staff" Shran said in his normal tone. "Let's get to work everyone. Lots to check and double check before we reach Orion."