Nightstalker and Ensign T'Plana-hath report to the USS Washington

Posted on Sun May 29th, 2022 @ 10:14pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Ensign T'Plana-hath

Mission: Jupiter Mystery
Location: Opridion system

Ensign T'Plana-hath stood in the ready room of the USS Swordfish as Lieutenant Colonel Harvey Jackson finished up with providing her new orders "So in essence you are being reassigned to the USS Washington and are also to deliver Nightstalker to the ship and place it under the command of Captain Shran dh'Klar. The Washington is currently in the middle of a mission in the Opridion system it would appear Star Fleet Command has lost contact with the USS Jupiter as she was exploring the region. It is felt by Star Fleet Command and Star Fleet Intelligence that the Washington would benefit from both you and the Nightstalker. Unfortunately, closest we can get you is five days out at warp 4. One other thing, you are to run silent and dark on the Nightstalker. You are to make contact with the USS Washington only and avoid all contact with the USS Jupiter, until you are briefed by Captain Shran dh'Klar. Once you have found the USS Washington you are to use tight beam communications Priority One, classified Captain Shran dh'Klar eyes only. Lastly the Nightstalker is to be destroyed and not allowed to fall into anyone's hands if you are unable to make contact and turn her over to the USS Washington. She is a newly updated reconnaissance vessel and Star Fleet Intelligence would rather she be destroyed than captured." With that he looked over at her "We will miss you and your skills. I wish you Good Luck, and many adventures Ensign T'Plana-hath. You have one hour to pack your things and get the Nightstalker prepared for its journey, then we will be in the window of opportunity to launch."

Ensign T'Plana-hath saluted and stated, "Understood sir, it has been a unique and fulfilling assignment with you and the crew of the USS Swordfish." She performed an about face leaving the ready room and going to her quarters.

Five days later she was about to enter the Opridion system. She had studied the system, so she began to work the controls furiously to get through the asteroid belt. She looked to her scanners. There she thought she was detecting two Starfleet signatures at the first of the two class-M worlds. She was running dark and silent and approached with all the new technology running, to include the new holoemitter camouflage. She was confident no one had detected her yet as she suddenly identified the USS Washington's signature. She deftly opened up a tight beam communication to her =^=USS Washington, this is the Federation ship Nightstalker with a Priority One, Eyes only message for Captain Shran dh'Klar. Please reply back tight beam to this ship only. I await your reply. Nightstalker out.=^=

On the Washington Shran was informed of the priority one message. He made his way to his ready room and took a seat behind his desk and activated his computer. As the screen came to life Shran saw a Vulcan come into focus. "Ensign, you have a message for me?"

T'Plana-hath was getting ready to reply when one of the sensors on the Nightstalker began to beep. Quickly glancing at her display she saw it was focused on a shuttle craft that had just launched from the USS Jupiter, it had picked up a small energy surge inside the craft. She touched the sensor and made a couple of adjustments to get a better reading on the signature of the brief energy surge: it came back as a phaser shot.
She looked into the viewscreen at the Andorian she knew to be Captain Shran dh'Klar "Indeed Captain dh'Klar, however I need to have you provide your security identification code to ensure you are who you say you are. Finally, I need a quick tactical update if you please sir, as my ships sensors have picked up phaser fire on a shuttle craft leaving the USS Jupiter."

Shran enjoyed the secrecy that came with dealing with Intel operatives. It reminded him of his days working in Intel himself. "Very well ensign. Security ID Shran-alpha-727-omega. As for the tactical update, the shuttle is heading back to the planet to speak with the colonists I believe. What urgent message do you have for me ensign?"

T'Plana-hath confirmed the Captains security codes and then replied "Sir as of this stardate I have been assigned to the USS Washington NCC-81533-E, as the current Intelligence Officer. Also the USS Washington is to receive a Star Fleet Intelligence Scout Vessel, to which I am to provide you all specifications and to also train those you deem necessary to operate and use. This craft, the Federation Ship Nightstalker, is to remain out of foreign hands at all cost up to and including usage of self destruction protocols. Sir I am at your disposal and ready to assist in any manner you deem necessary. How would you like me to proceed, I can remain in full run dark and silent mode and provide real time data on the USS Jupiter, the shuttle craft and both class-M worlds, or I can dock the Nightstalker and perform my duties on the Washington? I am sending all tactical and relevant information regarding the Nightstalker to you now, remember this is a strictly need to know information for the majority of the crew." She then began sending the information on both herself and the Nightstalker to the Captain.

"Very well ensign. I believe you will be best served aboard the Washington at this time. Dock the ship, and then report to me on the bridge. I'll look over the ship specs in the interim. I suggest you place the ship on full lockdown once you disembark. Shuttle bay two has an open slot of a shuttle of its size. I'll see you in person shortly. Shran out." As the viewscreen went black Shran pulled up the new transmitted ship specs. They were impressive, everything he would expect from StarFleet Intelligence. And just like Intelligence, they had decided to be as careful with this new ship. Shran thought about the incident with the Prometheus. It was only by the luck of a pair of holograms and the ineptitude of the Romulans that they managed to keep it out of the hands of the Tal Shiar. A diplomatic officer and now an intelligence officer sent to his ship. Shran wondered what orders would be coming in the near future.