[Galaxy] 27 May, Joint log, Hawke/Milikan/Finney/Morgan

[Robert]

////// Meridian //////

Rog was going over some reports when he got a beep, signaling that he had an
incoming message. He said, "What is it Baxter?"

Baxter answered, "Sir, FCapt. Hawke to report for a briefing at his office
asap."

Rog replied, "Acknowledge the message Baxter." Rog got up to leave. He
thought, this must be about our next mission. Rog hoped they could redeem
themselves on this op.

////// Forrest Outpost CO's Office ///////

"Fleet Captain Hawke wants to see me?" Sandra asked her yeoman.

"Aye, Ma'am. He also requested Commander Morgan's and Captain Finney's
presence."

"Acknowledged. Tell his aide, I'm on my way." Sandra replied with a sigh. So
far, it had been meeting after meeting after meeting. At the same time, that
was to be expected after having been gone for a week and then come back to
having war declared upon them. She took a deep breath and then pushed her
chair back.

////// Yorktown //////

Things had finally calmed down and cleanup was underway in Engineering. As
Rece headed for the door the comm went off. "Commander, your presence is
being requested on Forrest.  FleetCaptain Hawke wants to see you
immediately."

Rece ran a hand over her face and release a breath.  "Thanks Morrison.  Let
Boyle know that's where I'm headed."  Hitting the comm bottom she headed out
the door.

////////// Deck 4 - briefing room ////////////

"Captain Finney," Sandra said and smiled at Roger. "Congratulations on your
promotion!" She walked over to the Meridian's CO and shook his hand. "How
are you doing?"

Rog looked up and replied, "Ah Capt. Millikan, thanks I'm doing quite well.
How are you doing?" He shook her hand. It still felt odd to have others call
him captain, but he'd get used to it.

"I'm doing well. We are being kept quite busy around here." She smiled at
Finney. "I guess this will be related to the declaration of war... What
happened to just being able to explore?"

"It left on the last shuttle out of Dodge," Rece chimmed in as entered the
briefing room.  She normally wouldn't have been one to interupt two senior
officers but she just couldn't help it.  Rog chuckled and answered, "That
sounds about right commander. Yes, I do believe this meeting is in regards
to the president's declaration. I wonder what Starfleet has up their sleeve
this time? I do hope that the intel is better this time around."

Fleet Captain Horatio Hawke strode straight and tall into the briefing room
with a series of PADDs under his arm.  "Captains, Commander," he greeted
each with a nod.  "Please have a seat."

Sandra nodded her own greeting in return and sat as invited.

Rog had stood at attention upon the Fleet Captains entrance. Then, he took a
seat.

Rece took her seat and waited for the Fleet Captain to begin.

Hawke remained standing as he dove headlong into the meeting.  "My apologies
for dispensing with the pleasantries, but I'm sure you understand the
gravity of our present situation and the need to act.  I've received word
from Starfleet Command regarding orders for each of us.

"Meridian," Hawke announced and handed Finney a PADD, "will be taking part
in an effort to maintain diplomatic relations with our Coalition allies.
Needless to say, the Romulan declaration has shaken their resolve, but we
need to make sure they don't distance themselves from us too much.  As long
as we have the Coalition, we have a chance.  'United we stand,' they like to
remind me.  That said, Captain Finney, your ship is assigned to safely
escort Ambassador Sarah Berger to Vulcan.  Her assignment on Regulus Prime
has all but concluded, and though the declaration sent her trade
negotiations there into an unsalvageable breakdown, she's dealt with the
Vulcans before.  While the Vulcans haven't outright denounced the Coalition,
their own civil situation isn't conducive to supporting a war effort.  She's
our best bet to keeping them on track.  The details are in the mission
profile on your PADD."

Rog took the PADD and began glancing at the details. He replied, "Yes sir,
understood."

"Yorktown," Hawke continued, turning to Morgan and handing her a PADD of her
own, "is tasked with a similar mission.  The United Earth Government has
currently set peacekeeping activities as a priority, though peacemaking
operations have been completely left to the United Militaries, with
Starfleet taking part in both measures as necessary.  Ambassador Michael
Senna has been taking part in a conference on Mizar, but his expertise in
Andorian culture and political science means he's already been told to pack
for a long winter.  Your ship, Commander Morgan, is therefore assigned to
bring Ambassador Senna to Andoria.  History proves that the side to speak
first is usually given the most regard, so the President's explanation is
being regarded with suspicion.  It is hoped that Ambassador Senna will be
able to subdue the Andorians' paranoia and make sure their military might
isn't left unchecked to potentially side with the Romulans.  The details are
in the mission profile on your PADD."

"Understood sir," Rece replied.  She glanced down at the details and thought
about her Andorian helmsman, hoping that he was going to be alright to make
it home.

"Forrest Outpost," Hawke went on, handing a PADD to Milikan, "should expect
rough times ahead.  Naturally we'll be fortifying our defenses around Sol
and our major colonies, but there are only so many starships.  Supply lines
will be patrolled and heavily monitored, but Forrest should plan to be more
self sufficient than it has been in the past.  Expect supplies to be delayed
at best, but we'll do everything we can to make sure they *do* come.
Shanandoah will be one of the patrol craft, but I'm going to be stretched
thin myself with various duties and responsibilities, mostly Fleet-level,
until we can push more bodies through the academy and ships out of the
yards.  That said, Freedom will remain under your purview until further
notice, but be aware that she's a precious commodity now and that notice can
come sooner than you might be prepared for."  He looked apologetic for a
moment, "I wish I had better news, but that's the way it is."

Sandra nodded as she studied her own PADD.  Listed were the projected supply
schedules, and Hawke wasn't kidding when he implied that things would be
tight.  "Nobody said this would be easy, Sir."

Hawke looked around the table to acknowledge the group once again.
"Questions," he invited.

Rog smiled and said, "No questions sir. I'm not sure if the fleet captain is
aware, but I have just been assigned a Vulcan officer as XO. So I'm quite
happy with my assignment. My XO, Sub Commander T'Paz, should prove most
helpful to the ambassador on this assignment." Rog thought a moment and
said, "Sir on second thought I do have some questions, when are we expected
at Regulus Prime and when are we expected at Vulcan? If Ambassador Berger's
negotiations fail, what's the next step?"

"As far as timing," Hawke replied, "as soon as possible on both counts.
Waste no time, Captain.  But when it comes to Berger's success or failure,
Command will make a determination once the final reports come in.  I
guarantee she's not going to be there for a short term, though.  She'll be
there for days or maybe even weeks trying to work the ins and outs to our
favor.  But that doesn't mean Meridian has to be there for the long haul.
Get her there safely, make sure the Ambassador is secure at the Embassy, and
report back for further orders.  We're going to have to play this war by ear
until we get our feet back underneath us."

Rog replied, "Aye sir, understood." Well he thought, a simple passenger
escort mission. Nothing should go wrong. Famous last words.

"Sir," interjected Milikan.  "I'm curious about the turnaround time on the
supply ships.  How long are they going to stick around for possible security
detail before heading back?"

Hawke shook his head.  "Not long," he said almost apologetically.  "But I
wouldn't worry about having extra ships around.  Once you get your shipyards
up and running, you'll be a pretty hot ticket for the whole fleet.  At the
same time, you'll become a prime target.  That is, if you're not a prime
target already.  The Romulans would have a vested interest in keeping those
shipyards from going online in the first place."

Sandra nodded again, this time silently.  Forrest was about to become one of
those 'strategic locations' you always hear people fighting over in war
documentaries.

"Excuse me sir," Rece said.  "I'm just looking for some clarifications. With
the Ambassador on Mizar, I assume that we will be picking him up?"

"That's correct," Hawke nodded.  "The Earth Ambassador to Tellar is already
on-site, so he's been neck deep since the declaration.  The problem is that
since things were going so well for the Coalition, we downsized the
embassies with our strongest allies, leaving mostly administrative personnel
to oversee the diplomatic processes already in place.  Now, we're pushing to
get everything back up to specs."

Rece nodded and then asked, "One other question sir.  We know that the
Andorians have always had suspicions issues.  Is the Yorktown to handle this
similarly to the Meridian?  Drop off the Ambassador and report back."

Hawke shook his head.  "At this point, we're even pushing to get the
embassies' MACO garrisons reinstalled.  So when I say get them there and
make sure they're secure, I mean just that.  They'll have no security detail
to insure their protection, and we don't know our allies' intentions at this
point so we can't trust the native troops."

He looked at Morgan and Finney together.  "This isn't just some babysitting
job," he said assuredly.  "These are important people that have to get to
important places, and soon.  If they can't get the Andorians and Vulcans to
actively support us again, the Romulans could win.  I want you both to
understand that.  Get them to their respective embassies, and make sure
they're safe there.  Then send a sitrep to Starfleet Command and await
orders."

Rece nodded, "Understood sir."

Rog nodded and replied, "Aye sir understood. We'll get Ambassador Berger to
Vulcan and make sure she's safe. Is there anything else we need to know
sir?"

"Unless there are any further questions," Hawke replied, "I think we're
done."

Rog assumed that there was nothing else of importance and stood up. He said,
"I'm good to go sir." He saluted and awaited dismissal.

Hawke nodded.  "The Godspeed to Yorktown and Meridian.  And God help Forrest
Outpost."


-----
Capt Sandra Milikan
Commanding Officer
Forrest Outpost
"Are you sure that is logical?"

Captain Roger Finney
Commanding Officer
NX-06 Meridian

Cmdr Rece Morgan
Commanding Officer
ESS Yorktown NX-05
'The Fighting Lady'

FCapt L. Horatio Hawke
Commanding Officer
ESS Shenandoah (NX-02)