[Galaxy] [Forrest, Challenger, Meridian] 7 Mar, Fleet Plot log, Garroway/Finney/Cole/Thompson

[Robert]

[ Forrest - Command Center ]

"Incoming command communiqué from New Darwin," Capps called.

Thompson nodded. "Patch it through to Challenger and Meridian, then put 
it on screen."

Thompson stood at military parade rest in front of the command center's 
primary display as the images of captains Cole and Finney popped up, and 
then Admiral Garroway appeared.


~~ Challenger, Captains Ready room ~~

Corad was sitting in his ready room when the communiqué came through. He 
sat up strait in his chair. Corad sat silently.


// Meridian //

Rog had just returned from an enjoyable time on Forrest. Redlin signaled 
him there was an incoming message and he headed to the Ready Room to 
take it. Seeing who it was, he sat down.

Garroway greeted the men before him. "Glad to see you're all in one 
piece," he said. His smile was genuine, but tired. "I've heard snippets 
of the comms traffic coming through. I can't imagine what the full 
report will look like. You've all took quite a beating, but somehow you 
pulled it out."

Rog nodded and replied, "Yes sir, Meridian pulled through just fine. 
I'll have our report to you as soon as possible."

“Rog,” Garroway said, “promising me a report still makes me cringe.”

Rog said, "I can understand that sir."

“Captain Cole,” Garroway said. “I know it hasn’t been that long since we 
last spoke, but that package you sent Admiral Palmer panned out.” His 
head turned slightly on screen, back to center, seeming to address them 
all again. “I know you’re all pretty beaten up, but I need all ships. 
That includes Forrest. There’s a starship about to get underway with 
supplies and repair materiel, and I want you to put together a crew for 
it, Commander Thompson.”

Thompson’s eyebrows rose. “All due respect, Admiral, I don’t think 
that’s possible. Even if I could scrounge enough people together, the 
station would be practically empty.”

Garroway nodded. “I’ve got a good number from the Corps of Engineers on 
that ship that will trade places with you. When you get back, Forrest 
should be almost back to specs.”

“No, Sir,” Thompson shook his head. “I don’t think you fully understand 
the severity of what happened here. I’ve got precious few able bodied 
personnel. We’re mostly walking wounded, and that includes my command 
staff. Any crew I /could/ assemble wouldn’t be much good to the war 
effort. In fact, we’d probably do more /harm/ than good.”

Garroway nodded, considering. After a quiet moment he said, “Understood, 
Commander. The SCE personnel will supplement your crew to effect repairs 
and get the shipyards back on track. The ESS Triton will be stationed at 
Forrest until further notice, but if I call again for you to put a crew 
together," he shook his head, "we may not have any other options.”

“Aye, Admiral,” Thompson said, standing straight and tall.

“What about Meridian and Challenger?” Garroway asked.

Rog answered, "Sir, my XO took ill and is going to be sent home. I also 
have lost my CMO and EO. In addition to five dead and twelve injured. 
Four of the injured are critical, but stable. I've been informed that I 
should expect a new SO and a new MO soon."

Garroway sighed heavily at the list of casualties; a quarter of an NX's 
crew complement out of action, temporarily or otherwise. Distracted a 
moment, he seemed uneasy about his next question. "Captain, I need an 
honest, simple answer. Can you be battle ready in a week?"

Rog thought a moment. Battle ready in a week? Garroway must think 
they're miracle workers. He replied, "We'll do our best to be ready by 
then sir. Even if my engineers need to work double shifts to get her 
back into fighting trim."

Garroway nodded. "Captain Cole?"

Corad sat there listened intently to all the information as it was 
delivered. Corad answered “Sir, no further casualties to report on top 
of those I reported after our previous mission. The crew’s a bit banged 
up though. We have our fair share of injured, but we’ll manage. The ship 
herself has been through the wringer Sir, but repairs have been started 
and going rather well.” Corad paused for a moment to see the viability 
of being battle ready in a weeks time, “Sir it’ll be a challenge, but 
we’re up to it.”

"I'm glad to hear that," Garroway said as he addressed them all again. 
"Relieved, actually. I know I'm asking a lot, I've been in your shoes 
before, but this may be the turning point, gentlemen. We /can't/ let 
this opportunity pass us. Your orders will be sent to each ship directly 
as encrypted data bursts. And I'll say this, if you can make repairs on 
the way to the rendezvous point, all the better. There will be a 
resupply waiting for you."

Corad nodded and said, “Thank you sir. I’ll inform my engineering teams 
immediately to concentrate on critical systems only. We’ll be on our way 
to the rendezvous point ASAP.”

Rog nodded as well. He said, "Vanhanen and his people won't like it, but 
I'll put them on double shifts to get everything ready. I look forward 
to getting my orders sir."

“Thank you, gentlemen,” Garroway said. “These are extraordinary times, 
and I’m glad to have extraordinary crews on my side. Commander Thompson, 
if you need anything else, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t get it 
to you immediately.”

“If the ship you’re sending can haul a station module to replace our 
most damaged sections,” Thompson replied, “we can handle the rest.”

“Done,” Garroway said. “Finney, Cole, I’ll see you at the rendezvous 
point.”

Rog nodded and said, "Very good sir. See you there." He then signed off. 
This upcoming mission was going to be difficult, but he was sure that 
the Meridian's crew could handle it.


-----
RAdm Garroway, Thomas R.
Starfleet Commander
(The First Era)

Capt. Roger Finney
CO
NX-06 Meridian

Captain Corad Cole
Commanding Officer
NX-04 Challenger

Nathan Thompson
Commander (Starfleet)
Commanding Officer
Outpost Maxwell Forrest