[Galaxy] [ND] 10 Sept 2161 :: Cargo Bay, ESS Aurora :: Capt Oliver, Capt Knight, Lt Shepard :: "It's a Plan"

[Kate Nicholson]

~~~~~

IC:

[Cargo Bay 2, ESS Aurora, En-Route to GS-II]

It wasn¹t really a cargo bay anymore since it had been requisitioned as a
lab by the science department. The remaining cargo creates pushed to the
edges of the room, its centre was now filled with consoles and various
apparatus reminiscent to his academy days. Today it operated as a briefing
room of sorts.

Knight was presented with his security officer and three of their personnel.
His /tactical/ officer was also in attendance but stood off at a distance.
Tactical was the one person that he was unable to part with while the threat
of the Romulans still loomed on the horizon. Regardless, he would appreciate
their input to the proceedings; their dedicated training could supplement
his more practical experience in assault operations. Of course he was no
expert, having performed only two offensive Œground¹ actions in his career;
of which one was on a space station.

On top of his own crew he had asked their two guests to join them. Shepard
was an obvious choice as Chief of Colony Security and Michah... Cpt. Oliver,
was his superior officer automatically giving her the final say in any
decision making.

Michah took a look around her. She felt more confident with the quality of
officers supporting her here. She was the highest ranking officer, so she
took the position seriously and spoke first. ³Okay, we know Constitution is
here, we know they have MACO¹s for the ground operation. We need to get
Shepard into that bunch. One at a time, tell me what you know about the
situation on the surface?²

The ship¹s communications officer cleared his throat. ³We have contact with
the surface through the Shireev, Varre¹, at a remote communication station.
She has let us know there are Colonists being held in the Colony Center,
here,² he pointed to a building on the Colony map. ³There are also hostages
in the Infirmary, here, and it is believed a smaller number at this outlying
Shuttle Complex. A group from the Safe Site #1 has already embarked to make
an effort to make a call on the Infirmary through the subterranean tunnels
to rescue the prisoners there. Looks like the MACO commander from
Constitution is planning on his main assault being the Colony Center. As far
as personnel, Cmdr Kovalenko, the XO, has not been heard from. Neither have
the Adanvaca hybrids. As I said the Shireev, Varre¹, is at the remote comm
station. The Comm Chief Hickey is injured and confined to SS#1. The Lt
Austin is part of the stealth group to free the Infirmary prisoners. The
Doctor is believed to be among the Infirmary prisoners. Several of the
Phoenix survivors are also at SS#1. Altogether, there is very little assault
experience operating down there.²

³Thank you Lieutenant,² acknowledged Oliver. ³What else have we got?²

"We still don't have an exact count on the Klingons." Knight added, wishing
that he had something more substantial to contribute. He surveyed the map
quickly before continuing. "Thalium deposits will make beaming to certain
locations problematic." He looked over to Oliver. "Depending on, um, where
you want to send people we may need to consider using a shuttle. "

³Constitution may have more precise sensor data than Aurora on the beam in
capabilities,² said Michah, hoping she was correct. ³If we could use beam
technology to get just the two of us down there, that would sure simplify
matters. We need to get their coordinates for their MACO beam in. Let them
go in first, and then Constitution provide cover for Aurora dropping us
close by." 

Oliver made a valid point. The sensors on Aurora were a constant issue, one
that Knight hoped Starfleet would /finally/ do something about after this
incident. It also alleviated some of his concerns about using the shuttle
that he had refrained from voicing. While they had no ships left, there was
nothing stopping the Klingons from attacking a shuttle with a man-portal
weapon.
 
"What do you think, Reb?² ask Oliver.

"I think it's a plan. I'll confirm it with Constitution. Let's do it,"
replied Shepard. 

~~~
Cmdr Anthony Knight
Captain, ESS Aurora
Assigned to the New Darwin Colony
&
Capt Michah Oliver 
Starfleet Commanding Officer
New Darwin Colony 
& 
Rebekah Shepard
Lt, Starfleet
Chief of Colony Security
New Darwin Colony