<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><div class="h5"><div dir="ltr" class=""><div class=""><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><b class=""><font color="#0061ff" size="3" class="">OOC: A peek into the events at Fleet Headquarters, San Francisco</font></b></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><b class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></b></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><b class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></b></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><b class=""><font size="3" class="">=/= Admiral's Dining Room, Starfleet Headquarters, San Francisco =/=</font></b></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><b class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></b></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">Seated at her usual placement to the left of Admiral Sheppard's chair, Captain Annette Flores reviewed the facts and findings for a third time to ensure she hadn't missed anything. As relaxing as a week long vacation had been she was regretting it as she putting in long hours playing catch-up. As the Director of Fleet Communications missing even a minor detail could prove disastrous. Looking at the new ornate ring on her left hand she smiled. No, she didn't regret the break, she just wished the galaxy hadn't picked that week to go into chaos. Picking up the PADD again she opened up the lengthy report from New Darwin Colony again.</font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">Admiral Sheppard put the last minute changes, mostly typographical corrections, on her brief agenda for her meeting with Captains Maurice Bell and Annette Flores. The two had become trusted confidants over the past year and she generally ran most things past them, as both advisors and sounding boards. The meetings were informal, usually lunch in the Admiral’s dining room. As Director of Fleet Logistical Operations and Director of Fleet Communications respectively, both were in excellent positions to serve as advisors, often being more helpful than her official Admiralty Advisor Staff. Taking a last sip of her cold coffee and rejecting it with a frown, she gathered up the three PaDDs on the corner of her desk and hurried to the Admiral’s Dining Room. </font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">A small round table for three was set next to the window on the 26th floor of the main building at Starfleet Headquarters and a lovely view of the dazzling City of San Francisco launched out below. </font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">“Ah, Annette. How are you today?” asked Adrienne amiably. </font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">"I'm well, Adrienne, all things considered," Annette replied cheerfully. As always, the head of fleet communications looked ready for a press conference at a moment's notice with makeup impeccably done and wearing her dress uniform. "I warned you if I left for a week everything would fall apart," she joked. "I'm sorry I missed Ambassador Aerish's visit. How did everything go?"</font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">“It went well …I think,” replied Sheppard. "She’s not overly communicative. Very proper and quite literal. Very frank and a bit abrupt, but not rude. She made it clear she was not considering herself a representative of her people, but hopefully a mediator should her people return at some point. It was a shorter visit than I had hoped, but when she found there was a curfew and trouble at New Darwin, she changed her plans to return immediately.”</font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">"There will be other opportunities to speak with Aerish and learn more about the Deltore. It's probably for the best that we focus on this matter with the Ke'elzzoid," Annette pointed out.<br class=""> <br class="">Captain Maurice Bell was the last to show to the dining room. In his hands the Director of Fleet Logistical Operations carried several PADDS. Just a few months ago, Maurice had the task of working as the Fleet Historian. But apparently someone felt that his talents were needed elsewhere about three months back and reassigned him to his current position. With that reassignment came a promotion to Captain. As excited as Bell was to take on the challenge, he had to admit that with so much going on recently, his job had been overwhelming at times. <br class=""> <br class="">"How are you two ladies doing this afternoon?”</font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">"Well. How are you, Maurice?" Annette asked with a smile. Maurice was a rarity, the sort of old-fashioned man that would pull a woman's chair out for her. Even though she was already spoken for and Maurice wasn't her type, Annette found it charming. Aside from that, he had taken to the logistics position like a fish to water and had become an essential addition to their little team.<br class=""> <br class="">"I'm doing good considering everything going on," Maurice answered. "Seems as soon as one disaster gets averted. And even greater one arises. But I'll explain the success of the USS Pioneer later."<br class=""> <br class="">"Can't wait to hear about it. Shall we get started?" Annette asked.<br class=""> <br class="">Placing his items on the table, Bell grabbed the pitcher of tea on the table and poured himself a glass. "Anyone else care for tea?”</font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">“Yes please,” Adrienne spoke up. “Okay. I guess my first question today is where are our ships? We’ve got this Ke’elzzoid threat in several places. Are our ships in the best positions to handle this mischievous enemy? Maurice?” <br class=""> <br class="">"The First Fleet is already on high alert to what is going on with the Ware (*see end of log notes)," Bell announced as he poured two drinks and handed them over. "But their going to send Task Force 2-1 and 2-2 towards New Darwin, which they believe might be where a major attack by the Ke'elzzoid may take place. But I recommend sending in a Task Force from the Second Fleet to assist. The Andorian fleet alone won't be able to defend against the Ke'elzzoid in multiple positions (** see end of log notes). Especially if the Ke'elzzoid send in a large fleet. And we have no idea how many ships the Matriarchal Star Empire possesses."</font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">“Maurice, can you explain the evidence, or intelligence, we have that they are planning an offensive against New Darwin, instead of any other Colony or Station?” asked Sheppard, taking a sip of the tea and sighing softly.<br class=""> <br class="">Maurice handed a PADD over to Adrienne and Annette. "It's been discovered that a scouting party of Ke'elzzoid has been hidden on Gamma Sagittarii II. From what we can tell from when disappearances started taking place, its likely that they have been at least for two months. A pregnant woman was released from their capture and reported that there were several other prisoners from various species. But the crazy part of the story is they released her with a message demanding New Darwin's surrender. But a later the message indicated one of the them willing to defect for protection and the promise of not being mistreated.”</font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">“Sounds like the second message was added on. Maybe not everyone of that group are in agreement with that possible defection. Dissension in the ranks, perhaps,” pondered Adrienne. “So this was presented to Captain Oliver. I wonder if she plans to ask our advice,” she said, almost sarcastically. “And if so, what do we tell her? What’s our official position on the matter. We better decide,” she added more seriously. </font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><font class="">"My stance shouldn't be surprising," Annette spoke up. "A chance at communication is a chance at communication. Even if we don't meet the Ke'elzzoid's terms or if they aren't a part of their larger government, it opens a dialogue, and presents </font><font class="">an</font><font class=""> </font><font class="">opportunity</font><font class=""> </font><font class="">to</font><font class=""> </font>learn more <font class="">about</font><font class=""> </font><font class="">them</font><font class="">, </font><font class="">the</font><font class=""> </font><font class="">way</font><font class=""> </font><font class="">they</font><font class=""> </font><font class="">think</font><font class="">. </font><font class="">Military</font><font class=""> </font><font class="">action</font><font class=""> </font><font class="">starts</font><font class=""> </font><font class="">wars</font><font class="">, </font><font class="">talk</font><font class=""> </font><font class="">ends</font><font class=""> </font><font class="">them</font><font class="">."</font></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class="">“I agree,” confirmed Adrienne. “But I also know that we’ve been criticized in the past for not providing adequate Fleet protection for that Colony, and I have to agree it has been invaded too many times. With a proper show of strength, I think those thinking of overwhelming them would think twice. So, how do we move strength in there without compromising the communications possibilities? I’ll get back to those talks in a minute. I’ve sent in the new MACO garrison, under command of Major Karl Mason. They should be arriving soon. They’re permanent on the Colony, and that makes me feel a lot better about any ground action taken against the Colonists. We have <i class="">USS Aurora</i>, a small Neptune class, as tender to the Colony, and the <i class="">USS Bellicose Carrier Group</i> is still on task there. The <i class="">USS Constitution</i> is delivering Mason’s personnel. But what if they are massing a Fleet for a serious play for the Colony? After all, the primary message we got was for a full surrender of the Colony, with a promise to spare the children.” <br class=""></font></div><div style="padding: 0px;" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><font size="3" class="">"And what if they're not? I agree we need to provide New Darwin with additional protection, but without jeopardizing the safety of our other colonies. Menkala, Tisi Prime, Chi Eridani, have already gone silent in New Darwin's sector, none of which had even a single starship in orbit. The Ke'elzzoid have shown no interest in hitting us where we're strong," Annette pointed out. "If we have ships to spare I think we need to check on the status of the silent colonies and station one or two above the ones still active or evacuate them entirely for their safety.” </font></div><div dir="ltr" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div dir="ltr" class=""><font size="3" class="">Sheppard nodded in thought, weighing carefully Flores’ argument . <br class=""><br class="">"I recommend sending in the <i class="">Yorktown</i> leading Task Force 1-3 in figuring out the status of those colonies gone silent," Bell suggested. "That's eleven ships that can determine if those colonies need to be evacuated. It also puts them a day max at high warp to New Darwin if necessary. And until we get some kind of intel in regards to where a Ke'elzzoid Fleet might be. I'm not too keen on having the Andorians sending in Task Forces 2-1 and 2-2 just yet. Though I believe they should be on standby."<br class=""><br class="">“Good point Annette. They aren’t hitting us where we’re strong.” Sheppard paused for a sip of her tea. “And I agree with you Maurice, assuming <i class="">Yorktown</i> is available. Or we could grab the <i class="">Constitution</i>, which delivered the MACO garrison to New Darwin, and send it to the silent colonies in the sector,” Adrienne suggested. "Keep the Andorian Fleet on standby. What’s <i class="">Yorktown</i>'s status at present?” </font></div><div dir="ltr" class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">"The last update I received had <i class="">Yorktown </i>heading to a Tellarite base for repairs. They sustained moderate damage in an encounter with that Andorian terrorist group," Annette glanced at her notes, "The Frozen Dawn. <i class="">Yorktown</i> has prisoners from that group aboard and civilians from Gehenna Sigma Four who survived the Ke'elzzoid attack there. All of which I think should be dropped off before sending <i class="">Yorktown </i>to the front."<br class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">Annette took a sip of her tea. "And a few days rest wouldn't hurt the crew. Their casualty list is impressive, including their CO, XO, and another member of the senior staff. A few days," Annette stressed. "I know time is of the essence but I believe in a short time The Fighting Lady will be ready for another scrap."<br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">“Sounds like a good plan. Let’s let <i class="">Constitution</i> continue her presence in the sector. But send <i class="">Yorktown</i> to check on those silence colonies as soon as they are repaired and a few days rested,” ordered Sheppard. “Now, what’s happened with <i class="">Meridian?” </i></font></div><div class=""><i class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></i></div></div></div><div class=""><font size="3" class=""><i class="">"Meridian</i> is undergoing a research mission. There's a double binary star system 40 light years from here, yes, you heard that right, a system with four stars, colorfully dubbed by early 21st century as 'Quatro Sol.' Earth sent a probe to Quatro Sol at around that time. <i class="">Meridian</i>'s last update had them retrieve the probe, download its data, and make first contact with an M class planet in the region. The species, the Kratrans, are a warp 2 capable civilization that's never made contact with another species until now. Captain Finney and his senior staff are visiting with the planet's officials and planned to stay on to watch the launch of the Kratrans first real ship of exploration," Annette explained.<br class=""><br class="">"<i class="">Meridian</i> is aware of rising tensions with the Ke'elzzoid and are prepared to be called to the front whenever they're needed. As soon as they're finished in Quatro Sol, I think we should do just that. <i class="">Meridian</i>'s crew and Captain Finney have the most experience dealing with the Ke'elzzoid and a Columbia-class starship is a match for the more powerful Ke'elzzoid ship design seen at Moana IV," Annette said.<br class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">/Wow,/ thought Adrienne, nodding slowly. /I’m so lucky to have such sharp people on my team./ “I want to thank you both. You have everything so well coordinated. Makes my job so much easier. Okay, sounds like <i class="">Meridian</i> is ready. I’m anxious to hear more about their first contact experience. Ok. Summary. We need to watch every ounce of intelligence that we can get for evidence of a gathering Ke’elzzoid fleet and any idea of a time-table there. We keep <i class="">Yorktown </i>and <i class="">Meridian </i>on the ready, and the Andorian border defense task force on standby. We keep our eyes on what’s happening at New Darwin and wait. God I hate waiting, but we have to give Oliver and her people a chance to turn this tide toward peace if possible. Any other questions or comments before we move on to technological issues?” asked the Admiral. </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class=""><font class="">"May I suggest that we have the <i class="">Meridian</i> make their way towards<i class=""> New Darwin</i> as soon as the complete their current mission," Maurice brought up. "The trip is going to take them thirty six days at warp seven. Better to have them on their way, then to send them after waiting for more intel, which might be too late. The rest of Task Force 1-2 would be able to meet up with them at a half way point.</font>”</font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">“Sounds good. Make that happen. Okay. Let’s take a quick break and meet back here in 15 for the rest of our meeting,” said Sheppard. </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">TBC … </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">* ** End Notes below Signatures</font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">~~~~</font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">Admiral Adrienne Sheppard </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">Starfleet Commanding Officer </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">Starfleet HQ, San Francisco, Earth </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">& </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">Capt Annette Flores </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">Director of Fleet Communications </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">Starfleet HQ, San Francisco, Earth </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">& </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">Capt Maurice Bell </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">Director of Logistical Operations </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">Starfleet HQ, San Francisco, Earth </font></div><div class=""><font size="3" class="">~~~</font></div><div class=""><div class=""><font class="" size="3">END NOTES: </font></div><div class=""><font class="" size="3">* The USS Pioneer, commanded by Captain Malcolm Reed, just completed a mission dealing with the Ware (according to one of the latest ST ENT novels). The Ware created the automated repair station from the Enterprise Series that abducted Ensign Mayweather after repairing the Enterprise. The station rebuilt itself and continued abducting other unknowing visitors. The USS Pioneer and its crew managed to shut it down, but the threat of retaliation is still out there.</font></div><div class=""><font class="" size="3"><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font class="" size="3">** According to the division of functions of the Federation Fleet, the Andorians are responsible for border defense.</font></div><div class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><u class=""><font class="" size="3"><i class="">Division of Functions of the Federation Starfleet</i></font></u></div><div dir="ltr" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><font class="" size="3">Chief of Staff of UESPA (Exploration): Admiral Jonathan Archer(Human Male)<br class="">Chief of Staff of Andorian Imperial Guard (Defense of Federation Borders): Admiral Thy'lek Shrann(Andorian thaan Male)</font></div><div dir="ltr" class=""><font class="" size="3">Chief of Staff of Tellar Space Administration (Operational Support/Supply): Admiral Mov chim Flar(Tellarite Male)</font></div><div dir="ltr" class=""><font class="" size="3">Chief of Staff of Vulcan Space Council (Research/Development/Administration): Admiral T'viri(Vulcan Female)</font></div><div dir="ltr" class=""><font class="" size="3">Chief of Staff of Alpha Centauri Space Research Council (Research-Funding-Resources-Logistical-Administrative Support): Admiral Alexis Osman(Centauran Female) </font></div></div></div></div></body></html>