The Black Hole

Posted on 03 Mar 2019 @ 10:18pm by Lieutenant Colonel Anton Markov & Lieutenant Commander T'urok Son of House Mok'Tor & Major Alexandria Somers & Ensign Temperance Zachary & Lieutenant Loran "Viper" Hudson

Mission: From the Darkness
Location: USS Powell Briefing Room
Timeline: Two hours until Rendevous

While there were many issues being worked on around the ship at present, one room had been given the highest priority by starfleet and that was the Powells briefing room. A weird choice many would think however in this instance it was because there was a little extra added to this one. As Anton entered and ordered himself a coffee from the replicator he perched himself back to the windows as he observed and waited for his staff to arrive.

T'urok was tired but this briefing was more important than sleep so he replicated a strong cup of raktijino and walked into the briefing room. "Captain", he said. "As far as I can tell, engineering is ready thanks to the help of the marines", he added.

"Glad to know their muscles are good for something more than pulling girls in a club," Anton mused. "All being well we will keep her in good nick for you. But if any other issues from the repairs crop up don't hesitate to let me know."

"Yes, Colonel that is fine. I will not be too proud to ask for their help again", T'urok replied.

Missing what the Chief Engineer said as she arrived after T'urok had spoken Alex enters the room stifling a yawn as she walks over to the replicator "standard mug, tea two sugars and milk" she said and picked up the mug of steaming coffee and took a gentle sip as she noticed others "Commander, Colonel" she greeted both, she then looks at the Commander "how goes the repairs Chief?" She asked.

"Commander all repairs are completed thanks to our marines. I just hope there are no more mass failures again", T'urok said.

Loran quickly entered the briefing room, "Sorry for not reporting in earlier but there was just no time as I was busy with the pilots. Lt. Loran "Viper" Hudson reporting", she said gently.

Adjusting her collar slightly before slipping into the briefing room, Temperance cast a brief glance around at the barrage of new faces. Some she had seen in passing since her arrival on the ship, others she had no idea who they were. The only one with a true air of even remote familiarity was that of the Commanding Officer, simply because she had taken the liberty of checking his records during the transport to the Powell. Stepping back to the furthermost bulkhead, she clasped her hands behind her back and just waited, observing the others milling about around her.

"Welcome aboard Hudson. From what I read in your report the hangar bay looks more like a scrap yard than anything remotely useful. How goes the work getting it set up?" the Colonel asked the fleet pilot.

"Baring anymore glitches, it should be up and running in 24 hours. Some of my fighters though, suffered minor damage, but they should be ready before the fighter bay", Loran said.

With a nod to the Klingon Engineer, Alex pulled the Colonel to one side, "Sir, I have some news from my father, as you know he is one of the many ambassadors to the Klingon Empire, also my family is shown a modicum of respect from them, so he got wind of some influential families of the Klingon Houses were becoming restless, I do not know if this helps any Sir, but I thought you should know that the Klingons on Kronos are getting rowdy" Alex reported.

"Why don't you save it until we get started Major. We will have time enough for you to give your report rather than while everyone is getting settled," Anton added as he took a drink of coffee. "Speaking of which. Let's get everyone settled. Pull up a pew as they used to say," he instructed loudly over the hubub of the officers from various departments across the ship.

Without waiting to be asked twice, Temperance slipped into the nearest seat, resting her hands on the table in front of her, her fingers steepled together as she glanced around. As someone took the seat next to her she offered a smile and a nod of acknowledgement while continuing to keep one the rest of the events happening around.

"Yes Sir, just thought you might want a heads up as we have a Klingon serving with us," Alex said but wished she knew more and had felt her father had been holding back on some information.

"Major?", T'urok said quickly.

Anton decided not to bite and took his seat instead. "Alright folks. Before we start. Computer seal room and activate dampening fields," he instructed. "So. In case anyone is wondering the majority of this briefing is classified and the information unless specifically stated will not be shared with your departments. First thing is first. We are two hours out from our first waypoint and rendezvous with a contact. One hour before we arrive all personal contact with friends and family will be cut off so make sure folks send any last messages."

He pulled activated the console on the table and pulled up a map of the target region. "Alright. So initial reports coming in from merchants and our own diplomatic team, both those in the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Star empires have indicated that some Klingon houses are getting fidgety." He tapped the console again activating an overlay of all recent attacks suspected by Klingon forces. "Alright. So these are all incidents that we think the Klingons are responsible for. We've been able to verify about forty-five percent of them but given that six months ago this area of space was reporting a fraction of the number of incidents its pretty clear there is an increase in activity."

"Our mission brief is as follows. 'Identify the seriousness of the threat within the region and determine the scale of the Klingon forces operating within the area with the purpose of de escalating the situation,'" Anton informed them. "Initial thoughts please folks."

"Also, be aware that tensions will most likely be high, and I have reliable information that some of the most influential Klingon houses are causing a rukus and are getting upset at current events" Alex chirped in.

Anton nodded and after a moment's silence with no other comments carried on. "Alright. Plan of attack then. Shortly we will meet with a smuggler. He has been trying to locate the main staging area by following the shipments and making deliveries of his own. Last communication from him indicated he had a lead but nothing else. T'urok. Any suggestions for detecting cloaked Klingon ships?"

"A tachyon net would help in finding them. Also, if cloaked ships are moving and if we could emit a large enough tachyon burst we could possibly extrapolate the heading of the ships", T'urok said. "Captain, I would like permission to send an encrypted message to my house to verify what houses are inciting trouble", he added. "My grandfather sits on the High Council and he would have access to intel on the situation", he finished.

The ships CO nodded. "Very good. Send the message and make the modifications to the deflector. Somers follow up with your father as well. Any questions from anyone before we proceed or any other ideas to help locate this fleet?"

Loran spoke up, "Captain I could possibly take a group of three fighters and maybe extend the tachyon grid. Also if they are indeed cloaked the extended tachyon net from the fighters could locate them as well", she said*looking at the captain*

"Maybe," Anton answered thinking. "We will see. Hopefully, we will be able to stay hidden long enough and the tachyon net will be a last resort. For now. Fit your craft for long range recon."

"Understood sir. Will have them fitted for long range recon", Loran said.

Somers remained quiet and listened, as she did not have anything else to report, it would be pointless, if the Captain's service jacket was correct then he was capable, personally she was glad that he was, commanding a Marine Unit was tough, but a ship command that was another thing all on its lonesome.

"Alright then. Doc I want to chat to you after this in my office. Everyone else let's get to work. It's show time," Anton stated as he stood up.