PNPC Intelligence Director Samantha Chang," Giving them the Edge." NT

[KENNETH COTTON]

(( Bridge- USS (redacted) ))

 :: Being in enemy territory was nothing unusual for Chang...in fact, that was what her ship was for, designed to enter enemy territory and collect needed intelligence, using the most sophisticated sensors, advanced and powerful weapons and defense systems available. Chang knew her ship could hold its own against almost anything out there, but that was not her job to fight...her job was to get back with the information for the admirals to make the calls. But this time, Samantha decided to make her own decisions regarding her mission, and the people who were going to be the most upfront and personal were going to be given every edge possible. On her own authority, Chang made some changes which were no doubts violations of the Treaty Of Algeron..hell, if you are committing an act of war, you might as well go big, since you might not survive for the court martial which may ensue afterwards::

:: Despite her outward persona of a person colder than Andoria Prime, Chang did feel for those she commanded, and those who were literally considered by Starfleet as "expendable". Chang had lost people, good people, and she felt those losses just as deeply as anyone. There were times when SFI and Starfleet were a bit callous about the lives of their operatives and personnel, and those who took the oath knew the risks...Chang had been on a few of those missions herself, ones which her survival was not expected, but beating the odds was what she and her people did with regularity::

:: To that end, Chang wanted to do all she could to make sure the Shadow team and its crew would return alive and intact, and to hell with what most of the Admiralty wanted. Standing with with a slight smile on her face, Chang left her bridge and headed below to the port side hangar bay, where the Shadow was being tended to by her hangar deck crews. Within that little ship, a pleasant surprise awaited her team once they came back down to  begin their part of this very tricky, dangerous mission::

(( Port Side Hangar Bay - USS (redacted) ))

:: Chang had come down to check on the progress of making sure the Shadow was fueled, armed, and prepped for the mission to come. A slight smile crept across her face as she stepped through the open hatch of the Shadow and saw Hella running through the pre flight checks...and the very obvious panel denoting the installation of a cloaking device, the blinking green light showing its readiness as Hella ran through her checks. Clasping her hands behind her back, Chang spoke::

Chang: I take it you like the addition to your equipment?

Hella : : : turning to face her:: Yes, I do like it , : : adding her own ungrateful slant to the mix:: but you could have told me you'd be messing with the Shadow.

:: Chang understood Hellas' chagrin...after all, it was the pilots who claimed ownership of their birds, and Hella was no different. Nonplussed, Samantha spoke::

Chang: The Shadow is the property of Starfleet Intelligence, which out here, makes her mine. And that means I do not need your permission to install a piece of equipment which will help you to complete your mission.

:: She knew Hella was having none of it...the gruffness was expected. The Boslic spoke::

Hella: I don't suppose you brought the coordinates for the landing site. 

:: Chang raised an eyebrow, then slightly cocked her head while she took her hands from behind her back, her right hand holding the crystal with the coordinates::

Chang: I did indeed. I was planning to put it in myself, but you beat me here.

Hella : : : taking the crystal and inserting it into the console:: Is there anything else we should know, like the number of Romulan guards we will run into along the route we take to the facility? 

Chang: At least twelve at last count. More if they bring more passengers from Thendara Two...then there will be at least twenty. Two are always inside the laboratory at all times, along with two outside. The rest are widely dispersed and should be relatively easy kills until you get to the lab. The doors are standard duranium, and there are no signs of a multilayered defense as you would see in front line Romulan installations. After all, this has always been a backwater, but I still advise caution. These are Romulans after all...

Hella: Better be careful, Samantha, one might get the idea that you really care. We know we're expendable, otherwise, we wouldn't have been chosen for this part of the mission. 

:: Hella was right. There were a thousand ways this mission could go sideways and a full blown war could break out, with them deep behind enemy lines. There was no way three Federation starships even with cloaking abilities could escape from so deep in the Empire...it had one way mission written all over it, for all of them. She also knew neither the Shadow team or the (redacted) could be taken intact. If she had to order a self destruct, the results would be quite spectacular, brutal, and quick. Doing her best to continue to suppress a smile, Chang spoke::

Chang: I am merely giving two mothers, a decorated Marine, and a rookie the best chance for survival. Nothing more. Besides, with Hannibal in command of the Thunder, and the four of you in the Shadow, plus Admiral Turner is quite crafty. I know we will all be successful. That is why we were tasked this mission. You are the best in the fleet, and I know you can do it, along with the rest.

:: Chang believed it. The Shadow team has saved entire planets from mayhem, kept governments from failing, and done more behind the scenes than anyone would ever know. Secrecy was part of the job, and Chang wanted all her people back::

Hella: Damn right we can do it.

Chang: I know you can. I want the Shadows and the ship intact and back here, and that Romulan scientist dead and roasting in hell, and the facility a smoking hole in the ground. Good luck to you all, Hella. If you need us, we will be there...

::Chang meant it. She would not leave them behind, nor would she ever consider  such a thing, despite her orders. They were too important, too good, and she had worked with the majority of them for many years, especially Kamela and Hannibal. With a nod, Chang turned to leave as Hella spoke::

Hella: Director, thanks for caring. We really appreciate it.

Chang: Be careful. All of you. Come back to me. Good luck, Black Widows...

:: With that, Chang turned to leave, walking out of the hatch of the Shadow. Shortly, they would be near Jarok Three, and the odyssey would begin::

TBC

Samantha Chang

Director- Starfleet Intelligence

USS (redacted)

As simmed by:

Major Hannibal Tiberious Parker

Commanding Officer

Marine CO/Chief Tactical Officer

Chief Of Security

USS Thunder-A/Duronis II Embassy

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