[Mission Begins] [Act I Begins] Commander Lia Rouiancet: The Unity Dow

[Tony Colella]

Commanding officer's log, stardate 240106.20.

The Octavia E. Butler has been dispatched from New Bajor and Deep Space 14 on a mission that, at least initially, appears to be straightforward: Find the USS Unity Dow.

The Unity Dow, like the Butler, represents an expansion to the Gamma Flotilla Expeditionary Task Force. It is a Constitution III class vessel assigned about two weeks after the Butler, and has had an unremarkable mission profile up until ten days ago. The Unity Dow was on a routine stellar survey mission beyond the edge of former Dominion territory, and was exchanging regular messages with task force command until ten days ago. Messages to the Unity Dow have not been returned or, as far as the comms personnel aboard the Uhura Communications Array have been able to determine, have not even been received. The Butler has therefore been chosen to track down the Unity Dow.

We are proceeding with all speed to the Omicron Victor IV system, the Unity Dow's last known position, and a system unexplored either by Starfleet or the UDP. I have asked Avander to lead a team to compile everything we know about this system, including all the data collection and analysis we're able to perform en route, and especially if there might be even the rumor of any unusual anomalies that could be implicated in the disappearance of a starship. He'll work with Peri, Yinn, and Lhandon, the lattermost of whom can use the experience for some additional cross-departmental training. Their goal, above all else, is to ensure that the system is as safe as it can be for our exploration in our search for the Unity Dow.

I have assembled my own team, which will focus on intelligence regarding the Unity Dow's mission and its future flight path. We will rely partially on Dominion histories, many of which are inaccessible and/or fragmentary, but I'm sure that what is available is known to Commander Walker, who I've asked to assist me, along with Aine and Jack Kessler. Again, our particular interest is the Omicron Victor IV system, but I suspect that may only be a starting point.

I have left the reassembly of the Unity Dow's mission up through its disappearance to a team headed by Lieutenant Arlill and containing Karen, Anton, and our newest engineering officer, Morro Caras. They will review, as best they can, what led the Unity Dow to Omicron Victor IV, and attempt to reconstruct based on mission reports what the Dow was doing up through the moment of its disappearance. This is forensic analysis, essentially, which is why I believe a mixed team will be best to accomplish this goal.

Finally, starmaps confirmed that the nearest port of call to Omicron Victor IV is the station known as Port Coray, where many of this crew have spent time previously. On our way to the Omicron Victory IV, we've dispatched the Talents with Josh in command and a team comprised of Max, Toz, and Jacen Xaivis in order to check out any local leads. At least initially, I've instructed them not to reveal that they're Starfleet officers, and to make covert inquiries regarding Starfleet technology for sale, information regarding anyone unhappy with Starfleet technology in the area -- anything to indicate that the Unity Dow might have met an untimely end. Of course, anything they learn that concerns the Dow will likely be of use.

One additional complication to this mission is that the transporter systems are currently offline. The search for the Unity Dow took precedence over finishing the system's repair, and I believe this will not ultimately be germane to the mission. If we must, the independent transporter systems aboard our shuttles, runabouts, and fighters will work, albeit at reduced range.

I am confident that we will find the Dow in short order, and I remain hopeful that its fate will be easily explicable and ultimately benign.

End log.

(( Captain's Ready Room, Deck 1 Saucer, USS Octavia E. Butler ))

Lia finished her log and, after a quick refresh of the pertinent details from her mission brief, took an appraising look around her ready room. It still had no personality, as she hadn't found the time during the leave period to spend any more time in there than it took to hold the few meetings she'd agreed to, and then Lhandon had spirited her out of the office during the final meeting and she hadn't been back until now. Altogether, she thought, both an unexciting and an uninspiring place to do the work she'd taken on. She tapped her comm badge.

Rouiancet: =/\= Rouiancet to Walker, Sherlock, and Kessler. =/\=

Walker / Sherlock / Kessler: =/\= Responses =/\=

The officers would all have received a mission brief as well, as would all the senior staff mentioned in her log. In fact, Josh's team aboard the Talents was already on their way, and she was sure the others were already assembling already, too -- Avander has said something about using Peri's impressive astrometrics lab. What her team didn't know, however, was where they would be meeting.

Rouiancet: =/\= Commander Walker, I wonder if you would mind hosting us in your office? It will provide the easiest access to any intelligence material not otherwise available to the rest of us. =/\=

And, she didn't say, save them from having to meet in her embarrassingly unfinished ready room.

Walker / Sherlock / Kessler: =/\= Responses =/\=

Rouiancet: =/\= Yes, that's excellent. Ten minutes? =/\=

Walker / Sherlock / Kessler: =/\= Responses =/\=

Tags! and TBC!

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Commander Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0

she/her/hers (this character)