Commander Serala: Clear and Present Danger
Serala
(( Conference Room, Deck 3 - Primary Hull, USS Chin’toka ))
Serala sat in the seat that had for so long been Mei’konda’s. It was hers now, at least for the moment. She’d see if she had the seat still when the crisis was over. For now, the Captain was depending on her to get this ship underway to assist.
Serala: Welcome aboard the Chin’toka. For those of you who don’t know me, I am Commander Serala. I will be the Captain of this ship for the duration of this mission. Lieutenant Commander Aine Sherlock will be my First Officer.
Despite the dire circumstances, she couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face at those words.
Sherlock: Response
She nodded at the First Officer then turned to the others, her face now grave.
Serala: I am not going to presume that each of you is aware of what is going on, so bear with me if I tell you some things you already know. But, I think it’s important that we’re all fully up to speed on the situation.
She paused, then activated the display monitor, bringing up the image of a Borg cube. Next to it was the image of a Changeling that had been captured on the Astraeus. And finally, Earth Spacedock.
Serala: A few days ago, the USS Astraeus and the USS Kitty Hawk were among a small task force of ships sent to track down what they had been told was a rogue starship, the USS Titan. That ship purportedly carried some VIP passengers. Who those VIPs are has now been determined to be largely irrelevant. At least by Captains Delano, Rahman, and MacKenzie. And I am in agreement with them.
She paused to let that bit of news sink in.
Sherlock: Response
She nodded, then turned back to the display.
Serala: In the course of our pursuit, the Astraeus was attacked internally by a pair of Changeling infiltrators. These Changelings have the unique ability to pass our blood tests by being able to actually produce blood that can survive separate from their main bodies. Because of this, we have reason to believe Starfleet Command may be compromised.
Sherlock / Doucet: Response
And we’ve just learned that the USS Artemis encountered a Borg cube in the Badlands on course for Sector 001.
T’Ama: Response
She knew the Borg were bad news, but the report from T’Ama just reinforced her concerns.
Serala: Thank you, Lieutenant. :: turning to face everyone :: We don’t know the exact nature of the threat, but we suspect that the Borg and the Changelings are working together, and that they are planning something for the upcoming Frontier Day celebration. Our task is to take the ship out and assist the Astraeus in any way they need. But first, we need to get the ship ready. So, assignments.
She removed the images from the display and cast a list of names onto it.
Serala: Doctor Kel, I am placing you as Chief Medical Officer and my Second Officer. Doctor Doucet, I know how hard you were working on the Astraeus, an I don’t want you to feel you are getting a step down in position. So, I am making you assistant Chief Medical Officer. I need the two of you to assess the situation in sickbay and let me know what we need to do to get it ready for launch.
Kel / Doucet: Responses
Serala: Lieutenant Commander Tai Ilsam, you are the ship’s Mission Specialist. I have brought over what we know about the Changeling we captured on Astraeus. I would like an analysis of the data, and perhaps an analysis of likely scenarios that we could see from an alliance between the Borg and the Changelings.
Islam: Response
Serala: Excellent. :: turning to the Vulcan/El-Aurian hybrid :: Lieutenant JG T’Ama. I am making you my acting Chief of Operations. Lieutenant Neshala will be our acting helm officer under your command, unless we manage to get another one assigned to us. She’s also extremely proficient at communications, so feel free to lean on her experience if you need it.
T’Ama: Response
She nodded and gave the woman a smile of encouragement.
Serala: One more thing, Lieutenant. As I understand it, the Fleet Formation software has yet to be installed into our computer. I do not want that program installed. Do whatever you have to do, but make sure it’s not installed.
T’Ama: Response
Serala: Lieutenant JG Xiron, you’re going to be my Acting Chief Engineer. I need a full analysis of our engine situation, especially our warp core. Also, a complete systems analysis. Let’s find out what our weaknesses are and see what we can do to shore them up in a short period of time. Ensign Is’Kah, you will be working with him in Engineering.
Xiron / Is’Kah: Responses
Serala: Ensign McGillian, you’re my Tactical and Security officer for now. We’re somewhat shorthanded in that area, but both Commander Sherlock and I have experience in those departments, so we can assist where needed. I need you to get us a complete inventory of our weapons situation. We may not have time to load many, if any, torpedoes, so it’s going to be crucial to know how many we have. And don’t forget the phalanx torpedo launcher in the mission pod.
McGillian: Response
Serala nodded then turned to Lieutenant JG Stapledon.
Serala: Lieutenant, you’re going to be my acting Chief Science Officer. I need an assessment of our shields and sensors. And I will need to know what, if anything, will need to be done to get them fully operational.
Stapledon: Response
Brodie: Response
Serala smiled at the man. If he knew her well enough, it might have sent him running for the hills.
Serala: You, Counselor Brodie, have the hardest job of all. You are going to be my ship counselor, and your main job is to keep my aggressive instincts in check. Be my voice of reason.
Brodie: Response
((OOC: Okay, this scene is kind of long, and not what I normally want to do, but it just fits for this mission. We’re not going to go long on this, but do feel free to give your inputs and push the briefing a bit further.))