Lieutenant JG Lystra - Tactical suggestions
Rameses
(( Security Complex, Deck 28, USS Constitution-B ))
A few moments later the two of them were alone. The Vulcan cast the Boslic Sec/Tac Officer a keen look. It was one she caught and instantly tensed up a bit. Clearly he had something he wanted to speak with her about.
Saveron: I wished to discuss recent and upcoming events, in light of your history with the Orion Syndicate. ::He said bluntly.::
Lystra: ::She tugged at her gloves slightly:: Sir?
Saveron: I am appreciative of your understanding of the Syndicate culture and psych; we have five evacuees who might otherwise have chosen to stand on their pride, had you not spoken when you did.
Saveron had followed her lead and in doing so, Jalana had as well which may have saved five lives. Still, she suspected there was a sizable posterior coming next.
Lystra: It was a calculated gamble. In the end, only five of them took the bait.
The Vulcan nodded gravely.
Saveron: By the same token, it has become obvious that not everything about the Syndicate is perceived moderately by yourself. Your early termination of our participation in communications with the Theseus was entirely inappropriate.
There was no real accusation in his voice, and certainly no anger. Not even disappointment. Which, if she was being honest, she wasn’t sure if that made this better or worse.
Lystra: Yes, sir. I apologize for that, but after all they’ve done to me it’s hard to be objectionable.
Saveron: I am aware that you suffered significant trauma during your time with the Syndicate. That is extremely regrettable, and I would never penalise someone for what they had to endure, but I need to know that our crew will not take rash action. Can I trust you to exert self control, whilst at a bridge console? Or do I need to restrict your access to the main consoles, for the safety of the crew?
It was perhaps the most calm dressing down anyone had likely received, that she knew of, and yet she tensed a bit. Saveron knew fully what she’d gone through before joining Starfleet. One of a scant few. She doubted she would ever be able to be completely free of the animosity and derision she felt for the Syndicate, but she also didn’t want to risk her career.
Lystra: No, sir. I won’t let this happen again. I would prefer to not be restricted.
Saveron: Acceptable. Your continued access to the bridge consoles is in your hands.
Lystra: ::She gave a slight nod:: I honestly hadn’t thought we’d have to run into the Syndicate since I joined the Constitution.
It was rarely an easy thing, facing one’s trauma and their fears head on unexpectedly.
Saveron: Indeed. It was one of our less likely scenarios. But, in the vastness of the Galaxy, nothing is impossible.
It was true and she should have been prepared for this eventuality, however, some things were tough enough you hoped to never have to actually face them.
Lystra: Fair enough, sir.
Dropping his long fingers to the cabinet’s small keypad, Saveron punched in his personal code. Behind the transal, the barrel-shaped locker rotated. She was surprised that he was stopping at one of the private lockers and was curious what it was that the Vulcan was retrieving.
Saveron: I would not have anticipated having two individuals of Orionese heritage on board the ship. Yet we do. And you are no doubt aware that you will be required to work with them.
Hearing that she shook her head softly. She had no issues with the Orion people themselves, it was with those who chose to be a part of the Syndicate that she despised so much.
Lystra: Of course, sir.
That slight, very Vulcan shrug.
Saveron: We are all individuals who make choices. ::He acknowledged.:: But at the same time we are all tools to be used. Well and for the good of all, for preference, but our skills and abilities make us resources. Try looking beyond the past, to the resource. Once you make that leap, try seeing the individual.
The Boslic fidgeted with her gloves slightly, tugging on the fingers then tightening them on her hands once more.
Lystra: Sherana is Klingon by upbringing and I don’t know Shedet’s past, not all Orions are Syndicate, so I’m sure there won’t be any problems between us. ::She didn’t sound completely convinced herself::
Finally the barrel stopped rotating and the transal slid open. Reaching inside, Saveron withdrew a hefty looking melee weapon that looked like it could skewer and crush depending on what the wielder needed at the time. Had she not spent several weeks with a Vulcan katra in her head, she might have been surprised that the Vulcans even made such weapons, given their dispositions, but then, they had once been an incredibly violent species.
Then the Vulcan fixed her with a keen gaze, getting a raised brow in response.
Saveron: Your thorough maintenance of the ship’s tactical systems may well have saved all of us. ::He acknowledged seriously.:: Now we have need of your personal combat skills. ::He slung the lirpa against his back.:: We have a team to rescue.
Lystra: Yes, sir. ::She gave him a terse nod and a slight smirk::
((Shuttle Bay 2, Stardrive Section, USS Constitution))
Lieutenant Horne was already there when they arrived, checking over preparations. There was an orderly assembly of mustard-collared personnel to one side of the shuttle bay. She cast a gaze over each of them to make sure they were each armed appropriately. She’d been tasked with arranging their security escorts and wasn’t about to let their Chief Security officer down.
Jacob turned to Saveron to give the update.
Horne: Shuttles are just about ready for launch. Final materials being loaded now.
Saveron: Acknowledged. Security Teams are prepared to board. What is the status of the repairs?
Lystra: I expect they’re going to take a while?
Foster/Any: ?
Horne: Teams have been deployed to work on damaged systems. I have two sphinx workpods working on closing up the hull breaches and I put an emphasis on shields in case the Syndicate have any friends in the area. The Chief is heading up engine repairs.
Saveron: Shields are priority. ::He affirmed.:: Your approach mirrors my own. Once impulse power is restored, the Stardrive will rendezvous with the Saucer section at the mine.
Based on the last damage report she’d seen on the battle bridge, she suspected that wasn’t going to be a quick circumstance.
Lystra: And hopefully they’ll be able to reconnect.
She spoke up while pulling off a holstered type-2 phaser from her hips and handing them to Cade and Jacob respectively.
Horne/Foster/Any: ?
As Lystra handed out weaponry, Saveron turned to face the Security Officers who had assembled, hands clasped behind his back.
Saveron: Attention Security Personnel. As you may be aware, the ships with whom we were engaged were Orion Syndicate Pirates. We have reasonable suspicion that they have taken control of the nearby dilithium mine. We do not know how many pirates may be present. An away team had been dispatched to the mine, and we must assume that they are held captive. ::It was far preferable to assuming the worst.:: They are Commander T’Mar, Marine Captain T’Aven, Lieutenant Imas Heeka, Ensign So’Mior, and Ensign Sawyer Moore. Our objective is to retrieve the away team and obtain control of the mine. All pirates are to be neutralised; taken captive is preferable. Be aware that there will also be civilian miners present. Are there any questions?
Lystra: Pairs of twos at all times. And expect close quarters. It’s a mine, and there might not be a lot in the way of cover.
Horne/Foster/Any: ?
Saveron: The mine has three docking points. One is occupied by our away team’s shuttle, one will be utilised by shuttles from the saucer section, and one by our own shuttles. Rapid unloading and moving of the shuttles will be of priority.
Lystra: I suggest the first teams inside bring pattern enhancers. If we can set them up inside the mine we may be able to expand our tactical options to board the place faster and as a backup in case they have a contingency to stop us from getting all the shuttles in.
Horne/Foster/Any: ?
Saveron: You have your orders; board your shuttles. Live long and prosper.
Lystra: The moment you find our crew, or any of the miners, get them to safety. And watch your backs.
Horne/Foster/Any: ?
So saying, Saveron cast a significant glance at his fellow officers, and headed for the nearest shuttle. Lystra followed him, shouldering her rifle over her left shoulder.
Saveron: I require a volunteer to pilot.
The stern statement caused her to look at the Vulcan, there was clear intent to get the team back to safety. She imagined it’s what she might sound like were she not so much like herself.
Lystra: I vote Cade. His admitted less than stellar track record with shuttles notwithstanding, after the moves you pulled with the Stardrive I’d rather be in your shuttle. ::She smiled at Cade:: Just in case you do crash, at least I know I’ll already have someone who can patch me up on hand. ::She teased::
Horne/Foster/Saveron/Any: ?
With everyone quickly boarding the shuttles she moved to the front to secure her rifle in her seat before grabbing a small pack from the cargo area and taking three phasers from the locker on the shuttle and sticking them inside. They had no way of knowing if the away team were still armed. And, should they need to, she wanted some extra armaments to supply them with on the chance they might still need to fight.
As she took her seat she looked to the aft, seeing the security team settling into the rear compartment she smiled. They had five of their usual six complement of Type-11s dusting off from the deck and out the shuttle bay. If each had a full flight crew of four, that left room for six security officers on each. Giving them a solid force of thirty personnel trained for such situations, plus Saveron, Jacob, Cade and herself. Considering they had no way of knowing how many pirates might be in the mine, she hoped it was enough. Actually, she knew it would. A Starfleet security officer was worth three pirates. They’d be fine.
Lystra: I’ve got some extra sidearms in case the away team needs them. And there’s an extra rifle in the back for T’Aven. ::She knew the Marine, especially if she was captive, would want to make good use of the heavier phaser weapon::
Horne/Foster/Saveron/Any: ?
With the shuttles in full impulse heading towards the mine alongside the Saucer section, she settled into her seat.
Lystra: Sir, I had a thought.
Horne/Foster/Saveron/Any: ?
Lystra: The pirates had two ships, clearly they were prepared for someone coming into the nebula. And even felt bold enough to attack us.
Horne/Foster/Saveron/Any: ?
Lystra: I didn’t detect any transmissions from either ship directed towards the mine during the fight. So, they may not know they lost them both. Maybe we can use that to our advantage.
Horne/Foster/Saveron/Any: ?
Lystra: If we have the Saucer section hang back a little or mask their signature and the shuttles alone approach, maybe we can convince them that our ship was destroyed while fighting off pirates so we could escape and we’re seeking refuge.
Horne/Foster/Saveron/Any: ?
The Boslic was concerned that if they ran right into a hostage situation, things could get ugly, quickly. If they could put them off guard even for a brief period, it might let them get enough of a foothold to make a difference.
Lystra: We could be trying to reach our away team that we know is there, seeking their help and to warn them that there are pirate vessels in the area.
Horne/Foster/Saveron/Any: ?
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Lieutenant JG Lystra
Tactical Officer
USS Constitution-B NCC-9012-B
SB118 Podcast Team
Writer ID: A239410TR0
https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Lystra