PNPC Cmdr Varaan - Expanse Briefing

[Varaan SB118]

((USS Darwin, Deck 2, Conference Room))

::With the senior staff gathered for a mission briefing, Renos had started with the usual promotions and awards announcements.

Renos: I’ve heard some of the speculation going around lately and it’s right - well some of it anyway. The Darwin is being reassigned and so is its crew. We are headed for the Par’tha Expanse where the Darwin and its crew will join the newly formed Andaris Task Force, which will be led by me.

::At this point Renos took nir seat. That was the signal that it was Varaan's turn. This part of the  mission briefing they had discussed together. Varaan took a second to gather his thoughts, and stood up.::

Varaan: Almost twelve years ago I was given command of the newly commissioned USS Atlantis and was tasked with the apprehension of an ex-Maquis terrorist. With my crew in pursuit, he fled into the Jenatris Cloud. We followed. What we discovered on the other side was extraordinary. The Par'tha Expanse, as it is called, is a conglomeration of various species and worlds far older than the Federation. Atlantis was forced to leave after less than a year for political reasons, but four years later I returned on my own, and lived in the Expanse for the next six years. It was during this time that an aggressive, expansionist species known as the Valcarians began to invade the Expanse. The two powers are currently in a state of war, and the peoples of the Expanse have requested aid. Due to political restrictions, the most Starfleet is able to provide at this time is the Andaris Task Force, a small fleet whose primary goal is relief and peacekeeping.

::He sat down again as Renos nodded and stood once more.::

Renos: Andaris Task Force will be comprised of four vessels - the newly launched Olympic Class USS Blackwell,  the Intrepid Class USS Atlantis, the Horizon Class USS Darwin and the Defiant Class El Corazón. The Darwin’s senior staff is predominantly being reassigned to the Blackwell and Atlantis with a few individuals moving to the home station - Deep Space 26.

::The weeks ahead, traveling at Quantum Slipstream speeds, would still be tedious and boring. Well, not for him. Vulcan's didn't get bored. But the rest of the crew would have more than ample time to make predictions and guesses at any details not provided to them. Varaan just hoped that they would not be too much of a distraction from everyone's duties. Varaan himself did not have all the data available, but as he had no impact on what those detail were, and could not change any of it even if he wanted to, there was no reason to distract oneself with idle imaginings. What was going to happen would happen.::

Renos: Rennyn, Kell, E’riQ, Thomas, Kalis, R’Ven and Stennes - you will be going to the Blackwell. Rhyn, Brell, Shayne, Logan, Pond, Lambert - you will be joining the Atlantis. For now though, you remain Darwinians so let’s get underway.

::Varaan realized that Renos had left him out. Everyone else had been told where they were going, except him. Well, he already knew the answer to that question. He was going to be reassigned to Deep Space 26 with Renos, as a type of mission specialist. His intimate knowledge of the Expanse and its inhabitants would be beneficial to the captain and everyone else in the Task Force. He didn't need to be told, but he did wonder how many other people had realized the omission.::

Varaan: The Darwin should arrive at the Jenatris Corridor in approximately 18 days, 11 hours and 42 minutes at current speed. It will then take 23.78 hours to traverse the Corridor to the Expanse. In that time, if there is anyone who would like more details regarding the Par'tha Expanse, I will be available to answer any questions. Otherwise, we still have a ship to run. Dismissed.

::People began talking immediately, some standing in small groups, others rushing off to their duty stations. Speculation had begun in earnest. Varaan was about to turn to Renos when someone approached him.::

Varaan: Can I help you?

Anyone: response(s)

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Cmdr Varaan - Executive Officer - USS Darwin-A, NCC-99312-A

as simmed by

Cmdr Emery Rhyn - Chief Tactical Officer - USS Darwin-A, NCC-99312-A

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