Lieutenant Jack Kessler - Stay Professional Stay on Target
Joel Cannistraro
((OOC - All opinions of this character are for the scene and not directed to the writers at all.))
The sudden and mysterious recall from shoreleave was finally starting to unravel as their two guests filled them in on what Jack could only assume was the 'deemed to be necessary' details. A spaceborn lifeform of immense size and unknown power. It sure sounded like some different than he had dealt with since coming aboard the Ronin and to be honest, a little hope shined in the back of his mind that they might actually be headed towards a less dangerous mission and one that would give the Tactical teams a rest and put the science teams in a eager beaver mood. Still, Jack had some byas about SFI that lingered in his head. Byas that was not easily dismissed even when he tried. No one had ever paid for what SFI led him and his team into as far as he was concerned and that was unfinished business in his book. He stood there eyeing their two guests, reminding himself that they were not the same officers from SFI who sent him to the trap that put him in a hostile prison for nearly a year. That was going to be a constant reminder he would have to tell himself as he dealt with them.
Niac: Thank you Lieutenants...what your information lacks in depth it more than makes up for in grave implications. Something tells me we're all going to lose some sleep over this in the next few days...but I am determined not to become another statistic in the 'failed first contact' ledger. So here's what we're going to do. Lieutenant Velis...you're to work with Commander Kel. He's our Chief Science Officer and for the purposes of this mission you're to report to him. Get the science and medical teams together...I expect everybody who isn't already an expert in astrobiology to become one in...::he glanced at the chrono::...about three hours. Doctor Beck, if anyone from your team has relevant expertise I want them working with V'Len's people.
Beck: ::sighing:: Far as I know, that might only be me, but I'll poll my people. ::to Kel:: I'll send you a shortlist when I know better.
Velis: Response
Niac: Lt. Venn, you work for Lt. Kessler now. Mr. Kessler, I want your team to start developing tactical contingencies assuming the full spectrum of possible responses to our presence from 'big space fish wants a hug' to 'it just ate a nacelle and it still looks hungry.' Pull in Major Singh's people if it'll help...although I'm hesitant to even consider deploying our fighter craft in proximity to something like that. I want all the options you can give me before we try to make contact with the unknown creature. Understood?
Jack glanced to Venn and gave a slight head nod and then let his arms drop to his side.
Kessler: Aye sir.
Venn: Responses
Niac glanced back towards the blurry image and crossed his hands over his chest. Jack watched the Captain for a moment before looking to the image as well and then back to the Captain as he spoke up.
Niac: Mr. Tucker...get back down to your people, see if any of them have expertise in biomechanics. If we can study this thing we'll need to understand it in a biological and a mechanical sense. Guess which side of that coin you get to focus on while you're working to make the good ship Ronin look as nonthreatening and...unappetizing as possible. That just leaves us, Mr. Raga...and we get the fun job.
Tucker: Aye, Skipper, I’ll head down there now.
Raga: Well, as long as we’re having fun. ::he smirked:: How exactly do we end up with the fun job?
Niac: Well I've got a symbiote in my guts that won't shut up and you're telepathically bonded with an owl who you keep telling us is housebroken. I think we're about as close to first contact experts as we're likely to find in the next three hours...so lets setup shop in here and go over some of the mission reports from those other crews, see if we can figure out a way to avoid ending up in one of these slideshows some future crew is scowling at. Alright...questions?
Beck: No questions. At least… none that you can answer for me.
Any: Response
Raga chuckled and Jack raised an eyebrow as as he looked between the two senior officers. oO An owl? Don't say it Jack. Just don't say it. Oo
Niac: Lt. Venn, Lt. Velis...for the duration of this mission you are a part of this crew and I will expect you to perform your duties with that in mind. There is a plaque on the bridge which bears the words 'for their tomorrows...we give our today.' It has become a rallying cry for this crew because that is our level of commitment...to one another, to the mission, and to the people we serve. I'll expect the same from you. If for one moment I feel like you're holding out on us, if you're withholding information or working with some agenda of your own, you'll spend the mission in your quarters or in the brig. Am I clear?
Raga sat forward slightly and met both of their gazes with a stoic, firm look of his own in solidarity for the captain. Jack knew that look and respected that look to his core. The safety of this crew was the most important thing to Niac and Raga and for all purposes Jack agreed wholeheartedly.
Venn/Velis: Response
Niac glanced around the room once more and nodded.
Niac: Then get to work. Dismissed. We've got three hours to intercept and I intend to be ready.
Kessler: Yes sir. ::beat:: Lieutenant Venn, follow me please.
Jack turned and headed out of the conference room and across the bridge to the port side turbolift. As he entered he stepped to the side to allow Lieutenant Venn to step in.
((Turbolift, USS Ronin))
Kessler: Deck 11.
The turbolift started to move from the bridge on deck three towards it's destination and Jack was already trying to focus on the ships possible defense measures from something as large as this creature and with a power of unknown scale.
Venn: response
Kessler: ::looking over to Venn:: Excuse me? Why do you ask?
Venn: response
Jack paused and clasped his hands behind his back. His response needed to be professional and not personal. Niac would expect nothing less from his senior officers and Jack reminded himself that several times.
Kessler: Let's just say I have a bad history with Starfleet Intelligence. It will not affect this mission if that is what you are worried about Lieutenant.
Venn: response
[TBD/Tags]