Mission Briefing

[JC Demers]

 

TO: Chief Engineer Carter, Space Worker Jorgensen

FROM: Ssgt. E. Pope

SUBJECT: BFR Recon Mission

Gentlemen,

Upon the end of your daily shift, I would like you to report to the briefing room. This is not an official request, and so, consider it as a favor to me. Please refrain from informing the Major of your meeting with me.

Ssgt. E. Pope

Charlie Squad

USMC

[Orr, Michael J]

At the end of yet another day of maintaining the systems on the ship, Jorgensen sat down in front of his computer, as was his standard procedure, to see if there was anything else that was being requested of him.

 

Immediately, he saw Sgt. Pope's order, or so he thought at first.  Upon reading further, he realized that it was, in fact, not an order but mearly a request.  This sturck Jorgensen as being very unusual.

 

But even stranger was the request to not inform the Major about the meeting.  What could this be about?

 

As Jorgensen got up in his stained work clothes to head to the briefing room, he realized that he would likely find out soon enough.

 

---

From: tdcg...@googlegroups.com [tdcg...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of JC Demers [deme...@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 01, 2010 12:07 PM
To: tdcg...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Mission Briefing

[JC Demers]

The room seemed twice as big as it had been earlier. Filled with the entire crew, all pressed against each other, it had felt cramped. Now, with the lights dimmed down, bouncing on the cold metallic surface of the briefing table, it huge and cold. Emma had shrugged off the top of her BDU, the navy blue jacket resting on the back of one of the chairs. Part of the large table was covered in a mix of printouts and portable data displays, showing everything from cargo manifest, to ships blueprints, to star charts.  In the dimed light, Emma’s feature seemed softened... maybe even a bit tired. Her blond hair had been let loose from its tight ponytail, cascading down towards the table; dangling along with her dog tags.

Hunched over the table, her eyes peered up quickly when Jorgensen entered the room. They only stayed on him for a brief moment, going back down toward the display she had been consulting. She spoke without straightening back up, without looking at him.

“Thank you for coming Mr. Jorgensen.” she said in a voice that sounded somewhat tired.

She pushed a few strands of hair away from her face, tucking them behind one of her ears.

“I’m sorry if my message sounded a bit dramatic.”

Emma turned the display off, arching her back; stretching and yawning like a cat on a lazy afternoon. She started to gather her hair back into a pony tail.

“As you well know, I’ll be conduction a recon mission in the near future. Major Foss has given me the go ahead to recruit any member of the crew I deemed necessary.”

She pulled an elastic band from her wrist.

“I know very well I can conscript anyone for the mission, regardless of their personal desires... And I’m sure the Major would find some sort of perverted enjoyment in making you civilians understand who’s calling the shots.” she continued, with a tinge of bitterness in her voice.

“But as far as I’m concerned, all of you are outside my chain of command... And I won’t force any civilian to take part in a mission, unless we’re really down to the wire.”

Emma turned the elastic band a few time, slipping her hair into its tight grip. Folding her arms behind her back, straightening back in her usual soldier pose, she suddenly stopped looking like an attractive and tired young woman, slipping back into her usual persona.

“In a nutshell, I’d like you on my crew for this op. If you’d rather stay here on the Bellerophon, you don’t have to give me a reason. I’ll just try to convince someone else. You can just walk out this door” she nodded toward the exit “and we’ll never mention this moment again... because we both know the Major wouldn’t enjoy unwillingness to do one’s duty from a civilian. And neither of us wants that.”

Emma held a brief pause in her speech as she locked eyes with Jorgensen. A hint of southern twang snuck into her voice.

“I ain’t going to bullshit you Jorgensen; we’ve got no idea what we’re heading into... so there’s no telling what will happen. I can only speculate and anticipate. Which I don’t like doing much. We’ll be taking one of the Condor, and an entire squad of Marines. My Marines. But we can fly the Condor, and we know next to jack shit about space, ships and such. Which is why I want you on my team. If Chief Engineer Carter agrees to accompany us, you’ll be assisting him to crew the Condor, and depending on what we find out there, I’ll probably need you to suit up and head out with us.”

Emma uncrossed her arms, putting both palms and leaning over the table.

“You've got a unique mix of skill and expertise my team lacks. And amongst all the civies, you're quite frankly one of the only ones I trust. But I owe you my life, so if you rather stay out of all this, I won't old it against you. So, are you my man or not?”

 

[Orr, Michael J]

As Ernst entered into the briefing room, he saw Emma leaning over the table looking over a large number of the documents needed to run the ship and establish the colony; some of which he likely helped create himself.  With her hair out of its ponytail and allowed to hang free, Emma looked somehow... different that she ever had to him before; more like a woman than a soldier.  Ernst wasn't sure what to think about this.

 

When Emma apologized for the dramatic tone of her message, Ernst took the opportunity to respond.  "Well, Sgt. Pope, or would you prefer Ms. Pope.  Tell you what, just tell me which mode of address you would prefer, and we'll go with that."

 

Although the Scandanavian accent in Ernst's voice was still quite clear, his English had improved dramatically over the last four months from the bumbling search for words that had been his mode of talking when he first woke up from hibernation.

 

Ernst went on, "Yes, I was somewhat concerned when you stated that the Major shouldn't be told about the meeting, but no matter, apology accepted.  I am here now, what do you want to talk about."

 

As Emma then continued to speak, Ernst noticed a distinct tone of resentment toward the Major, a feeling he shared as well; although Ernst did what he could to hide it from Major Foss, mostly by avoiding direct contact with him as much as possible.

 

When Emma at last came to her question, Ernst gazed into Emma's own eyes and replied, "No, I was never in the military, but both my parents were, and I probably would have been as well except for the military cutbacks in response to the brightening of the Sun. 

 

"They made sure that I understood how the military operated; chain of command, modes of address, respect for authority.  But most of all, that each soldier must do what he, or she, can do to insure the competion of the mission."

 

Ernst then shifted his gaze to the table, and the various documents on it.  "And our mission is the establishment of a colony on Ceti Alpha II, and quite possibly the saving of the human race, is it not?"

 

Ernst then looked back into Emma's eyes, "That is what my first loyalty is, to our overall mission.  And I understand that investigating the source of the signal that we have been receiving is crucial to that mission.

 

"So if you believe that I am needed to help insure the success of the recon, then yes, I am in."

 

---

From: tdcg...@googlegroups.com [tdcg...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of JC Demers [deme...@gmail.com]

Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2010 2:01 PM
To: tdcg...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Mission Briefing

[JC Demers]

For a moment, there was the hint of a smile on Emma’s lips. She gave Ernst a nod of appreciation.

 

“Well then, glad to have you on the team Mr. Jorgensen.”

 

Emma wasn’t about to admit it, but she was glad Ernst had accepted her offer. Contrary to Foss, she had no intention to force the hand of any civilians, ever. Yes, the Major was the man in charge, at least for now. But the men and women who were serving aboard the Bellerophon weren’t military. They had never sworn an oath to any chain of command. They weren’t bound by the same rules as the Major, and Emma. Forcing them into the fold just wasn’t right.  Having Ernst voluntarily accept the assignment made it easier on her conscience.

 

Emma started to gather some of the charts that were lying around on the table.

 

“Actually, we don’t abbreviate ranks in the Corps...” she lifted her eyes from the table to Ernst “so it’s Staff Sergeant Pope.”

 

She looked back down at the charts, arranging them in some sort of order.

 

“Although some people seem to forget it.” she grumbled to herself.  

 

“But mam’ does just fine.” she continued louder. “You aren’t part of my unit, Jorgensen, so you don’t have to use my rank.”

 

She handed Ernst charts for the Ceti Alpha II system.

 

“As you well know, the locator signal is coming from an object drifting slowly away from the L1 langrangian point in the Ceti Alpha II/BFR system, approximately…” she checked another pad “65,000 miles above BFR, or 285,000 miles from Ceti Alpha II.”

 

Emma took a large grease pen and circled a point on the chart.

 

“Our current orbiting path puts us here, every 2 days. This gives us the shortest flight path to and from the target. Since we have no idea what this signal really is, taking too much time to prepare for the launch isn’t something I want to afford. The general plan is to take one of the Condor, load it up with everything we might need, and go take a peak. Once we know what we’re up against, we’ll take it from there. I’ll need you to assist Carter with the actual flight. I also want your expertise and input, always. When you think about something, or notice something, you say it, alright?”

 

She looked up from the chart.

 

“I ain’t the Major, and I ain’t just a jarhead. I might be the one calling the shots on this op, but it doesn’t mean I’m all mighty God. You’ve got something to say, something to add, you speak your mind up. That’s why I want you on this mission. You’re bound to know things we don’t. To notice things we won’t. You and Carter have forgotten more about space and ships than my boys and I will ever learn.”

 

Emma held Ernst gaze a moment, making it quite clear she was being dead serious.

 

“Here’s what I need you to do, as soon as you can.”

 

She handed him a hand written note.

 

“This takes priority over all your other assignments, unless it’s an emergency. You’re free to recruit anyone to help you in this task. If they bitch about it, tell them to take it with me.”

 

1-      Prep the Condor for flight; maintenance and regular inspection checks

2-      Figure out a way to rig the ship so it can tow another vessel.

3-      Increase the Condor’s life support system to accommodate 2 crew and 6 passengers, for the entire trip

4-      Insure that all airlocks can properly connect with another vessel.

5-      Review the cargo list; anything not on it that you feel we’d need, add it

6-      Supervise the Condor’s loading

7-      See if there’s any way to rig some sort of decontamination chamber on the Condor. It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to work.

8-      Anything else I haven’t thought of.

 

Attached to the note was a typed cargo manifest.

 

[WEAPONS & GEAR REQUEST FORM]

*Six Full Combat Load Out: MFR Package 4

          

-5x Riflemen

-1x Support Gunner (7mm LSW)

 

MFR Package 4 Loadout, 1 Soldier

Sidearm Holster

Drop Leg Pouch

Pocket Pack

Laser Communicators (Small)

Radio Communicators (Small)

Secure Encryption Software

Data Player

Hyperspectral Imaging Goggles

Wristwatch Rad Counter

10x Food Tablets

Multi Frequency Mini Flashlight

6x Infrared Glow Sticks

Inertial Navigation Compass

Filtration Canteen

Fire Extinguisher Tube

Cufftape

Communication Headset

Mini Camera

Combat Knife

4x MKI Concussion Grenades

2x Smoke Grenade

6x 20mm High Explosive Concussion (HEC) Rounds

6x 20mm Memory Baton Rounds

3x 20mm EMP Rounds

1x LWS 7mm Clip

 

10mm Heavy Pistol, /w Silencer

3 clips of 10mm Hollow Point

 

10mm Storm Carbine

7 clips of 10mm full metal jacket rounds

 

Underbarrel 20mm Pump Action Launcher

 

Reflex Vacc Suit

Visored Space Helmet

Magnetized Boots

First Aid Kit

Tactical Webbing

 

*Group Basic

*Rope, 3/16”, 100 yards (1000 lbs)

*80x Meal Packs

*Spare batteries

*Medical Crash Kit

*2x Crowbar, 3'

*1x Plasma Torch, with additional tanks

*Machinist Tool Kit

*Mechanic Tool Kit

*Explosive Tool Kit

*Electrician Tool Kit

*Electronic Repair Tool Kit

*2x Attaché Case, with foam, empty

*Personal Chemsniffer

*ESM Detector

*Pocket Analyzer

*5x Small Fire Extinguisher

*Plastex B, 30 lbs

*Electronic Lockpick

*1x Portable Computer

*Extra air tanks for vacc suits

*10x Extra Pistol Mags

*20x Extra Rifle Mags

*5x Extra LWS  Mags

*2x Extra 10mm Pistols

 

As Ernst looked over Emma’s notes, she continued to speak.

 

“I don’t know if you have any experience with firearms… so if you don’t I’ll have one of my Weapons Sergeant give you a basic firearm safety course. I don’t expect you to shoot anyone or anything, but I’d better be safe, than sorry. There will be two extra 10mm sidearms” she pointed at the pistol holstered on her right tight “available for yourself and Carter. Unless something happens, they’ll remain locked in the cockpit for the entire mission. You’ll also be paired up with one of my Marine. If for any reason, we find ourselves anywhere else but on the Condor, you’ll be their shadow, understood? They say duck, you duck. They say jump, you jump.”

[Robert Bogdon]

[ooc]

Here's some useful information for everyone involved.  This assumes the Condor is fully loaded, but even empty with a full load of fuel, it's not enough of a difference to get another person on board.  The Condor essentially has 8 person-days of life support.  These profiles also include a 10% safety margin in terms of fuel for unplanned maneuvering.

This if the flight profile for the Condor on a simple round trip journey:

Flight Profile for Condor
Target Velocity: 2.5515 mps
Delta-V Remaining (10%): 0.57 mps
Travel Time (Departing): 1.20 days
Travel Time (Returning): 1.20 days
Maximum Crew Size: 3 people
Time on Station (Crew of 3): 18.88 hours
Time on Station (Crew of 2): 76.59 hours
Time on Station (Crew of 1): 134.29 hours

This is the flight profile for the Condor if it's towing something up to the mass of a fully loaded Condor on the return trip:

Flight Profile for Condor
Target Velocity: 2.5515 mps
Delta-V Remaining (10%): 0.57 mps
Travel Time (Departing): 1.20 days
Travel Time (Returning): 2.40 days
Maximum Crew Size: 2 people
Time on Station (Crew of 2): 18.88 hours
Time on Station (Crew of 1): 105.44 hours

--
---
Robert Bogdon
Sr. Systems Engineer, DivX
http://www.blah.net

[Orr, Michael J]

As Ernst looks over the cargo manifest, he hears Emma's comment about firearms and responds, "Yes, ma'am, I do believe a firearms safety course would be appropriate."

 

He looks down at the list again and says, "One item of clarification that I need, regarding item 3.  How long should we be able to remain on station once we reach the broadcast source?"

 

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From: tdcg...@googlegroups.com [tdcg...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of JC DemeArs [deme...@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2010 10:05 PM

To: tdcg...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Mission Briefing

[Robert Bogdon]

[ooc]

I'm going to post on Carter's behalf, I haven't heard from him or seen him online for a while.  He's still welcome to jump back in whenever he's ready though.  Also, only the  habitat modules and control room have "gravity", hangar bays and other areas are still in free fall.

[ic]

Carter is working in a position only possible... well, only safe... well... you're probably not going to see it outside of a zero-g environment.  Upside down underneath the Kobold used to repair the fuel tanks and rescue Pope, Carter is bracing himself against the frame of the massive shelving system in the hangar bay with his feet and elbows to keep from drifting away while he works.  A flashlight held in his mouth provides just enough light in the small space between the two Kobolds in this hangar.  The message from Pope comes in on his phone just he's finishing up.

Carter moves himself into a more comfortable sitting position before responding to the message.  He gets a quick summary from Pope, as well as a few suggestions from Jorgensen on how they should split the list of items to work on.  With one of the larger Condors resting in the shelf only a few yards away, Carter agrees to take care of the inspection.  He warns the other two that the frame of the Condor is only designed to support up to it's own weight, allowing the stubby wings to carry the craft through an atmosphere.  Not having to support that weight, it should be able to safely tow something up to it's own weight without any danger of buckling.  Carter says that he'll get back to the group after he has a chance to look over the cargo list for the flight and figure out how to tow something with the Condor.

After ending the call to Pope, Carter packs up his tools and heads towards the control room.  He activates the robotic cargo system and brings one of the Condors down to the deck.  Once the Condor is safely on the deck, he brings up the cargo manifest for the ship and begins browsing for something he can use to attach another ship to the Condor.