The First Briefing

Posted on Thu Dec 10th, 2020 @ 3:55pm by Commodore Keiben Haistro & Lieutenant Commander Melanie D’BrooNi- Haistro & Lieutenant JG Sher'ra Verona & Lieutenant Commander Junjie Han & Senior Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Stoun

1,836 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 2 - Echoes Of An Empire
Location: Deck One - Conference Room
Timeline: Mission Day 2 @ 0900 Hours

ON

Leaving his quarters, still pulling on his uniform jacket, Keiben was on his way to the Briefing room. A short walk indeed as the Nova Class placed his quarters a short distance from the conference room. He hoped to be the first to arrive, wanting to give the correct impression for the first crew briefing which thankfully he was as he entered the room.

He took the seat at the head of the table, PADD in hand so he could review the last minute additions to the crew including a Cardassian helmsman, someone who could at the very least stand in until Starfleet was able to offer a slightly more experienced person for the senior officer position.

Tamaska was the next one to arrive, "This is so strange, I'm not used to being so close to the briefing room." she stated, "Care for a cuppa before the others arrive?"

At that moment, Sher'ra stumbled into the room with a PADD displaying the layout of the ship, "ah so this is the Conference Room" she said, looking around the room, "well, at least i'm not late"

"I would love one, Jestral tea if you wouldn't mind" Keiben motioned his head to the new arrival. "Come in Ensign, take a seat".

Tamaska made the requested tea for Haistro and for herself some ginger tea with lemon and honey. Once it was done she walked over and placed the cup of tea in front of Haistro, then took her seat with her own.

Junjie walked in and nodded to those already in the room as he made his way to the replicator. " Green tea hot." he grabbed his tea and sat at the table and waited for the others to arrive.

"Good morning all," Mel smiled walking in. "Sorry I'm late I had a patient." She would wait till she could speak with Haistro alone to spring the news on him that the crew was getting a new addition."

"Not to worry Doctor" remaining very formal with his Chief Medical Officer, still feeling a touch awkward after the encounter in sickbay. "We have not started yet".

Jon had been arm deep in a manifold just minutes before, it was all he could to do to throw on a clean uniform coat and make it to the meeting. He walked in and noticed he was the last one in to arrive. "Sirs, sorry wanted to make sure I looked somewhat presentable before I came to the first staff meeting." He sat down in the last available chair and put a PADD on the table in front of him.

Haistro looked around the small gathering of officers, not quite the robust group he had hoped for but there again starfleet was struggling to find replacements for his Chief Operations, Flight Control and Ships Counsellor. That said, at least he had enough of a Senior Staff to allow for the ship to launch on schedule.

"Good morning all... Before I get to our launch window and orders from Starfleet I want to just have a quick rundown of the status each department" he opened the floor to whoever wished to speak first.

"Medical is fully stocked and thank to Chief Stoun," Mel said deciding to take the plunge, flashing the older man an appreciative smile, "The EMH is fully functional again."

"The EMH is functioning now? That is fantastic!" she said to Mel.

The Chief smiled back at the Doctor and then turned toward the Captain. "Major systems are operating within tolerances. Secondary systems are within Ninety percent of normal. Still need some paint and patchwork here and there, most of the kinks can be worked out in the next few days. We had some plate buckling here and there, waiting on some replacements to correct that. I doubt anyone is going to get sucked out of the hull."

Tamaska looked at Chief Stoun, and gave an smile, then turned to Haistro, "It has been looking good to me on all accounts."

"Given how bad the ship was on our return to Starbase can I just say how grateful I am to each of you... Some of you will know how banged up we were, that said Starfleet is still looking for replacements for Operations and Flight Control Chiefs and still no sign of a Ships Counsellor as of yet", he pointed the latter part of the comment to the Ships Doctor knowing that it could likely fall to her should their be any need for a Counsellor's services but that also meant that should a diplomatic situation arise his new First Officer would need to take on the mantle of the Ships Counsellor.

"As for our orders, Ensign Jun you will be glad to know that we are tasked with a planetary survey. The importance of this planet cannot be understated as the Daystrom Institute believe this could be a lost colony world of the T'Kon Empire... They are sending us in place of the usual civilian contingent due to the planets proximity to Romulan Space which means Ensign Verona you may need to be on the ball".

Junjie raised his hand. " Sir, You did say the T'Kon Empire correct? As in searching for artifacts over a quarter million years old? Then My question is When do we leave? " As a big grin spread across his face.

"We still have about two weeks left in dock to give the corps of engineers and our own Chief to put the finishing touches on Copernicus... Once they are complete, we launch!"
Keiben added with no small amount of pride in his voice.

“Since we’ll be close to their boarder, shouldn’t we contact the Republic and at least let them know what we’re doing?” Sher’ra asked

"I have been informed that Starfleet will have spoken to the formally recognised governmental body within the Romulan Republic however as we all know there are many factions that do not recognise that government... We have no way to contact these factions so I would like to keep your security and tactical team ready".
Keiben was somewhat impressed by the Ensigns question, most would not have considered contacting an affiliated government that appeared to be on the bring of civil war. "I would suggest trying to link up with the Romulan Republic Science Division, if they have one, and keep them apprised of our activity as a show of good will"

Sher'rah nodded, “I’ll see what I can do, in the meantime I’ll make sure we’re ready for any surprises. Captain, do I have your permission to deploy a number of probes to the edges of the system? To act as an early warning system as such”

"Possibly an overly provocative move. We will be launching probes for the other planets in the system so link up with Ensign Jun about sharing the data in real time". Keiben smothered a smile knowing that the Security Chief was only doing her duty and he had to allow her the time to adapt to the fact this was a tiny science vessel and not the gargantuan Excalibur Class Starship she had previously been assigned.

"Our secondary objective is to understand the scan data retrieved from Copernicus's old computer core and that of the USS Merlin". Keiben looked to his First Officer and then to his Engineer. "They managed to grab some preliminary scans of what we believe to be our Attacker... Chief, I know you have your work cut out for you in Engineering but would you be able to help Lieutenant Holt with this analysis... once we are underway of course!"

"I'm sure I could help take a look at it. Give me a chance to get out of Engineering for a bit I suppose." Jon looked over towards Holt. "I can have the computer start analyze it on some of the down cycle times. Anything specific we are looking for or just a summary of findings?"

"Will the Copernicus at some point be setting down on planet side? That is something that may need to be addressed. " Holt asked.

"Chief?" Keiben looked to his Chief engineer for the answer.

"Landing struts weren't a priority in repairs, I can put a crew on it to inspect and make sure that they don't buckle when we land, I don't think it will be an issue though." The chief grabbed his PADD and type a few things into it. "I'll give you an update after the inspections."

"Thank you Chief" he directed at the chief before finally turning his attention to the one person in the room who knew him better than anyone else present. He could feel the heat in his cheeks building but fought it down, not wanting to show his senior officers his embarrassment at the events in sickbay among other emotions so he focused on the facts.

"Doctor, with how busy Ensign Jun will be, how would your medical team like a little change of pace?"

"I'm sure we can help," she replied tucking a strand of hair behind her ear wondering what this could be. "What do you have in mind sir?"

"Glad to hear it. We will need to complete a biological survey of the planet surface and ocean beds, The Waverider and Hunley shuttles will be at your disposal".

Haistro felt the attention of the room on him and he hoped it was going well. This was the first meeting of this nature he had chaired.

"Is there time for someone to help me brush up on piloting a shuttle?" Mel asked suddenly. "Or an appropriate holoprogramme?"

It had been a very long time since she had had that privilege. In fact she could probably do with a crash course in doing a full on survey. She made a mental note to approach their new science officer in that respect.

"If needs be Doctor you can always take one of the flight team with you!" Keiben offered with a slight smile.

The Commander regarded the room and each of his key Officers in turn. A few of them were inexperienced, that was a given but on the whole he had to admit he was impressed with each of them, and in regards to two of them, he owed Commander Jones a bottle of single malt to show his appreciation.

"Do we have any other business?"

Mel shook her head. There was something irritating her. She felt like just got cast aside with a take a flight member with you rather than someone offer to help her. Well she would show them. All of them. She would be booking time in their little holodeck and teaching herself then.

Keiben noticed Mel's steely eyed stare all to well... 'Damage control team to sickbay! he thought to himself making a mental note to pop in on her and face her wrath.
"As there is no other business I will let you all get back to work!"

END

 

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