Briefing Part II

Posted on Saturday, 6 February 2021 - 5:16pm by Captain Barret Stillwater & Commander Soral & Lieutenant Talarn Zilth & Lieutenant Ryan Rose MD & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley & Lieutenant Raith Kolani & Lieutenant JG Adrianna Eberhardt

Mission: Operation: Trail of Tears
Location: USS Standing Bear | Meeting Room
Timeline: 2394 MD 07 0900 hours

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Clearing his throat and curtailing the side conversations as everyone started to get settled in, Captain Barret Stillwater gave a nod to his First Officer, Commander Soral and to his Second Officer, Lieutenant Kingsley, who had also been the officer on watch for the heart of what had been going on. "Let's get this briefing started," proclaimed the captain. He was nursing a mug of hot tea and had a PaDD near his arm that he had skimmed through for a few moments while everyone was getting settled.

"Lieutenant Kingsley, while on watch as you've indicated, your bridge crew found something noteworthy while skimming the old Romulan neutral zone. Transmission of some sort. Can you provide us more information on this transmission?"

"Yes, Sir, although we still have a number of questions," Lieutenant Kingsley confirmed as, as she called up a map of the area for everyone to see. "Long range sensors detected an intermittent signal, which we were able to isolate and pinpoint as originating in the Eisn System. Here." With a tap of her bad, a small dot began to slowly blink to indicate the point of origin. "However, while Petty Officer Muniz could isolate the approximate location relatively easily, the purpose of it and who left it is a little more unclear. Petty Officer Baciami has been working on the signal to try to establish more."

Alex glanced towards the intelligence officer and gave her an encouraging nod to pick up the mantle.

Adrianna nodded. "The signal itself, at first, didn't seem Romulan, but on closer inspection and an-an-il-why-" The woman gave up and continued in Italian, pausing at the end to allow the translator to catch up. The computer continued in her minds absence. "On closer inspection and analysis it may very well be Romulan, but it's archaic in terms of what is used present."

"So, not something used by the Romulan Free State?" replied Stillwater, making mention of the coalition of planets banded together since 2387 under what used to be the Romulan Star Empire. "Do we know who we are dealing with then if not someone part of the RFS? Is it from an independent world?"

"More than likely," Adrianna offered. "The actual communication is very unclear. I've tried to sharpen it, but it's difficult even with the new equipment. It's like it's too old for even us to read."

"Captain," Kingsley spoke up when a break arose in the conversation. "I'd like to get more data for all of us to work with, but where the signal is originating from is an area with several dense pockets of debris and residual radiation. I'm not so much worried about the latter, it is doubtful we'd all start glowing in the dark, but the debris could pose a threat to the ship if we try to get too close. We can prepare a probe that should be able to navigate the surrounding area and send back detailed analysis."

“So, we’re thinking that there could be maybe... what out there?” T’Lanna looked curious. “A ship or colony of Romulans from the past?” She looked at those gathered curiously before massaging her temples. “Sorry, my logic isn’t very clear at the moment.”

Soral had been quiet until now. "I believe I may be able to add to this. I have... seen a similar signal. The signal is Reman... however, Romulans used that frequency as it was never broken by the Federation... particularly the Tal Shiar."

“The Tal Shiar...” T’Lanna left the statement hanging. She had a whole new set of feelings she hadn’t expected from keeping her son onboard ship. She was afraid for her son’s safety and it wasn’t a good feeling.

"At least can can trust a Tal Shiar," Adrianna muttered under her breath. "Albeit to break your heart."

"It could be anyone at this point. It could be a communications relay that somehow survived, an old warning buoy that has degraded over time until we have hard facts, we could speculate all day," Kingsley pointed out, her lack of caffeine fueling a more noted lack of patience. The scientist in her wanted data, something tangible that could help form a theory or indicate which speculation flying around presently was a real possibility or completely impossible. "I would recommend keeping options open, and the ship at alert, until we know."

"Agreed. The probe is a wise idea," he said, looking at his wife.

Adrianna nodded in agreement. "It would be good if we could go in further to try and capture better quality."

T’Lanna swallowed her fears and looked at Stillwater. “If we do get in closer then if there’s anything living in there I might be able to sense it. I know I’m still on maternity leave, but I’d like to be useful.”

Raith listened to all of the speculation and options offered so far and decided to add in his idea. "Captain, if I may? If you are considering an away mission of any sort, based upon what we locate out there, I can have Operations work on outfitting a runabout thats prepared for what we would normally expect," he began.

"Based upon the action that took place in the Rift between the Enterprise-E and the Scimitar, thanks to the logs of the Enterprise-E in that combat situation being passed on to the various Starfleet Departments when they drydocked...we do have information on Reman weapons and security options, should this be a Reman outcome," he explained.

Raith could also feel the cold feeling that he was getting from T'Lanna, the fear that he was picking up from her despite the fact she had volunteered to go in if an away mission was necessary. "Added to that, we could make the same preparations to the Standing Bear...that way we cover off plenty of options ahead of our arrival," he added.

Stillwater waved a somewhat dismissive hand, a gesture that he appreciated the options and chatter, but he was ready to make some decisions. "Speculations are just going to take us in circles at this point."

He shook his head. "We need to get closer in order to narrow this down," stated Stillwater. "Lieutenant Kolani, make the necessary changes to the Standing Bear and to the runabout."

Raith nodded as the Captain gave his orders. "Aye Captain, I'll get teams on it as soon as we're done here," he said.

"Kingsley, your probes are going to get us a bit further. We will take the Standing Bear as deep as we can, launch a probe or two, and see what that yields."

“Aye sir,” Alex nodded.

The Captain shot a look at Baciami. "I want Intel working with Security round the clock. See if you can determine what exactly that transmission says if anything."

Why did Adrianna feel that she was in trouble? Nonetheless, she nodded, "yes, sir. We'll work it out."

"Lieutenant Vali, you may be of more use than you think. I need you to be our...eyes and ears out here. Remans are known for their...abilities. if you sense anything out of the ordinary, don't be hesitant to sound the alarm."

T’Lanna nodded. “I will Sir, that’s a promise.” She looked at Raith and offered a more relaxed smile knowing he’d get a sense of her emotions through their bond.

Soral had his doubts that it was Remans. He'd bet Romulans with Tal Shiar leanings. But it must be an automated signal. "Doctor Rose you and Doctor Alexander keep sickbay at the ready."

Ryan nodded. "She always is." He replied with a slight smile.

"Doctors, I'll see you both in Sickbay after. I have some additional concerns that I'd like to address with you." Stillwater gave a nod. "As for the rest of you, you know what needs worked on."


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