Senior Briefing

Posted on Wed Nov 1, 2017 @ 2:33pm by Commodore Michael Aravan & Captain Madelina Weisz & Lieutenant Commander Alex Rho & Lieutenant Xylia Lischka & Valasa Caenala
Edited on on Thu Nov 2, 2017 @ 5:12pm

Mission: Falling Star
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: MD 32 || 0900 Hours

When all Command staff finished coming into the ready room for the meeting he had called, Michael cleared his throat. "I'd like to introduce Ambassador Caenala of the Independent Romulan Systems Allied Forces," he said without preamble, nodding to a youthful seeming Romulan female who was also in the room. The IRSAF is a coalition of independent worlds in the former Romulan Empire that have banded together to throw off the yoke of the former Romulan Star Empire after the Hobus Event."

"Ambassador, this is my Executive Officer, Captain Weisz, my Second Officer, Lieutenant Rho, and my Mission Advisor, Lieutenant Lishka," he said as he nodded to each of the Command team in turn. "Would you please fill everyone in on what you told me at the starbase, please?"

Valasa took a deep breath while placing her hands behind her back. "I'll get straight to 'brass tacks', as you humans say. Yesterday there was a chemical attack on one of the IRSA's core worlds performed by Republic loyalists." Her gaze lingered on each individual in the meeting as she spoke, studying their expressions "As it is, we're stretched pretty thin and don't have the medical facilities to deal with this kind of crisis. We have secured a route to the world in question, Cassandara, and requested Star Fleet aid, you. At this time we have insufficient reason to accuse the Republic of having anything to do with the attack, however we strongly suspect that they are."

Maddy's face remained unreadable, which was par for the course when it came to briefings. She didn't like anyone to know what she was truly feeling, and expression often gave away such things. "So, are we being tasked to aid with treating wounded, or are we being tasked with finding out if the Republic had something to do with it?" the Executive Officer asked. "I'm sure you're aware that due to this being an internal matter, we cannot actively investigate."

Xylia remained silent for the time being, listening to the others speak as she mulled the possibilities over in her head. Nothing Starfleet threw their way was easy, so it didn't surprise her that this was no different. She'd toss her two cents out soon enough.

"Indeed I am Captain, all too well." Valasa replied with a slight bow of her head before squaring her shoulders again. "We only request Federation aid, but likewise I'm sure you're aware that a vessel of this class this close to an ongoing situation is going to agitate the local powers. We believe that truths may come to light if merely by your presence."

"That is a very good possibility," said Alex. "But if the light shined happens to be from a phaser, it could pull us into this internal matter whether we want it or not. I think it's a possibility that we should at least have a contingency plan for."

Michael activated the LCARS table and brought up a map of the region. "This is the area where we'll be going into, but there's a very small bottleneck we'll have to go through or go through the nebula mostly blind to skirt it. Suggestions?"

"It's an issue we're familiar with Commodore, we call it the Calsaria Corridor." Valasa responded As she pointed at the map. "We have large patrols either side of the pinch. Providing the Republic doesn't increase it's pressure too drastically the region should remain secure."

"If our presence in the area causes agitation, we could be engaging a war that isn't at all necessary," Xylia pointed out. "And speaking from past experience, this isn't exactly something we need to bring the Federation into. Our best bet would be to hang back as far as we're able to and offer the required aid. As it's an internal matter, it isn't our place to make anyone admit any kind of wrong doing."

"I'm completely on board with Star Fleet meddling in our affairs as little as necessary. But those necessities are growing." Valasa said, folding her arms. "The Empire joined an alliance, the Typhon Pact, specifically formed to stand against the Federation, and the Republic hasn't broken those ties. I also know the operational doctrine of those races in the Typhon Pact, and what will happen if the Republic can't get it's house in order. No one wants to be a vassal of the Breen Confederacy."

She took a sharp breath and looked at the Lieutenant with a slanted expression "What do you imagine is going to happen once we're absorbed back into the Republic? Do you think the Pact is going to sit around and do nothing just because you kept out of an 'internal' affair?" She said the word with venom before she looked around at the individuals in the room with another softer breath "The Federation is seen as the top dog in this half of the galaxy, and is looked upon with envy on all sides. Which might seem insignificant to you, but to these nations that have built their empires on war and conquest this is unacceptable." she explained "And if the IRSA is annexed by the Republic you'll stave off conflict today for a far more powerful and cohesive enemy tomorrow." She looked back at Xylia "War is coming, whether you think is necessary or not."

As a trained Starfleet Intelligence officer, Alex took note of Ambassador Caenala's emphasis on the word 'internal' before returning to her more diplomatic tone. It was no surprise to him, to be honest. "You say that war is coming, Ambassador. Has there been a declaration?" The suspicious Intelligence Chief thought in his mind, Or is that the fear-mongering opinion of a Romulan trying to bend a diplomatic meeting to the will of whatever faction she's representing. Alex believes that everyone has a hidden agenda; a secret they don't want known. And from his time as a deep cover agent post-Hobus, he knew that was true of the Romulan people.

"The Pact has already shown that they are willing to come to the aid of the Republic. We need to get the supplies in without interfering and that's going to be the issue. The Triumphant draws attention wherever it goes ," Michael said as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. He looked at Rho and moved his hand to rub his right temple. "We could send the Victorious ahead to make sure the way is clear. Maybe disguise it as a mercenary ship?"

While the Commodore was talking, Alex noticed him rubbing his right temple. Without any outward indications, he spoke to Aravan. Yes, Commodore? How can I be of assistance?

Check the Intel computers for her dossier when we adjourn, and see what's in her thoughts while we're here, Michael thought as he turned to go get a cup of coffee. "Does anyone else want refreshments?" he asked out loud.

Understood, sir. I will take care of that as soon as we're done. And the other, most certainly, he thought to the Commodore. "Nothing for me, sir," said Alex. "I had plenty of coffee before this morning. Thank you, though."

"I'm fine, thank you." Valasa replied with a curt inflection.

Are you legitimately parched or are you trying to even the mood Commodore? Her thoughts were colored with a sardonic tint. As much as I enjoy going over these points again and again with the various levels of Federation administration you should seriously let me nip all these objections in the bud now. Wait, Victorious? Her mind almost became a registry of the various intelligence reports she'd been privy too over the years. Unable to find anything aside for an Odyssey spec sheet with the myriad of possible auxiliary craft possible she closed the 'registry' as her thoughts took on a frustrated hue. All of this activity took place over the course of two seconds.

"And I'd be careful about what ships you send ahead disguised." She continued, following the Commodore with her eyes as he went for his cup. "If its anything thats not made it to civilian market yet everyone will see right through any obfuscation."

"No, thank you," Xylia answered.

Maddy rose to her feet, ignoring the request for refreshments for now. "It seems as though we know what we have to do now. I'll rally the troops."

"Then dismissed for now. Ambassador, I'll show you to your quarters before the briefing with the department heads begin," Michael said.

"I am in your care Commodore." The Ambassador replied with a slight nod.

With a smile, the Commodore indicated for her to exit the Ready Room before him and headed off to get her quarters.

Alex headed on out the door behind the Ambassador. He had quite a bit of work ahead of him.