Fleet Opening Mission: To Our Future

[Steve Malloway]

Starbase Thrinacia
Conference Room Alpha
1316 Hours

Moments after finishing his little speech, a hand caught his eye and Steve turned his gaze to the Commander, nodding his head for her to speak.

"How many ships are going through the gateway sir? Is one ship going through before re-evaluation, or is it running to the point of simply, go through and go forth?"

"For now I will only permit select crews from the Fleet to proceed through - those whom I feel will handle the situation the best based on the experience and knowledge at their disposal, additionally evaluated against the capability of the vessel." Steve paused, reaching behind him over the podium to grab a PADD he had waiting there, and again turned to face everyone. "For now only Taskforce 354, Taskgroup Alpha vessels will be permitted to traverse through, as well as any vessels under the command of myself and the Senior Fleet Command Team. The Agamemnon, Thunderstorm, Braveheart, Angels Flight and Independence are all permitted to use the gateway under supervision of the Fleet Commanding Officer, Fleet Executive Officer, Chief of Fleet Operations or Fleet Chief of Staff. I know some of the Commanding Officers within said list already have their orders, so don't feel rushed. Due to the nature of how young our Gateway is I will only permit, at most, 2 of our ships to go through."

"Admiral, will the rest of us get the chance?" Another Commander called out.

"Aye, you will." He paused, looking to the rest of the Command Staff. "I wont hold off long for the rest of you, but until this technology is somewhat stable it will be slow going. We have the best minds working to make this flawless, so patience is a virtue." Another hand rose from the crowd and Steve acknowlegded them with a nod.

"Sir... This is certainly a formidable discovery we have in our hands here... something I understand that will help our exploration even more. But, have we thought of defence too?"

"Defence, Lieutenant Commander?" Steve asked the young XO.

"Whilst we are able to open these gateways as we are, whats to stop someone opening from their end and coming through to us?"

Steve smiled, it was a true question indeed. They had no idea what could very well come through to their sector, let alone what they could end up going through into. "Again an unknown, but its the same as if we went through. Foremost we are Ambassadors to the United Federation of Planets, and we dont want a conflict that is for sure. If you go through to combat, you have orders to return immediately; no matter what. Should something come through to our end - Thrinacia will be ready, and there is always a fighting spirit among my teams here." The XO nodded, it would seem they were satisfied... for now. "Has anyone anything else?"

TAG: Anyone?