Fleet Mission: "To Boldly Go..."

[Emma Wilkinson]

STARBASE THRINACIA
Conference Room
2010 HRS

Emma stayed where she was whilst everyone else gathered up their things, chatted amongst themselves and made their way out of the conference room. As she sat there, her mind was miles away not really taking in much around her. She was busy running through mental check-lists of what she needed to finish packing, what else needed finalising and organising in preparation to leave the base and make their way to her new colony. She smiled to herself and she thought 'HER' colony...finally something to do after all this time sitting behind a desk getting bored. There was only so much to do an a starbase, and although the change of pace had been fun for a while, she hadn't joined starfleet to sit on her hands.

As she thought of the a few things she picked up the PADD which was beside her and tapped out a few orders and sent them off, as well as adding a few personal notes to herself. Once she couldn't think of anything else she needed to do immediately, she looked up and around the room. Most had left but there were still a few making their way out.

As she looked over to the Admiral, she saw him handing over the new rank pips to 'now' commodore Jackson and smiled to herself...there was no feeling like it to be given those...the recognition, the excitement and the possibilities that lay ahead. Shaking herself slightly she stood as they were obviously coming to the end of their conversation and moved forward as the new commodore took his leave.

"Well, everything is in place, just need to go and join John now." She stated tugging on her uniform to straighten it. "Looking forward to joining us for our first trip out?" She asked.

TAG MALLOWAY

[Michael Layton]

USS Firebrand
Main Bridge
2054hrs

It had been a short uneventful time on the bridge. There was a hive of activity surrounding him as technicians quickly hurried along trying to get the Firebrand ready to depart. There were less than usual however which gave the impression that they were either getting closer to completion or there was a bigger project somewhere that needed their attention.
Suddenly the turbolift doors at the aft of the bridge swooshed open allowing Lieutenang Commander Locker, his CO, aCE's to the bridge.
Layton stood up from the comfy command chair to make way as Locker entered the bridge. "Indeed it does sir" he replied to Des about the new chair. "Aye aye Captain!"

[Donald McGriff]

USS FIREBRAND, Docked with Thrinacia
Mess Hall
2100 hours

"Similar in flavour to an Earth Apple?" Donald commented, a slight grimace on his face as he looked at the Bolian sat with him. He wasn't quite sure as he took another bite of the... well, not so sure. It looked like a fruit, but had the texture of tender meat. It wasn't juicy, but it was... no moisture erupted against your tastebuds as you bit into it, yet you felt refreshed as you ate. The flavour, on the other hand, left a lot to be desired.

"To be sure, Sir, I am familiar with Earth delicacies." The Lieutenant replied smiling rather proudly, obviously mistaking Donald's facial expression for one of pleasant surprise and liking for the food.

Not that an apple is a delicacy... but there we are.... Donald thought to himself, unable to reply before his commbadge buzzed slightly as a voice from the bridge spoke through. =/\=Bridge to Captain McGriff. Sir, we have a communication coming through from Earth. Your daughter is requesting to speak with you before we depart.=/\=

The Retired Captain smiled internally, grateful for the interruption from eating the unknown... thing... before him and the Bolian Lieutenant. he reached up, tapping his commbadge. =/\="Understood, I'll take it in my quarters. McGriff out."=/\= He closed the link with communications, and inclined his head respectfully to the junior officer. "Apologies, Lieutenant. Family calls." With that, he made his way from the Mess Hall.

TAG: ANYONE

[Hayley Van Der Wat]

USS Firebrand NCC-38501 (Docked)
Deck 1 Bridge
2107hrs

As Hayley stepped throught the turbolift doors she noticed the new captains chair was empty. She ws hoping that the captain of the ship would be there. Hayley knew the captain well, they had gone out on a few dates while in the academy. Although Commander Locker started at the academy three years earlier they had hit it off well. But when Locker was assigned to chief counsel a ship they had lost communication. But now, Locker had requested for Hayley to serve onboard his ship and she was happy she was given the opportunity. She made her wy to the second officers chair and sat down for a moment or two, overlooking her consol. It had been set for communications only. She had just settled in her office and quarters and was now ready to perform her duties.

Hayley was nervous though, this was her first assignment onboard a starship, but she felt safe considering Firebrand was one of the most power and advanced ships in Starfleet. She knew a bit about Starfleet technology and was overwhelmed by the incredible technology installed recently on Firebrand. Hayley was hoping that some of the senior staff would notice her and decide to greet.

TAG: All

[Draco Targus]

STARBASE THRINACIA
Marine Special Operations Center
2100HRS

As the transporter beam faded full away Draco motioned to the seat closest to the Captain. " Lets begin. Computer secure MSpOC authorization Targus Alpha Three. "

And with a blink the room went dark and the 14th Fleet crest began to hover over the center display of the table. " Ladies and Gentlemen, this briefing is restricted access to only the members this team and the senior Staff of this fleet. Computer display Project Aurora." As he  commanded the fleet crest dissolved into the  an image of a planet much like Earth. furthure more the image zoomed into an area of the planet that liked close to that of the Amazon River basin. 

Ok Folks this for the time being, The Aurora Colony Site on the far side the Iconian Gateway. We are tasked to recon and secure this site so the Colony team can fully set up and start building of the Command buildings. With that Said. I have requested that all ship based Starfighter and Operations teams be assigned to this task. "

Draco paused for a moment to allow the members before him to over look details of the planet that were being displayed.

"Ms. Targus, You are assigned to oversee secured movement of all ground forces. Ms Moorehead and Mr. Archer, You are to coordinate Overwatch of the ground forces and the primary base. Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Schrödinger, I want a ten klick perimeter area cleared and secured. The Planet is assumed to be uninhabited but with such little intel we are taking a position of possible aggressive nature. All teams are under the following ROE. Force authorized only to protect assests and lives. all attempts will be made to not start an issue."

Again Draco paused to allow for questions and time for this all to sink in.

TAG: SCHROEDINGER, ARCHER

OOC: short replies allowed for this briefing as to allow for Q&A longer posts are always encouraged

[Michael Layton]

OOC: No questions

[Lorenzo Schrödinger]

Starbase Thirnacia
Marine Special Operations Center
2105HRS

Lorenzo sat back, relaxed, as the briefing started. He had been lost in his own thoughts for what seeme dlike an eternity but snapped back to focus when the holoprojector started up. Leaning forward slightly, he frowned a little as the terrain proved to be, bothersome.

The area they were setting up shop in was mostly jungle, with lots of rivers. Not exactly the best place in his mind for a base but it was where the higher ups wanted it done. A ten kilometer in diameter secure perimeter would require almost all of the Operations and Hazard teams, and even then they'd be rather sparsely placed. The best bet would be to utilize shuttles to at least prep an initial one or two kilometer area and branch out from there, securing the outer ring of ten kilometers with the majority of their ground forces covered by fighters and a few teams expanding with the construction.

That's something he'd have to push for, considering the many unknowns, dropping into a potentially hostile environment would require a certain amount of aggressiveness reigned in by caution.

"I have no objections to the roe or mission. I would suggest for ease of communications and control that the perimeter would be divided in half, one side Hazard's, the other for Operations, and to assign a pair of fighters per area, if we'll divide the perimeter into equal zones for a team to successfully patrol."

[Falcon Wiseman]

Starbase Thirnacia
Marine Special Operations Center
2105HRS

"Admiral, I am inclined to agree with the Captain on this, but with a few things open for consideration once we are feet dry on the other side. " Falcon replied as he nodded to the Marine across from him. " The first  question is how many operators will we have to use and how many craft?"

TAG: All

[Lorenzo Schrödinger]

Starbase Thirnacia
Marine Special Operations Center
2106HRS

Lorenzo shrugged his shoulders and noted the ship's compliment. He had thirty Hazard personnel to work with. And to be honest, he wasn't too sure if it would be enough. But then again, the concept of a 'marine' force was slowly taking root anyways.

"We have thirty Hazards including myself. I can divide them to six equal teams of four, with a central detail of six. Until we get a proper view of the proposed site I can't give you any meaningful deployment patterns, but since we're only actively patrolling a ten kilometer area, I can have two teams patrolling at any given time, with another two at rest and another two up here in orbit and another located on-site on a ready-status Type 11 as a quick reaction force if anything happens. That's my recommendation. Operations can mimic it, which allows it to deploy a flexible amount of personnel at the site while still having enough security personnel aboard Firebrand."

All the while he was explaining this, Lorenzo had linked his PADD to the central hologram, and a rough representation of the aforementioned ten kilometer area was projected for all to see. That was divided into eight equal pie slices.

"This is the site, I suggest moving the responsibility halves by two zones every other patrol, so that fresh set of eyes see the same patch of ground." He said, as the 8 slices were divided into two colours, with the icons indicating a patrol returning into the main base of operations, the colors shift counterclockwise.

"That is my recommendation, sirs. It would mean deploying all of Hazard, but Operations is managable, and on the surface, rotating Peregrines and shuttlecraft can ease the strain on flight ops."

[Desmond Locker]

JP Between Locker, Layton, Jackson and Lovok

USS Firebrand NCC-38501 (Docked)
Deck 16
2105hrs

As Locker walked out of the turbolift he remembered the first time he saw main engineering. It was larger than that of an Excelsior class and had a lot more automation intigrated into the system. Walking beside him was his XO, Layton. Side-by-side they walked through the massive two story high wide blast-door entrance of main engineering which was buzzing with activity. Like the bridge, the entire ship could be controlled from engineering. The new Chief of Engineering was expected to report in at 21:30 but Locker had a feeling he was going to come early to witness the core and engines comming online for the first time. The core already had its level-ten force field activated as part of new start-up procedures. Locker was also expecting Jackson as well. Des was expecting some important information.

Due to his limited time aboard, Layton hadn't actually seen much of the ship, engineering included. It was also the first time he had spent a significant amount of time with his captain.
In the centre of the room there lay the large structure- the warp core. Whilst it would usually glow blue from the top and red from the bottom, it was dark for the moment. Around it lay a forcefield, invisible and not really a lot of use if something major went wrong but it did give some level of protection.
A complete and utter excited young boy about candy Lieutenant Marek Lovok was already at the main console, tapping at it with anticipation of the core coming online. He had greeted and shaken hands with every engineer in the Engine Room, he had informed them that they may use his newly acquired nicknames while not in the presence of a bridge officer. One was 'Rek' and the other was 'Mars', he gained the former as he sometimes like to wreck stuff in his pursuit of learning how something worked though he fixed whatever it was after. The latter was because he had a semi addiction to the chocolate caramel Mars bar and often was eating them during classes, discreetly when the instructor was not paying attention. Once he had been caught out and had to eat the bar whole which had the students laughing, the instructor as well, at the sight of Marek attempting to chew the whole bar.


Marek paused recalling that and while he had found it hard he secretly enjoyed it, he smiled as he entered his security code to inspect the status of the conduits, antimatter containers and deuterium tanks. All seemed as it should be and he had been told that the command staff would be visiting for the activation, he knew he should obviously be there to do it. He'd left his bag by the door in the corner as he'd bypassed his quarters and sickbay for now, he'd tend to those after the core was online.

USS Firebrand
Docking Port
21:10

Callum had made a quick stop by the stations tailor before heading over to
the Firebrand, now wearing his new, silver trimmed Admirals jacket, belt,
and of course, his two new 'Commodores' pips, one either side of his collar.

"Computer, Locate the Captain" Callum said as he slowly walked down one of
Firebrands corridors.

*Captain Mc..*

"No, stop, Locate the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Locker"

*Lieutenant Commander Locker is in Main Engineering*

"Engineering" he said aloud as he stepped into a turbo lift.

Engineering

Callum walked down the corridor slightly to where Engineering opened out
"Mr. Locker!" he barked "A word in private, NOW!" he said commandingly.

"Yes sir." Locker replied.

Locker lead the way to the Chief Engineers Office behind Main Engineering.
They had to go around the entire outer structure of Main Engineering to get
to the office. It was pretty much the only design flaw Locker noticed on a
Sovereign Class ship. Locker was considering having the small cargo room
that's in front of engineering converted to the Chief's Office. It made more
sense. No one ever went into the secondary computer core so having the
office between engineering and the SCC wasn't really necessary.

=/\=Locker to Layton, please ask the chief to wait a few minutes, I'm
entering into a quick meeting with Commodore Jackson.=/\=

The two officers walked into the office, Callum let the doors fully close
before he spoke.

"So, how would you say your time in command of the Firebrand has gone?" he
asked the Lt. Cmdr.

"Well, so far so good. I have made a few changes here and there, with permission of course. Still trying to find my way around though... Its a big ship." Locker replied

Callum nodded as he pulled a box out of his pocket "It is a big ship, I used
to get lost on the Galaxy Classes, I'm glad the computer knows where I am
when I'm here" Callum said with a laugh "Anyway, It seems the Admiralty and
myself agree that your time in command has gone well, and we've decided that
a Lieutenant Commander can't command the Firebrand anymore" he said as he
stepped closer to the Lt. Cmdr.

Callum smiled as he opened the box "Which is why, Lieutenant Commander
Locker, I hereby promote you to the rank of Commander with all rights and
privileges" Callum said as he removed Des' one hollow pip and fixed a full
gold pip to the Commanders collar.

"Thank you sir, I look forward to earning my next gold pip." Locker smiled. "Would you like to witness the core going online?"

Callum smiled as he snapped the box shut again "I hope I have the honour to award you your next gold pip in the near future, I'm sure I will" he said as he placed his hands behind his back.  "Unfortunately, I can't stay to see the core come online, the Majesty is due for a test flight around the system in a few minutes and I'm yet to inform our chief Engineer" Callum continued "I'll see you in the morning" he said before saluting the new Commander "Congratulations Commander".

"Thank you again sir, I'll walk you to the turbolift. The closest transporter room is one deck up, Transporter Rooms 5 and 6." Locker responsed.

USS Firebrand
Engine Room
21:10
Marek was anxious and he could tell so were the other engineers crowding around him as well. "Oh to hell with it." He said. "Charge the core, and slowly open the distribution conduits. Slowly, I don't want the Command staff complaining we didn't wait for them as long as possible."

"Aye," the engineers around him cheered and got to work.

The sounds from the warp core began to get louder as it was being prepared for operation, one of those sounds was the slow pulsing as the energy inside the core was injected at bursts.This also allowed the engineers to monitor how the crystals will withstand the charge and how much they could cope with.

Marek had gave additional instructions for the propulsion specialist to keep an eye on the crystals integrity. The Romulan walked about observing his team do their duties and was pleased that they were living up to expectations, though that could change the more they spend together. For he would get to know their limits and then either lower the expectations bar or raise it.
USS Firebrand
Main engineering
21:10

Layton stood in main engineering and watched as the different parts of the warp system lit up in various phases. It was a shame that Locker was missing this but he unknowingly echoed Lovok's thoughts. He heard the faint hum as the system started to become operational.
USS Firebrand
Main Engineering
21:15

After Locker had escorted the Commodore to the turbolift he made his way back into Main Engineering. The process of starting up the core was already underway.

"Chief, you may initiate the warp core." Locker commanded.

USS Firebrand
Main Engineering
21:15

Marek smiled. "Already have done sir," he blushed a green twinge, "kind of couldn't wait any longer."

The core was already passed start-up phase and now the pulsing was getting faster and faster as the engineering crew worked to adjust settings, configurations and connections of the various hardware. The software specialists were working furiously as they kept pace with the core for any signs of computer warnings or interference which has been known to happen.

Marek continued to smile as his department seemed like they didn't need him, though he stood by the commanding officer and felt that he shouldn't walk away without asking. Though in case something happened he would rush over and take charge.

Locker was slightly disappointed but happy to see his crew were just as eager as he was. Locker watched as the Warp Core came to life.

"Disengage the umbilical from the Starbase and initiate condition green." Locker commanded.