Senior Staff - Briefed on the next issue :)

Posted on Sat Feb 12th, 2022 @ 6:56pm by Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor] & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Commander Sthilg & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant Baeryn Whavi-Tonelly & Lieutenant Victor Barclay de Tolly & Lieutenant Commander Rin & Lieutenant JG Miraj Derani & Avalon [ADMIN NPC]

Mission: Season 5: Interlude: Darkness Abounds
Location: Briefing Room
Timeline: 10/3/2397 -MD30
3449 words - 6.9 OF Standard Post Measure

The Elysium's repairs and restock was completed. The crew was finishing shoreleave. And the call went out to all senior staff to meet in the briefing room.

Garrett sat quietly in his chair, Gary to his right. He nodded to those that entered but was thinking on just how he wanted to present their next mission. It was a delicate matter to be sure and he had promised his cooperation and he would give it.

Victor walked in after he had a meeting with the Chief of Logistics.

“Good day Captain,” Victor said with his boyish smile.

Lia sat in her corner and watched, "Good day everyone, and it looks like we're off on our adventures again".

“Certainly looks that way Lia” Alicia offered a smile from where she sat. The dark circles around her eyes may have been hidden by makeup, but the bags under her eyes weren’t. Being a new mother was proving a tiring task with N’Vea waking up for regular over night feeds.

T'Kara walked in and sat down calmly. As Logical as ever. It was not long before Commander Vaii and Legate Vanessa walked in as well.

Sthilg was next through the door. The lizard looked a mixture of confusion and deep thought as he took his seat at the desk. " Hello, my dear." He said offering Alicia his hand with a warm smile.

Alicia smiled as she took her father’s hand. “Hello father, is everything alright?”

" Yesss everything is alright it'sss jussst...." He said reassuringly as he thought through the reply in his head. The picture his future great grandaughter had left him was still troubling him. Still the current business was no minor matter. " It'sss jussst Captain T'hirrair has contacted me. Ssshe'sss planning on retiring after her current tour of duty. Ssshe asssked if I would be willing to take over her ssspot on the federation medical council when she retiresss." The gorn said a sense of pride in his voice.

Baeryn sat relaxed in her chair with her hands folded in her lap as she overheard the doctors words. She wanted to congratulate him but held back for now, unsure how her interruption would be perceived.

Alicia smiled but also looked a little shell shocked. “That’s wonderful father! You’ve certainly earned it, but doesn’t that mean you’d have to...leave us?” She hated the idea of losing him, even though he’d only be a call away.

" No my dear T'hirrair hasss another fifteen years on her tour before ssshe retiresss and I can perform my dutiesss remotly. You have many more adventures with your dad to look forward to." the old gorn replied with a reassuring tone and smile.

Alicia nodded, and smiled a more relieved smile.

“We do love adventure Lia,” Victor interjected.

Rin arrived five minutes before the meeting was scheduled to start. She gives nods and "good mornings" to those she already knows and introduces herself to those she was meeting for the first time.

Lia heard her name mentioned and looked towards the person concerned, "Victor isn't it? Yeah this ship loves it's adventure, now with due respect plant yer butt and lend Laurel and Hardy up the end of the table your ears". She smiled as she spoke and grinned a wide smile as she pointed towards the Captain and XO, somehow she just knew there was going to be trouble coming in their next mission. Now looking at Alicia, she offered a smile. "I see the little one is keeping someone awake, you need to get that husband of yours to do his bit".

“Trust me Lia, Savar is doing his bit just fine.” Alicia smiled. “I just need to get into a routine now I’ve got two children to care for.”

Naxea entered, nodding at the captain before taking a seat at her normal spot as she waited for the meeting to start.

Avalon appeared and placed a PADD before Lovejoy.

"Thank you Avalon." Garrett told the AI and cleared his throat. "Ahem, may I have everyone's attention. We have new mission orders. In three days we will leave here and proceed to these coordinates." He told the group the coordinates and continued. "Once we arrive we will pick up a group of intelligence operatives hired by Starfleet." He paused and looked over the assembled officers. "I expect each of you to do your job and without complaint. I will also tell you it will not be the norm. That is all I am prepared to say at the moment."

'Well that's one hell of a briefing.' Naxea thought. 'Why would any of the Senior staff complain about doing their normal duties? Unless the duties were going to be changed.' "Can you tell us why these operatives will be coming aboard, Captain? And how are they apparently going to affect our day-to-day duties?" Naxea spoke up first.

"As I said previously Colonel, they are Intel operatives hired by Starfleet. You and others will be given more information when they are onboard and I don't know that they are going to affect day to day duties. I AM saying don't let anything they may ask affect you in doing your duties." Garrett replied.

Jessica sighed and stared at Lovejoy. 'Looks like I'm going to have my work cut out for me keeping the crew alive again.' She thought to herself. 'What the hell is it all for anymore? I just need to hold on... Get the crew through this alive... It is what Phoenix would do.' She pondered to herself.

'Meaning, you don't know why they're here as you didn't answer my question directly,' Naxea thought bitterly. She didn't care much for people who could not admit that they didn't know something.

Jess looked at Nax with that look that plainly said. 'Screw Starfleet's Orders. We're here to make sure our people come back home alive.'

Victor was not into drama as just let the remark roll off his back because ninety-five percent of the time he is quiet before the meeting starts and one hundred percent quiet during the meeting unless he is called upon or he has something to add.

Having heard Lovejoy's brief statement, Lia now spoke to both Captain and XO. "Due respect Captain, but I will have to know what our 'guests' are actually here for. Otherwise my department might interfere with their plans by mistake, and we wouldn't want that to happen". She knew she was pushing it, but in reality Security did need to know so as not to get in the way. As an ex Star Fleet Intelligence Officer herself, she knew only to well what might happen when a ships crew were ill informed about why they were there.

“I’d also like to wade in on that Captain” Alicia offered a smile. “How are we, as senior staff, supposed to answer any questions from the crew if we don’t know what’s going on ourselves. At least if we’re aware we can deflect any curiosity.”

Garrett looked at Gary and a silent conversation started as Garret favored Gary with a look of 'Really?" Gary answered with a look of 'yes. really.'

Turning to face LIa, Garrett addressed her. "Commander Talor, the answer is simple, you tell them to do their jobs."

Lia now stood up, "And just what would that job be sir? Without knowing what the hell we're doing, SNAFU's are going to happen. Or is that the general idea, sir?" Lia was now really pushing it, but it was her department which would catch any fall out if people screwed up. And she wasn't about to simply let that happen, "I repeat sir, why are our 'guests' here?" She made sure both Lovejoy and Gary now knew she wasn't happy with their vague Brief, and she would do everything and anything to shield her department from taking any blame for mistakes made.

" Why would ssstarfleet need to be hiring outssside intelligence operativesss? " Sthilg inquired. He had a bad feeling about this. This was stuff he expected from the romulans, not the federation.

"Settle down Aurelia." Jessica noted. "If we're going to follow Starfleet Command's vague orders. Then the only way we can do it." Jess stared at Lovejoy. "Is if we're not in the brig.. and we're not assigned to a goddess damned shuttle chauffeuring brass around for the rest of our time in starfleet. This is going to happen Commander Taylor, and they don't give a damn if morale here hits rock bottom and starts digging its way to hell."

Turning to face the new voice, Lia noted who it was. "Commander Vaii, I sit in or near the bloody brig every day. So being its inhabitant won't make any difference to me, but I'm damned if I'm going to sit still and watch my department get screwed over because of protocol. Now either I get a straight answer, or when the shit hits the fan I'll make sure it hits the people that deserve to be hit". She now turned back towards Lovejoy and Gary, "I'm still waiting for an answer sir, and you can bet your rank and mine I won't take a vague answer any longer".

"Commander Taylor," Garrett began his voice cold, hard and flat. "I do not need to tell you what your department's duties are. Just have your people do them. Now act like a Starfleet officer and accept your orders and quit acting like you have a right to know. You do not at this time accept it and move on."

"Captain Lovejoy, I hereby give notice. Should any and all problems relating to this mission go south, I hold you and your XO responsible and will make my report in that fashion. That includes any problem relating to Security of this vessel and crew, do you accept my objections sir?" Lia stood at attention while she spoke, she was laying it on the line. She wasn't about to let her people down, it was her duty to protect them and she was going to do so.

Garrett stood ramrod straight, his eyes boring into her. "I accept your objections Commander, now sit down." He said his voice like ice.

"Aye sir, but I will now be recording what is said from now on. As evidence." Lia sat down her anger plain to see, but she had protected her department she had as far as she was concerned done her duty.

Alicia looked towards Garrett. “Captain, it’s obvious you can’t or won’t divulge details right now, my concern is how this will affect crew morale especially after recent events.”

"Captain...." Jessica noted. "We are starfleet officers. I want to remind you of this right here and now. If these 'hired' agents do anything illegal. Commander Taylor will take the resulting investigation to the highest levels." Jessica mentioned. "That means a lot of people upstairs will be answering a lot of questions, and if that happens, I will tell them what you and Carrignton told us about Phoenix Lalor." Jessica was hoping that made sweat appear on Lovejoy's forehead.

"I understand your concerns however I have said all I am going to say at this time." Garrett replied unruffled by Lia and Jessica's threats.

Glancing over towards Jessica, Lia smiled. "Thank you Jessica, and sorry if I snapped at you earlier. Seems like Laurel and Hardy there just don't get it, but if things go wrong they will find out I mean what I say."

Garrett sighed inwardly. While he knew there were valid arguments to be made about having more information, why couldn't they just accept what he told them? " If it helps, we cannot discuss while in space dock."

The gorn let out a sigh but shook his head. It wasn't Garret fault that the fleet was being the fleet. " Very well Captain. Ssshall I ssstart preping medbay I'm ssure if intel isss involved we will need it fully ssstocked."

Garrett nodded in relief at the Gorn, "I think that is a wise and healthy precaution Doctor.'

Rin rose from her chair calmly. When she spoke it was with a firm but not demanding voice. "Everyone, the Captain did not say he would never tell us. And he did not say we had to work in the dark. He said we would get more information once these guests are on board. And until they get on board, they will not be affecting our routines. So lets continue to function as we always function, and address these newcomers once they have arrived. If members of your department ask about the current mission, you simply say it is currently classified, and that we will have more information shortly, as per procedure."

Victor breathed in with content knowing Tonya had found a new niche as he thought back to what her boss told her earlier.

Alicia looked at those gathered. “Lieutenant Rin has a point, we’ve been told all we’re permitted to be told at present. Let’s make the best of it for now.”

"You know what. I don't care what Starfleet Intell's mission is." Jess noted. "I've been with this ship for two years now, as Assistant Commander Air Group and Acting CAG." Jess noted. "I'm here for the people below the decks. Their lives matter to me.. The lives of these hired intelligence spooks do not." Jess folded her arms. "I'm considering them expendable."

"Starfleet generally does not consider anyone expendable, and opinion noted," the Chief of Intelligence plainly stated.

Lia now turned towards the Chief of Intelligence, "Lieutenant Rin, despite you being the Chief of Intelligence. It does not excuse you from respecting rank, that is a Commander your talking to. Show her the respect she has earned, but I agree with your point about people being expendable". She may not agree with what was happening, but discipline would be maintained while she was Chief of Security.

The two biggest objectors, the two blatantly disrespecting the Captain, backing each other up, Rin silently noted. The two which led to Rin speaking up in the first place. Jessica, in particular, had just threatened the Captain with something which clearly shouldn't have even been referred to in public.

Rin looked to the Captain and the XO, wondering if either of them was going to take control of this briefing. Then she looked back to Jessica. "My apologies, sir. I meant no disrespect," she said flatly. Let them hide behind rank. She had, hopefully, made her point to the rest of the room.

Again, Rin looked to the Captain and the XO.

"Alright, enough of the jawing." Gary spoke up. He was pissed with the lack of restraint to be polite by some in the briefing. He would deal with them later.

"Sir," Miraj raised a hand, half expecting Vaii to bite it off. "The rendezvous. When do you want you get there? Just sail up on time, or arrive early and check this place out. Not there will be much to see, its interstellar void. Like really void, no near systems, no nebulae or other stuff. Nothing to hind behind."

Garrett considered Miraj's question. "We'll arrive on time Miraj. Since you have already pointed out the area is void."

Jess was unusually silent. That usually meant she was planning something. 'I've had it. I'm tired of this. I am going to find out what you did with Captain Lalor.'

"Commander Vaii, you will do no such thing. That is a direct order. Disobey and you will be in the brig." Garrett told the hot tempered fighter squadron leader. "We have a mission and you will confine yourself to this current mission." Garrett had it with officers deciding what they wanted to to and to hell with the chain of command,

"You made Captain Lalor disappear!!! Charged her with treason!! Denied her a fair trial!! She was the bravest woman I have ever known. And you and Carrington violated everything starfleet stands for. And the worst part is. We've all been silent to this mockery of the principles of the Federation. We've been a party to the worst kind of injustice and treachery imaginable." She spat at Lovejoy. "You are a disgrace to your uniform. I'm going public with every treachery you and command have done!! I will no longer be a spectator to this mockery."

Avalon appeared before Jessica. "Lieutenant Commander Vaii," The AI said. "Your objections have been noted time and time again. Captain Lalor left orders that all crew listen to their new commanding officer. Are you going to go against those orders?"

Jess took her combadge off. "I do not have to be a party to anymore illegal orders, Avalon. This is wrong, and all of you know it. And I won't be the last person to express how throughly disgusted I am with Command. You violated every principle of the Federation, and now you have Avalon lecture me. Transfer or resignation, you'll get it in the morning." She placed the Combadge on the conference room table and left.

Garrett tapped his combadge. "Security, Commander Vaii just left the conference room. Escort her to the brig and keep her there until further notice."

"Aye sir." Came the reply from security. A moment later another call from security came through. "Sir, Commander Vaii is in the brig."

"Thank you." Garrett replied succinctly.

"Excuse me Captain, but as Chief of Security I will be releasing the Commander straight away, you seem to forget I witnessed what was said and what happened. Now the Commander didn't follow regulations, that is true. But she did not commit an offence that placed her in the brig, unless bruising your ego has become one". Lia stepped towards Garrett, "This farce has gone on long enough, but with due respect Captain. You acting like Captain William Bligh of the HMS Bounty, will do little to stop further trouble". She now waited to see what action Garrett would take, would he place her in the brig? Garrett's actions where once again splitting the crew into sides, already the Command Staff were tearing each other apart.

Gry stood up, "Lia, sit down. Captain Lovejoy has full authority in this. Jess overstepped her bounds, She was rude and offensive . Her conduct was unacceptable and her words like yours are out of order."

Alicia had sat tight lipped for long enough. “Excuse me, but What on Earth is happening here!? You’re squabbling with each other like children having a playground disagreement. Do you really think Captain Lalor would want this crew pulling itself apart!? She’d trust us to be professional and follow orders. I for one will be doing just that!”

Garrett looked at Alicia, "No, she would not Counselor but the simple fact is, if Captain Lalor gave this briefing, none of you would say a word. I gave it and you all have something to say or gripe about. News flash, this isn't a democracy. I give orders, you all are to follow them without snide remarks or back talk." Garrett finished calmly.

" I apologissse if my inquiriesss causssed offenssse captain." The elderly lizard said from his seat being shocked at how quickly this had fallen apart. " Ssshall I ssstart drawing up a lissst of sssuppliesss we'll need?"

Garrett looked at the CMO. " You have nothing to apologize for Doctor and yes please do so." He glanced at Lia still standing. "In my Ready Room, when this briefing is over Commander."

Naxea sighed, pinching the bridge of her ridged nose. She had never seen Jessica get so upset nor a Staff meeting come apart like this. However, it was true that Jess didn't do anything to warrant being escorted to the brig.

Confined to quarters, perhaps, but not the brig. As long as these Intelligence Operatives did nothing to endanger the crew, especially the Marines of her Detachment, then there wouldn't be an issue. May whatever those Operatives believed in, help them should they do otherwise.

“Moving right along Sir,” Victor said with a firm voice, “Getting back to business. What does Starfleet have plans for us now?”

"As of right now to meet and bring aboard the Intel operatives. Mr. de Tolly." Garrett replied evenly.

“Excellent Sir,” Victor replied with respect.

Avalon looked at Lovejoy. " we have supplies arriving in the shuttle bay" the AI announced.

"Thank you Avalon." Garrett told the AI before looking back at the assembled officers. "On that note, this briefing is concluded, and you are dismissed."