Timely Arrivals

Posted on Fri Jan 18th, 2019 @ 2:55am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson

Mission: Season 2: Episode 3: Determination is not always a good thing
Location: Bridge
Timeline: MD 6 - 1100 hrs
1584 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

From his console at operations, Justin reported, "Captain, there are five vessels entering the system. Two starships and three support. They are led by the Humboldt, an Ambassador class. Commander Alexandra Bergfalk." He figured he'd just read out what his console told him.

Phoenix looked up from her report on the planet. "On screen please Ensign and patch the Commander through. "

"Aye, Captain", Justin replied, hailing the Humboldt's commander and putting her on screen.

A middle-aged, willowy woman appeared, with long jet-black hair, light skin and aquamarine eyes. "Greetings, Captain. I am Commander Bergfalk. My task force has been dispatched to aid your efforts."

Smiling, Phoenix inclined her head. "Your timing, Commander, is perfect. We have a very volatile situation planet side and the extra hands are welcome."

"We are escorting three civilian vessels which have been hastily fitted to serve as evacuation transports", Bergfalk reported. "The starliner Asimov has space for fifteen thousand, fairly luxurious, too. Earth Transport von Braun, 7500, cramped but with decent medical facilities for any wounded that need to be shipped off-planet. The Hegemon is an old minig ship, with bunks in the cargo holds and a beefed up life support system. A thousand maximum, and they're not going to be comfortable. But at least they'll be safe. The Zheng He can take them to Bajor. I know that's not nearly enough to get everyone, but that's all we had available on short notice. There are more ships on the way, but they'll be a while."

Phoenix looked at Case, "Ensign send that data to Commander Brett planetside so she can co-ordinate with the ship captains."

"Yes, ma'am", Justin said, quickly putting those numbers in writing and sending them to Anje's PADD.

Phoenix returned her attention to the Commander. "I would suggest that you have security with all vessels. Something is going on down there which is causing trouble."

Bergfalk frowned. "One would think that getting evacuated would lift their spirits? Though, they'll likely squabble over who gets to go, if order has broken down? My thoughts were to take the wounded first, and see who else is at risk. The sick, the elderly, the children. We might have to separate families, let the adults fend for themselves so we can take the children to safety."

"My chief of Operations is planetside and she will be able to assist with the evacuation. But the people down there? They are," Phoenix paused "There are rumours of corruption within their planetary government, and civil dissent."

"So we'll have to make sure they see that it's us making the choices of who gets to go on the ships?" Bergfalk wondered. "Or are they showing signs of distrusting Starfleet as well?" She wondered just how many security details she'd have to send over to the civilian ships on their trip back. Every single person sent over would mean one fewer evacuee who could travel to Bajor on the respective boat. It was a numbers game, and if those people couldn't be trusted to remain civil, more people might die as a result.

"Believe me, we are trying. I am about to beam down myself to speak with the government." But whatever else she could say was cut off.

The proximity alert drowned all everything Phoenix said, and the next words heard as Justin turned off the alert was a particularly colourful metaphor.

They came out of warp, somewhat closer than was probably necessary. A small fleet of vessels, never seen by most people before.

To some within Starfleet as well they were unrecognisable. However, to the captain of the USS Elysium, these ships were very well known. Phoenix visibly cringed.

"Captain, four ships just dropped out of warp, practically on top of us", he said. "Our shields have been raised automatically. I do not recognise their markings." He scanned for their transponders and waited for the computer to translate the information into standard. Making the connection between the skipper's heritage and the origin of these vessels, he decided to give her more details straight away. "We have three Erisian escort cruisers, the Knight, the Cutlass and the Light, as well as a medical ship called the Grandiose.” ( http://hehyeas.wikidot.com/erisian-military )

Phoenix nodded. “So I see. Red alert” Eyes widened. But the claxons went off.

"We are being hailed. It’s the Grandiose", Justin reported.

“I bet” Phoenix muttered. “On Screen - Split so Commander Bergfalk can hear as well."

The screen changed to show a massive bridge, on par with the Elysium’s own. A tall man stood in the centre well. Alexandre Lath, Tazys of the Erisian Fleet.

“Tazys Lath” Phoenix said, using her people’s word for Major. “What brings the Erisians to this part of space?”

“We heard there was an emergency. And we have people here to assist these colonists, You're.. Captain Lalor.”

She inclined her head. “And we would appreciate it.” She said dubiously. “And will your people follow the Federation's laws, after all you will be helping Federation citizens.”

Alexandre smirked. “Yes, despite your brother’s wishes. The High Lord has ordered that we abide by Federation law for the time we are assisting. We have numerous drop ships that can be used for evacuating people. Do you have a location for them to be taken to?”

She wished she didn't have to send these ships into Federation space. Too much of an issue. "Bajor." She replied. She looked at the Commander on the split screen. "Commander Alexandra Bergfalk, this is Tazys Alexandre Lathe of the Erisian people." She introduced them.

Alexandre smiled politely. "Commander."

"Your help is much appreciated", Bergfalk said. "As I have just explained to Captain Lalor, we are ourselves escorting ships to evacuate some of the population. Our total capacity, civilian vessels and starships, is about thirty thousand people. How many can you take on?"

Alexandre considered his numbers before answering. "Combined, with drop ships, each which can carry around 1800 troops, we can take about 80,000. We also have 400 medical personnel aboard the Grandiose."

Phoenix checked his maths in her head and nodded. "With the crew and troops, that would be around the correct amount." she mused softly.

The Humboldt's skipper doubted the wisdom of sending foreign troops in to control a Federation civilian population, but kept her mouth shut. It wasn't her call, and by the looks of things, the Erisian Captain Lalor was in a much better position to judge if, how and where to deploy those troops. Alexandra determined to stay out of that. "We should meet, discuss the particulars, coordinate logistics", she suggested. "I would like to invite you and any member of your staff you'd like to have join us to my ship, Tassys." She was trying, though pronouncing a word she had only heard once, it was off by a little.

Alexandre nodded "I appreciate that offer commander. I know Captain Lalor will not allow me onto her ship." He sent a smirk to his sister's best friend.

"No." Came the reply from Phoenix, who had already sent security to guard her own sister. "I am sorry Alex, I have known you for years but no, no Erisian Military Personnel will be boarding the Elysium. Not while I am captain."

He inclined his head at that. He looked at the Commander. "My XO and I would be pleased to speak with you directly Commander."

"I am sending you the coordinates of my observation lounge", Alexandra said. She figured she'd inquire then as to why there seemed to be some bad blood between the two Erisians. This seemed inappropriate over an open channel. "We will be in transporter range in about twenty minutes, seeing as we dropped out of warp at a safe distance from the planet and are making our way in on impulse."

Phoenix took a breath. "Very well, I will leave you two to discuss with Commander Brett planet side." She looked at Case. "End transmission to the Erisians." she said in a soft voice to him.

Justin nodded, and the split image on the screen shrank away, leaving only Bergfalk on the main viewer.

When the Federation Officers were alone, Phoenix looked at the Commander. "Word of warning Commander, do not trust the Erisians. They are not to be trusted. They do not hold to the Federation's values."

"Do you have a reason to expect trouble?" Alexandra wondered. "It looks like they're here to help, after all."

"They may be here to help Commander, but that is just Alexandre's words. His troops will be pure Erisian Males, and they will look down on the female crew and civilians and treat them like second class citizens."

"I'll see about that", Alexandra said, determined. "But I don't think we're in a position to turn down his offer entirely."

"That is true. But watch them Commander. I will alert my team as well." Phoenix said. And then her lips curved. "And watch Alexandre as well. He is a charmer and is a bit of a ladies man. His father often laments he will never marry."

"You needn't worry. I have no interest in marrying a man who would take me to a place where I'd have no rights", Alexandra smirked. "I will watch out, and send one of my men with each of their teams." She wondered how she'd sell that to him, but figured she could.

Smiling Phoenix nodded. "Good Idea. I will leave you to your planning. Good Luck Commander."

"Thank you, Captain. Bergfalk out."