Deploying Troops

Posted on Sun Feb 3rd, 2019 @ 9:00pm by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 2: Episode 3: Determination is not always a good thing
Location: Cortic - Base Camp
1527 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Alexandra Bergfalk contacted Commander Taylor from the observation lounge on the Humboldt. "Bergfalk to Commander Taylor. I am the skipper of the Humboldt, we have arrived in orbit with a relieve force. There is also an Erisian task force. Their commander and I would like to meet with you to coordinate our efforts."

At the base camp, Gary sighed in silent frustration at the latest intrusion yet he managed a polite and diplomatic reply. "Taylor to Bergfalk. Good to know. We can use the help. I am aware of the Erisian task force as well. Where and when would you like this meeting to take place?"

"Wherever is convenient for you. We can beam down to your location, if that is what you prefer", Bergfalk said. "I know you've probably got a few dozen things going on, but we are here to lighten the load."

*If you only knew* Gary thought silently and didn't reply right away. It was one thing to have another Starfleet officer such as Bergfalk to beam down, something else to have an Erisian military commander to come down. He didn't mind the help they brought with their ships but he wasn't sure about them being on the ground. But there was no way to stop them from coming, plus he didn't want to leave the base camp with an ongoing rescue operation in process. Finally he answered, "You can beam down here, I have a few minutes."

"Very good, Commander We will arrive shortly", Bergfalk said. Looking at Alexandre, she asked, "If you would follow me, sir?"

"Understood." Gary answered smoothly, "I await your arrival." As he closed the connection, muttered softly "Shit."

Alexandre nodded and followed the Commander out of the room. His XO would beam back to their ship after him.

"Would you shed some light on a question I have?" Bergfalk said on her way down to the transporter room. "Why is it that Captain Lalor does not want to let you aboard her ship?"

"Because she fears that doing so, will result in the kidnapping or as we would claim it, retrieval of her younger sister and herself" Alexandre replied calmly. "The reward for the return of the Royal Princesses of the House Lalor is quite substantial."

Bergfalk nodded. "And that, of course, would lead to conflict with the Federation. We always come back for our own. It is wise of her to protect your world from that risk. The last thing any of us want is war."

"War would be one thing that may happen, you do not know what diplomats can stop. But Captain Lalor fears something else. Her death and her sister married off."

"That is best avoided, too", Bergfalk agreed as they arrived in the transporter room. "We are understood that killing anyone down there has to be avoided unless there is positively, absolutely no other way, correct?"

"We understand that Commander. We are not here to do anything by give aid." Alexandre followed her onto the pad.

Bergfalk nodded in acknowledgement. "Energise", she told her transporter chief, and seconds later they materialised next to the location at which she had agreed to meet Commander Taylor. Looking about, she spotted someone in the right uniform and with the right pips. "Commander Taylor, I presume?"

Hearing the whine of the transporter, Gary had already guessed who it would be. As the figures materialized, he saw that his guess was indeed correct. One female in command red sporting commander pips. The other he guessed to be an Erisian male. "Commander Bergfalk." He replied giving answer to her question. As he looked over her traveling companion. *He's a cool one.* Gary thought and waited for Bergfalk to make the introductions.

"This is Alexandre Lathe, the commander of the Erisian task group which has fortuitously arrived alongside us to provide aid", Bergfalk said. She handed him a PADD that held the details on their force, so he knew what he had to work with. "We are at your disposal to help out where we're most needed."

Alexandre inclinded his head to the man, who if his eyes were not decieving him, was a fair amount older than his captain. A man with experience. What had Phoenix's letter to his sister 2 years ago had said 'Someone to help with the training wheels'. "Commander Taylor." He said. His almost golden colored hair was cropped short and his eyes, a silver grey -almost the same color as Phoenix's, were watchful. He bowed slightly, his hand on the hilt of the long sword attached to his belt. His sleek black uniform was neat and the gold braid over the shoulder was the only decoration it sported.

"Mr. Lathe." Gary replied politely if not coolly. "It is quite fortuitous that you and your task force happened along. How did you just happen to be in the neighborhood?"

"Its Tazys Lathe" Alexandre replied. "My rank." He said by way explanation. "And the High Lord ordered our relief column here. He had heard by way of our ambassador of the crisis here."

Gary nodded at the correction but made no further comment. "I see." He answered at the explanation given by Lathe. "We are most fortunate that your ambassador was so dutiful in his duties."

"Indeed, though I believe his knowledge came from his ... fascination, I believe the word you humans use, with the Elysium and its missions." Alexandre looked around. "We have a number of medical personnel and ships to help with Evacuation."

Gary fixed him with a stare, "Aren't we the lucky ones that he finds our missions so fascinating. Though I can't help but wonder if it truly is the Elysium and not her Captain your ambassador finds fascinating."

"One never knows Commander." Alex gave a small smile back. "You must know that her actions are watched carefully. Any mistake, they can use to have her drummed out of the fleet, and her citizenship revoked. Then they would be able to extradite her back home." He paused. "Shall I call for my medical staff? As I promised Penelope, we will adhere to Federation law."

"You're aware, though, that citizenship is an inalienable right, if you pardon the pun?" Bergfalk chimed in. "Not even the criminals in our correctional facilities can be stripped of their citizenship, no matter whether they were born with it of if they acquired it at a later time." She figured that might be something that should be communicated to that ambassador. Trying to find fault with a fellow Starfleet officer, especially with the consequences she had been told about but a few minutes ago, didn't sit right with her.

Gary glanced at Bergfalk, glad for the support. He looked back at Lathe, "True enough. One never knows. As for calling your medical staff what have you already discussed with Commander Bergfalk in that regard?"

Alexandre hid a smirk badly. The ambassador chose not to think on what they had said Alex knew. "One of the commanders team will be with each group of my personnel as a liaison. And we will deploy in accordance with your dictates Commander Taylor."

Gary ignored the smirk. As far as he was concerned Lathe was a pompous, stiff necked officer filled with his own self importance and Gary had neither the time or the inclination to bother with the man more than was necessary. "How many shuttles and medical personnel do you have at the ready?" Gary asked getting back to why they were having this meeting.

"We have 400 medical personnel aboard the Grandiose." Alexandre replied "As well as a number of transports. As I informed your captain and the commander, we can transport 80,000 souls off of this world if required."

"I'm sure you did." He offered a smile that didn't reach his eyes and continued. "Bring your medical personnel down to the base camp and then we can decide where to further disperse them. We'll hold off on any evac for now."

Alex nodded and pulled out a slim cylinder. He pressed a button and spoke into it. "Lle Lotesse elen beamien ndu i' Taedolar Tadal"

There was a pause and then a voice came back [[" Uma -Aya Tazys"]]

Alexandre looked at Gary. "They will be down momentarily."

"I heard about riots", Bergfalk said. "Where do you want us to deploy the troops? Or can the local Home Guard handle things?"

Gary shook his head, "The Home Guard is ill equipped to handle anything of this magnitude. They're weekend warriors." He looked at Bergfalk and then Lathe, "Tazys Lathe, have your troops augment the Federation security forces here and at the other area aid stations to start. Then we'll have them and Federation security go to the food centers to control the crowds there." He paused, "I want it understood, your troops follow Federation security officers orders."

"We've already discussed this", Bergfalk added, she saw that Commander Taylor did not like the Erisian officer, and figured she'd have to act as an intermediary between the two in order to prevent a possible escalation.

"Very good." Gary replied. "Then lets get these people the help they desperately need."

Alexandre nodded in agreement.