Recovery of the Crew After the Hunt

Posted on Tue Mar 5th, 2019 @ 1:43pm by Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Turak

Mission: Season 2: Episode 3: Determination is not always a good thing
Location: Planet
Timeline: Current Time
619 words - 1.2 OF Standard Post Measure

=^="Commander Taylor, this is Lieutenant Turak, requesting your presence in the Surgical Tent at the base camp. We're going on a joint mission with the local Guard to recover our personnel and need your assistance."=^=

Gary sighed at the interruption. Why was Turak contacting him and telling him something he already knew? He pushed the irritation aside and tapped his combadge. =^= Understood Mr. Turak, I'm on my way.=^=

When he entered the tent, Turak greeted the Commander and then said, "this is Captain Anderson of the local Guard, he and his men will be helping us with the operation."

Anje had also been waiting for Taylor, nodding as he entered, "Sir."

"Our prisoners are under lock and key, guarded by experienced veterans who I trust", Anderson said as he walked into the tent, accompanied by four others, all looking grim and determined. "These four, they fought the Dominion. They're solid." They were all getting on a bit but had slipped back into their professional, no-nonsense attitude.

"The men we captured, they're not actual home guard soldiers." Anje reported, "They're criminals in stolen uniforms. We have one willing to talk, we caught him stealing personal items from the dead."

Turak suggested, "We should speak with him immediately and see what he can tell us about our personnel and Quin's security."

"He is being interrogated", Anderson stated matter-of-factly.

In an insisting attitude, Turak responds, "We shouldn't make a move on Quin's place until we 'debrief' the prisoner."

"Nonsense", Anderson shook his head. "If we'd always waited for perfect intelligence, we'd have died in our bunkers, overrun by the Jem'Hadar who'd have had all the time in the world to prepare their attacks. The time to strike is now, before they can do more damage."

"Sir, have we heard anything from our aerial recons?" Anje asked, she knew she'd get better answers there than listening to Turak and Anderson debate what move to make next.

Turning his attention to the forthcoming aerial reports, Turak stopped his bickering with Anderson and awaited the answer.

"Gentleman." Gary said firmly "Enough." He turned to Anje, "Yes, we have and we have a problem. That's a Windchime. It's called that because of the sound it makes when fired. We can't take it out by air. A ground assault will be required."

Anje looked over Taylor's shoulder at the picture he held, shaking her head and sighing, "Well, that was the sound of the shit hitting the fan, ladies and gentlemen..."

"You said it Anje." Gary replied sourly.

"I recommend a gas attack", Anderson said. "Anaesthezine, then our team follows wearing masks. They'll at the very least be disoriented, scrambling for cover, if not taken out entirely."

"No." Gary said firmly. "Too many variables. We need to move quickly, surgically. A small team with snipers in support to prevent any escape. We take out the windchime and the thugs."

"That is riskier for the hostages", Anderson warned.

Gary fixed Anderson with a stare. Said nothing for several seconds then finally replied, "No. It isn't with my team."

"Very well", Anderson said. He resisted the temptation to add an 'I hope you're right'.

Gary saw the doubt in Anderson's eyes and didn't give a shit about it. He knew what he could do and what the team could do. "You," he said indicating Anderson, "can rescue the hostages if you feel you have to do something."

Anderson nodded. He didn't understand where all this hostility towards him and his people came from but everyone was on edge, and he was willing to let it pass. "Someone has to, and I'm convinced my people are up for the task."

Gary nodded, "I hope so. For their sake and yours."