The Mission

Posted on Thu Oct 5th, 2023 @ 5:48pm by Kyle Cragen [Reece] & Ambassador Natsuko Akayama [ADMIN NPC]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Ajax
Timeline: 2548
1179 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

After Kyle materialized upon his ship, he saw his Executive Officer, a young Human woman by the name of Commander Jasmine Hamilton, standing by.

"What info do we have on the situation with the Klingons, Number One?" Kyle asked as he started out of the small transporter room and headed towards the bridge.

"Their losses continue to mount Sir. And they refuse our assistance but That is just their high command. The people are leaving their empire in droves looking for safety."

Kyle nodded as they walked. "And I'm guessing the President is tired of watching the conflict continue?" The UFP President, a Klingon herself, had worked very hard to rebuild the alliance between the UFP and the Klingon Empire, as relations had been frayed some during the Romulan-Klingon War of 2498, which lasted for nearly twenty years, pushing both empires to practical ruin. While neither side could really claim a victory in the war, their people had paid a heavy price. Over the years, the UFP had sent numerous humanitarian missions to both governments. While the Romulans had accepted the aud immediately, even beginning the process of lobbying for admittance into the United Federation of Planets, the Klingons had refused nearly all of the aid, claiming they could take care of themselves.

Then the Grestalians showed up.

The Grestalians were an ancient race of warriors, originating from Galaxy 361G, located nearly 200 million light years away. They had apparently discovered an ancient portal between this galaxy and theirs, and started to us it to bring their invasion fleet over. This far, they had refused any form of diplomatic discussion. They simply seemed focused only on conquering other races.

"I believe she is looking for loopholes." Jasmine replied and handed him their orders.

Taking the PADD, Kyle started to read as the entered a turbolift. "Bridge," he said aloud. He then read the text of his orders more closely.

From: Admiral Mott Rixx, Starfleet CIC
To: Commodore Kyle Cragen, CO, USS AJAX

Kyle, as you know, things have gone from bad to worse for the Klingons. With the arrival of the Grestalians, the Klingons have been on the loosing end of things. They have already lost a third of their territory and nearly sixty percent of their remaining forces. While the majority of the High Command still wants to fight this fight alone, the Chancellor herself has asked for a Starfleet presence to aid in the completion of the withdraw from Old Qo'nos.

To this end, I am sending the Tenth Taskforce in. I want you and the Ajax to lead the charge here. Your orders are to assist the Klingons in the withdrawal of their civilian population. If combat ensues, you are to defend yourselves. However, the safety of those civilians are your primary goal.

I know I can count on you to complete this mission. Good luck, my old friend.

Sincerely,

Adm Mott Rixx
C-I-C, Starfleet

After reading the orders, he handed the PADD back to his e elusive officer. "So, lead a task force of nearly fifty starships deep into Klingon space, to act as a buffer to get as many non-combatants out of danger as we can, while an overwhelming enemy force is breathing down our necks. Just another day in the life, eh Jasmine?" He asked as he grimaced slightly.

"We are up to it Sir. They will need to reconsider their plans, " The human officer replied without hesitation.

Kyle grinned slightly at his young execs energy. She had been the fastest rising star in the fleet, with top marks across nearly every board, save one: combat experience. While he wasn't desirous to getting into a battle, he knew that, especially on a warship like the Ajax, she would earn that experience sooner rather than later. "I couldn't have said it better myself, Number One."

The lift doors slid open, revealing the small bridge. Kyle stepped out first. As soon as he did, his yeoman called out, "Commodore on the bridge!" Everyone present straightened up in their seats and turned to face him.

Looking over at the faces of his senior staff, Kyle had a soft smile on his face. "My friends, it's time for us to serve King and Country again. Stand by for departure." He moved to stand in front of his command chair. "Hail the fleet, Number One."

"Communication channels open" She said as she hit the fleet wide comm. "They await your words Sir."

As he remained standing, he spoke aloud. "Ofgicers and crew of the Tenth, this is your Taakforce Commanding Officer, Commodore Kyle Cragen speaking. As you know by now, a new hostile race has entered our galaxy. They have been slowly advancing, conquering worlds and building their power vase here, in our backyard. While I'm sure we all would love to go and show them the error of their ways...that is not the goal of this mission."

"Our singular goal today, is to aid our old allies, the Klingon Empire. They have taken a tremendous beating from the interlopers, and now, the noncombatants are in danger. Our mission, is to assist in defending Old Qo'nos, while the Civilians are evacuated to safety. Should you feel an attack is imminent upon your ship and crew, then you are authorized to defend yourselves in any way possible, provided you do not break the line of defense. The civilians are our number one priority, even at the cost of our lives."

"Now, squadron commanders, you will be receiving your positioning orders shortly. Be ready to implement them upon our arrival." He took a breath, then added, "You are are all the best that Starfleet has to offer. It is honor to lead tou all in this mission. Follow your training, look out for each other, and I hope to see all of you back here. Standby to head out." He lowered himself down into his command chair. "ETA to Qo'nos, Number One?"

"Ten hours Sir," Replied his Executive officer.

Kyle nodded. Though the fleet was equipped with QSD's, over the past twenty years, studies have shown that, while a single ship using the drive is relatively harmless, a larger group of starships doing so can cause damage to subspace. So, the Federation Council laid out a law that, only in a dire emergence, would Starfleet be allowed to use its QSD in a mass malformation.

And, while this current crisis was certainly tragic, it did not fall into the required criteria. Thus, only normal Warp power was authorized.

Kyle nodded. Once the fleet acknowledged their readiness, je looked over at his helm officer, a young woman who's family was practically Starfleet royalty. "Miss Archer? Punch it."

The young officer grinned slightly, then activated the warp drive. In seconds, the entire taskforce was on its way.

Once the fleet was moving, Kyle stood and looked over at his Exec. "You have the Conn, Jasmine. I'll be in my ready room." He then moved to the aft section of his bridge and entered the door leading to his private office.

~TBC~