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Post by Captain Crio Ijoula on May 28, 2012 0:33:05 GMT -5
"Captain's personal log, stardate 67855.1:
Columbia has received new orders to rendevous with a small task force just outside of the Briar Patch, in Sector Four-Four-One. Right now, I don't know much else about our mission, except that I'm to take command of this task force. I guess we'll see what happens from there.
I am very pleased with how my crew has come together, and that I've been able to really get to know senior officers and a number of the junior officers. My experiences as a first officer have proven that the bonds developed between a captain and his or her crew have a direct impact on how they handle their responsibilities, so I hope I've been able to foster a very positive relationship, maybe even a friendship, with those under my command.
On a side note, I made sure we were fully armed before we shipped out from Starbase 140. If we're going into a combat situation, I don't want to run out of weapons mid-fight again..."
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Post by Captain Crio Ijoula on May 28, 2012 0:50:39 GMT -5
Having made out his log, he sits back at his desk, pondering why Vanessa had been so cryptic with him about his new orders... He never liked having only part of the picture when going into a mission, even as an XO.
He glances to a holo picture he had replicated as he had begun to decorate the ready room to feel more like his own rather than a sterile environment.
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Post by Lt Xylia Thorne on May 28, 2012 0:50:39 GMT -5
With a PADD in tow she heads for the Captain Ready room as the Bridge is abuzz with action. The Columbia cruises towards it destination as she presses the door chime.
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Post by Captain Crio Ijoula on May 28, 2012 0:52:40 GMT -5
Having been thinking about where to hang the picture, he sets it on the desk as he hears the door chime.
"Come in."
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Post by Lt Xylia Thorne on May 28, 2012 0:58:34 GMT -5
She enters the room Briefing room, and walks over to his desk, and hands him the PADD.
This is the latest intel we have from sector 441 sir. There is a communication black out in effect. Captain Grayson of the USS Kincaid reported that he suspected the Tholians have access to our communications. It may have something to do with the USS Concorde being taken by those pirates. He suspects they may have sold them information as well as logistic information on fleet movements.
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Post by Captain Crio Ijoula on May 28, 2012 1:10:57 GMT -5
He nods as he sees Lt. Thorne come in and give her report.
"I wouldn't put anything past the Tholians at this point, especially after they attacked Starbase 140 unprovoked..." He takes the PADD and starts looking over the information.
"We should be arriving there in a few hours. I hope that Captain Grayson can fill us in more on what's going on..."
He motions to a chair across the desk from him.
"I'm open to thoughts right now about what we're likely to encounter once we meet up with the task force. I'm not fond of flying half-blind into who-knows-what."
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Post by Lt Xylia Thorne on May 28, 2012 1:24:55 GMT -5
She takes a seat as she listens and replies.
From what we have heard the fleet has been devoting alot of effort destroying their Battlecruisers. Seems even worlds they have taken, tey are willing to give up without Battlecruiser support. What I wonder is how did they build so many of them, and where? Tholia doesen't have the resources to build this monster size ships. Do you think the Zentradi may be assisting them?
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Post by Captain Crio Ijoula on May 28, 2012 1:37:12 GMT -5
He leans back in the chair for a moment before coming forward to fold his hands and rest them on the desk.
"I'm not sure. I've been trying to get caught up on the intel that Command has on the Zentradi, as I'm admittedly new to the conflict with them. Based on the weapons we've witnessed the Tholians using, and then the reports that the Crusader's scouting party brought back... I'm learning that they're extremely formidable, to say the least... I'm thinking that they have to be getting help from somewhere, but where or from whom remains to be seen.
The Crusader's reports also mentioned the Remans and a rather mysterious Romulan commander known as Juraan. I'm wondering if they're all working together, as a Reman ship that Captain Greene's crew battled and the Tholian cruisers seem to be equipped with the same advanced hull armor and weaponry."
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Post by Lt Xylia Thorne on May 28, 2012 1:42:15 GMT -5
That is disheartening to hear. And with the Tholians entrenched in the Briar Patch, they are in Shangri La. I'm not sure what the Admiral expect us to do with all that Metron gas at their disposal.
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Post by Captain Crio Ijoula on May 28, 2012 1:55:00 GMT -5
He nods slowly.
"It surely won't be easy to coax them out, as it'd be like trying to get you or me to leave Risa while on vacation, probably kicking and screaming the whole way..." he chuckles a bit at the images that conjures up.
"With all that metreon in there, though, I'm betting they wouldn't dare have even one of their battlecruisers with them, as that heavy weapon of theirs would likely incinerate the entire system...
As for what we can do... We have our creativity for solving problems. Depending on what we find out when we meet up with the fleet, we'll be better able to plan our strategy."
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Post by Lt Xylia Thorne on May 28, 2012 1:58:54 GMT -5
Another concern is Baku. We haven't heard from them since the war began. The USS Devlin was the last ship to leave the Briar Patch, they reported they seen a number of support ships for construction. You don't think they are thinking about occupying Baku?
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Post by Captain Crio Ijoula on May 28, 2012 2:12:48 GMT -5
"I hope not... I truly hope not... The Ba'ku are probably the most peaceful people we can ever meet, outside of the Risians.
But, with the Tholians, if they had construction ships coming in, I'm thinking they may have set-up shop and started building their forces up where they can't easily be watched... If that's the case, then they have to be stopped at all costs, and the Ba'ku liberated."
He closes his eyes for a moment and sighs, then looks back at Xylia.
"I'd appreciate it if you'd keep an ear out for anything from the task force about new details on the status of the Tholians in the Patch, even if it comes from non-standard Starfleet comm channels. Go ahead and prepare a couple of long-range sensor probes so that we can get a little more advance notice on what we're warping into."
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Post by Lt Xylia Thorne on May 28, 2012 2:20:40 GMT -5
With that she stands and nods to the Captain.
Will do sir, I'm sure someone will come out with a status report on the fleet there.
With that she exits for the bridge.
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Post by Captain Crio Ijoula on May 28, 2012 10:28:27 GMT -5
After Xylia left, he read more into the report from the task force. He knew that the Tholians didn't give up easily, and were just as stubborn as an 'old mule', as Vanessa used to express it. Granted, that was another lifetime and another post. Before Columbia left the starbase, he had made special effort to remind her that Sector 4-4-1 was a long way out, and it would take a few days to be able to respond to a distress call from the starbase if they came under attack again. He had strongly urged her to avoid trouble.
As he scanned the report, he noticed that the Kincaid had picked up several scout ships that frequently popped outside the edge of the perimeter of the Briar Patch itself. If the Tholians were indeed occupying the area, that's proof right there, to have advance scouts to warn everyone else of approaching danger... He also caught the name of the officer who dispatched the task force to the Patch - one Vice Admiral Foxx. For some reason, that name sounded vaguely familiar to him, but he couldn't place it right away.
"Ijoula to all senior officers, please report to the Observation Lounge in twenty minutes for mission briefing."
He stands and comes out onto the bridge, and approaches the helm, seeing Lieutenant Hanes there. Following Derrick's near outburst of rage during the last mission, he decided to take another approach in his dealings with him, one meant to help build him up.
"Mister Hanes, please familiarize yourself with the environmental and navigational hazards of the Briar Patch. I'll explain why at the staff briefing."
He would pause for his reply before walking around the bridge. His more jovial side had come back after they were out of harm's way from rescuing Fleet Admiral Yates and her crew, and he was thankful that he came across to everyone as a very caring person.
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Post by Lt Derrick Hanes on May 29, 2012 11:39:51 GMT -5
Hanes was a very proud Flight Conn Officer, his service jacket pretty much secured him a position on any ship, but it was his temper did needed adjusting. After the outburst a few weeks ago, he took it upon himself to seek out the counselor which he was assigned Lt Mendez. As the captain reminded him of the dangers he replied sharply.
No Problem sir, I serve on the USS rost this was one of our regular patrol runs. I must of been in the Briar Patch hundreds of times.
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