Round and Round the Border Worlds, the Xerxes Chased the Syndicate…
Posted on 14 Jul 2015 @ 12:32am by Commander Terry Walsh
840 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
History
Location: USS Xerxes, En Route to Starbase 24, Conference Room, 0805
Timeline: 2376, Late November
Captain Johansson wasn’t looking forward to this extended mission. He had been “commandeered” by Starfleet Intelligence once before and it hadn’t been good for them or his crew. The only difference this time was that they went through Starfleet Command. He shook the thoughts from his mind and settled back in his chair. His First Officer was pointing to a spot the screen. “This is Starbase 24, a Regula Class outpost. It isn’t quite like the Starbases we’re accustomed to, but it will be our home base if we need it as long as we’re assigned to this sector.”
“And just exactly why are we assigned to this godforsaken part of the frontier, Captain?” asked Lt. Colonel Ryrie. Ryrie was the Marine CO aboard the Xerxes. He was so by-the-book that some had taken to calling him ‘Retentive Ryrie’ behind his back.
“Blunt and to the point as always, I see,” remarked the XO.
Ryrie shot him a look of ‘hurry up; I’ve got better things to do’.
“To answer your question, Colonel,” began Johansson, “there has been increased activity from the Orion Syndicate within this sector. Starfleet Intelligence believes they have tracked some of the activity back to a hub. Our mission is to narrow down the search area and hinder as much of their operations as possible in the process.”
“How big is the search area?” asked Narim, the Bajoran Chief of Security.
The First Officer enlarged a section of the map. “From the Draken System to the Kaleb System. If we can cripple their operations here…”
“Why cripple?” interrupted Ryrie. “Why not break their legs and ensure their operations stop completely?”
“Because that’s not our mission, Colonel,” replied the Captain. “We are to gather intelligence and do what we can to hinder their operations in the process. We are not here to start a war.” He paused to let it sink in. He knew his Marine CO well enough. “We’ll be putting together several teams and placing them on the surface of a planet in various cities and settlements for one week. That’s all the time you’ve got to recon and hinder the Syndicate’s operations. The Xeres will remain in orbit during that period. At the end of the seven days, you will all be picked up. Two days later, after the debriefing, each team will be deposited on another planet. We’ll keep this up until we have enough solid intel to satiate Starfleet Intelligence.”
“As I was saying,” continued the First Officer, “If we can cripple their operations here, it may bring a stop to some of the piracy and smuggling. And before you ask, Ryrie, each team will be comprised of one Intelligence agent, two Marines, two Security officers, and one tactical officer.”
Ryrie and Narim looked at each other and smiled. This would definitely be an interesting mission.
Lt. Colonel Ryrie had just finished briefing the Marines on the Xerxes’ new mission and sector assignment. After several questions, he picked who he wanted on the teams. Terry and Kelnor ended up together on one team. After lunch, they were scheduled to meet with the rest of the team members and get a briefing about their first planet, Draken III.
Captain Walsh and 1st Lieutenant Kelnor left the barracks and headed toward the lounge. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve done any kind of ground combat or recon?” Terry said to Kelnor.
The half human, half Klingon smiled. “About as long as it’s been for me, I’d say. I’ve been a pilot my whole career so far.”
Terry slapped Kelnor on the back. “It should be interesting. Let’s hope we get some decent security and tactical officers to work with.”
“What about that Intelligence agent?” asked Kelnor.
“Those guys usually keep to themselves.” Terry paused. “Although I suspect that he’ll be the team leader.”
The intelligence agent assigned to head up the team Terry was on was Lieutenant T’klest, a Vulcan female. She was the Intel Department’s Information Analysis Officer.
Kelnor elbowed Terry. “So much for that ‘he’ part you talked about,” he whispered.
Terry elbowed him back…harder.
T’Paak calmly cleared her throat. The two Marines settled down and she began. “Draken III is an L-Class planet. There are several ore and mineral mines on the planet along with a few major cities and many, many settlements. Chakah Settlement is centrally located in the north equatorial region. It is a ‘bedroom community’ for many civilians who work at an ore mine in the nearby city. For others, it is a ‘watering hole’ to stop off at on their way through the settlement to the next city eastward. This will be where we spend our seven days. I suggest you prepare accordingly.” T’klest used a few human expressions so she wouldn’t have to spend extra time explaining herself. The briefing continued.
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