New Neighborhood

Posted on Wed Jul 20, 2022 @ 1:18am by Captain Larisna Koralova & Lieutenant Commander Tristor Kaz MD & Lieutenant Rei Yamashi & Lieutenant Penny Mc Taggard & Lieutenant Commander Kaedon Draesni

Mission: Special Mission - "Crossing The Line"

Larisna gave everyone a moment to find a seat, having taken the precaution of also leaving a favored breakfast drink in front of each officer's seat. However, in her usual manner, she remained standing, still having yet to shake that habit from her Academy days. Also, she was a bit anxious, the situation was one she wasn't keen to report on.

The center of the observation room table turned into a holographic display of the Federation-Tzenkethi Border area, with additional data popping up about the Tzenkethi, Starfleet ship locations and anything else that was able to be provided by Starfleet Command on short notice.

"Okay, you may've already found out we're en-route to the Tzenkethi border region. Specifically, to Deep Space K-17." Larisna started, "Now, the Tzenkethi are a bit of a side matter for the Federation, our last conflict was about 10 years prior to the Dominion War, so it was old news even by the time I went into the Academy. They're not exactly our closest friends, though in the last decade, there were moves to reconciliation. Before that, they basically chose to support anyone who didn't like us - the Gorn, the Breen, the Pakleds and so on. They're a strictly regimented society, everything and everyone has a place and a purpose. Nothing exists within or without that doesn't fit."

Part of this was a refresher for all of them, but she always needed to make sure that the outsider in the room, Rei, was up to speed. Likely a fair bit was glossed over regarding the Alpha Quadrant and Larisna wasn't taking chances here.

"I've just been informed their leader, their Autarch, was deposed in a coup and has fled to Deep Space K-17. Frankly, the very thought of a coup in Tzenkethi society alone is quite surprising. But if this is true, it could mean a lot of problems. Chief among them...is our border situation." Larisna brought up K-17's schematics on another display.

"K-Class station, this thing is old enough that your great great grandparents might've seen it as old news. And for those of you who never heard, this is one of the places where careers go to die. Starfleet typically sends underperforming officers who they can't court martial to places like this in the hopes they give up and resign their commission. Sometimes it's just a case of they offended the wrong Admiral with the right connections, other times, it's more serious. Either way, this only compounds a simple assessment."

"They're vastly underprepared if the Tzenkethi come knocking." Larisna paused and let that hang in the air.

"Our current orders are to head there and check in on the situation. Supposedly, the science vessel Cardinal is there too, but Starfleet wants us there too. Then we go from there based on what we find at K-17."

Penny squirmed in her seat at the mention of the USS Cardinal. Before applying to join the Hornet. She had been turned down to join the Cardinal. She had her suspicions it had something to do with a incident concerning a relative who used to serve. With the Cardinal's old commanding officer. But things did not go well and he was kick out.

"Hmmm, is the previous Autarch seeking asylum or is this possibly them trying to use us to bolster their own position to retake their authority? Something of a 'Him and You' fight scenario?" Rei asked, curious how this will play out.

"That's partly why we're going. The simple fact is that a coup in and of itself in Tzenkethi space is...almost unheard of. It's a society that's just so regimented that I believe I'm right in saying they assign a rank to every citizen, so to speak." Larisna replied, "But if that is the case, it would mean war with the Tzenkethi and on top of my unwillingness to see that happen, we're stretched incredibly thin. Most of Starfleet's strength is positioned more near Romulan Klingon and Gorn and Cardassian sectors. We have some near the Breen due to their antagonistic stance, but the scraps went to this area."

Rei's expression told it all. She didn't like this assessment. "So this is an Outpost Four scenario, but we're heading in to add numbers to the border in case something goes amiss?" she asked, then continued quickly, "Outpost Four is.. In Ts'usugi culture, four is an ominous number if you're superstitious. It's supposedly bad luck, so no one on the border numbers anything Four just in case. Meanwhile, deep in our own territory, there actually IS an Outpost Four, that problematic folks get transferred to to either improve, or serve the rest of their Three in obscurity."

"That out of the way, this has all the sounding of an Outpost Four. No offense." she offered again.

"You're pretty much dead on with that assessment, Lieutenant. Again, I'm trying not to draw too many conclusions about the people there - sometimes you just cross the wrong people with the right power and that's that for a few years. It's an archaic and strategically stupid idea, but as I said when we left Cestus III last year, we're not here to make policy - just carry it out." Larisna replied, glancing around the table.

"That said, if anyone else has any concerns or comments, get them out now. But after that, we carry on as professionals." She said.

Penny fidgeted in her seat. Why did it have to be the Cardinal! The one vessel she had been turned away from. She raised a hand.

“As the Cardinal is more a science vessel. Will we have a liaison officer from her science department ?” Penny asked

Rei silently mused on how amusing it was to hear. An entire ship dedicated to just scientific ventures. These Starfleet personnel sure did have some outlandish ideas. But then again, they didn't have the kind of alliances, and issues, that her people had. At Larisna's declaration, she gave a nod, but at the question she shook her head. "No questions here. Curious if we'll be receiving guests despite our craft not being the optimal hosting ground. No offense to the Hornet, but meeting on the station itself seems to be the best course of action for a staff meet."

“ I agree with Rei.” Penny said.

"That's first on my list - once we are there, I'll beam over and meet with them and find out the course of action. But we may have guests, I don't know what kind of facilities we're all bringing to the table and we may have something the others don't. But I imagine you will all be working with the crews of the Cardinal and K-17 closely if it is warranted." Larisna replied.

Tristor would typically have stayed quiet, especially considering he was a fresh face aboard the ship, but he felt he had to put in his experience. "With respect," He began "Have any of you ever been to K-17?" He looked around. "It is being held together by desperation and a handful of self sealing stem bolts. "

"No, I haven't." Rei responded, "Though they can't all be top of the line postings. I've served in harsh conditions in my time, so I'm admittedly curious what Starfleet considers to be a 'bad posting'." the air-quotes were audible in her tone. "At the end of the day, this is where we were sent. So if it's binding straps and hope, or desperation and bolts, it's where we're going."

"Though, I suppose you're going to suggest we practice caution." she inquired, honestly. A little insight from experience never hurts.

"I'm aware of the rumors and reputation. But my postings weren't near there, either." Larisna replied, "But be that as it may, we go into situations with the tools we have, not the ones we wish we had. So we will adapt and overcome. Plus," This time she had to crack a smile, "The Hornet is no slouch. She's still one of the newer ships in the fleet and this entire class was built off of a class that is still considered so close to the edge, Starfleet Corps of Engineers don't have a refit in mind for it for the next 10 to 20 years. If K-17 or Cardinal is missing anything, we'll likely be able to step in and shore it up."

Rei nodded, "Whatever they need, we have." she stated, like it was a fact. Ts'usugi pride in her voice at the declaration.

Tristor raised an eyebrow at the show of confidence.

From his place across the table, Draesni could see the reassurances did not seem to be fully satisfying the doctor’s concern. The idea that an aged station, a science vessel, and a single starship would be enough to adequately deal with a potential incursion by the Tzenkethi did seem a little…odd. And yet, he also knew that deploying too many assets too soon risked turning this into something much bigger than it needed to be.

“Your concern is not unwarranted, doctor,” he said, “but I would say Command is right to take this one slowly. Until we have a clearer sense of what’s going on, it’s best not to make any sudden movements.”

There was a pause as he let the others take in what he was saying. Then, turning toward the head of the table, he addressed Koralova. “Do we know what Starfleet’s plan is,” he asked, “if this does turn out to be…something?”

"Short answer - no. Nothing was disclosed to me and I spent last night coming up with at least 10 different possible responses. We'll just have to see." Larisna didn't sound like she liked her own answer.

Draesni nodded slowly. It made sense, given what had already been established about the nature of Starfleet’s resources in the area. Hopefully, though, just because they hadn’t heard about any plan yet didn’t mean there wasn’t one in the works somewhere.

“Wait and see. Three of the galaxy’s most terrible words.” Penny said softly.

Tristor regarded Penny upon hearing her hushed words. 'Strange sentiment for a scientist.' He thought to himself. The Trill man leaned back in his seat. "I'll make Medical ready to supplement the station. Once we're within reasonable range I can lease with the Doctor there and we can coordinate our efforts."

"There does come a time, Lieutenant McTaggard, where one must let the pieces move and plan accordingly. You cannot hope to plan for every eventuality, you cannot sit and second guess and you cannot assume the worst at all times." Larisna said, "So yes, we will wait and see what comes and respond accordingly. Cause and effect along with trial and error are two of the core tenants of any scientific process."

She then shifted her gaze back to Tristor, "Good. I'll make sure some of the multipurpose rooms in the pod are reserved in case you need the space, as well as at least one cargo bay."

"For now, return to your stations, make what preparations you see fit. After I have a clear idea of what we're going to be doing, that information will be passed along to you. You may be tapped to work with your opposite numbers on K-17 and the Cardinal, either here or there. So just be ready to take your work on the move. Dismissed."