Protocols

Posted on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 @ 4:08pm by Captain Vorn Krace & Commander Acle Walex & Commander Peter Brown & Commander Jordan Gunning & Lieutenant JG James Riller & Lieutenant JG Jourdan Abbott & Lieutenant JG Winter Balmorra

Mission: Borderline Diplomacy
Location: Bevrudl Space
Timeline: MD07 - 1511hrs

"Mister Riller, bring us out of warp in three... two... one," Vorn ordered, watching as the Lieutenant carried out the command.

"Aye sir", he responded as his hands danced over the console, as the ship came out of warp, as ordered.

"Miss Abbott, scan local frequencies Alpha through Gamma. We should be receiving a handshake protocol from the Bevrudl and approach instructions. Mister Gunning, keep an eye out for the light escort they said we'd be receiving."

"Aye sir" Jourdan said tapping at her console.

"Aye, sir." Jordan's eyes immediately skipped to the tactical sensors as data began to pour through them. It was little known that almost every single anomaly, right down to space dust came through his sensors but he had managed to filter out the hull construction of the escort vessel.

Acle eyed the Captain for a moment. He thought to what exactly the mission entailed and his own briefing that he had conducted. His analytical mind quickly came to a realization as he was looking at the Captain. He sighed softly, then leaned close and dropped his voice so that only Vorn could hear clearly. "Sir... You realize what I am about to say right? The regulation that I am about to quote?" He began. "We both know that you are planning on it, same as you have always done for the past two years, more likely more. Furthermore, we both know that you will ignore me. For the record though, and maybe the chance that a miracle will occur..." Acle said, then took a deep breath.

Acle spoke louder now "Captain. Under regulation Regulation 12, Chapter 4, the captain or acting captain may not undergo an away mission into a potentially hostile environment. I must protest that you not go down to the planet's surface."

Vorn smiled at his XO. He'd known that the reminder was coming, but let him continue to the end of it before countering his protest. "It's a diplomatic mission, Acle," he said, comfortable in his chair as he watched the ship move through space on the viewscreen. "There should be no foreseeable danger on the surface. Besides, I'm the only one who holds the rank to be able to negotiate. This whole trip would be wasted if I didn't go down there."

Acle opened his mouth, then closed it again before he said anything. The Captain had completely and utterly blocked all of his further arguments. Unbidden, a smile rose on his face that he quickly smothered. "Aye Captain." was all he said.

Jordan sat up as the hulking mass of the escort vessel showed up on his sensors. "Captain Krace; vessel incoming on an intercept course." He paused for a moment as the information came in more detail. "They have their shields raised, sir but I detect no weapon signatures. Looks like our lift."

"Direct them to come alongside. Mister Riller, once they have, match our escort's course." Vorn responded, glad that things were going smoothly.

"Yes sir", he replied. James looked down at the console and as the escort ship came alongside them, his hands darted over the console to match course and speed.

Jordan nodded to Lieutenant Riller as he locked the targetting scanners onto different areas of the escort craft. They were a relatively unknown configuration to Starfleet so the opportunity to get up close and personal was one that no tactical officer in his right mind would pass up. He masked the scans behind Abbott's standard scans of the system, hoping their sensors would not be quick enough to spot what he was doing.

As the two ships glided through the system at full impulse, they passed the stations which were normally the boundary that no trading ship passed, and headed deeper into the solar system, towards the Bevrudl's home planet - the second from the sun. As they neared the globe, the escort ordered them to slow to 1/4 impulse, and proceed to a high synchronous orbit over the planet's capital - apparently, they were allowed close enough to transport, but no closer.

"Captain, we're been hailed from the surface" Jourdan said as her console began bleeping.

Winter turned to Captain Krace from her seat. "Act warm but don't act so inviting." Winter whispered. "And Mister Gunning." Winter said turning to Jordan. "Stop scanning their ship!"

Vorn gave the doctor a cautioning glance at her 'order' to his Chief of Security, after nodding at her advice to him.

Jordan turned and looked at the Doctor and addressed her in a professional manner, even if he was more than a little irritated. "My scans are covert, Doctor. Their sensors are not complex enough to detect our scans and I would be remiss in my responsibility as the tactical officer of this vessel if I did not scan potential threats."

"Possibly Mister Gunning, but this is a Diplomatic Mission." Winter explained. "A very sensitive one at that."

Gunning snapped a look the doctor's way and spoke slowly. "My scan is complete. The information has been added to Starfleet's technological database."

Peter was standing next to Mr. Gunning looking over the information that the sensors picked up. He took an breath

"Mr. Gunning, next time be more covert, I.E ask before had in this situation" Replied Peter as he walked to the Bridge Rail looking over at the Planet getting bigger on the viewscreen.

That's hardly covert, Jordan thought to himself, "Aye, sir." He muttered.

"Seems like everything is going to plan." Peter said

Deciding to leave the matter of his chief medical officer and his strategic operations officer dishing out orders to his security chief until he could speak to them privately, so as to prevent an image of a fracturing command structure, Vorn turned his attention back to the matter at hand. "On screen, Miss Abbott."

The image that appeared on-screen was that of a man with a face similar to humans, minus the nose. In place of where a nose would be was simply a flat surface, and what Vorn assumed to be nostrils - and there were four of them, two to each side - were high up on the head, above the eyebrows and along the low ridges going back along the top of his head.

"Captain," the main said, offering a slight bow. "My name is Atakimpa, and I am the diplomat responsible for relations with the Federation here on Bevrud."

"Greetings, Atakimpa," Vorn said, standing and straightening his uniform as he hoped he has pronounced the name correctly. "I am Captain Vorn Krace, of the Federation Starship Iapetus. I believe you are expecting us?"

"Indeed we are, Captain," Atakimpa replied. "You are receiving landing coordinates now. We have a policy on Bevrud that transporters should be used in emergencies only, and so we request that you come by shuttlecraft, in accordance with our local laws."

"Of course," Vorn said, accepting the explanation for now. He hadn't expected to have to travel by shuttle, and made a note to inquire about the restriction on transporter use on the planet.

"Pleasant flying to you, Captain," Atakimpa said, offering a deeper bow than his greeting one, before the screen snapped off.

"Jordan, Winter, you're with me," Vorn said, as he made towards the turbolift. "You too, Commander," he added, looking at Peter. He still wasn't too comfortable with him, and wanted to make sure he could keep an eye on his former first officer.

Jordan allowed himself a wry grin as he stood up and followed the captain. "Yes, sir."

Winter stood up from her chair and followed the captain and Jordan. Winter hoped Jordan wasnt carrying a phaser to the surface.

Peter looked over at the Captain and took a breath as he looked at the Bridge. Peter didn't want to be on an away mission this soon; he wanted to just do his duty and nothing more. He was still strained even though he had talked to Abi about it. He was still strained and depressed on his failure to come to the Captain

"Yes, Sir" replied Peter as he entered the lift

"God Speed Captain... I'll keep the her warm for you until you get back." Acle said as he got up from his own seat and assumed command of the vessel. He then looked up.

"Mr. Riller. Keep her steady at this orbit and on station. Miss Abbott, I want communications open with the away team at all times. Miss Cathcart, I want a full diagnostic ran of all weapon and shield systems. Futhermore, I want a report of of defense systems in place on and around this planet. Passive scans only."

Allison Cathcart (NPC) nodded sharply as she replaced her chief at tactical. "Aye Aye Commander."

"Aye sir", he replied, as the Iapetus remained in orbit.

"Open communications to the away team is established sir" Jourdan said.

Acle nodded. "Thank you Lieutenants." he said before turning to enter a text log.

"Aeroshuttle dock," Vorn instructed the turbolift, as it began to descent towards the bottom of the saucer section.

----------------------
Captain Vorn Krace
Commanding Officer

Commander Acle Walex
Executive Officer

Commander Peter Brown
Chief Strategic Operations Officer

Lieutenant Jordan Gunning
Chief Security/Tactical Officer

Lieutenant JG James Riller
Chief Flight Control Officer

Lieutenant JG Jourdan Abbott
Chief Operations Officer

Lieutenant JG Winter Balmorra
Chief Medical Officer
USS Iapetus