Briefing - Part I

Posted on Sun 24th Jun, 2012 @ 11:37pm by Commander Paul Graves PsyD & Colonel Horatio Drake & Lieutenant Adam Keller & Commander Brian Windsong & Lieutenant Colonel Tallus Karikkar & Lieutenant Colonel Cara Karikkar & Commander Jasmine Collins-Keller & Lieutenant Samantha O'Dell
Edited on on Sat 8th Dec, 2012 @ 6:43pm

3,100 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/2
Location: Observation Lounge, Deck 14
Timeline: Day 1: 0756 Hours
Tags: all staff, Paul

Ashton stood with his arms behind his back staring out of the huge window in front of him. The silence was deafening; he closed his eyes and allowed himself a brief moment of tranquility before the Senior Staff arrived... he had scheduled their first ever briefing that was due to start in a few minutes.

When Brian had received the summons for the briefing he had decided to be adventurous. He didn't like being vulnerable or feeling like he was handicapped. He knew the way to the briefing room, had it memorized in his mind, so he arrived without Wicker. He hadn't even brought a cane. He'd tripped once, almost run into a small child running past him and it had taken him two times to find the door.

As the doors opened he cautiously stepped forward. Extending his mind he felt just one presence in the room, one familiar presence. "Colonel" he said keeping his voice as neutral as possible.

Ian has just exited the holodeck when he got summoned to the observation lounge so he headed that way whistling as he goes and entered the lift and called for deck 14. Few minutes past and he walks out of the lift and made his way to the lounge.

Nyx got the call to the briefing just as she set her bag on floor. "Wow timing." She murmured to herself. As they weren't married. She and Devyn were given separate quarters but they'd work on that one later. It might be nice to have somewhere to send the man when he grated on her nerves. Of course they'd use her Senior Staff Quarters as their primary residence. They were bigger, and a bit more luxurious. Setting a bowl of water on the floor for Max, she headed out the door, hoping her uniform was presentable enough.

Reaching the briefing room, she entered to see a few officers already in place. Seeing the Colonel there, she walked over to him. "Lieutenant Nyx sir. I just arrived about forty-five minutes ago. I'll assume you want me to report properly some time after the briefing?" She asked the man knowing that she'd have to relinquish her 'leash' eventually.

"Indeed, Lieutenant... we can get acquainted after the briefing." He smiled and gestured to a seat.

Kell walked in and smiled when he saw Nyx had already made it. "Colonel," He nodded to the man and then to the others at the table. He winked at Nyx before taking a seat across from her. He wasn't senior staff but had been requested at the meeting so he tried to sit in an inconspicuous spot.

Ms Lantz, owner of Orchids & Jazz, wasn't quite sure how she'd been elected as representative of the Promenade businesses, but she was happy to serve in any capacity required. A starbase was a community, and the businesses depended on Starfleet. Being an intermediary between Starfleet, or at least the base commander, and the business owners was bound to be interesting.

She smiled to herself as she slipped in the door and quietly took a seat at the table, leaning back to observe those around her. El-Aurians were good listeners, but they were also observant, and she was sure there would be plenty to observe.

Clark entered and smiled to the group of people he had just enough time to memorize some of the layout of the station. He sat next to Brain after taking out a PaDD. "Hello again Brian," he said telepathically to him.

Brian smiled at him,~Hello, Clark. How are you?~ he thought

~Very well. Thanks. Where's Wicker?~ Clark asked him looking for the service dog.

Adam stepped into the Lounge and took a seat awaiting the briefing to start.

The room was fairly full when Fin entered. She was dressed in a very, dark charcoal outfit, pants and a long sleeved tunic. It was unadorned and except for the cut, very nondescript. She stepped in as introductions were going around. She was not impressed with the starbase so far. It was run down, dirty, ill supplied and too many things were not working. Now she got her first look at the people she was going to work with.

Aryll LeStrat hobbled in. She collapsed in one of the chairs, and sighed, deeply. "This is a comfy chair. I like this chair. Hello, everyone." She said, somewhat softly. "This starbase is too damn big." She added.

Major Green walked into the room with a PADD and was ready. He was excited to be the XO of the starbase. It wasn't the same as a ship, but still exciting. He took a seat at the head of the table.

Cara walked in almost straight after Kyle and gave a smile to him and the Colonel before grabbing a sandwich and a drink and sitting down. She hadn't had a chance to have breakfast between the meeting with the XO and CO and settling Jess in their new quarters. "Morning everyone."

"Good morning," Brian replied. "How are you?"

Smiling at him she reached out mentally to introduce herself as she had been taught even as she said "Good thanks Commander ... My daughter is settling in."

Tallus came walking in looking over everyone. He had been preparing himself for this meeting and he was not looking forward to it. He had seen the station and did not like it. The Marine necessaries were bare. It had bare weapons and defenses. And most of the people he crossed seemed like they were fresh graduates.

"Major Karikkar reporting as ordered sir." Tallus said saluting as he entered the room. He moved to a seat closest to the Colonel.

"Excuse me," Brian said after the Major had finished "Could I trouble someone for a cup of mint tea?"

Finishing her juice Cara stood up and got him one stopping to ask "Sugar?"

Brian turned towards the voice, "Yes thank you, but just a little. The mint is usually good enough.I appreciate your help."

Cara smiled and said "Your welcome ... My little brother is blind through an accident." Putting the drink on the table she got his permission and showed him where it was.

"Thank you," he replied as he reached for it and took a sip.

Taking a sip of the hot chocolate she had got at the same time she smiled softly and teased "Your welcome Starfleet."

"Well you know if you keep on insulting me, I might not ask you out." he said deadpan with just a touch of flirtation in the tone.

Chuckling Cara teased "If I had known it would only take a drink to get a date from you I would have got it when you first got here."

"I'm not sure whether or not to be jealous." Aryll said, deadpan. She shrugged. "I'll decide not."

"Major Treia, Lieutenant Commander Windsong, 1st Lieutenant LeStrat this is an official Senior Officer Meeting. It is not the place for flirtation. Save that for your own time." Tallus said angrily. He might've expected this from Starfleet but not from women with Marine training. They wouldn't have lasted two days in his training camp so many years ago.

Brian turned towards the sound of the voice, could sense the anger behind it without having to read the man's mind. "I am quite aware of the nature of the meeting," he replied his voice was deceptively calm but still maintained an edge to it, "I'm not aware of who you are or what your position is, but I would remind you of two things. First the meeting hasn't officially begun yet we are still waiting for everyone to arrive. I am sure we are all adults here and we'll be all business when things start. Secondly I recall from Earth history a NASA official named Walter Schira said, 'A little levity is appropriate in a dangerous trade.'"

He considered asking who the man was to question Senior Staff since he was neither the Captain nor the XO but he was supposed to be a diplomat and he didn't think such a smart-ass reply would be appropriate.

"I am Major Karikkar. The Marine Commander. And you are Lieutenant Commander Brian Windsong. The Diplomat. NASA has been closed for several hundred years. And I doubt that Walter Schira was on a Marine Station." Tallus said giving the man props for standing up to the Vulcan.

"I am no expert on Earth history but I am aware that NASA has been shut down for sometime. And I doubt that Mr. Schira was ever stationed on a Marine Station either, but perhaps we should move on from our little discussion. I have a feeling there are bigger fish to fry as the saying goes."

Kyle didn't have the chance to interview, but he was going to talk to Major Karikkar and Commander Windsong later about this.

Clark raised an eyebrow from his seat. This station is starting to get interesting.

Aryll was finding this very amusing, internally, but managed to keep her face straight. "I think someone's just jealous." Aryll said, with a shrug, and a dead-pan look on her face. "Too bad he's not my type."

Brian tired unsuccessfully not to smirk, He was however able to stifle, mostly anyway a chuckle. Aryll's comment did make him wonder just what type she went for, but he decided to be on his best behavior and did not comment.

Ian sat down at the table keeping to himself a little.

Nyx rolled her eyes and as she opened her mouth to say something about testosterone levels and Hard headed men but Devyn growled something about minding her own business and put his hand on her knee to stop her.

~Let it go Imzadi. It's not your battle.~ He sent her the message.

Fin had heard so much 'small talk' and vying for placements in her long life that she let most of the conversation roll off her back. She did made the observation that Karikkar was a stickler for protocol. That might be good for laughs. It also appeared the diplomatic officer was blind. She shook her head at the shortcoming. How was he assigned to this Hell hole? Who had he pissed off to land here?

Not catching what Dev sent to Nyx Cara turned her best smart arse look on the Major not having to worry too much as they were the same rank. "Awww someone needs a hug Major?" It irritated her that he took one out of context comment and assumed she basically conducted herself in an unbecoming way.

Devyn rolled his eyes and sent a similar growl to Cara. ~Must you antagonize?~

Looking Dev in the eyes she sent ~Yep ... you and I have done more 'special ops' in the last 5 years than he has probably done in the last 20 and he has the cahones to say I''m unprofessional?~

Dev shook his head. ~You and Nyx are going to be the death of me.~

Cara blushed and shrugged ~He might have a point during my off time ... but when I'm on duty I'm on duty.~

Devyn just shook his head. ~You are at a briefing and you are in uniform. And Nyx thinks we're discussing her.~ He sent the last bit to both women warning Nyx to get out of his thoughts and letting Cara know he needed to end the telepathic conversation mostly to keep the peace.

Nodding imperceptibly she sat back and decided best she could do was ignore the Vulcan Major's comments unless they were mission related.

Tallus looked at the two almost as if he had heard the conversation. Little did anyone know but his CO but he was an enhanced telepath. Not needing a connection to hear the conversation. "I suggest that we get along with this. Colonel Drake."

Aryll, not being a telepath, was unaware that there was back-chatter on this discussion. "Well, aren't you a grumpy-wumpy muffin, this morning?" She asked.

Tallus just raised his eyebrow and shook his head.

Ian watched the conversation silently waiting for the briefing to actually begin and he already can tell he isn't gonna like Karikkar and is glad he doesn't report directly to him but knows he will have to obey his orders when they are given.

Clark could feel the tension in the room start to thicken. "So." He slowly started hoping to break the tension. He cleared his throat before continuing, "Is this anyone first time post on a starbase?"

Ian "Yes. I have been waiting for about 2 years to actually get a post on a starbase" Ian thought it'll be safer to raise his three girls on a starbase than a ship.

"Why is that?" Clark asked.

"I have 3 girls and having them on a starship with me was starting to get a bit too dangerous and I put in for a transfer to a starbase, any starbase but they didn't have a open post so for the last two years we were on the USS Talon and Starfleet finally got a post and offered it to me." he replied

"The condition this place is in," I'm not sure they were doing you a favor." Brian said turning serious for a moment.

"I don't know i have yet to really explore the base as i just arrived here." Ian replied

"I have been on starbase duty 15 times. I go on duty on one every other duty assignment. This is my 16th. Usually I get the assignment I want because of previous CO's. A tip from an old Vulcan, its more important to make allies with your CO rather then your underlings." Tallus said with a smile.

~Pretty arrogant for a Vulcan~ Nyx sent the message to Devyn who kicked her shin hard enough to make her grunt.

~Behave Nyx...please.~

~Sorry but he reminds me more of a Romulan than a Vulcan. Underlings? Really?~ She glared back at him. As the Medical Officer, she would mostly observe until safety or health were brought into the discussion. For now she was content to see what the CO had in store for her department. She hadn't even seen the infirmary yet. They'd only arrived an hour ago and she was summoned to this briefing.

Brian for once just remained silent, both verbally and telepathically. He was getting the sense that the Vulcan didn't have to do a mind meld to use his telepathic skills.

From where she leaned against the wall, Fin observed the interactions of the group. Everyone was trying to establish their place in the pecking order of the starbase. 'What an unusual group of people to be thrown together like this.', she thought. If Jaal were with her they would have bet each other on when the first, serious, fight would occur. Fin would have put money on the 24 hours following the meeting.

There were many strong personalities seated at the table. Nodding to herself, she decided at least this assignment would be interesting.

With a feeling of relief, Paul Graves stepped out of the turbolift on Deck 14 and found the briefing room with little difficulty. Finding the turbolift from his quarters, however, had provided a bit of adventure when he'd stopped to retrieve a missing young child who seemed to find Jeffries tubes fascinating places. He would have to report the weak latch on the access panel to someone in maintenance--but that could wait until after the meeting he was already late for.

Paul entered the conference room and found himself confronted by a roomful of people he didn't know--among them a Vulcan, several humans, an alien or two whose species looked vaguely familiar, as if he'd read about them at the Academy but hadn't encountered them since. There seemed to be some tension among them, but about what he had no idea. Paul glanced toward the head of the conference table but saw that the seat was unoccupied. Presumably Lt. Col. Drake had not yet arrived.

Paul took a remaining empty seat and nodded at the officers sitting near him. "Paul Graves, Counseling," he said by way of introduction.

"Welcome Lieutenant Graves." Tallus said nodding to the newcomer. ~You'd do wise not to call me a Romulan.~ Tallus replied to Nyx's comment.

~And a Vulcan that pirates the thoughts of others without being invited? Seems more Romulan than Vulcan to me...unless its the Marines that teach it is okay to invade the private thoughts of others without permission.~ Nyx retorted with her thoughts.

"Nyx!" Devyn growled into her ear as he shot her a damning glare.

Cara couldn't help a curious look at Nyx and nearly broke into a laugh when Devyn sent her what Nyx had told the Vulcan ~Tell her that my training instructor for ethics would have had this guy's buns in a sling if he pulled this stunt in front of him.~

~Don't encourage her Cara. I warned you about that.~ He sent the seething message to Cara. ~Let's just get through the damn briefing can we?~

Rolling her eyes at his growl she huffed mentally and then nodded slightly at him ~Fine ... I'll behave ... just dont expect me to like or work with him more than I have to.~

~Do what you feel is best. Just leave Nyx out of it.~ He picked up his PADD and waited for the briefing.

"Thank you, Major Karikkarr," Paul said to the Vulcan he sat next to. He began sliding and tapping his fingertips over his PADD as he searched for the list of senior station personnel that he'd compiled on his journey to Protector. He didn't have much, just names and what little of their service records was available as public information. Since checking in at the docking bay two hours ago, he now had access to everyone's personnel records, but that hadn't permitted him time to read them all in detail, and he certainly wasn't going to begin studying them in front of everyone here.

Presently Ashton turned from his place staring out of the window and moved on two long strides to his seat at the top of the table. He didn't sit but rather stood behind the chair and rested his hands on the back of it.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for all coming. As most of you know, I'm Lieutenant Colonel Ashton Drake".

He took a few seconds to pause and analyse the faces around the room... it felt strange to have so many people, from different walks of life, all mesmerised on him.

"We have our first mission from Starfleet..."

OFF:

 

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