"Tactical Approach"
Previous Post: "From A Distance Everything Looks Different"
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Stardate: 60325.1300
Setting: SPHINX, Command Section
Flying past the orbital defence platforms had been nerve-racking enough despite them having been inactive, but to see nothing but an open desert landscape stretch in front of them as far as the eyes could see had not made things any better. Knowing that the search for the compound where the crew of the MERCURY were being held was not going to be easy had not prepared the Romulan/Terran hybrid for this.
Having accepted her role as the SPHINX's co-pilot, the CMO was looking at her instruments trying to give the XO an idea as to where to begin their search. Scanning the surface of SURIAL III, Ens. Summers looked even more disenchanted than she had been prior to their departure from the ANUBIS. "This entire planet is not more than a giant sandbox with the occasional rock thrown in for good measure. There is no traces of any structure past or present, are we certain that we have the right planet?"
Appearing concerned by their latest find, the CNS tried to reassure the crew of the SPHINX as best she could, reacting as her training and position onboard the ANUBIS required her to. "The orbital defence platforms and the interference field that they generated were meant to protect something on this planet. This means that we are at the right place, we just have to figure out exactly where the MERCURY's crew are being held."
Nodding her agreement and thankful for having confirmed what she had believed the Romulan/Terran hybrid gave no impression of having been shocked by the discover of the planet's landscape. "Sand or so sand we proceed as planned. Send out the reckon probes and start scanning the surface, the faster we locate that prison the faster we can get our people out of there."
Not wanting to sound pessimistic the CMO did as she had been ordered to without voicing her growing doubts as to the success of what had been referred to as 'Phase II'; the locating of the compound where the crew was being held captive.
Thinking it best to give something positive for the rest of the SPHINX's command staff to think about, Prav pointed out something which he hoped would help. "This landscape looks awfully similar to the one used by General Alvarez during our training with the Land-Rovers. As bad as that was we still won the scenario."
Choosing not to remain silent this time around, Ens. Summers mentioned a few things about the training exercise that the Marine had either forgotten or omitted on purpose for the sake of the crew's morale. "We *barely* manage to win that one and if I recall correctly only won because of a technicality, namely the CSciO going *catty* on the General's face.
Not wanting to leave this discussion end on such a negative tone, the XO stepped in to restore order and to insure that everyone's thoughts was on the mission at hand. "I am sure that what Lt. Pravat meant to point out is that despite appearances and odds that we are currently faced with, we still managed to achieve our objective then as we will do now. What we need to do is to keep our thoughts on the task at hand and dismiss the rest."
Meeting the eyes of the CMO with her own, the Romulan/Terran hybrid did her best to convey the importance of this to the SPHINX's co-pilot and to instil the need for Ens. Summers to keep a positive attitude and outlook on their situation. Judging by the expression that the co-pilot displayed on her face, the XO believed that the message had been received and understood.
Returning to their immediate task, the CMO analyses the results of the data sent back by the probes which were performing better than anyone could have expected having scanned nearly a full 1/8 of the planet in under a minute. "At this rate we should have a complete planetary scan in a few minutes, all we can do is hope that one of the will pick up something concrete."
Appearing confident that the probes would report something useful, the Romulan/Terran hybrid continued to present herself to the rest of her crew as someone who had no doubts about the outcome of their mission. "Ens. Mei, take over the analysis of the radio-telemetry from the probes. Lt. Pravat, look at the infrared scans, even if the compound is underground it should give off some sort of heat signature. Ens. Summers and I will analyse the received data for any visual disturbances of the ground and for anything that might appear to be out of place. I do not need to remind you that the crew of the MERCURY is counting on us, so be thorough without spending too much time on any one area."
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Stardate: 60325.1305
Setting: SURIAL III, inside underground compound.
Not at all looking as if he had been looking forward to making the report that he had been entrusted with, the Cardassian soldier approached Gul Zulot with great reluctance making sure to remain beyond arm's reach. "Sir, the orbital defence grid is completely offline and we are unable to bring it back up. We have yet to discover what caused the shutdown of the entire system but we are working on the problem as we speak."
Glancing over to his Romulan counterpart, the Cardassian Gul appeared to be ready to explode with rage. "First we lose contact with our ships and now this, I am surrounded by imbeciles."
Looking somewhat upset T'Preen glared back at the Cardassian as if wondering how the two of them had managed to work together for so long. "Relax, the primary goal is to get the planetary defences back online. We can wonder about your missing ships later."
Not appearing to be relaxing, Zulot's eyes suddenly opened to their widest as if he had seen a ghost. "You don't suppose that Starfleet has found us? Could they have followed us here from the TANGIERS ORBITAL?"
While letting out a lengthy sigh the Romulan general shook his head. "Maybe all of this has become too much for you Zulot, you are getting paranoid. There is no way that *any*, especially not Starfleet, could have followed us here, our allies would have made sure of this."
Looking a little more at ease, the high-ranking Cardassian sat down just as another underling, this one a Romulan Centurion, entered the room. "Sirs, our sentries have reported a small roving sphere passing overhead. It is mechanical in nature but could not be identified as being one of ours."
Jumping out of his chair Zulot glared at T'Preen. "So I'm paranoid? Sound the alarm and have all available soldiers report to the entrance. I don't know who has found us, but I intend to make sure that we are the last thing they ever find."
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Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2005 post #345
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS
