"Tactical Return"
Previous Post: "I Will Be Right Here Waiting For You"
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Setting: USS HATHOR, Bridge
Looking at the image of SURIAL III being displayed on the main view screen of the HATHOR an officer unaware of that world's history would believe the planet to be like any other; a peaceful sphere hung in the emptiness of space. Knowing some of the dark records which surrounded the planet had made the Romulan/Terran hybrid less than joyous in seeing the sphere hovering in the empty void of space despite it heralding the end of their mission. Turning towards the ship's Sec/Tac officer, the CO requested a tactical update from the Hirogen. "Ens. Uxtar, how does it look?"
Looking at his instruments with great care and attention the Hirogen used every piece of information available to insure that the planet and the area of space surrounding it were as safe as could be. Knowing that the Imperians possessed technology allowing them to be nearly invisible to their sensors had made the task for the Sec/Tac officer that much more important and difficult. Having confirmed his findings multiple times, Uxtar finally raised his head and met the inquisitive gaze of his CO before replying, "Sensors are not showing any ion trails in this region and have not picked up on any other vessels."
Glancing over his shoulder at the Romulan/Terran hybrid and Hirogen, the half Vulcan FCO looked rather perplexed by the intensity of the scans that had been directed towards the planet by both the HATHOR and the ANUBIS. Allowing his human side to take control for a brief moment, Ens. Stormwind voiced his puzzlement. "I remember hearing something about this planet having been the location of a detention facility which was destroyed, so why all of the precautions? I doubt that the Cardassians would have had the time or the inclination to rebuild, especially with the Imperians breathing down their scaly necks."
Glaring back at the FCO in a less than impressed manner the XO/CEO bit his tongue as he reminded himself that Ens. Stormwind had not been a member of the crew when they had come to this world the first time to rescue the captured officers of the USS MERCURY. Overriding the settings of the main view screen Lt. Dawson increased the magnification of the image bringing into full view one of the hundreds of orbital defence platforms which still orbited SURIAL III. "These would be part of the reason why we are cautious Ensign."
Turning back to look at the enlarged image, the half Human Ensign reacted as any self-respecting Vulcan would have in a similar situation by arching his right eyebrow. "Fascinating, the extent of the planet's orbital protection is impressive and fortunate for us also inoperative."
Interrupting the observations of their FCO, the Sec/Tac officer announced that the ANUBIS had requested visual communication to which the Romulan/Terran hybrid responded to with a nod of her head switching the image on the main view screen from displaying the planet to showing the CO of the ANUBIS. [/\] Everything looks to be as we felt it. We will start working on a way to scan the planet's ionosphere in the meantime take the HATHOR around the planet and make sure that nothing is hiding from our sensors. [/\]
Acknowledging the order they had received the
Romulan/Terran hybrid nodded and stood from her chair,
ready to relay the specific instructions to the half
Vulcan FCO. Jumping in with an additional
recommendation, the ANUBIS' XO who could be seen
sitting at the science station in the background of
the transmission warned the HATHOR's crew. [/\] Be
sure to visually inspect both magnetic poles, since
the Imperians have sophisticated sensor dampening
technology it would not be all that difficult for one
or more of their probes to hide in their. I know that
the Imperians have not displayed this type of tactic
as of this point but I thought it best to mention this
now and have you find nothing than take the risk of
either one of our ships running into another set of
those droids. [/\]
Hoping to not have to listen to more of the
long-winded woman's explanations on something that had
been as simple as could be, Ens. Stormwind interrupted
with a report on the HATHOR's flight plan. "Course
and speed laid in for polar orbit sensor sweep, ready
when you are Captain."
Appearing pleased with the efficiency of her pilot,
the Romulan/Terran hybrid returned her attention to
the ANUBIS' CO. "Recommend that we keep a
communication channel open, just in case you need us
to get back here to help."
Smiling playfully the ANUBIS' CO knew that should
such a call be made it would most likely be *from* the
HATHOR to the ANUBIS and that it would be them coming
to their rescue and not the other way around. Having
found the comment to be a nice break from the tension
that had taken a solid grasp on them all, Cpt. Rikar
nodded never making an attempt to erase the grin from
her face. [/\] Be careful, well see you back in a
few. ANUBIS out. [/\]
Looking a little miffed the XO/CEO huffed and turned
to his former Academy classmate. "You would think
that we have a reputation of getting into trouble by
the way she told us to be careful."
Trying their best not to look overly amused by the
engineer's comment the members of the senior staff
present on the Bridge kept their replies unspoken
knowing very well that both the ANUBIS and HATHOR had
an unofficial reputation of finding trouble in the
most unlikely of places.
Returning to her seat, the Romulan/Terran hybrid
brought the focus of this mission back into view by
ordering the ship forward with their latest objective.
"Helm, move us ahead with manoeuvring thrusters. I
want a complete and thorough scan of the planet's
atmosphere. Number One, be sure that the computer
uplink to the ANUBIS is working to full efficiency, I
want them to see what we find without any delays. For
all we know we might have only minutes to get all of
this done before we have to hightail it out of here."
Sighing to himself the XO/CEO wonder if there would
ever be a mission that they would be called upon to
perform and that would be *simple*, then again working
under the supervision of Admiral Koniki and under the
banner of NEW ALEXANDRIA had pretty much made such
missions be beyond their expectations and desires.
/\/\/\
Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2006 post #102
Stardate: 60342.0815
Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Commanding Officer
USS HATHOR
