Post Number 21 A Flash In The Darkness

Posted on Mon Feb 15th, 2021 @ 9:53am by Commodore Cyndi Song & Major David Hurd Senior & Lieutenant T’Mia Rahl & 1st Lieutenant Greg Jackson

Mission: Planet Savai
Location: Hurd's Office
Timeline: Current

"Going through reports is dull", Hurd thought to himself as he shifted through PADD after PADD. His terminal beeping though pulled him out of thoughts. Swinging around to it, he entered his Security Codes and the message began to play. As it finished, Hurd was at once crying, perplexed, and disturbed. After it finished, Hurd put out a general message to the Senior Staff and few others, leaned back in his chair, and waited. This was going to one hell of a meeting.

Greg stood up from his desk reviewing a recent report from an action against pirates and looked up at the ceiling giving an acknowledgment before adjusting his tunic and heading for the Major’s office. Pressing the chime he waited before for permission to enter before taking a seat, “You wanted to see me Major?”

"Please take a seat", Hurd said. "I have summoned others, but suffice to say they have found the Iwo Jima".

Greg raised his eyebrow slightly before giving a single nod of his head waiting for the rest of the summoned officers to arrive.

Commander Will Raymond and his team stood ready to go down for the first encounter. Hearing Hurds request though he quickly headed down to the marines billots.

Cyndi hearing Hurd's request headed for his office. "Major, what can I do for you?" Cyndi asked.

At that moment the door opened once again and Amethyst walked in. “You called Major?”

"Please take a seat all", Hurd said walking to a monitor on the opposite wall. Pulling up a visual he said "This is the Sovereign Class U.S.S Iwo Jima, Registry Number NCC-8977, Crew Compliment 887, all Marine, plus a Division of Marines were aboard as well." "She vanished during the Battle of Betazed during the Dominion War, after her Shields failed and she took several direct hits". Continuing he added, "But their was no debris from her, no distress beacons, nothing." Tapping the screen, the visual switched to a devastated ship. Several holes were potent in her hull, and weapons scorch Mark's were visible everywhere. "Well last week, somehow, a emergency beacon was activated ON the ship for less than 30 seconds, relaying these visuals and her location." "Her location, might I add, lies less than a day away in our direct current course." He fell silent and waited for questions.

"If there's a chance anyone could be alive we have to find out," Cyndi said "Has there been any communications with her?"

"No ma'am, and as much as it hurts me to say, their should not be". "During the Battle, she was singled out by a Dominion Battleship and several Jem'Hadar Fighters." "According to the last sensor readings any allied ship had of her, main power and life support were failing and she had already sustained 4 uncontained Hull Breeches, so this is, how do I say, and sadly interesting scenario."

Amethyst looked at Hurd “Forgive me for sounding alarmist here, but how do we know this isn’t some kind of a trap? Why would an emergency beacon just suddenly become active?”

"A trap is possible, but SFMC Command confirmed 3 times that the transmissions and visuals came from her in one of our codes that has never been broken."

Amethyst nodded. “Is it possible someone actually survived? That they could have spent all this time trying to get that emergency beacon working?”

"If there's a chance they survived we have to find out and bring them home. How do you want to proceed major?" Cyndi asked

"Their is zero chance their is any alive aboard her" Hurd said slumping in to his chair. Addressing the Commodore, he said, "I would like to conduct a VBSS operation, where we would download her logs, offload all her weapons and classified Tech, Offload all her Marine Equipment, wipe the Computer Core, and" His voice dropped low as he choked up. "And the last two things, do a body recovery, and bring her crew home". Shaking his head, he added, "And lastly, asses her condition and rig her for automatic travel, or if she's too badly damaged, destroy her and put the old girl to rest."

Cyndi nodded "Permission granted major, we have to know."

Amethyst hung her head, it was an unhappy thought having to retrieve bodies but the marines deserved to be brought home. “Commodore, if we send an away team I’d like to request to go along. If there’s even the smallest chance of anyone or anything being alive I should be able to sense it.”

"Not this time lieutenant, this is a marine matter, the major no doubt will want his people along," Cyndi said "Major prepare your people."

Amethyst nodded to Cyndi when she responded to her question and sat quiet.

Looking at those in the room, Hurd said, "Please feel free to ask any questions you have."

Kelliza felt her blood begin to pump, her excitement only contained by the seven lifetimes she has had the pleasure of living. She stood up to face the table. "Commodore, Security would request the use of a Delta Flyer or other warp shuttle. There is a specialized tactical unit within Security trained for zero-G operations. I would be remiss as Security Chief if I didn't take part. As Azala Kahn I commanded the USS Sovereign, so I have intimate knowledge of the ship and its systems." She looked to David. "Major Hurd, I will gladly assist you in the endeavor. As a one-time CO my first order was always; no one gets left behind." She waited patiently for the others to speak.

Cyndi turned to the security chief, "Were you not already assigned to the away team for Planet Savai with Commander Raymond I'd agree. But your on the commanders away team,"

"Ah, yes, how soon I forget." Liza gave a smile. "Then, I will send you all the data on the SOV class, Major. There are tricks on those ships that anyone with engineering knowledge can access and put in motion. And, we all know that as long as there is fresh atmo, and a replicator for nourishment, anyone can survive years in a floating hulk. Perhaps a salvage mission will become a rescue operation."

"Major use what ever resources the ship has. Take shuttles, fighters, what ever you need," Cyndi told him

"Understood", Hurd said grimly. "I'd also like to request both a Damage Control Team, and 2 Engineering Teams, if that's ok".

"Lieutenant Saunders is the chief engineer, get with him. Assemble your teams and what ever you need and I'll authorize it. I'm even prepared to drop off Commander Raymond and his away team and take the ship to the Iwo Jima if need be. Marines don't leave anyone behind we both know that."

Will arrived and caught the last part of the conversation concerning his away team.

" The away team is ready Commodore. I invited the new archaeologist but we might need Lt Amethyst empathic abilities more for the meeting with the Savai.," the XO added.

"I'd prefer your wife remain on the ship. Do you feel two science officers are needed for the away team? It will be a good learning experience for the new officer and I can pull Herculoid off and keep her on the ship," Cyndi said

" I just invited Lt Kees to give her an away team experience. Amethyst is Betazoid and might be a strategic advantage for us. If they are like Caitians they might also be telepathic. Amethyst will be able to tell that and give us an advantage." Will urged .

"Okay inform Lieutenant Herculoid she's off the away team and in her place will be Lieutenant Kees and your wife even though I'd rather keep your wife on the ship. But it's your away team but Herculoid is off she'll remain on the ship," Cyndi relented.

Amethyst looked at Will and offered a respectful nod.

"To be honest Ma'am", Hurd said shedding a single tear, "I'm going to need all the help I can get, especially with body recovery operations".

"The entire ship's resources and what ever you need are at your disposal." Cyndi responded "I can have a cargo bay readied for a morgue."

“The question we also need answered is who sent the transmission and how did the ship get this far, she’s along way from Betazed,”. Greg said speaking up from his seat.

“Agreed” Amethyst nodded. “I find it suspicious that the ship has only just now started transmitting a signal. No doubt you’ll find out soon enough.”

"There are a lot of unanswered questions and we're not going to have the answers until we get there," Cyndi commented "I'll call a meeting with your approval major and assign a team to you. You'll be in charge, will you want your fighter wing included?"

"Yes Ma'am", Hurd said looking up. "Also, I caution all that the ship is most likely boobytrapped." Seeing the surprised looks, he added, "We rigged our ships with a number of nasty surprises should no life signs be detected for 4 hours, so I'm going to have to board her first to disable both those and the Security Lockout".

Will looked to Amethyst upon hearing this with the hope she was reading his mind.

Amethyst exchanged a glance with her husband, she knew there was something he needed only her to hear.

((* I don't want you going on that away mission. * ))

((* I’m going with you remember? * )) Amethyst sent back without any outside signs they were communicating.

"How long will that take?" Cyndi asked "But I'd feel better if you took someone along just to watch your back."

"Should not take more than a half hour, depending on exactly how damaged she is", Hurd replied. "I'll have to get to her Bridge to do it though."

"Your to keep in touch with the ship while your on the Iwo Jima. But I think it's time to break this meeting up and assemble the personal you'll need. Commander Raymond has a away team to get off the ship. Will you want medical and your fighters before I call this meeting," Cyndi said turning to Will "You speak to Herculoid."

" Commodore I will speak to Tara concerning Kees. You are probably right about Amethyst staying aboard. If something were to happen to both of us our children would become instant orphans. I'm sorry Amethyst," Will replied.

"She can still go and if anything were to happen to both of you I'll take charge of your children. I have a three year old son who is on my home planet. I do strongly suggest you give me a next of kin for your children in the off chance something does happen to both of you," Cyndi said.

Will was dumfounded at Cindy's words.

" Commodore with respect I wish to speak privately with you about this after this meeting." Will reacted.

Amethyst looked between the two of them. “I don’t mind staying behind, but if you wish to discuss it then please let me know what I’m doing afterwards.” She offered a smile.

" You're going stay behind Imzadi. No one is raising our children but us." Will told Amethyst under breath.

Amethyst offered an understanding nod.

Hurd nodded, and said, "I'll get a team together".

"Take who you need and keep me apprised of things. Major with this meeting is over you and i need to talk," Cyndi said

"Understood Commodore, I'll remain behind afterwards".

Kahn looked to the others, but more to the Exec. "Commander raymond, I'll go prepare for our away mission, Sir. Begging your pardon, everyone." She gave a nod and departed, immediately headed to gather her away gear. Starfleet fatigues and combat gear. No armor, but a full equipment belt and combat all-terrain boots.

"Unless there's more your all dismissed, the major and I need to talk," Cyndi said.

Will heard the Commodores words and exited the meeting. He never disobeyed a direct order but was willing to do so if it involves his family.

Amethyst followed her husband out of the meeting giving Song a polite nod and a smile on her way out.

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