Plans Come Undone

Posted on Sat Aug 15th, 2020 @ 4:25pm by Captain Abigail Laurens & Commander Ichiko Gail

Mission: Into The Delta Triangle
Location: Captain's Ready Room

Abigail walked into her ready room, heading straight for the replicator and ordering a chai latte and a cup of tea, handing the tea straight to Ichiko who had followed her in before returning to the replicator to request a plate of ginger snaps.

Setting the plate between them, Abigail sank down into a seat and looked across at her First Officer. "Well, this plan seems to have derailed rather spectacularly," she said quietly.

Ichiko accepted the tea, taking a moment to enjoy a ginger snap before she even took the chance to answer. "It's not as bad as it could be. We just have to gauge an appropriate response. I think our priority should be to help with any search and rescue operation on the mine site. Our quarry has escaped us perhaps, but we'll find them again. Our opportunity to do good here is too good to pass up."

"And maybe that's what was intended. Maybe this mine collapse was staged, but that shouldn't change our focus."

Abigail gave a nod. "Commander Rogers seems to have things well in hand. It's reassuring that he's the one that was leading that team, he has a good head on his shoulders. I'm concerned about the status of the other away team. It doesn't seem to be like Lieutenant Alani to fail to report in, let alone Lieutenant Gunnison. Once the second shuttle is back, I want you to take a second away team down to Kessik III. I would suggest maybe Lieutenant Sorak and maybe Lieutenant Commander T'Vek? Start with some planetary scans and see if you can find our people."'

She gave a nod. "A smaller team may go unnoticed while we make our presence very much known helping with the catastrophe." a pause, and a smirk, "You'll be staying aboard the Astraea, yes? I'd hate to have to remind you of away team protocol." a tease, a playful jab, with no barbs intended.

"I will stay aboard, at least for now. I can co-ordinate from here. I'm going to take the Astraea into orbit above Kessik IV so we can be ready to render any assistance that may be required. I can have sickbay standing by for injuries." She took a sip of her chai and brushed her hair back from her face. "Something feels off about this," she added quietly. "It feels a little too coincidental."

"I agree." Ichiko added. "A diversion, perhaps." she offered, but she knew that Abigail didn't have the answers. "Koh is helping on the site, so they at least have ears in the air. Callisi's used to grey op drops so it turns out both teams have the right Ts'usugi for the task." she offered.

Abigail nodded again. Another sip of her chai. "So what are we being distracted from?" she queried quietly. "What else is going on that we aren't meant to see? Or is it really just sheer coincidence that while we're here looking for a wanted criminal a mine collapses and one of our teams goes missing?"

"The mine collapse is meant to distract everyone. The colony response will flood to the mine, meaning there'll be thinner security around everywhere else. If our criminal is here, now is the time they'd depart. The mine collapse is also meant to draw our attention. Perhaps they were holding our other team as leverage, and then the mine's collapse worked well enough that they abandoned the hostages and are making their escape." she mused, sipping her tea.

"Bringing them with would be extra time wasted and extra questions at the escape point. If they're leaving, they're leaving alone or with their team. Bringing our away team with them as leverage is pointless. When we find our people, they'll be alone. Our target will be long gone." a pause, "Or so I'd like to think."

"For their sakes, I hope you're right," Abigail said with a heavy sigh. "How long will you need to prepare an away team? This time, I think go in full uniform, make your presence known and see if you can ruffle some feathers. If Tejar is on the surface and using this as a way to escape, Starfleet presence might hurry him up."

"I'd say half an hour." she estimated conservatively. Not like she needed to review files. "And I agree, we go in full shock and awe." a pause, "The Ts'usugi have an official strategy for ground combat called the Awe of Heaven. It's essentially make as big a presence as possible and make the enemy regret engaging in combat with you. I think, remove the combat part, and the strategy might apply here. Come down with the full splendor of the fleet."

"Take whatever steps you think are necessary," Abigail replied with a nod. "The crew is standing by." Abigail took another sip of her chai before looking across at Ichiko. "Just be safe down there my friend."

Ichiko offered a rare sight: An honest smile. "You're not getting rid of me that easily." she offered, holding that smile as she stood. "I'll start immediately. No unnecessary risks, no endangerment." she relaxed a bit, stress seeming to just melt off her form. Her smile remained for a moment before it, too, relaxed. "No orbital bombardment, though. Promise." she giggled, to lighten the mood. She knew what she had to do.

"Preferably not, that one might be a little difficult to explain to Command," Abigail laughed in return, finishing her chai. "Make your plans, let me know when you're ready for departure."