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Post by Nola on Apr 9, 2018 9:26:28 GMT
"…Le mieux est l'ennemi de bien." - Voltaire ( written by Andrew )
A newly upgraded Sovereign-class vessel patrolling near the Cardassian demilitarized zone was intended as an obvious message. Starfleet would be ready for anything the Cardassians and Vaad'waur were planning. With the use of underspace tunnels, however, the truth was that Starfleet had no idea what was going on - their neighbors worked in the shadows, out of sight and untouchable. Investigating the Cardassians was like trying to read a book under water - difficult not because the water blurred the words, nor because the pages softened and fell away, but because you'd drown before you could finish the introduction.
Captain Ishihara sat in command of the USS Voltaire, her first command - her first full day. Since Admiral Walker's general address the other day, she'd assumed her first orders would be to join the offensive against Section 31. Disappointingly, the change in situation with the Cardassians meant diverting some resources. So they patrolled, waiting for news.
Last week, Ishihara had been Executive Officer on board the USS Cleopatra, a Sovereign-class that hadn't gone through the upgrade process yet. They were currently near Calanara, part of what was being called Taskforce Vulcan, preparing for their role in the offensive against Section 31. What a difference 7 days made. She suspected she'd have the same thought the same time next week.
Every face on the Voltaire was a new one to Ishihara. She thought of her previous crew, and missed them terribly, especially Captain Pons, with her ceremonial tattoo across her bald head. She'd been a mentor and remained a good friend. "Misa, are you sure I can't convince you to shave your head?" Pons joked as they'd stood outside the shuttle that would take Ishihara to her new assignment. "We could have matching tattoos and everything!"
It seemed everyone was getting involved in the offensive - her sister Hinata was a doctor on the USS Tethys, also part of Taskforce Vulcan. Despite being two years younger, Ishihara had always felt like the older sister, and the usual concerns over her well-being bubbled in her stomach.
Ishihara's thoughts there thrown from her mind as she was thrown from her chair. It took her a moment to regain her senses. Red lights were flashing, alarms were blaring. There'd been an explosion. Still on the floor, she called out, "Report!" to whoever could hear her.
"We've hit a mine! Damage to the port nacelle, hull breaches on the lower decks, emergency force-fields are holding." The reply came from her Executive Officer, Commander Ashcroft. Ishihara crawled over to the operations console where a Lieutenant lay, unconscious from striking his head on the console as they'd been thrown to the floor. Ishihara realised she'd hurt her ankle when she tried to step on it and it collapsed. She yelped in pain as she collapsed back to the floor, but no one heard her as the ship was rocked again by another explosion.
"Another mine! Warp core breach imminent!" shouted Ashcroft. He slammed his fists down on the console he was at, "Damn! We can't eject the core, too much damage, and we'll never be able to move the ship away in time. We have to get out of here!"
Her command was to last one day, she told herself as she tapped her badge and hoped the comms system was still working. "All hands, abandon ship! All hands, abandon ship!"
Ashcroft ran over, his face grey and frowning. "This isn't the day for pointless deaths," he said as he pulled Ishihara up and threw her arm around his neck. "Let's all get to the escape pods."
"I had no intention of dying today," she said as she rested her weight on his shoulders and hobbled towards the turbolift with the other crewmembers, everyone helping each other as best they could. She couldn't believe this was happening. Mines, here? Were the Cardassians so arrogant to think they could do such a thing? Were they declaring war?
"Ashcroft," she said, as they reached the pod. "Let's hope Starfleet has a ship to spare… I'd rather not get captured by the Cardassians."
"Oh, it's not the Cardassians you need to worry about," he said as he dropped his support and shoved Ishihara into the pod. She let out another scream of pain as her weight fell onto her broken ankle, and tumbled to the floor as the pod doors closed behind her. Ashcroft smiled, and ejected the pod.
One of five in the pod, she was helped to a chair where she could activate the distress beacon. Please, Starfleet, get here fast… Turning back, she looked out of the small viewing port at the Voltaire, still unable to make sense of what was going on. No… that couldn't be right… the ship was powering up again, and from what she could tell without scanners, it was stabilizing itself. As the pod changed trajectory, spinning away, the sight of the Voltaire dropped off the bottom of the window, but Ishihara knew what she'd just seen. The Voltaire was going into warp.
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Post by Nola on Apr 9, 2018 9:46:19 GMT
Mission Orders <IncomingComm> <OrigSFHQ> <Dest86273> <SecLev9>
TO: Captain Jiang Zhihao, Commanding Officer USS Zorya NCC-86273 CC: Lieutenant Commander Joanne Feyna, Executive Officer USS Zorya NCC-86273
FROM: Office of Fleet Admiral Ajani Ket, Alpha CentCom
SUBJECT: Mission Orders SD 11804.09
Captain Jiang,
The USS Voltaire has been captured near the independent world of Fahleena. A group of radicals has claimed repsonsibility. The loss of such an important vessel is distressing enough, but it's made worse by the fact that this group of radicals have adopted a familiar name: The Maquis.
Starfleet Intelligence is aware of the group, and is currently formulating a plan to uproot their operation before it spreads.
The Zorya's mission is two-fold. First, you are to proceed immediately to Fahleena to retrieve the crew of the Voltaire, who evacuated due to an apparently-faked warp core breach. Among them is her Commanding Officer, Captain Ishihara. Once you have the crew, you are to pursure and locate the Voltaire and see to her retrieval or destruction. A ship of that caliber cannot be allowed to stay in rogue hands.
Starfleet Intelligence will be in touch to provide further support. Whatever resources we can spare are yours, but it's imperative you find that ship as quickly as possible.
Good luck, Captain.
Fleet Admiral Ajani Ket
<EndComm> <CopiedToArchive>
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2018 18:54:42 GMT
Mission Briefing 11804.09
All: I'm sure you've all heard the news by now. It looks like the Maquis are back. This will be dealt with, but first we've got some good people out there who are probably scared right now. Let's get to it.
XO: Co-ordinate a rescue effort, let's do this as fast as we can. I don't want to be near the DMZ for any longer than we need to.
NAV: As quick as we can, please. Remain on standby to get us out of here when the time comes.
CMO: I know you're all set and ready for anything. I have no additional orders at this time.
SCI: As well as assisting in locating all the Voltaire's escape pods, please see if you can come up with a way to find out where the Voltaire went. Additionally, and as a priority, there may be subspace mines in the area. I'd rather detect them and avoid them than find them the hard way.
CTO: Stay alert, there may be more Maquis activity in the area. If a Sovereign class vessel can be swamped, we need to be on our toes. Also, find out as much as you can about the Voltaire. If we do end up having to go toe to toe with her, I'd like to know her weaknesses, if any.
OPS: Pinpoint the distress beacons from the Voltaire's escape pods. Let them know we're on the way, and we'll do everything we can to assist them.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2018 11:44:36 GMT
Mission Briefing 11804.16
All: Good work getting all the Voltaire crew on board. Next step is to track the Voltaire down.
XO: There's a lot going on at the moment. I'd like to chat with Captain Ishihara, see if she can give us any insight into how such an advanced ship could be stolen from us. While I'm doing that, please keep the crew on track and coordinate the departments.
NAV: Maintain position, and calculate an efficient search pattern for the Voltaire.
CMO: You have your hands busy already. Send Captain Ishihara to the bridge as soon as she's able.
SCI: See if you can trace the Voltaire's ion trail, if we can narrow the search area down. I know you're also looking at the mines, but the priority is the Voltaire.
CTO: Anything you can do to make any battle with the Voltaire swing in our favour, I want to know. Prepare and run a number of tactical drills.
OPS: Contact Starfleet Intelligence. I want the command override codes for the Voltaire, and I want them yesterday.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2018 11:15:42 GMT
Mission Briefing 11804.23
All: Let's get the rest of the Voltaire crew onto Outpost Gamma 7 and then depart for the Badlands.
XO: The Badlands... this isn't going to be easy, is it? I'm all ears for your opinions and suggestions with the current situation.
NAV: Lay in a course for the Badlands. Prepare the Quantum Slipstream Drive. Ensure that navigational controls and systems are at peak efficiency - if we have to enter the Badlands, we'll have to avoid intense plasma storms and gravitational anomalies.
CMO: Good work with the Voltaire crew. I hope they will be the last patients for a long time, but I highly doubt it given the nature of this mission. Stay ready. Additionally, (and confidentially) I'm a little concerned about Captain Ishihara's mental state right now. What she has gone through can't be easy. Please keep a friendly eye on her, maybe have a word with her now and again, assign her a counsellor should you feel she needs one.
SCI: The Badlands is notoriously a problem for sensors. With a severely limited sensor range, we'll need another way to see what is around. The Bajorans have used some echolocation techniques in the past. See if we can do the same.
CTO/OPS: Keep working on your simulations, anything that could give us an edge if we.. WHEN we face off against the Voltaire.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2018 9:59:17 GMT
Mission Briefing 11804.30
All: Let's follow up this asteroid lead.
XO: I don't want to spend too long in the Badlands. If the Maquis are here, this is their territory. Take a look at the database, see if there's anything in there about the Badlands that may help us now.
NAV: Keep up the good work, I know navigating the Badlands isn't easy. Bring us closer to the asteroid.
CMO: Keep Sickbay on alert.
SCI: Scan the asteroid as best you can with the limited sensors.
CTO/OPS: How are those simulations going? Maintain yellow alert.
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2018 6:10:01 GMT
Mission Briefing 11805.07
XO: Commander, under the circumstances I believe we should work together to get out of the Badlands here and update Starfleet Command. Do you agree?
- Captain Ishihara
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2018 13:58:29 GMT
Mission Briefing 11805.14 From: Captain Misa Ishihara To: Command & Senior Staff, Department Heads
All: I am very aware of how difficult this situation is for all of you. Right now, we need to work together and get through this trying time. I'd like full reports from every department, it's time to assess where we are and what the next step is. We're shortly rendezvousing with the Chiron. I expect to speak with her Captain and our crews will work together to track the Granuaile, and hopefully find a way to stop the Voltaire before it causes more damage. If we have time, I'd like a staff meeting to discuss the situation.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2018 10:48:56 GMT
Mission Briefing 11805.21 From: Captain Misa Ishihara To: Command & Senior Staff, Department Heads
All: Looks like we've found the Granuaile. We'll work further with the USS Chiron on this matter.
XO: I'm sure Captain Sumner will take the lead with the Granuaile as they've been chasing the ship for longer than us. I'll want to be part of any discussions between them, in which case you'll have the bridge.
NAV: Maintain position as best as you can in the storms.
CMO: I understand you've requested medical assistance from the Chiron? Please give me or Commander Feyna an update on the current situation in Sickbay.
SCI: Scan the Granuaile; I understand sensors aren't 100% in the Badlands, but do your best.
CTO: I don't want to get caught out again, we all know how... resourceful... the Maquis can be, and we also know there are drones in here. Stay alert, keep the shields up and weapons on standby for now.
OPS: Please put your combadge back on, unless you're planning to resign. Contact the Chiron, tell them we're ready to follow their lead. Additionally, as soon as we're able, contact the USS Eos and the USS Ardennes and find out how they are doing in the hunt for the Voltaire.
CEO: Please continue with any further repairs.
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2018 12:45:02 GMT
Mission Briefing 11805.28 From: Captain Misa Ishihara To: Command & Senior Staff, Department Heads
All: Reports show the USS Voltaire was involved in a raid on a cargo convoy near Nivoch, a neutral world near the Badlands. My personal feelings about catching the Voltaire are clear, but even putting those aside, it is clear that we have to stop that ship. It simply can't be left to carry on hurting and killing civilians. That is Starfleet tech, and as such, we have a duty to put this to an end.
XO: I'm going to see if I can speak with the prisoners on the Chiron and get an update from Captain Sumner in person. I'm hoping face-to-face communication may ease some of the tensions that seem to have grown between us. You'll have command of the Zorya in the meantime.
NAV: Based on the specs of the Voltaire, I want you to map an area of territory the Voltaire would be able to attack and still withdraw to the Badlands safely.
CMO: I have no specific orders for you at this time, please carry on.
SCI/CTO: During the earlier attack in the Badlands, we also encountered drones. I'd like you to work together to analyse the sensor data we have of these drones, and dig a little deeper. I've heard the names Alessia and Adria bandied around, can you confirm this? I am unfamiliar with these people, and as such I want a full report upon my return.
OPS: Contact the USS Eos and the USS Ardennes and gather any data they may have collected during their search for the Voltaire. Make sure they are aware of the attack near Nivoch, and once ready, send them Ensign Perez's projected area of operations. Send a general alert throughout that entire area, travel only recommended if absolutely necessary and that people should stay alert at all times.
CEO: I understand we need to stop at a Starbase for further repairs, but we simply don't have the time to spare at the moment. Do what you can with what you've got.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2018 13:45:15 GMT
Mission Briefing 11806.04 From: Captain Misa Ishihara To: Command & Senior Staff, Department Heads
All: I'll be brief. Our mission remains urgent. We must stop the Voltaire. I'm open for any and all ideas at this point. All senior officers report to the bridge.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2018 15:10:08 GMT
Mission Briefing 11806.18 From: Captain Misa Ishihara, Commanding Officer USS Zorya To: Senior Staff, USS Zorya
All: I am more than impressed by your performances during this mission. Thank you, each and every one of you. Let's wrap this up.
I want full reports from each department. All effort should be put towards helping the Chiron reach Starbase.
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Post by Nola on Jun 22, 2018 9:26:35 GMT
Oseth th'Ranma Personal Logs - Antonia Station
Log 1:
Those fools on the council don't seem to understand the opportunity we have here. Starfleet is stretched thin. They're surrounded by enemies both real and imagined. Now is the time for action, not sticking to the shadows like grelth.
They are afraid. They are afraid of taking control of their destinies. They say it will only bring ruin.
What's that human saying? 'Better to die on my feet?'
If those rock slugs on the council won't do it, then I will.
Cowards.
Log 2:
Uzaveh smiles upon us. Last week we made contact with the Order and requested assistance against Starfleet. Their representative told us we'd hear a response soon, and we got it today. Alessia herself wants to meet with me to discuss what aid they can give.
This is it. This is the start.
Log 3:
More good news: Ashcroft has been assigned as XO aboard the USS Voltaire, a Sovereign-class vessel currently undergoing upgrades. He'll have control over roster assignments. I'm meeting with Alessia tomorrow - this will surely show our cause to be viable.
That's some serious firepower. Gives us a lot of options. We could disrupt shipping. We could stage an attack on some Cardassian target. We'll finally be able to punch back.
Log 4:
Alessia has gifted us with 30 of her high-end drones, which she says is only the start. She praised our plan for the Voltaire, saying we'd revealed a path to her she'd never considered. The tech in these drones... They're almost as impressive as the Voltaire itself. She says they will help shield us from Starfleet's wrath.
Screw that. I have a better idea.
Log 5:
He did it! Ashcroft took the Voltaire right out from under his new Captain. Tricked 'em with some kind of fake core breach and they all evacuated like idiots. They should be here soon. Starfleet just launched some big offensive in the Beta Quadrant, and something about the Cardassians has them spooked in the Alpha.
Long story short, they've only sent two ships after us. It's not nearly enough.
Generations to come will sing of our deeds. Glorious.
Log 6:
My first log from the bridge of the Voltaire. It's beautiful, far too lovely for the hands of fascists. Sitting in this chair? It feels like I've gotten back a fragment of what those assholes took from me. Some meager restoration of my dignity. It's only the first of many.
We've laid a trap for the ship following us, the Zorya. The Voltaire's records show a Captain Jiang in command. Not a whole lot of experience from the look of things. It's gonna find one of our depots and hopefully trigger a transponder, at which point we'll strike, along with a dozen of the drones.
Oh, and get this: The other ship? The Chiron? It's hunting down Danann. Fuckin' perfect, right? With Danann out of the way and the Voltaire in my hands, I don't think I'll be seeing much more resistance from the council.
This is almost going too well.
Log 7:
Spoke too soon, heh. The Zorya sprang our trap, and we hit 'em, but they pulled off something Ashcroft called a 'photonic wave.' Whatever that means, it was a hell of an explosion. Whatever little asshole came up with that idea's lucky he didn't ignite a whole swath of the Badlands.
The blast took out the drones and did a number on our navigational systems, but the Zorya's crippled. I wanted to finish 'em off, but Ashcroft insisted we withdraw. Said they have fighters, and we couldn't spare any power to reinforce the shields without risking getting tore up by the Badlands.
So, we're limping home. Zorya got lucky. Won't happen again.
Log 8:
Ashcroft's getting on my last nerve. He's getting cold feet, and it's starting to spread. Says the ambush went worse than I want to admit. Wasn't exactly stellar. Maybe I got a little too ahead of myself, but we're fine. They can't find us in here, even if they are sending a couple more ships.
We play cat and mouse for a bit, set the board how we want it, and then strike.
Still, a little extra help wouldn't hurt. I've put out another call for Alessia to see what else she can provide.
Log 9:
Ashcroft's gone. Took most of his men with him. Chickenshit. So they're sending another Sovvie and a Prometheus. Doesn't matter. Whatever advantage they have, the Badlands cancels it out.
Maybe he was planted too long. Maybe he took a shine to the uniform. Starfleet's a disease, a corruption of the soul. Makes men scared and weak.
We've still got enough to man the Voltaire, if only just. We're taking her back out to blow off some steam.
No word yet from Alessia.
Log 10:
No more help is coming. I figured out too late what Alessia was trying to tell me all this time. She goes on about how we're all part of a grand tapestry, 'little threads pulling to and fro, unaware just what it is we're pulling.' She says the Order has only one goal: to open our eyes.
Well, mine are open, now. I was never meant to succeed. At least not in the way I thought. This was never meant to be a sustained crusade. This was never meant to be the start of the revolution. This... We... I'm just kindling. Just kindling.
Okay. If this is the end of the line, then so be it. I may just be kindling, but I'll be damned if I'm not also the spark that ignites the blaze.
Then we'll all be able to see.
Consider this me signing off. If some Starfleet bastard finds this, fuck you. I hope I killed your friends. I'm not sorry, and now there's nothing you can do about it. Now you know how it feels.
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