OOC: A bit of a backlog
= USS Qashqai - Bridge =
Bren watched the viewscreen closely as the Qashqai and her entourage dropped out of warp into the Aeran System. Their journey back had taken a little longer because the Detector and the Jameson could only travel at low warp. It had given Bren time to write up his report for Commodore Guzman about the mission and allow him to go through the sensor logs of the station to look for anything that might offer insight into the explosion that destroyed what was left of Research Outpost R-12.
The explosive device had emitted an energy signature that bore a vague resemblance to Romulan technology, but the similarity was equally viable when compared to Breen technology. The problem was the comparison was not significant enough for it to point a smoking gun at either of the two.
Then there was the communications beacon that had been left active on the station. Bren hadn't accessed the beacon's stored archive yet, wanting to wait until he could do so in a secured lab on Unity, but the study he had done of it so far revealed that the beacon had received and transmitted communications until shortly before they arrived at Tarangor, and that the communications were encrypted. Had they not taken the beacon, it would have been destroyed on R-12.
The wheel shape of Unity came into view as the Qashqai approached, and Bren was surprised to see the amount of ships that were in the vicinity, and it made him wonder if there had been a recall of task groups in the Task Force or if they were stepping up security of the system. He spotted the Chimera in the distance, who had probably just returned from their latest mission.
"Lieutenant Siashon, proceed with docking procedures," Bren ordered as he stood up from the command chair. "Inform the Jameson to place the shipyard in geostationary orbit."
"Aye, sir," came the Tellarite officer's reply.
Bren walked off the bridge to the small antechamber that served as a conference room and ready room for the small Defiant class ship. Sitting down at the table, he tapped at the terminal and hailed Lieutenant Pakosii, the Commodore's aide, directly. A moment later Pakosii answered the call.
"This Commander Ohmsford on the Qashqai returning from the Tarangor System. Please inform Commodore Guzman that I need to speak with him immediately," Bren said.
"I'm sorry, sir, but Commodore Guzman is not available at the moment. He's asked not be disturbed," came the business-like reply.
"The Commodore expressly told me to see him once I returned, and I have some information that requires his attention," Bren urged.
"I'm sorry, sir," Pakosii replied again. "But the Commodore is unable to see you right now. He is with Admiral LaGrand and cannot be disturbed."
Bren sighed at the mention of LaGrand's name and realised it would be futile to even try to see Guzman today. "Please tell Colonel PontBrilliant I need to see him as soon as we dock, then."
A moment passed as Pakosii went off screen before coming back. "I'm sorry Commander, but Colonely PontBrillant is unavailable at present."
"Lieutenant, this is very urgent!" Bren reiterated again, feeling as if he was talking to a wall.
"I'm sorry Commander, but Colonely PontBrillant is in the Infirmary after being involved in an explosion," Pakosii replied. "I will give him the information as soon as he is released."
"What about Commander Harbright?" Bren tried, but had no luck.
"I'm sorry sir, but Commander Harbright is dead," Pakosii said.
Harbright Dead? He recalled something about the old man being ill and thought maybe the illness has bested him. Bren rubbed his forehead in frustration and looked back at Pakosii. "All right, Lieutenant, can you please tell me who I can speak to? This is a matter of importance."
"As Captain Chisulo is currently not on-base, that would be you, Commander," Pakosii replied straight-forwardly. Bren thought the man was a second away of telling him he had to go and debrief himself.
"Very well, thank you Lieutenant," Bren said before closing the comm, wondering what the hell was going on in the 1st Task Force.
= End Log =
Commander Bren Ohmsford
Science & Act. Engineering Advisor
1st Task Force, SSF
