[Grand Banks - Erassian Space - USS Chimera-C]
Slowly, at a speed half the speed of light, the large silvery saucer of the acclaimed USS Chimera NCC 96899-C cut through the nebulous yellow fog of the famed Grand Banks Nebula. Surrounding the ship were massive electric storms firing bolts of lighting the length of solar systems across light years of space. The nebula was a haven of these ion storms and deadly radiation - deadly enough to boil the blood of the Chimera's crew within one minute of exposure in several parts.
Luckily, the data obtained through Marine Captain Xerxes use of the Erassian treasury satellite kept the Chimera safely away from those areas. But one would be wise to keep in mind the possibilities of danger that could arise - at least in an effort to prepare for that improbable, but possible, outcome.
Captain Cropa Rojac had ordered the Medical Department to be on stand-by incase such an occasion did occur. Commander Trzetrzelewska ordered engineering to station damage control teams at the shield emitters as a first line of defense, and Rojac agreed. If the shields went down, most of medical's efforts would be futile.
"Anything on sensors yet, Commander?" Rojac called from the command chair.
"Only dust, radiation, and high levels of electrical activity, Captain." Ra-Zerphimi, the Chief Science Officer reported. "I can't get clear readings any further than 580 km ahead."
Rojac grimaced. "Helm, adjust speed to quarter impulse. We don't need to run into anything while our eyes are closed."
"Aye sir." Rayna Dior called over her shoulder as her slender fingers slid down the throttle controls. Rojac could "feel" the lurch caused by the slowing of movement on the viewscreen. "Speed adjusted. ETA to navpoint 3 in 45 minutes."
Rojac looked over to the Mission Specialist chair to his left, occupied by Marine Captain Xerxes. "No records of any of the second fleet transiting through here yet?"
"No Captain but then there wouldn't be records of military movements kept in a civilian database. It sort of defeats the point of having a fleet of stealth ships if everybody knows where they are...only Starfleet would think of that as a good thing. Besides when they're ready they'll show where they are, of course they wont show their entire hand in one go." Anya replied in an even tone.
"Captain!" Ra-Zerphimi shouted from his post. "I reading a ship off our starboard bow. The transponder registry database confirms it as the EAS Hermes."
"He always knew how to make an entrance." Rojac whispered to Xerxes as he stood up. "Open a channel."
Anya had to agree, only Viktor would sneak up on a state of the art Starfleet capital ship in a Carrier of all things which was the least stealthy craft in the entire Erassian Alliance Military.
When the communications officers nodded the channel was open, Rojac addressed the viewscreen in his best Starfleet voice: "Erassian Vessel, I am Captain Cropa Rojac of the USS Chimera, accompanied by the USS Eagle of Starfleet Special Forces' First Taskforce. We are here on a mission of peaceful negotiation, and we seek an audience with General Viktor Ivanov. Please respond."
Rojac paused for what seemed like an eternity, before the reply finally flickered onto the view-screen before him.
Viktor stood next to a shorter blonde woman wearing a Colonel's rank insignia. Viktor as most times looked amused wheras the woman who it took Anya only a split second to recognize as Colonel Serena Anios looked pissed off as usual. "You and I may differ on what constitutes a peaceful mission Captain." Viktor spoke. "Usually it doesn't begin with 'After berating our only allies for defending themselves against the threat of mass genocide we demanded unrestricted access to all their territory including the highly sensitive seat of power. Upon the innevitable decline of this request we went with the diplomatic option of sending four highly armed combat vessels into our allies' territory anyway.' I think thats what I call Guzman pounding wardrums."
"The body within Starfleet that you have had most contact with is the Special Forces First Taskforce, and we don't have many non-combat vessels. We were chosen not to be a threat force gaining entrance into your territory, General, but as a familiar entity to facilitate negotiation. I believe your history with the USS Chimera no doubt plays more than a minor role in our assignment here." Rojac responded, cooly. "In response to the Narendra Dispute, I do not blame the actions of your government. But part of our objective here is too help the strained relations between our governments through cooperation. I assure you, General, not as a Starfleet Captain, but as a former comrade: we just want to talk."
"The body within Starfleet that you have had most contact with is the Special Forces First Taskforce, and we don't have many non-combat vessels. We were chosen not to be a threat force gaining entrance into your territory, General, but as a familiar entity to facilitate negotiation. I believe your history with the USS Chimera no doubt plays more than a minor role in our assignment here." Rojac responded, cooly. "In response to the Narendra Dispute, I do not blame the actions of your government. But part of our objective here is too help the strained relations between our governments through cooperation. I assure you, General, not as a Starfleet Captain, but as a former comrade: we just want to talk."
"Wow Colonel Anios cracks a joke. Where are the four men on horses?" Anya replied. "Besides Commodore Guzman's attitude to the Alliance is well known which was why it only took one complaint into Major General Kira's Office for us to have Ambassador Ayanami granted travel privileges with us for this mission."
Anios replied "I see Captain Xerxes still doesn't watch her tongue..."
"That's because I don't stick my tongue into the same sorts of places you use yours Colonel!" Anya cut in acidly.
Viktor chuckled "Well some things never change anyway. If we really must soil the day with idle diplomatic chit chat you may as well bring a shuttle over here although I would prefer Ambassador Ayanami fly her Bowfighter over here. It's not exactly ideal having it lie around in a Starfleet shuttle bay as I'm sure you can appreciate. Say fifteen minutes?"
"The Ambassador may do as she wishes. My orders carry very little weight with her." Rojac replied. "And I'm sure once our conversation gets started, Colonel Anios, you'll understand why we've sent four armed ships. In fact, I think you'll agree as to why. We will be over in half an hour, General."
"Very well Captain Rojac we'll see you then. I look forward to a detailed explanation of your presence. Ivanov out." The image disappeared leaving only the external view.
As the transmission ended Rojac quickly turned to MCap Xerxes and addressed her in a harsh tone, "Captain, in the future I will ask that you keep inflammatory comments to yourself - despite whatever personal relationships you have with the crew present on the Hermes. You are representing the Chimera and myself and I don't appreciate looking like a damned fool in front of a flag officer of any kind."
"I'm not sure exactly what you considered to be inflammatory Captain but I'll endeavor to avoid it in future." Anya thought it was probably the discourse between herself and Serena but in reality it wasn't as hostile as it seemed. Three years ago during the war Serena then a Major was Anya's Wing Commander and Anya had acted as a wing man for her during a number of engagements.
"Report to Main Shuttlebay in fifteen minutes." Rojac turned to the communations officer,"And have the rest of the Away Team do the same. Natalia, you have the bridge."
"Sir" Anya nodded and exited the Bridge planning to head straight to the main shuttlebay and start prepping the shuttle right away.
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End Log
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Captain Cropa Rojac
CO
USS Chimera - C
Marine Captain Anya Xerxes
Flight Ops CO
USS Chimera - C
Lieutenant Rayna Dior (NPC Rojac)
Helm Officer
USS Chimera - C
General Viktor Ivanov (NPC Ixus)
Erassian Alliance 2nd Fleet CO
EAS Hermes
Colonel Serena Anios (NPC Ixus)
CO
EAS Hermes
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