[Deck One - USS Qashqai]
The blue haze of the transporters confinement beam loosed its hold on Tedros Chisulo and Rangi Summers. They stepped off the platform of the Qashqai First Transporter Room in the at section of deck one and were greeted by the Marine guard sent to escort them to the meeting. The meandered down the narrow, utilitarian hallway to the Bridge where Commodore Guzman and their new Romulan friend were already gathered at the rear section of the room.
It was all happening so quickly or at least that's how it seemed to Rangi. From the long hours of captivity to the nail biting situation on the Bridge, from the agonizing wait to know if Shane and Martin were safe and now she and Chisulo were walking along a corridor aboard Qashqai almost as though it was the most natural thing in the world. She longed to see Martin even though she knew he was safe here somewhere but as the door slid open Shane looked up and their eyes met.
There was no romantic reunion, no running across the room to fall into his waiting arms, no endearments, no tender moment, in fact nothing at all that could give an inkling of how much the moment held for them both. The guard stood aside and Rangi preceded Chisulo into the room and with the softest of smile she said simply: "Commodore"
"Commodore Guzman," Chisulo snapped a quick salute, "it is good to see you, sir."
Shane nodded towards Chisulo and said: "The pleasure is all mine, Captain. I must say that seldom was an unannounced guest such a positive surprise like in your case". Turning to Rangi, he said: "Commander, I am very glad to see you safe and sound again. Martin is here as well and we shall see him as soon as this meeting is over".
Besides the Romulan Sub-Commander all were aware of the romantic relationship between Rangi and Shane, but while on duty and in public, Shane always maintained a formal "facade" while talking to Rangi. It would not fit very well when the Task Force CO and Task Force Medical Advisor would kiss passionately on Qashqai's bridge. Maybe later.
A defiant class ship was not properly fitted for diplomatic meetings of any kind, since it was a Spartan build war ship – even if officially labeled as escort ship. Qashqai was an exception here, since it was the personal ship of the 1st Task Force CO and it was expected that diplomacy and politics will play a considerable role in the day-to-day duty of such a flag officer. Therefore Qashqai was slightly modified towards a more comfortable vessel prepared for private talks and small size diplomatic meetings. There was a conference room adjacent to the bridge, about the size of a senior officer's quarters on a galaxy class ship.
Shane motioned the small gathering to follow him and said: "Let's please go to the conference room".
Chisulo and the Romulan allowed Rangi to go first and she took a place opposite Shane, eyeing him as he stood patiently waiting for them all to be seated, assessing the spectacular bruise on his jaw and what was obviously a very painful blackening eye.
[ Conference Room - Deck One ]
Maintaining the usual hospitality of Starfleet ships, there was a replicator in the conference room and Shane offered his guests drinks and refreshment.
"Just an apple juice please. " Rangi said when he looked in her direction, knowing that he would have guessed her choice.
Gathering the 'orders', Shane went over to replicate the requested drinks while the others found their seats behind the large red wooden table. Placing cups in front of respective officers, Shane made it to the head of the table
and seated himself as well.
"Well" Shane started, "through I am very glad that you are here Captain Chisulo, maybe you would like to enlighten me why are you here and how it happens that Commander Summers is with you"
"Yes sir." Chisulo nodded, and set his mug of coffee on the tabletop. "Major Kinn, while reviewing the data gathered by Commander Terek, linked Rangi and Martin's disappearance to the disappearance of dozens of Federation Agents in Romulan territory. When Commander Summer's message was transmitted from Padassa Station, she asked Captain Rodgers to postpone relaying the coordinates to you so that he could relay her
suspicions to the XO and myself. At that meting we agreed that the Qashai would be outmatched, and that reinforcements should be deployed to ensure the success of the operation. We also wanted to have the best chance of success in the rescue of Rangi, Martin, and the Federation agents; and so the Detector - with one of the best cloaking devices in the fleet - was outfitted with transphasic torpedoes, procured under my request, and deployed."
Shane nodded: "We will talk about the delay of information from Terek later. Why did you not bring Major Kinn here as well?" he asked.
"Major Kinn is on Padassa Station now." Chisulo replied. "She decided to remain aboard with members of our infiltration team and take it from Romulan hands. Three Klingon warships were currently inbound to ward of the
Romulan presence, and we called for reinforcements from UNITY on our way to rendezvous with you, Commodore. There were Klingon and Erassian agents held captive on the station as well."
Shane sighed: "I see". After a pause he continued: "Personally I am very glad for what you did, but as a Commodore I am not that happy now. We have now some minor forces here and on the way and know nothing about the power of Romulan forces in this sector. There could be a Romulan fleet be already on the way here and crush us all within half an hour." Turning to the Romulan Sub-Commander he said: "Unless our Romulan friend can tell us more about Romulan forces around … "
"So … you think we could hold Padassa and this sector?" Shane asked.
Turning to Chisulo, Shane asked: "What forces have we ready to arrive here within 24 hours?"
"The Hindenberg, Valiant, Amalthea and Akira are all on stand-by at UNITY." Chisulo replied. "The Savikra and the Exeter are on patrol along the Klingon-Romulan border and should be able to get here quickly, if given the order."
"We need ground troops … many ground troops if we want to attempt such a major operation. Luckily I know that SSF Command is dispatching a full Marine Expeditionary Force for the needs of the current war. MEF Command will be located on UNITY and formally it will fall under 1st Task Force Command. The MEF Commander along with good a third of his all force should arrive @ UNITY today, so we could use his unit to support our offensive"
"I can contact Captain Rodgers back on UNITY and make our request." Chisulo nodded.
Shane nodded: "Of course. We need to talk about this in more detail. As for now, we shall head back to Passada and see how the situation is there." Shane turned to Chisulo and said: "Captain, get in touch with UNITY and start planning the offensive." Turning to the Romulan he said: "You please, contact all those wanting to put an end to the Romulan occupation. We shall talk about native forces once we arrive at Passada, and about your role with Harker as well"
Shane nodded and said: "You're dismissed". As all of the other officers stood from their seats, Shane said: "Commander Summers, please stay here."
[ End Log ]
Commodore Shane Guzman
Commanding Officer
Captain Tedros Chisulo
Tactical Advisor
Commander Rangi Summers
Medical Advisor
SSF First Taskforce
and
Cevelas
Anx Rebel Alliance Member / Romulan Defector
(apb Bren)