[Situation Room - Taskforce Level - SB 234: UNITY]
"Thank you all for coming," Chisulo began the meeting, "let's get underway."The tall, battle-scarred African Captain stood at the head of the large holographic table. Around it stood the XO of the Taskforce, Captain Rodgers, the new CO of the Marine Expeditionary Force, Brigadier General Sharpe, and the hybrid Ambassador to the Erassian Alliance, Ambassador Alecto Ayanami. A holographic mock-up of Padassa station appeared before them as Chisulo began his presentation.
"This is Padassa Station, which all of you are aware was just liberate from Romulan hands. It is located in Quorom space, behind the former Neutral Zone and appeared to be an undercover intelligence and POW station for Romulan efforts in Quorom space." Chisulo said. He pressed a command into the console in front of him and the image changed to that of a rather sinister looking human male. "This man, Nicholas Harker, was behind the abduction of Commander Summers and Martin Guzman in an effort to lure Commodore Guzman into a trap. They were taken to this station, which is what led Major Kinn and I to the station - under Captain Rodger's approval." Chisulo nodded to the former head of Council Security as he mentioned his name.
"During the rescue operation, Major Kinn was able to free Klingon, Erassian, and Federation intelligence agents. She was also able to wrest control of the station from Romulan hands." Chisulo continued. "A klingon fleet has secured the perimeter, with the help of a three ship flotilla from Admiral LeGrand's forces. The Commodore is negotiating with the Klingons at Padassa now. It is assumed that they will maintain the security of the station, with Federation support."
"The capture of Padassa has given us a great advantage that may turn the tide of this war." Chisulo said. "Though much of the station's hard intelligence was deleted in the assault, the HUMINT from the rescued agents is very valuable. Evidence points to the presence of a very large supply base deeper in Quorom space. Many of our combined assets detected high levels of fleet movements in this region of Quorom Space."
The holographic display changed to that of a representation of a highly active region of space. "This stellar nursery serves as the perfect cover for such a station. Anomalous gravimetric readings, high levels of anti-proton and tachyon emissions, and other phenomenon naturally prevent long-range sensor scans of the area. They also render the use of cloaking devices to be near useless. This puts most chances of a successful surprise attack by the Federation to be negligible."
"But we need to go on an offensive, and this base must be our primary target. It cannot, however, be our only concern. We need to maintain control at Padassa, and we must create a diversion to draw Romulan presence from this base. Which is why I am proposing a three stage operation dubbed Operation Magna." Chisulo said. "Stage one will be handled by Alpha Group, under Klingon Command. Their objective will be to hold down Padassa Station, feeding our effort with valuable intel and support during the operation."
Alecto nodded "We've spoken with the Chancellor and our allies on the High Council, they seem to agree that they will be able to provide forces towards the war effort although as their internal problems are still not entirely resolved the main bulk of the KDF will remain within the Empire. That being said we must be careful not to squander the resources that are given to us by them as more will not likely be forthcoming."
"We will probably need some of your troops to help secure the station, General." Chisulo said. "The KDF's forces are stretched thin along their border worlds."
Richard reviewed a large tablet padd he was holding. "I haven't met my new unit commanders yet, but looking at this, the best units would be the second and fourth battalions. That should put just over five hundred and fifty marines on Padassa station. I can always allocate more nearer the time, if you feel we need them." He said, looking at the rotating holo-schematic of the station.
Trent looked around at the others in the room as he grabbed his own PADD off a nearby table.
"Most of the ships in the task force are currently deployed in operations that we cannot pull them from at this time," Trent said as he looked over the PADD before he continued. "What we can provide is a small task group led by the Magellan, and consisting of the Akira, the Quasar and the Valiant."
"That should suffice, Captain. Bravo Group will be the meat of the operation. This will be the assault on the supply base in the Stellar Nursery." Chisulo said. "Beta Group will need to use the element of surprise to ensure success. However, with standard Federation cloaking devices being useless in the anti-proton and tachyon emissions present in the Nursery we would need another technology to keep the element of surprise."
Alecto gave a tired sigh. "Our technology in the Alliance in Stealth Armouring is very advanced but to gain the level of sophistication that our Military has in the area you would need to build the ships from scratch, not to mention that they are insanely resource intensive and us giving out Military grade secrets and technology isn't likely to happen. What I do have available to offer is a very advanced civillian Stealth Plating designed by Arondight Corporation for use on their freighters which in trials proved highly effective. They never put the technology into production though as it was too expensive for them to imploment.but we can arrange for that technology to be 'made available' to you although in return for footing the corporate bill for this the Erassian Alliance requests for improved warp core schematics and nacelle technology in trade."
Alecto continued on "Charlie Group is a joint Erassian/SSF mission to destroy another major Romulan Supply Base in the R'veras System. We will be sending four ships from the Third Fleet as well as the 43rd Fighter Division. Make no mistake this is a strategically vital target for both the Alliance and Federation as it will weaken the Romulans along a long stretch of the local front and in particular for us strangle supplies into the occupied Rios System."
"Will you require marine presence on the other two sides of the operation?" Richard asked. He pulled up the holo of the region again. "We're not sure what's in there, and I can provide a crack company of troops to support the action, if necessary."
"I have my doubts about how many would be required by Charlie Group as it is simply an Orbital Strike followed by an Air Strike to destroy and not capture the base. All we would require would be a Forward Observation Post to communicate target information." Alecto replied.
Chisulo interrupted. "Ambassador, how long would it take to install this stealth armor?"
"The Chimera." Chisulo answered.
"Possibly seven to ten days depending on how the two technologies gel." Alecto said after a moment's thought.
"Then we must begin immediately." Chisulo replied. "General, we will need a company of shock troops for Beta Group, and Captain, the Chimera's back-up will be at your discretion."
"I'll assign someone to you as soon as I can." Richard said.
Alecto interrupted before there was a chance to wrap things up. "There is one other requirement of the release of the stealth armour technology as well as certain other pieces of Erassian hardware due to arrive shortly aboard USS Chimera. We want someone qualified in the technology to oversee the installation and initial deployment of these technologies who would be placed in a reltively high level to insure things go...smoothly. We have even selected a potential candidate whom should meet with your approval by the name of Major Scott Walters a highly intelligent and capable officer, proficient in the fields of command and technology. That's not to mention he has a high level of expertise in the field of alien technology which I am led to believe has been somewhat of an issue of late?"
Chisulo brought a hand to his chin and glance over to Captain Rogers. Rodger nodded in Chisulo's direction. "On Captain Rojac's approval, Ambassador. His XO is being reassigned Captain the Rapier. I'm sure this will be a step forward in Federation-Erassian relations." Chisulo placed his palms face down on the table and stood. "Well then; we have work to do. This briefing is to be held at top level clearance. Only your CO's are to know of this plan, and then only their part in it. The codename is 'Operation Magna.' Are there any questions gentlemen?" After receiving no reply he said, "Then I believe we are finished. Good day."
[End Log]
Brigadier General Richard Sharpe
Commanding Officer
SSF First Taskforce Marine Expeditionary Force
Captain Trent Rodgers
Deputy Commanding Officer
SSF First Taskforce
Captain Tedros Chisulo
Tactical Advisor
SSF First Taskforce
Ambassador Alecto Ayanami
Erassian Alliance Ambassador
