[Bridge - Deck One - USS Chimera NCC 96899-C]
"Captain on the deck!" The security officer on bridge duty called as Cropa passed through the turbolift doors.
"At ease." He said as he approached the command dais to relieve the Officer of the Watch, LtCmdr Saren. Saren was a tall, dark-skinned vulcan that was a whiz at administration. He transferred over from an Operations position at Fort Bragg to ship duty after the loss of his family on V'Tar III. Rojac was more than happy to have him aboard - so far he was a good officer of the watch. "Report, Mr. Saren."
Saren nodded. "Marine Captain Reese and the Quartermaster report that the shipment has arrived. UNITY assures our engineers will have ten workerbees with which to apply the plating to the outer hull."
Rojac nodded. "Is Mr. Kroitzer planning to attempt another spacewalk?" He asked.
Saren cocked an eyebrow. "I am unsure, Captain. I can contact him if you-"
"That won't be necessary, Commander." Rojac said, walking past the vulcan and taking his seat. "What of the Erassian Squadron?"
"According to last contact they should be landing within the hour." Saren informed him. "They have been assigned the Shadow Squadron's quarters."
"Good." Rojac replied. He needed to remember to send those pilot's letters of gratitude. They only flew a few missions aboard the Chimera, but he appreciated their service all the same. "Well, then, Commander, I relieve you."
"I stand relieved." Saren saluted, then turned on his heel and left the bridge.
Rojac sat in his chair for a moment, reviewing departmental reports as the came in during the change of shift throughout the bridge. He looked up as the door hissed open and Lt. Dior approached the helm. "Lieutenant," He called, "how are our warp coils performing?"
Reese and her team had finished the repair the Lieutenant requested the day before, and so far Dior's day had been spent running diagnostics and simulations to recalibrate their alignments. "They are performing admirably, Captain." Rayna replied with a genuine grin. "We've increased warp field efficiency by .05%."
"Excellent work." Rojac said. "Was their considerable damage from our journey through the Grand Banks?"
"Not considerable damage, but it's better to be safe than sorry, Captain." She added.
"Agreed." Rojac nodded. "As you were, Lieutenant."
"Captain," The Operations Bridge Office on duty called, "the installation team is ready to begin."
"Give them the go ahead, Ensign." Rojac ordered.
"Aye sir."
Rojac watched as the first of the workerbees left the shuttle bay with the first piece of the dark hull plating. It was a dubious effort to be sure, but if anyone could get it done within a week it would be the Chimera's engineering team. Of course they had the aide of the Tarangour shipyard too, but mos of Commander Rodger's teams were busy applying repairs and hull plating to the Rapier as well - who was to accompany the Chimera in their part of Operation Magna - along with the USS Eagle. All three ships were being outfitted with the Erassian stealth plating technology to help them sneak into the Stellar Nursery for their part of the operation.
Chisulo had put Rojac in charge of Beta Group, by order of Commodore Guzman. It was the most delicate part of the Operation, but Chisulo was confident in Rojac's abilities. He would have led the Operation himself, he told Rojac, but he Romulans kept too close of an eye on him after Khasazi Pass, Narendra, and V'Tar; and secrecy was of the utmost importance in Beta Group's task. As such, he was deploying himself to the Erassian Second Fleet as a diversion - and to help out in their assault against a Romulan supply depot supporting the occupation of Erassian settlements in the Solrin sector. It was a good move. Chisulo had developed a reputation on Romulus and was sure to be a target of their intelligence operatives. They would be keeping tabs on the tactical advisor, and if he was on Beta Group it could jeopardize all of Operation Magna.
Rojac wondered if he was ready for the full weight of the responsibility as he watched the workerbee lower the first section of hull plating to the engineers in envirosuits on the outside of the hull. Thousands of lives were being risked to ensure the success of his part of the mission. Klingons, Erassians, and Federation citizens we creating a diversion for his team. If he failed, their lives would be placed in jeopardy for nothing.
But he had no intention of failing. He may be the youngest Commander of a starship in the SSF, but he had proven himself in battle. He had uncovered a Breen Installation on Antignonis V, he made first contact with a new race, he provided humanitarian aide to Charos VI and strengthened ties between the Federation and the Erassian Alliance. He placed a crucial role in the battle of Aeran III, saving the strategic starbase and colony from occupation by Romulan forces by risking his own ship. He had proven himself a capable commander and strategist, deserving of commanding the flagship of the First Taskforce. And he was going to prove that again in Operation Magna. He had the best ship and the best crew in Starfleet, and Romulus was soon to be keeping tabs on him.
[End Log]
Captain Cropa Rojac
Commanding Officer
USS Chimera NCC 96899-C