[Guest Quarters - EAS Hermes]
Captain Chisulo returned to his assigned quarters shortly after his confrontation with General Ivanov on his bridge. Presumably the Captain was supposed to be writing the condolence letters to the families of the Starfleet Officers held captive in the base, but he was reluctant to do so. He did want to give up hope. To give up hope in a time of war would be one more tragedy in an already tragic time. And besides, in his years of service he had learned not to discount the resourcefulness of a handful of Starfleet officers.
He tapped on the unfamiliar Erassian console and pulled up an encrypted transmission link with the Marine runabout that was to conduct an forward orbital look-out for the artillery assaults on the base. Their role was obsolete, as General Ivanov already had a team inserted on the planet's surface, so Chisulo wanted to alter their orders to fit the changing circumstance.
He pulled down on his jacket just as the spinning Erassian Second Fleet emblem faded to black.
[Runabout Celeste]
Lance Corporal Harold W. Dawson, of the 4th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Ridgeback Force Recon Platoon, 2nd Squad, was bored. He and his fire team had been assigned to the runabout as a matter of operational prudence, by General Sharpe, to give Captain Chisulo an optional special forces unit within reach that technically, wasn't really there. It was clear that the General was trying to be kind to the Captain, but poor Harold felt a tad bit put out.
The screen beeped at him, and he turned in his chair to activate the comm. "Runabout Celeste."
+Celeste, this is Captain Chisulo aboard the EAS Hermes.+ Chisulo said from the screen, +What is your status?+
"We're exactly where we're supposed to be, sir." Dawson reported. "We're in stealth mode in high orbit around the planet, ready to relay co-ordinates on request."
+Good Corporal,+ Chisulo said. +But I am changing your orders.+
"Captain?" Harold said, rather more quickly than normal discipline would've allowed for. Had he been talking to a marine officer, it might've been different.
+General Ivanov already has a team planet-side to relay coordinates, making your job irrelevant.+ Chisulo said. +I am forwarding you a list of Federation and Erassians prisoners suspected of being held captive at the targetted base. The General has asked me to write condolence letters to their families, but I would rather give them more of a chance.+
"I understand sir." Harold said, knowing where this was going.
+I want you to try and rescue them once the attack begins, Corporal.+ Chisulo said.
"Me, and my fireteam sir?" He asked.
+Yes, Corporal.+ Chisulo replied. +From your position, you should be at a good vantage point in thirty minutes. Analyze the base's layout and determine where their detention centers are.+ Chisulo said. +The assault is scheduled to begin in one hour. Try and coordinate along that timeline - so as not to give advanced warning.+
"Yes sir." Harold said, slightly dubious about their success rate, but also knowing that a small, well timed and co-ordinated strike team, could wreak havoc.
+The first attack is going to be a stealth assault by a Z-105 squadron on the base's shield generators.+ Chisulo continued. +That should open your window of oppurtunity. Hopefully you'll get a sensor lock on them then and will be able to beam out any non-romulan lifesigns. If not, you'll need to act quickly.+ Chisulo face turned more grim. +The Erassians have loaded five gigaton warheads on their bombers.+
"That does seem to be somewhat excessive for supporting our mission." Harold said. "I don't feel easy about avoiding being hit by our own side."
+I'm not asking you to make an unnecessary risk, Corporal,+ Chisulo said, +I just don't want to give up on our men and women down there.+
"Nor I sir." Harold said.
+I was in your shoes once, Corporal.+ Chisulo said. +I may be a fleet officer now, but I was a marine corporal during the Dominion War. I know what you can do. Good luck and Semper fi. Hermes out.+
Harold closed the channel and went to the back of the craft where his 3 other marine collegues were holding up. "Suit up guys, we got orders. Hussle!"
[End Log]
Captain Tedros Chisulo
Tactical Advisor
SSF First Taskforce
&
Lance Corporal Harold W. Dawson
4th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Ridgeback Force Recon Platoon, 2nd Squad
1TF Marine Expeditionary Force