=/\= Starbase Padassa =/\=
Strayer looked around at the makeshift briefing room that had been created by Starfleet Engineers. It reminded him of a classroom from Starfleet Academy, rather than a mission briefing room. It was a long, rectangular room, with no features on the walls' whatsoever. At the far end of the room was a small table which was the holo-projector, and a big black screen on the far wall for other projections.
Arranged facing the front were a series of chair-desk type things which had lifting tables, which were strangely reminiscent of university chairs from the 21st century. Having loaded the mission profile into the holo-buffers, he waited for the company CO's of 2nd Battalion to arrive.
The group of officers filed silently into the room, sitting next to each other in the fore-most seats. T'Shal was attending this mission breifing as the temporary commander of Easy Company, which was still working to recooperate from their recent mission. And even the Vulcan, who normally looked pristine in her uniform, looked a little ragged.
Strayer snapped "Ten-hut!" loudly, as General Sharpe, Sergeant Major Harper, Colonel Westman – the 1st Regiment CO, ad Brigadier Stirling – the MEF XO, entered the room. They walked to the front of the room, and as Richard made his way to stand in front of the arrivals, they fell back along the side wall.
"As you were, people." He said.
The group of Lieutenants exchanged silent glances as they lowered themselves back down into their seats. Korgath of Fox Company sat to the far left (facing the front), with T'Shal next to him and zh'Thania of Gamma Company on the far end braketing in S'Valak of Helo Company.
The group of Lieutenants exchanged silent glances as they lowered themselves back down into their seats. Korgath of Fox Company sat to the far left (facing the front), with T'Shal next to him and zh'Thania of Gamma Company on the far end braketing in S'Valak of Helo Company.
"Alright, lets keep this simple and to the point." Richard said, clasping his hands behind his back. "In less than 24 hours, 2nd Battalion will launch one of the biggest all out assaults against a Romulan key world that has happened so far in this war. Our objectives are very simple; we are to secure the main colony, the outlying military base, as well as the orbital control facility on the ground, which controls all orbital weapons platforms."
While Korgath grunted in what sounded like a pleased fashion, T'Shal fought to keep her trepidation under control. If the General was sending Easy back into the fight so soon after the Norris Assault, then it was only logical that the Company had met the requirements and was viable. Otherwise they wouldn't be back into combat so quickly.
Taking a subtley quiet breath, she did her best to ignore the other company commanders, two of which the Lieutenant was aware had looked in her direction, and waited for the General to continue.
Richard activated the big screen at the back, showing a topographical view of a world. "This is the quaint outer-rim world of Anaxis." Richard said. "Whilst it in and of itself is not a very big planet, hardly bigger than its own moon in fact, it is a key producer of Dilithium for the Romulan Fleet, that is to say, it used to be. Recently, the production numbers have declined somewhat in comparison to newer facilities that now exist deeper in Romulan Space."
"That is not to diminish the value of taking this target however." Richard said. "This is a key world, with its own Senator back on Romulus. This world also is the gateway to the inner systems that define much of the older RSE, and must be controlled in order to facilitate landings on other worlds."
"Unfortunately, our intelligence on Anaxis is not as good as I would like it to be for such an operation, however, we have a reasonable picture of strength of forces and other important factors, however the intelligence is approximately a month old. It seems our operative on Anaxis was discovered and executed." Richard said.
It was S'Valak who spoke up, "And what do the numbers look like concerning the Romulan occupation? Even old data could still prove useful."
"In her last report, our agent determined that the Romulan's had at least a regiment stationed at the base with three squadrons of attack fighters at the space-port." Richard said.
"We can expect a company guarding the orbital defence centre, and a full strength garrison in the colony proper. The civilian population numbers in the hundreds of thousands, and the colony is approximately ninety square miles of real-estate."
"We will be drinking over their bodies by the end of the week, General," Korgath snarled from his seat. The other three spared glances in his direction, but didn't bother to speak up.
Richard smiled at the Klingon, and continued his briefing. "We will engage in an airborne assault at 0300 local time, for maximum use of darkness. Our job will be to secure the orbital defence control booth first, so that elements of 3rd Battalion and elements of the 92nd Armoured Brigade can effect a landing to secure the military base and the colony itself."
"Easy Company will take the orbital defence control building, whist Fox Company will secure the main road that leads back down to the colony. No hint of our arrival must get back to the colony, to allow them to form a resistance. To that effect, Gold Company will secure this comm. Relay eight clicks from the control building here."
"Lastly, Helo Company will land near the military base in an effort to cut their communications lines and power lines to prevent their base systems informing the RSE of our attack and preventing them activating their defence measures. Once all these objectives are secure, we will effect the main landing, and take out the military base and the colony."
The Lieutenants all nodded in response, understanding each of their objectives; however, no one spoke up.
"I won't deny that this'll be a tough mission." Richard said. "But if we pull this off, it'll be a massive blow to the Romulan's. Not only will we be depriving them of a key world, but we'll be showing the Romulan government that we can hit them in their homes, much closer than they think we can."
Again it was Korgath who spoke up, "It will be a glorious battle, General, and a very good day to die!"
Next to him T'Shal raised an eyebrow and looked at him rather curiously, "Indeed."
"You've got 24 hours to prep your companies for departure." Richard said. "I suggest you get started. Dismissed."
--
MGen. Richard Sharpe
Commanding Officer
1st MEF
Commanding Officer
1st MEF
Lt. Colonel Strayer (NPC by Frankie)
Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion
1st MEF
Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion
1st MEF
First Lieutenat T'Shal [NPC by DK]
Temporary Commanding Officer, E "Easy" Company
2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st MEF
