USS Manhattan
Main Sim: PRIORITY ONE
[BEGIN PRIORITY ONE TRANSMISSION]
The Starfleet Command transmission stabilizes across the long-range communications channel. The connection is subject to significant distance and transmission delay, but the priority classification ensures the message reaches the USS Manhattan with the highest available communications precedence.
The orders issued by Starfleet Command remain subordinate to the preservation of the USS Manhattan and its crew.
Should operational conditions deteriorate beyond acceptable risk thresholds, the Manhattan is authorized to withdraw from the area. No expectation exists from Starfleet Command that the vessel or its personnel be sacrificed in an attempt to resolve the incident.
The investigation remains important.
The crew remains more important.
However, the circumstances surrounding the Klingon vessel Predator have been determined to be unusual enough that Starfleet Command has classified the investigation as a Priority One matter.
At present, the USS Manhattan represents the Federation’s only operational presence in the immediate region with the capability to investigate the incident.
No reinforcement is available on a useful operational timescale.
Any additional Starfleet support would require significant travel time, and communications delays may prevent Starfleet Command from providing immediate guidance as the situation develops.
As a result, the success of the investigation will depend heavily upon the information available to the Manhattan and the independent decisions made during the operation.
Starfleet Command’s immediate objectives are established as follows:
Render assistance where required.
Establish the facts surrounding the Predator.
Protect Federation personnel and preserve the Manhattan.
Determine precisely what occurred aboard or around the Klingon vessel.
Identify any potential connection between the Predator and other activity within the region.
The Manhattan is authorized to operate under Starfleet exploratory, humanitarian, and diplomatic authority for the duration of the investigation.
Should the investigation reveal a direct threat to Federation personnel, vessels, facilities, or interests, mission parameters may be expanded as circumstances require.
This authority includes the ability to conduct additional reconnaissance, investigate newly identified threats, engage with local powers, and take appropriate defensive measures when necessary.
All significant developments are to be reported to Starfleet Command.
This includes discoveries concerning the Predator, unidentified vessels or personnel, anomalous readings, hostile activity, diplomatic encounters, recovered intelligence, and any indication that the incident may represent a larger regional threat.
Starfleet Command will maintain a communications watch for incoming reports.
Immediate guidance should not be expected.
The distance separating the Manhattan from Federation space means that decisions may need to be made before Starfleet Command is capable of responding.
The USS Manhattan was assigned to the Delta Quadrant because Starfleet Command trusts the vessel’s operational capabilities and the judgment of its command structure.
That trust remains in effect.
The Manhattan is not expected to solve every unknown immediately.
It is expected to establish the facts, evaluate the evidence, protect its personnel, and determine the appropriate course of action as the situation develops.
The Predator remains an unresolved incident.
Its circumstances remain unexplained.
Its connection to the surrounding region remains unknown.
Until sufficient evidence is obtained, Starfleet Command considers the matter open and potentially significant.
The investigation is therefore to continue.
The crew is to remain protected.
The Manhattan is to remain operational.
Starfleet interests are to be preserved.
And the circumstances surrounding the Klingon vessel are to be determined before additional unknown elements within the region have an opportunity to reach the Manhattan first.
PRIORITY ONE DIRECTIVE REMAINS ACTIVE.
Starfleet Command will continue monitoring the situation.
STARFLEET COMMAND OUT.
[END TRANSMISSION]
Gamemaster Voidwalker
GMT USS Manhattan