Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Areiana “Areia” Blackford (Chief Medical Officer) in Main Sim - Conference Room

Posted by Gamemaster Amadeus (Gamemaster) in Main Sim - Conference Room

Posted by Captain Freja Andreassen (Commanding Officer) in Main Sim - Conference Room
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snipety snip>

“So let’s get started,” Freja spoke after a moment, taking a sip from her coffee, “So, roughly seventy six hours ago, Scallax Prime fell to rebel insurgents. They want out of the Federation and they are holding Federation assets and personnel hostage, essentially. We are to go in and we have some very clear mission objectives. First, we are to get any Federation citizen still loyal to the Federation evacuated. Second, we are to regain control or destroy any Starfleet tech in the system, including a research outpost, a Starfleet Armory and a starship USS Cinzano, which may have defected as she hosted a predominately Scallax crew. If we can, we can attempt to convince Scallax to remain members of the Federation, but we have one month before a strike team is assembled and goes in. It’s been made very clear to me that if we haven’t removed Federation citizens from Scallax Prime, our mission will be considered a failure. We’ll be getting underway as soon as possible, in the meantime, the information is available to us. We probably don’t have all the information we need, but I’m pleased to see there is a lot more available than other missions I’ve run in the past.”

“We’ll be accompanied by the Favereau, a medical frigate which will assist us as we are light on medical personnel at the moment. The cruiser Victus will also be joining us, but they’ll be behind by about 7 days and I will have full command of the mission.”

“Aside from the Federation citizens, our second most important objective is to secure the medical research facility. The ship and the armory cache are third and honestly if we can’t get them, we are permitted to destroy them. To quote Admiral Blackwood, research is harder to replace than ships.”

“While en route to the system, I suggest you brief your departments and start learning what we can about the Scallax system. Colonel Hammond, I will be relying your marines to assist with what likely might be combative extractions of Federation citizens, we don’t know at this stage how many people might not want to be on the rebel boat. Any assistance require from the non marine crew, let myself or Commander Grady know, you will have it. I might also need your expertise in the form of strike teams to retrieve or destroy Starfleet assets.”

“Lt. Sapeth, in addition to keeping this ship in fighting form, I’d like your department to work on some options for potentially assisting us in limiting the rebels usage of Starfleet tech,” she continued to speak, “Things might heat up really quickly and if we can use technology to shut down one or more potential threats to allow us to focus on others, I’d like to have those options in our back pockets before we head into the system.”

“Lt. Nytha’rae, I’d like the science department to focus predominately on the geography of the Scallax system. I’d like to know as we head in if there’s unique features that could pose threats or potentially assist us somehow,” She paused, “Like a moon that has a composition that masks our signature type of thing or similar.”

“Lt. Reid, security will be focused on securing the ship, as evacuees start to come aboard, we have to be somewhat vigilant,” Freja paused, “I wouldn’t put it past someone who sympathizes with the rebels to come aboard under false pretenses to try something. Main strategic parts of the ship are to be off limits to anyone not part of the crew at this stage. Engineering, CIC and vital areas will need to be secured once we have evacuees on board. Start planning that now so we’re ready.”

“Lt. McIntyre, there’s likely going to be high stress situations, I’d like you monitor the crew for that and as we get evacuees on board, assist them if they require it,” Freja replied.

“Lt. Moore, I’d like you to start thinking about some creative evasive maneuvers we can use once we are in the thick of things, feel free to run combat drills on the holodeck if that helps you.”

“And as always, if you think of something that I haven’t, feel free to bring it to my attention or to Lt. Commander Grady, we are stronger when we stand together. So that being said, any questions so far?”

~Freja Andreassen~

The room settled into a focused silence as Captain Freja finished. The weight of the mission was clear—time-sensitive, politically volatile, and with very little margin for error.
Lieutenant Junior Grade S. A. McIntyre remained standing for a moment, his expression thoughtful but composed. When the Captain opened the floor, he gave a small nod of acknowledgment before speaking.
“Captain,” he began evenly.
He shifted slightly, resting one hand on the back of the chair in front of him, his posture still formal but not rigid.
“With your permission, I’d like to expand the scope of counseling operations beyond standard monitoring.”
He paused briefly—not for effect, but to ensure clarity.
“We’re looking at two separate but overlapping stress profiles. First, our crew—who will be operating under sustained pressure with potential combat exposure and moral strain, particularly if we’re forced into situations involving Federation citizens resisting evacuation.”
His tone remained calm, clinical.
“Second, the evacuees. Some may be displaced, some may be ideologically opposed to leaving, and others may have been exposed to coercion, propaganda, or direct trauma at the hands of the insurgents.”
McIntyre glanced briefly around the room, acknowledging the broader team.
“I recommend establishing a triage-based psychological intake protocol as soon as evacuees begin coming aboard. Rapid assessments, classification of risk levels, and separation if necessary—particularly in cases where individuals may pose a threat to ship stability.”
A subtle nod toward Lieutenant Reid’s domain.
“In addition, I’d like to coordinate closely with Security to identify behavioral red flags early. It would be more efficient to prevent incidents than respond to them after the fact.”
He returned his attention fully to the Captain.
“For the crew, I’ll implement rolling check-ins for high-risk departments—flight, security, marines, and engineering. Quiet, non-disruptive. The goal is to maintain operational effectiveness without adding unnecessary strain.”
A brief pause.
“One further consideration, Captain—if we encounter Federation citizens who refuse evacuation on ideological grounds, I would advise against immediate escalation where possible. A controlled dialogue approach may yield better compliance rates than force, depending on the situation on the ground.”

“Oh I fully expect we might encounter one or two in that situation,” Freja replied. “At this stage, once we go in, we’re going to want to assess the ease at which some evacuations will be conducted. I suspect some will be easier to extract than others, it will depend on what the rebels have chosen to do with respect to the existing Federation presence on the ground. We don’t know the details of that right now. I’m suggesting we play this, initially at least, as we’re simply in the system to evacuate anyone who doesn’t want to be part of the new independent Scallax. Sort of almost doing the rebels a favor by removing anyone who might oppose them or cause issues for their dreams of independence. At least for now, refrain from divulging that the larger strike force is coming, play that card when we need to. If we can avoid conflict, we certainly will take that road, but there’s a reason Admiral Blackwood wanted us in there now rather than a more diplomatically inclined starship.”

He straightened slightly.
“No objections to the mission parameters, Captain. Just a recommendation that we treat morale and psychological stability as operational assets from the outset.”
McIntyre gave a small, respectful nod.
“That’s all from me.”
Lieutenant Jr. Grade Samuel A. McIntyre
CNS USS Chimera

“Any other questions?”

~Freja Andreassen~

“No questions Captain,” he said as he sat calmly in his seat. It was a straight forward enough assignment, and the sort of challenging, out side of the box project, that most engineers enjoyed working on.

Lt Sapeth - Chief Engineer

Reid had been leaning back in his chair, coffee in hand, the earlier humor having faded as the mission briefing settled over the room like a weight. By the time Sapeth finished, his posture had shifted—forward now, expression sharpened and fully awake.

He glanced briefly toward McIntyre, giving a small, approving nod.

“Coordination works both ways,” Reid said, his tone even but firm. “If your team flags someone as a potential risk, I want that information early. We’ll handle it quietly before it becomes a problem.”

He took a sip of his overly sweet coffee, then set it down.

“Captain,” he continued, turning his attention forward, “Security will establish layered access control as soon as we start bringing evacuees aboard. Main systems—engineering, CIC, tactical—will be locked down to crew-only clearance. I’ll also post rotating details at key junctions and access points. Visible presence without making it feel like a prison transport.”

He paused.

“We’ll designate controlled habitation zones for evacuees—comfortable, but contained. Internal sensors will be tuned for unusual movement patterns, and I’ll have my team running passive behavioral sweeps in coordination with Counseling.”

His gaze moved briefly around the table, then back to Freja.

“As for infiltration risks… if the rebels are organized enough to take a planet, they’re organized enough to try and get someone aboard. We’ll implement identity verification protocols beyond standard scans—cross-referencing Federation records, service logs, anything we can pull from the database en route.”

His jaw tightened just slightly.

“And if something slips through,” he added, “we’ll be ready for that too.”

Reid leaned back again, though the casual edge from earlier didn’t return.

“One question, Captain. Do we have a number of possible evacuees? The Chimera’s evac limit is a little over 13, 000. Just a heads-up—once we start taking people aboard, this ship stops being just a starship and starts being a target.”

A brief beat.

“Wait, check that. Another question. Have there been any negotiations with the rebels? Other than seceding from the Federation, have there been other demands? I think this information is tantamount to a peaceful solution, rather than showing up with a military force ready to light a fire.”

Lt. Conner Reid
Chief of Security-USS Chimera

Nytha’rae did not speak immediately when the Captain finished.

She remained seated, but unlike many in the room, she did not lean back or shift with restless energy. Her posture was upright yet relaxed, her bare feet resting lightly against the deck beneath the table, toes subtly adjusting as if reading the ship itself. Her tail lay curved beside her chair, the dark tuft still, grounded.

Nytha’kae had taken position along the back of her chair, his wings folded neatly, his faint glow pulsing in quiet rhythm with her own.

She listened.

To every voice.

Security.

Counseling.

Engineering.

Each one… a different way of understanding survival.

When the room opened for further questions, she lifted her head slightly.

The bioluminescent lines along her throat brightened just a touch.

“Captain.”

Her voice was soft, but it carried clearly.

She did not rush her words.

“In my assessment of the Scallax system…”

A small pause.

“…I would like to include not only geography, but the living systems of the world.”

Her eyes moved briefly across the table, acknowledging both Security and Counseling before returning to the Captain.

“Plant life.”

“Animal life.”

“The balance between them.”

Her head tilted slightly.

“Rebellion does not happen in isolation.”

“It changes how a world breathes.”

She folded her hands lightly in front of her.

“If their ecosystems are strained, displaced, or altered, it may tell us where populations have moved… where resources are scarce… and where conflict is most likely to gather.”

A brief pause.

“And where it may be avoided.”

Her gaze flicked briefly toward Colonel Hammond and Lieutenant Reid.

Then she added, more quietly

“A peaceful approach is always preferred.”

Especially with such weapons.”

Her eyes lowered slightly for a moment.

“Energy weapons do not only harm the body.”

“They disrupt the life around them.”

“The ground.”

“The air.”

“The unseen systems that allow a world to recover.”

She looked back to the Captain.

“If we understand the living world of Scallax Prime…”

“We may find paths your strike teams do not have to take.”

A faint pulse of light moved along her markings.

“And if we must move through conflict…”

“…we may do so with less damage left behind.”

She inclined her head slightly.

“I will begin expanding our scans to include ecological mapping alongside terrain and mineral analysis.”

A small pause.

Then, softer

“There is always more to learn from a world… than where it can hide us.”

Behind her, Nytha’kae gave a quiet, approving trill.

Lt.jg Netha’rae

“Indeed, feel free to expand your research into any avenue. I’ll trust your judgment there,” Freja nodded, “I would like to avoid conflict, mainly because we are three ships headed in, two right away with another a week behind and that’s not near enough to defend against a rebel force that has taken over a planet. Even if the Favereau was a cruiser and not a medical frigate. Our main job is getting people out and trying to mitigate the amount of Starfleet assets falling to rebel hands. If I can do that peacefully, that is the ideal outcome. We are also being sent in to assess the situation for Admiral Blackwood’s later force coming in a month. The Cinzano was originally sent in for that purpose, but she went dark. So I think a good rule of thumb for this mission is to gather as much information as we can about all the…er…chess pieces in the game, so to speak.”

~Freja Andreassen~

Moore had no questions either, he just needed to get to his tasks set before him. Evasive maneuvers would be a lovely practice for him, especially from a new ship assignment (and a large ship at that).

“No questions here, ma’am, sir.” Sean nodded at both the captain and the XO in turn, as an confirmation of orders received.

Lt., j.g. Sean Moore
Operations/Helm Officer, USS Chimera

Areia sat in the far corner, careful not to draw too much attention to herself. She was a had almost been late but her weekly check-in with her baby brother, Wyatt, had run longer than expected. Not that she regretted it. She never did. Hearing his voice, steady and even a little excited, had been worth every extra second.

He was doing well. Adjusting to life aboard the USS Ark Angel, finding his place, even making friends. That last part had eased something deep in her chest she hadn’t realized was still so tight. After everything he had gone through when they were kids—the isolation, the judgment, the way the world had seemed determined to make him feel like he didn’t belong—he deserved this. He deserved to feel like he was part of something good.

For a moment, as she settled into her chair, Areia let herself hold onto that thought. Wyatt laughing lightly over the comms, telling her about ship routines and the people he’d met. It had been a long road to get here for both of them.

She brushed a loose strand of red hair back behind her ear, the braid over her shoulder slightly frayed from a long day, and folded her hands neatly on the table. Her posture straightened as she shifted fully into the present, her expression smoothing into calm focus.

Around her, the conversation continued, voices overlapping in low, purposeful tones. Areia listened closely, eyes moving from speaker to speaker, taking in every detail. Tho she had been kind of in her own world for a moment there she was already piecing things together, her mind catching up quickly. She didn’t interrupt—didn’t need to. For now, observing was enough.

Still, a small part of her lingered on that earlier call, on the quiet relief it had brought. It grounded her, sharpened her attention. Whatever this meeting required of her, she would handle it. She always did.

But knowing Wyatt was out there—safe, growing, finally finding his place—made it just a little easier to focus on everything else.

As the captain went over the mission, Areia was listening intently, her mind already racing ahead, mapping out every possible outcome the mission could bring. Variables, risks, worst-case scenarios—she turned them over one by one, preparing for anything they might face.

She leaned forward slightly, her voice calm but purposeful.
“Captain, do we have any information on potential injuries? If we’re looking at mass casualties, we’ll need to prepare accordingly.”

The information packet Captain Andreassen had been sent contained several video from the planetary monitoring systems before the feeds went dark.

There was also a list of non-native federation citizens who were known to be on planet at the time.

– GM Amadeus

Areiana Blackford
Lieutenant Junior Grade Chief Medical Officer USS Chimera

“I think we should assume there’s a mass casualty event, I’ll be expecting you to coordinate with the Favereau once we meet up,” Freja nodded to her medical chief, “The information packet was sent over from command, it will be available to you all, it does contain some video from the planetary monitoring systems from before the communications went dark. As I said, there is actually a significant amount of data in them, but there are definitely gaps that we can hopefully fill in quickly. At least if we are prepared for a mass casualty event and one doesn’t happen, we can be pleasantly surprised rather than caught unprepared.”

~Freja Andreassen~
“If there has be a mass casualty event, Captain I recommend that the Fleet Angels go it first to secure the area and triage the situation, no sense giving the insurgents hostages.” Hammond noted.

Hammond had sat quietly through most of the brief, mostly frowning and stroking the top of Kilo’s head. There were more holes in the intel so far than a block of swiss cheese, there must be enough threat on the planet currently to justify sedding in a Carrier and a Cruiser to secure the planet. Insurgents were problematic they would blend in the the regular citizen in order to maximise their ability to cause chaos. He certainly needed far more intel than they currently had.

“Captain,” he said finally ready to ask his questions. “I have plenty of questions, starting with general intel, how many insurgents, what is it that they want, is it a play for technology something in the research facility or do they have broader needs? Insurgencies typically happen with cause. ” he said looking through his notes.

“How many Federation citizens are we talking about? Have they all been identified? meaning can we keep them seperate from the insurgents, or do we have to vet everyone?” he paused.

“Tactically, what air and ground assets do they have? What is ROE for the mission? ”

He needed more information, It was concerning that they were not just ordered to send the marines in to secure the assets in question, it meant they were worried about the insurgence and the play they might make if pressed to hard.

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

“There is a great deal more detail in the mission brief which I have made available in the database. I haven’t quite finished combing through it myself since Admiral Blackwood indicated that the sooner we got our butts to Scallax, the better,” Freja tapped her PaDD, “There is a list in the packet of non-native Federation members known to be on Scallax at the time. I plan on starting there when it comes to identifying who we need to pick up.”

“As for the insurgents, they captured a Federation administrative compound and then contacted the Federation Council with their intent to secede from the Federation, spouting various conspiracy theories and a manifesto. There are videos in the information packet from the planetary feeds, there might be details we can glean from them as we head in. I plan to review them myself, mainly so I can build a picture on the sort of propaganda the insurgents are spouting. Also, I want to figure out how much public support these folks actually have…if I can.”

“As for the insurgents, we can presume they have technology equal to your people’s equipment and weaponry. The question mark is how well trained their fighters are on said equipment and weaponry.”

~Freja Andreassen~

OOC: There is a thread in the CAG’s quarters from before this briefing. I will bump it again.

Areia gave a short, decisive nod as she reached for her data pad, already pulling up medical protocols as her fingers moved quickly across the screen. Orders began to take shape almost as fast as she could think them—alerts to medical staff, supply requests, preparation directives. She flagged anythingthat might be needed if the situation escalated into a full mass casualty event.

She didn’t wait.

She never did.

Her mind was already racing ahead, three, four steps beyond the present moment. She ran through possibilities with practiced efficiency—burns, fractures, internal bleeding, shock, respiratory failure. She considered environmental factors, unknown variables, worst-case scenarios. What species might be involved. What complications could arise. What they might not be prepared for.

Every outcome had a response. Every response needed resources.

Her fingers tapped rapidly against the data pad, sending instructions out to different departments, coordinating with surgical teams, inventory systems, and support staff. She adjusted assignments on the fly, shifting personnel where they would be most effective, already anticipating bottlenecks before they could happen.

Her nail began tapping lightly against the edge of the desk—an old habit, subtle but persistent. Tap. Tap. Tap.

She barely noticed it at first.

But then it pulled at something in the back of her mind.

A flicker of memory.

Areia’s expression tightened slightly, just for a moment. She paused, the tapping stopping abruptly as the thought surfaced—uninvited. Her teenage years. The anger. The constant tension that had once sat just beneath her skin, ready to snap at the smallest thing. She had been so different then… or at least, it felt that way.

Reckless. Defensive. Always on edge.

Her jaw clenched faintly at the memory.

Not now.

She forced the thought aside, steadying her breathing as she refocused. There wasn’t time for that—not here, not when lives could be on the line. Whatever she had been back then didn’t matter. What mattered was who she was now… and what she needed to do.

Areia brushed a loose strand of her red hair back behind her ear, the motion quick and absent-minded, before returning fully to her work. Her posture straightened slightly, her focus sharpening again as her eyes scanned the incoming data.

She continued typing, listening closely as the captain spoke, catching every detail, every nuance. Even as she worked, she was processing his words, adjusting her plans in real time to match the evolving situation.

By the time he finished, she was already prepared for what came next.

Or at least as prepared as anyone could be.

Areiana Blackford

Lieutenant Junior Grade Chief Medical Officer USS Chimera

Nytha’rae listened as the room shifted from strategy to preparation.

She watched it happen the same way she would watch a forest before a storm.

Each officer moving in their own way—

Security tightening.

Medical preparing.

Marines sharpening for impact.

It was not unlike the gathering of forces before a great migration… or a wildfire.

Necessary.

But dangerous if not guided.

Her bioluminescent markings pulsed faintly as she considered the Captain’s words, then the responses from the others. Nytha’kae remained perched behind her, still and attentive, his glow mirroring her quiet focus.

When the moment opened again—

She rose.

Not abruptly.

But with a smooth, grounded motion.

Her bare feet settled firmly against the deck as she stood, tail shifting once behind her before becoming still again.

“Captain.”

Her voice carried softly, but clearly across the room.

“I will begin the ecological and geographic assessments immediately.”

A small pause.

Then—

“I would also ask for something more.”

Her gaze moved briefly across the room—Security, Marines, Medical—before returning to Freja.

“My department studies life.”

“But many of them have not yet learned how to survive when life becomes… hostile.”

The faintest flicker of light moved along her cheekbones.

“If we are to walk into a world that is already breaking…”

“…they should not do so unprepared.”

She folded her hands loosely in front of her.

“I request permission for cross-training.”

Her tone remained calm.

“Security—so they understand threat movement.”

“Marines—so they understand how to move when the ground becomes dangerous.”

“Medical—so they may preserve life if something goes wrong.”

A slight tilt of her head.

“Not to make them soldiers.”

Her voice softened.

“But so they may hold their ground… and assist those who cannot.”

Her tail shifted once, a subtle emphasis.

“A scientist who understands the ecosystem is valuable.”

“But a scientist who can survive long enough to share that knowledge…”

A small pause.

“…is more so.”

She inclined her head slightly.

“It will also allow them to better support your objectives.”

“Faster assessments.”

“Safer movement.”

“Fewer losses.”

Behind her, Nytha’kae gave a quiet trill, as if echoing the sentiment.

Nytha’rae remained standing, steady and composed.

Waiting.

Not pushing—

Just offering the path forward.

Lt.JG Nytha’rae