It was just ticking over to 2345 hours just before midnight local time when the ship’s NEs on night shift were alerted to prepare the deck 3 conference room. The room by midnight was prepared and a steaming fresh pot of strong coffee, caffeinated tea, water, and sparkling juices were on a table at one end, complete with high energy food cubes tasting like fruits or such for snacking. With everything ready the two NE’s on hand departed before anyone else would arrive for the coming mission briefing.

However, for anyone that would turn up early three data chips ready for use on the briefing screen were laid out, each one labeled:

1) Vok III, Ruff II, Quincey II Colony Statuses
2) Orion Lighting Class Blockade Runner/Raider intelligence ship profiles
3) Federation shipping trade lane intelligence for the Vok/Ruff/Quincey colony sector

GM CockRoach