Staff Meeting part 2

Posted on Tue Sep 8th, 2026 @ 1:10pm by Commodore Sureth & Lieutenant Hiri & Commander Angel Devroe

Mission: SHAKE DOWN IN A NEBULA
Location: Starbase M-69
Timeline: Concurrent

On

"Before everyone leaves, as of zero zero one this morning Starfleet sent out a pile of new directives, the short rapid list includes the addition of a Berlin class starship from the rapid response fleet, USS Diligent, to the station, there are a couple of new directives from Starfleet security and intelligence, All intel chartered ships are now required to check in with the sector intel chief before, during and after missions." David didn't hide his annoyance at this one, "Second effective immediately all Starfleet officers from non aligned worlds are no longer permitted to act in an ad-hoc diplomatic role with their home world unless they assume a role in the diplomatic corps relinquishing their commission, no exceptions." David didn't need to be a Betazoid to know these were hitting a nerve, "...and before anyone wants to throw a tantrum last but far from least the corps of engineering promptly didn't notify anyone that they are arriving in seventy-two plus hours to do a total weapons system overhaul and upgrade over my short lived objections, if anyone has an objection to this I'll be in my office getting drunk." David stood making an exit.


< Ready Room >

Continuing from where the last meeting stopped Commodore Sureth turned to his XO and began his questions.

" Based on the last meeting what is your impression of Captain O'Connell and Commander Wallace?"

Thinking for a few moments "Commander Wallace is a tough one to get a read on; probably due to his father's position in Starfleet" as she paused a moment "Honestly Commodore I have to wonder if he was completely forthcoming with his report on the moon. Something seemed a little off to me but it was probably nothing. As far as Captain O'Connell is concerned I'm probably a little biased having been his First Officer for three years but his report seemed concise and right to the point" Devroe explained as she paused "If I might inquire Sir, is there something prompting your question?"

" Valid question. I am concerned with initial readings and Wallace report. It may become necessary to send a second away team. I received data that the moons size is effecting the Aurelian seismic tables. Itnis bigher than the aveerage moon." Sureth replied. " I am also concerned with the new directives he announced. When I accepted this commission I was under the impression that since we were so distant the regulations here would be at my discretion. Perhaps I was mistaken...

"Perhaps some fresh eyes wouldn't be a bad idea" as she paused a moment "I would hate to think the Commander would sku his report......unless he had a good reason. As far as the new regulations may I suggest a conversation with the Admiral; just in case the 'powers to be' are unaware of the terms of your commission Sir" Devroe suggested not wanting to start jumping through hoops due to new regs.

" This is the burden of progress. Star Fleet did not care when we were a small station but now that we are larger it would be typical that the brass would come in and stake their claim. But they are not in charge yet. Commander take the McCook over to the moon and give me another set of eyes. If it is the same as Wallace reported let me know. If not let me know and I will join you ." Sureth replied.

Surprised to being sent back out on the McCook so soon Devroe smiled "As you wish Commodore; we'll leave within the hour" she responded then turned tapping her badge "Crew for the McCook please be on board within the next half hour, Devroe out" as she left Ops.

< McCook >

Exiting the Lift Angel saw the Bridge Crew at their Stations already "Thank you all for being so prompt. We'll be traveling to a nearby Moon.....Security and Science you'll be beaming down with me. The rest of you will stay aboard and keep the motor running in case we need to leave in a hurry" Tapping here comm "Lieutenant Uno are you and your people all set for another adventure?"

Lt. Uno replied " Affirmative. All speeds through Slipstream Drive available. However if it is with in the system protocol is to use space normal speeds."

"Understood Lieutenant and yes we'll be utilizing warp only for this trip" Devroe replied.

A new face entered the bridge walking straight over to Commander Devroe. It was Lt.CMDR Croesus now from science.

" Lieutenant Commander Croesus requesting assignment to the science station Commander Devroe?"

Devroe sat for a brief moment a little stunned at the request.....maybe there was something Commander Wallace was hiding after all. With a smile "Lieutenant Commander Croesus welcome aboard; request accepted....take Science Station #2 please" Devroe ordered leaving the Lieutenant at Science Station #1.

Croesus then handed the Commander his personal padd.
" This contains my original station reading and away team readings showing 6 domed power plants on the moon. However when we arrived those domes disappeared. "

Taking the PaDD "Thank you Commander, I'll be sure to look it over carefully when we return to Base. Please take readings on this trip also so we have something to compare" Devroe ordered not really liking where this was going. "Helm set a course for the Moon....one half impulse until we clear the outer markers" came the order from the Conn.

"As you wish Commander" Helm replied as the Officer started backing away from the docking slip. Minutes later "Ma'am we're about to clear the outer markers."

"Warp five if you please" as Devroe sat back in the center seat waiting to arrive.

A short time later "Commander we're approaching the Moon" Helm called out.

"Drop us out of warp and set an orbit high over the Moon then full stop and go to station keeping" Devroe ordered "Commander Croesus, Security you're with me" then looking towards Science Station 1 "Lieutenant you have the Conn" as the Away Team left the Bridge for the Transporter Room.

< Moon >

Materializing on the surface "Mr. Croesus run your scans, Security keep us safe; we'll head north and see what's what" Devroe ordered. After walking a short distance suddenly something, or someone, hit Angel's mind hard enough to make her stumble. Composing herself she stopped.....taking a deep breath through her nose and slowly exhaled out her mouth Angel partitioned off her mind setting up a barrier to stop the intrusion. Obviously someone was trying to take over her mind which was not going to happen; at least not yet.

Croesus continued slowly and ran his scans. Up ahead two large life forms were engaged in battle. Croesus was not aware of Commander Devroe's issue as he slowly proceeded.

Seeing Devroe stumble Security came over "Commander are you alright" Security inquired with some concern.

Devroe smiled "I'm fine now but thank you for your concern Lieutenant." she responded.

"Good, you had me worried for a few moments Commander. I'm picking up two large lifeforms up ahead a ways.....they seem to fighting from what I can gather from the readings."

"That's not good.....we certainly don't want to get in the middle of that" Devroe commented seeing Croesus up ahead "Lieutenant Commander hold up a minute" as the two Officers moved towards him.

The two beasts resembled tyrannosaurus Rex and seem to be brutally brawling.

" They must be married." Croesus chuckled.
But again the mental intrusion came toward Commander Devroe as a humanoid seemed to be standing right beside the brawling beasts. As it got clearer its form took on a more neutral face resembling someone of Angel's familiarity. Wearing the face of Captain Jamie O'Connell.

" Don't be afraid Angel. I have taken the form of someone you honor and respect. I am Uriah."

Seeing a being looking like Jamie was a little unsettling at first but Angel quickly overcame her fear "Uriah, very nice to meet you and obviously you know who I am" as she paused "Were you the one trying to break into my mind several minutes ago" she inquired while keeping her mental block strong.

" We always try to reach our higher children first. I am surprised to see another of your kind so soon. Your Commodore Sureth is impatient and sent you to learn more of this place. The one known as David did not wish to divulge our existence. I am what you refer to as a preserver or progenitor. We rescue endangered species. I was assigned to save these creatures from an imposing disaster on a planet not far from here."

"We don't mean you or these creatures any by harm.....nor do we wish in invade your privacy. I was sent to verify the information David gave us by Commodore Sureth. The more and complete information we have the better we can determine our next steps in order to keep you and these creatures safe" Devroe responded with a smile.

" Safe? From intruders who would harm these creatures? In the world you call Aurelia there is no life thriving yet here this moon is over flowing. Would your leaders allow us to reseed Aurelia with life?" Uriah asked.

Thinking for a few moments "I can't give you a definitive answer at the moment but I can assure you this is something that our command team can discuss when I return to Starbase M-69 now that we have more data to reconcile "Devroe stated hoping she wasn't offending Uriah by not giving him an answer now.

Croesus turned and observed Angel speaking to herself while the two beasts continued their battle.

" Commander is there a problem?" Croesus asked.

Turning facing Croesus "No problem Mr. Croesus; Being Betazoid I'm trying to get a sense of this place" Angel replied not sure if he would understand what was happening presently.

Uriah smiled with O'Connell's face.
" That one is as primitive as the beasts behind him. For a life time I have been custodian on this moon. I could transform Aurelia into life again and your people could live there instead of that artificial base." Uriah replied.

"And what of this moon; what do you plan on doing with it if you were able to breathe life back into Aurelia" Devore inquired focusing on their conversation.

Uriah smiled.
" You are afraid of me. Do not be I mean you no harm. It has been so long since I have had a conversation. I enjoyed David and Isabella. They would make a wonderful couple. That one is too aggressive for you Angel besides you are interested in this one but he does not know. Perhaps I should come with you back to your station. I would like to meet more of our preservations." Uriah replied.

Thinking for a moment "I didn't know that was even possible for you to leave this place" then she paused "Yes I am afraid of anyone who could take over my mind that's why I threw up a wall. Perhaps you coming back with us wouldn't be such a bad idea; the Commodore has taken a keen interest in this place and Aurelia as well" Angel explained "Will the others with me see your form as I do?"

" No I will take my native form . This was to make you feel comfortable. That one was thinking of a father he lost. He wants to be the officer his father was but his rage often consumes him." Uriah replied as he changed into his normal self. He then clapped and the two tyrannosaurus stopped fighting.

Looking at Uriah's normal form, it wasn't really offensive just different as Angel smiled "We have all the data we need so if it's acceptable to you we can beam back to the McCook and return the the Starbase" she suggested.

Uriah smiled but Croesus didn't not as he approached both.

" What the Hell Commander. Who or what is this?" Croesus yelled.

"Lieutenant Commander when you asked me if there was a problem a few minutes ago this was who I was conversing with....this is Uriah in his natural form. He will be accompanying us back to M-69" Devroe stated with no room for discussion.

Croesus scanned Uriah and then interjected.
" This...person has no life signs. With respect Commander it is not safe to allow an unknown being to roam free on a ship or our base. Why do you not have a heart beat?"

Uriah walked up to Croesus and allowed him to touch him.
" I am very much alive Croesus, son of Ventress and Deke. If I wanted your people dead there is nothing you could do to stop me." Uriah whispered.

Devroe could sense Croesus was both angry and scared all at the same time seeing this being "Lieutenant Commander your objections are noted but I have made my decision" she stated.

Uriah turned back to Angel.
" As I understand the term you are truly an angel. I look forward to seeing live sentient beings again from our progeny. "

"Thank you Uriah, that's very kind of you to say" Devroe replied with a smile before tapping her comm badge "McCook four to beam aback." Moments later everyone left the moon in beams of blue light.

< McCook Bridge >

Returning to command Devroe made the introductions "Crew this is Uriah; he's our guest and will be returning with us. Helm lay in a return course to M-69....best speed" came the order. Turning to her quest "Please take the seat beside mine" as the Commander sat wondering what Sureth's expression would be like.

" I have never been aboard such conventional travel. Thank you Angel." Uriah commented as he sat down.

"Communications open a channel to the Base" she ordered with a smile.

"All set Commander."

"Commodore Sureth, this is Commander Devroe we'll be back to you soon. Please meet us in the Transporter Room; there's someone you should meet Sir."

Sureth voice replied [ I look forward to your return Number One.]

"See you shortly Commodore, Devroe out" as Angel seat and relaxed "Helm what's out ETA to the Base."

"About thirty minutes Commander" Helm responded.

Croesus eyeballed Uriah and Commander Devroe all the way back to Starbase M-69. Now two Commander's had fallen victim to his or its flatteries but Croesus was not so trusting.

Tbc