Planet Hell - The Briefing - Part II
Posted on Sat Feb 28th, 2026 @ 7:26pm by Captain Robert Burke & Lera Mel'nyk & Commander Vincent 'Vin' Salvatore & Lieutenant Marques Hunt & Lieutenant Juno Jones & Lieutenant Kyra sh'Herhrisst & Lieutenant Nelar & Lieutenant Ryssa Dari & Lieutenant JG Maël "Gideon" Beauregard & Lieutenant JG Gianna De Luca
2,140 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Fabulae Explorationis
Location: USS Hecate
Timeline: MD01 0800 hours
::ON::
[And now the Conclusion ...]
"So... let's just tell them." Salvatore said firmly, leaning back in his chair. "If Starfleet wants these Accords to hold, then immediately keeping this from them is going to feel like pouring gasoline all over the place where every is accustomed to lighting up their smokes. A fire is going to start, sooner or later, which will put us in bad way with them. Klingons won't like being lied to, because their war with the Romulans have already made them understandably hostile when it comes to secrecy and lies. So, let's keep them in the loop and offer an exchange of information." He looked around the table and shrugged slightly. "It is their space, after all. Their formidable Intelligence has been known to miss things and avoid certain methods that Starfleet has excelled at. Anything we get, which endangers the Klingons current vulnerable position, will be welcomed because it keeps them and their territory together. Speaking as someone who has dealt with Klingon Intelligence before, they will respect us more for putting our cards out on the table than keeping anything from them. It will prove we are here to help and not as a threat. It will show them we don't plan on keeping anything from them. It's a Win-Win for both sides. They still get information that benefits them and so do we."
Brushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear, Mel'nyk leaned forward and said, 'just remember, this is unclaimed space - it might be their backyard, but the Klingons have never claimed this as their territory.' With a twinkle in her eye, she concluded, 'we don't know why they've never come in this direction.'
Vincent smiled back and replied. "Then I stand corrected on that point, but not in my original opinion. Making a base, this far close to their space, will shake the waters of this agreement we have if we don't inform them first. They may see it as a means of us building a base to spy on them. Let's not pretend, at some point in time, we won't use it for that considering where it's placed. We're in their backyard, as you said, so who better to let us know why this area has gone unclaimed by them. There might be a danger we haven't seen yet that they have already encountered." He looked over to Burke and added. "Letting them know our intentions would also be the right thing to do to build on this alliance everyone is so shaky about. Just think, if the situation were reversed, how would Starfleet handle it if we found a base they made just outside our borders?"
'The Federation would likely be displeased,' Mel'nyk observed with a short laugh, 'as we have been in the past, believe me.'
"The Empire might have no interest in this area," Hunt added. "But us putting a base out here would likely be an intelligence issue for them. This is already a delicate process with everyone tip toeing around each other."
Nodding in agreement, Burke nodded, 'the concerns will be noted. But for now, we'll play by Command's rules. What we find, we'll report, including our observations on the Klingons.' He looked around the table, 'you'll be required to conduct a survey. Standard Away Team configuration. Security, Sciences, Medical. An Engineering crewmember for engineering surveys. And a pilot for the shuttle. Volunteers or recommendations?'
"I'll go," Ryssa offered. As the captain said, this would likely be routine, but if not, she'd rather go herself than send one of her subordinates. And the captain DID ask for volunteers.
Raising his hand, Hunt smiled. "I'll pilot."
Vincent looked over to Burke before looking around the table. This would be his first official mission with the crew. The escort mission he came mid-way through, while the dinner was less of a mission and more of a successful failure. While they did manage to break bread with the Klingons and establish their presence, the fight may have cost them in the long run. Regardless of the rules of engagement when it came to the Klingons, Starfleet might not take too kindly to how things went about.
"Since this mission is from Starfleet Intelligence, seems only right to have someone onboard from the department should the need arise." He said, before letting out a hesitant breath, as he added. "I'd be willing to go, but if the Captain would prefer someone else, Lieutenant Gonzalez has shown the desire to take on more field work." Vincent turned back to face Captain Burke, concluding with a slight smile. "In the event you want someone you trust completely."
Marques raised an eyebrow as he turned his attention to the First Officer and then to the Captain. That was clearly a very awkward comment and honestly wandered what was the possible meaning behind those words.
Gideon had been quiet through most of the briefing, listening intently to those around him. He turned his mug slowly between his hands, mesmerized by the green-lit planet floating above the table.
"Cap'n," he said, clearing his throat. "If this area's been sittin' out there all this time, right on the edge of their reach, and they never claimed it..." He tipped his head slightly, considering the map once again. "Ain't it possible they know somethin' about that patch of space we don't?"
'It's entirely possible. Either it holds no value for them. Or there's something else,' Burke smiled wanly, 'I'll forward all the relevant data Starfleet Intelligence has for the system - long-range probe returns and secondhand knowledge unfortunately, but you may all pick up on something missed. The unknown in this is why I've asked for volunteers, not ordered anyone to go.' He turned to Salvatore, 'you will have command, that isn't an issue.' In truth he wasn't sure what the former Intelligence officer had meant and resolved to chase up on it at his earliest convenience. 'Any further questions?' he asked around the table, 'please feel free to speak.'
"Um," Gia raised her hand and looked to Burke, "Forgive my asking on this one, but do you mind if I tag along as well and observe? I don't feel like I would get to see much action otherwise with being the ships counsellor."
Vincent looked over to Gia and paused slightly. The last thing he would want is to put someone in danger, especially since they had little to no idea what they were going to be dealing with. He also couldn't find a reason to bring her along, but at the same time, he could find a reason not to bring her along. He folded his hands as he placed them on the table before adding. "You do realize, Counselor, there is no way of knowing whether your services will be needed. At the same time, letting you come along simply because you feel you won't get to see much action otherwise, isn't a good excuse to put you on the team." He let out a slight sigh before adding. "But, if you have the necessary weapons certification and give me your word you'll stay close and follow directions where necessary, I'll be willing to add you to the away team. Just because we don't know whether you'll be needed, doesn't mean we may not have a use for you at some point." He gave her a slight smile, leaning back in his chair.
Gia sat back with a slow nod and was silent a moment while she thought on what to say, "I understand the concern. It was only a query to try and get a bit more experience out in the field, but I'll stay on board and anyone else can put their hand up for going instead."
Gideon's eyes had been darting back and forth between Gia and Vincent for more than a full minute. Something between the two officers had been throwing up red flags for much of the briefing--at least to him. He took a careful sip of his coffee--now cooling in the recycled air of the lounge--and set it in front of him.
"I reckon there ain't much need for me on this one, Cap." He cracked a knuckle and added, "Besides, I need to oversee the upgrades to the power distribution network. If ya'll need someone, Clemmie can go with."
Kyra’s antennae angled subtly toward Gideon at the mention of her name — not sharp enough to signal alarm, just attentive. She had been watching the exchange between Gia and Vincent with the same quiet, unreadable expression she wore during security drills: still, observant, cataloguing. She leaned forward slightly, forearms resting on the table, and glanced first to the Captain, then to the projected system map hovering above them.
“If this is truly routine,” Kyra said evenly, voice cool and precise, “then security presence should be minimal but deliberate. We don’t know why the Klingons ignored this region — and unknowns tend to become my problem first.”
One antenna flicked toward Gideon. “Lieutenant Beauregard staying aboard makes sense. If the ship’s power grid is already acting up, I’d rather not lose engineering redundancy while the shuttle is away.”
She turned her gaze toward Burke again. “But naturally, I’ll go.” The words were simple, matter-of-fact. “Standard loadout, light tactical profile. No aggressive posture unless required.” Her tone softened by half a degree — dry humor threading back in.
“And if this turns into the quiet survey Starfleet promised, I’ll spend the entire mission being pleasantly bored. Which would be a refreshing change.”
"Captain," Nelar stated, speaking for the first time since the meeting began. "I would like to volunteer as well," she offered. "Lieutenant Beauregard's proposition that there may be something in this region of space that has prevented the Klingons from staking claim on the area raises some interesting concerns." After a brief pause she continued. "We know that the Klingons are not a race to be frightened by war or aggression. I believe it is logical to consider there may be risks in the region beyond the security concerns that have been raised. Radiation, pathogens... There could be a number of unseen risks to the crew. It would be wise to have a medical officer accompany the team."
"Well now," Gideon said lightly, lifting a hand as though he were going to object on some procedural grounds. "I don't believe I've ever been cited in a medical recommendation before." He grinned slightly.
"I gotta admit, bein' referenced by two highly competent officers in the span of thirty seconds?" He glanced between Kyra and Nelar, his expression warm and entirely respectful. "That may just be the highlight of my week."
'Very well, Lieutenants De Luca, Beauregard and Jones will stay aboard Hecate,' Burke noted drily, nodding in the direction of the three officers, noting that Jones had been quieter than usual in the briefing. 'The remainder of you will be taking one of our prototype warp-capable shuttles to the planet in order to survey its suitability as a base, our First Officer to be in charge.' He took a breath and arched his eyebrows, 'standard procedure is to be followed - we'll expect check-ins every six hours as standard. Lieutenant sh'Herrhirst, I assume you'll be taking the standard three security officers with you?'
Kyra’s antennae angled forward in acknowledgment — a subtle, almost instinctive sign of focus — and she gave a crisp nod toward the Captain.
“Yes, sir,” she replied, tone calm and precise. “Standard three-officer security detail. That's me. 'By the books!'"
'Excellent Lieutenant,' Burke replied, pleased. 'Now, if there's anything else from any of you?'
Ryssa shook her head. She, too, felt there was something odd about this, but the only way to find out for sure was to go have a look.
'Very well, you know your assignments. I'll expect you to be ready for departure in two hours,' Burke replied as he got to his feet. 'Dismissed.'
::OFF::
Captain Robert Burke
Commanding Officer
USS Hecate
Commander Vincent Salvatore
Executive & Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Hecate
Lieutenant Kyra sh'Herhrisst
Chief Security Officer
USS Hecate
Lieutenant Nelar
Chief Medical Officer
USS Hecate
Lieutenant Marques Hunt
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Hecate
Lieutenant Juno Jones
Chief Engineer
USS Hecate
Lieutenant Ryssa Dari
Chief Science Officer
USS Hecate
Lieutenant Nelar
Chief Medical Officer
USS Hecate
Lieutenant JG Maël "Gideon" Beauregard
Chief Operations Officer
USS Hecate
Lieutenant JG Gianna De Luca
Chief Counsellor
USS Hecate
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