Command Huddle

Posted on Sat Feb 22nd, 2025 @ 6:39pm by Captain M'Raz & Lieutenant Commander Jason Reeves

1,417 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Resistance is Necessary
Location: Captain's Ready Room | Deck 1 | USS Jane Addams
Timeline: MD001 - 1245

After a long day of going through the many Starfleet personnel that interviewed in the cargo bay, Commander Reeves went straight to the Captain's ready room. Normally he would have brought these recommendations in the morning, but with not having a clue regarding what these Borg would do next. Starfleet was definitely on a time crunch. Tapping the chime, he awaited to be called in.

"Come in," Raz called out. He was standing in front of the replicator waiting for another mug of life-giving coffee to appear. He turned long enough to see who it was and then retrieved his mug with a tired sigh. "I was just about to contact the Chief Engineer," he said. "I need a detailed damage report. We took several hard hits during the attack. Did you want anything?"

"Just finished up with the Starfleet personnel in the cargo bay," Jason announced. "Those who didn't require medical attention, I assigned to the departments of their specialty. But we got a few in the bunch that can run a department." He handed one of the PADDs he brought with him over to the Captain.

"I take it that's a 'no' on the coffee then," Raz said dryly as he accepted the PADD in one paw and picked up the mug with the other. He walked back to his desk, set the cup down in its accustomed place, on a coaster that an old friend had carved out of a wood that seemed to be practically indestructible, and turned his attention to the PADDs for a moment before dropping it on his desk.

"Abrams and McKnight were big losses," Raz said. "Once we're out of the system, we'll hold proper funerals for them both." His white hair, shoulder-length, brushed the shoulders of his torn and bloodied uniform; his claws barely extended beat a rhythm on the arm of his chair as he thought. "I'm not ready to replace them just yet. Give me the night to think about it. In the meantime, we have more important things to talk about."

The Commander thought back to the coffee offer and walked over to the replicator and requested a cup of his own. He then walked over and sat down across from Raz. "Yes, we do indeed."

"Sol system isn't safe," Raz said, his pale gray gaze focused on his First Officer. "But before we go, I want to make a stop at Utopia Planitia. We've been on the border for a year and we'll need supplies. Raw stock for the replicators, parts for Engineering, the lot. The Borg are focusing on our people, well that and destroying ships. I think the warehouses will be safe, for a little while anyway."

"The was just about to be my suggestion," Jason replied. "I actually received a call from my ex-wife Sakura, just as I finished up in the cargo. Her and the girls are okay but sitting at Utopia where she has been assigned the last few years. Sakura could be helpful giving us the location of some things ahead of time."

"And that's another thing that has to stop right away," Raz said. "We're going to restrict communications off ship. No contact with anyone off ship." He paused a moment, sighing. "But having said that, I'm glad they're all safe."

The First Officer took a moment to think about what the Captain just ordered. "I see your concern. But we have several Starfleet vessels floating around as well as refugees. Utopia Planitia still has personnel there who sitting on all those supplies we require. We need some way to coordinate in order to maintain some kind of order. "

"I received an encrypted communication shortly after the attack," Raz said. "Eyes only. The Council is safe, for the moment at least, on board another ship. And every ship is leaving the system on separate courses. Once we're supplied, we're to rendezvous. I have the coordinates but, for now anyway, we're going to assume that these ... Borg ... have the ability to monitor our communications. So, we're not going to, not unless its absolutely necessary."

"Glad to get some more good news today," Jason replied. "Guess it's safe to say that evacuating these worlds in this system isn't going to be a priority. When these transports get filled and take off, they're not coming back for anyone else. Focusing on the bigger picture I assume. Now did this encrypted message mention anything regarding where these Borg came from?"

"Priority," Raz repeated, his expression turning bleak, "I'd save them all if I could but you saw. Nothing we threw at the cube had the slightest effect. Nothing. And yet, if we had the room and resources, I'd still try to take them all. But the truth is, we can't and its a suicidal risk to try."

He paused a moment, to collect himself, and then continued on. "Still, every ship leaving the system is carrying as many refugees as they could and any other ship that manages to get out is no doubt going to do the same. It's not enough but it's what there is. Now, as to your question. No. We don't know anything about this Borg and I suspect once we've found a place for our refugees, our orders will be all about who they are and how we're going to fight back, reclaim the system." The chess player in him turned speculative. "I suspect that every Federation world is going to experience the same thing ... if they haven't already. How's that for a thought to keep you up nights?"

Rubbing his forehead, followed by sipping his drink, Jason sighed. The Federation had many tough decisions to make, and this was just the start. "I'm certain that will keep myself and many others up for a while. But this is the best decision, and I can live with that."

"The question in my mind is what the Borg will do next," Raz continued. "Are they the kind that swoop up resources, in this case, our ... people ... or do they intend to stay? Make a base from which they can branch out through Federation space."

"Based on the conversation from those who crossed the Borg on the surface," the Commander brought up. "They were turning the people they captured into Borg. Not sure if that's being exaggerated, but I heard it from several people. Though no one could say how. Now looking at this from a strategic standpoint. If I had their firepower and defenses, striking Earth the way they did is what I would have done. Rip out the heart, demoralize an enemy and let word get out to the rest of the Federation."

"Add that to the list of things we have to figure out," Raz said. "Alright, so, no communication, incoming or outgoing, for now. Once we're clear of the system, we can revisit that. I"ll read through the records of the individuals you think might be suitable to move over to crew later tonight. First thing tomorrow, we'll get departmental reports and you'll take an away team down to the warehouses to do some shopping."

Nodding in response, suddenly an idea popped up in his. "It just crossed my mind that some of the ships the Borg took out at the shipyard were close to being complete. There might be some things that may have survived that might be worth salvaging."

"Good idea," Raz said. "Very good. Add that to the list. Course this all depends on what things are like down there and whether or not the Borg come back. But get what you can. As much as you can. We'll beam things up using the cargo transporters so make sure you have tags with you."

"We have a Cadets that came onboard," Jason mentioned. "It will give them something to do sort through the debris."

"Cadets," Raz said. "They can be useful. How about sorting them into departments, where help is needed, and find a promising one to act as my yeoman."

"Will do."

"Any other concerns at the moment," Raz asked.

"Nothing that can't wait for us to clear the system," the Commander answered.

"Very well," Raz said with a tired sigh. "Go get some sleep and I'll try to do the same. Away team briefing at 0500 tomorrow."

"Aye Sir." Jason then stood from his seat and quickly exited the office.

There would be time, Raz reminded himself, to grieve, to think, to plan. Not just yet. Not just yet ...

 

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