An Introduction of Sorts (Part 2)
Posted on Wed Aug 20th, 2025 @ 6:51pm by Captain M'Raz & Lieutenant Commander Jason Reeves & Lieutenant Elias McEntyre & Lieutenant Noah Clarke & Lieutenant Richard Pierce MD
2,068 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
The Raz Defense
Location: Deep Space Repair Beta Two, Theta Sculptoris
Timeline: MD001 - 0800
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Raz said. "As I said, we aren't far enough from the base for us to remain here for long which means, along with learning about the ship, we'll have to get everyone on board and settled. I'll want everyone to through their department and make sure that you aren't missing anything you need and all hands are to help with getting our gear onto the Crazy Horse. Now, I'll open this to questions ..."
Staring at the blueprints being displayed, Reeves had several questions. This was definitely a game changer. Especially for a ship the size of a Galaxy class. "What is the crew compliment with these new changes? And has this new technology been tested in the field?"
Pierce leaned forward in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly at the schematic as if it might answer him before anyone else did.
“I’ve only got one question,” he said, voice calm but carrying enough weight to cut across the room. “How does all of this Ghostskin wizardry affect Sickbay? Power draw, environmental controls, the whole works. Because if we’re talking about switching over to backup life support for hours at a time, I need to know exactly what that means for patient care—especially for anyone on biobed support, respirators, or in stasis.”
He took a sip of his coffee, not breaking eye contact with Clarke.
“I just moved two hundred injured people off the Jane Addams because the ship couldn’t sustain them. I’m not going to repeat that because we pushed a stealth system too long and cooked my patients in their own recovery wards. So before I sign off on loading Sickbay, I want the limitations spelled out in plain language—no engineering euphemisms.”
Pierce sat back again, one hand loosely around his mug. “I’m all for keeping the Borg from spotting us,” he added, tone softer but no less firm, “but the crew’s survival isn’t just about the enemy not finding us. It’s about making sure they’re still breathing when we come out the other side.”
The First Officer looked across the table as well, expecting to hear an answer that made sense. Ghostskin sounded well and good, but the effects were not to be desired.
Clarke nodded slowly, appreciating the weight behind Dr. Pierce’s question.
“Completely understood, Doctor. Ghostskin isn’t just a switch we flip and forget—it’s a carefully balanced system designed to prioritize the ship’s most critical functions first.”
He tapped the PADD, and a simplified power flow schematic appeared on the main display.
“Essential areas like the bridge, engineering, and sickbay are the first to get power and environmental controls maintained at full operational levels. These areas have dedicated backup systems and enhanced thermal regulation to keep life support and medical equipment stable during silent running.
“Before those get taxed, the system draws from cargo bays, shuttlebays, and other non-critical zones fitted with specialized heat sinks and quantum energy buffers designed to soak up excess heat and power demands. These act as ‘sponges’ to delay any impact on vital systems.”
He paused, then added with a faint grim humor, “That said, after about twenty-four hours of Ghostskin operation, whether or not we've been found, we probably won’t need the sickbay.
“The key is managing that clock, Doctor. We’ve got to run Silent Mode long enough to avoid detection, but not so long that the ship’s own systems start to fail. It’s a delicate balance—one that requires constant monitoring and, if needed, a quick exit strategy.”
Clarke looked to Raz and the others. “So yes, there are trade-offs. But the system is designed with the crew in mind. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best shot we have at staying off the Borg’s radar while keeping everyone breathing.”
Clarke glanced over at Commander Reeves as the question landed.
“The crew complement for the Crazy Horse clocks in around seven hundred,” Clarke said, tapping a PADD to bring up a layout overlay. “That’s down from earlier Galaxy-class ships because several science labs and specialized research sections were removed to make room for the enhanced stealth and support systems. Correspondingly, the crew quarters for those science personnel were reduced as well.”
He swiped to a data summary. “As for field testing, the Ghostskin system has undergone multiple dry runs and simulations at McKinley Station and Utopia Planitia. The system has held up under extended use—up to twenty-four hours in Silent Mode without critical failures—but those missions were closely monitored.
“In short, it’s proven reliable within designed parameters, but it demands rigorous operational discipline. We’re not throwing a miracle out there—we’re deploying a tool with strengths and limits, and it’ll be up to us to know when to push and when to pull back.”
"I still want to see the full blueprints and technical specifications for these systems," Elias spoke up. "If I'm going to have to put my trust and faith in this system, I want to know what makes it tick. I don't want the first time we flip it on to be the last time."
"Your concerns are valid," Raz said. "And really, leaving the Jane Addams behind is something I never thought I'd have to do but this is where we are and this is what we have. As Lieutenant Clarke said, you'll receive more in depth briefings on the new system but let's be clear. We are moving in."
“I’ll start getting up to speed, though with respect, I still believe that our best course of action is to run to ground,” Elias started.
“And forgive my bluntness but even with this tech we’re still one ship. Even with 20 ships, we still got our collective asses handed to us. Even if we had the full might of every ship in the fleet, I highly doubt we’d ever do any real damage to these Borg. They adapt to everything we can think of and I strongly suspect they’ll find a way to adapt to this!"
Raz turned a steely glance on his Chief of Security. "I'm not sure I will forgive you," Raz said quietly and in his eyes was the weight of the losses he'd suffered and the burden placed on his shoulders intermixed with fire and determination. His voice roughened by the anger coursing through him, he continued. "We're Starfleet and we don't get to run away." He turned his attention to the rest of the room. "The Jane ... the Crazy Horse isn't going to run. We've got a problem to solve and that's what we're gong to do. What we've always done."
“And that doesn’t mean fighting head on. We’ve seen what that’s gotten us, Captain. What we need to be doing is thinking from another perspective. Asymmetrical Warfare, guerrilla tactics. The Borg have numerical and technological superiority. We need to be thinking like an insurgency. We can’t afford to lose this new ship taking it head on against the enemy. We use it as a launching point for surgical strikes against the enemy using small away teams or fire teams. That’s is what I meant by going to ground.”
"Nowhere have I said, I intend to do what close to thirty ships have done without success," Raz growled. "We need information ... about these Borg and their technology. And that's what I meant about having a problem to solve. There are a couple of places where we can check, to find out what's already known if anything, and then, we'll figure out ways to get the intel we need while we're rescuing our people, getting them away from the danger zones, and setting up a more secured means of communication."
"Aye, sir." Elias nods.
Raz turned toward Doctor Pierce and continued. "You can see me after the briefing, Doctor, and we'll discuss where to locate the more critically injured."
Pierce gave a short nod, the lines around his eyes easing only slightly as he shifted his gaze back to Raz, meeting it evenly.
“I’ll come by after the briefing, Captain. We’ll work out which compartments make the best overflow wards, and which ones can be adapted on short notice. I’ll also want my team in on the safety drills—if the order comes down to break stealth, I want every medic to know exactly where those patients go and how fast they can get there.”
He took another measured sip of coffee before adding, “We may be changing ships, but my job stays the same—keep the crew breathing. And I intend to keep doing it no matter what paint job or stealth net we’re running under.”
"You misunderstand, Doctor," Raz said. "The repair ship is large enough to take a few passengers. If there are cases you think would be better off in a safer environment, then there are arrangements that can be made."
Pierce’s brow furrowed slightly, his fingers drumming once against the side of his mug before he set it down.
“I don’t misunderstand, Captain—I just don’t like the word better in situations like this,” he said evenly. “Some of these people are stable because they’re here, under constant care, with my team on top of them every minute. Move them, and we’re introducing a whole new set of risks—transport trauma, environmental shifts, unknown equipment, new personnel who don’t know their histories.”
He leaned back slightly, weighing the thought. “That said… there are a handful whose conditions could worsen fast if we take another hit or have to go to Silent Mode. Those cases might benefit from a controlled transfer now rather than a forced evacuation later.”
Pierce met Raz’s gaze directly. “If we do it, it happens under my terms. I’ll go through the roster myself, hand-pick who goes, and assign medics to travel with them. And I want direct comms with whoever runs that facility so there’s no gap in their care.”
A faint, dry edge touched his tone. “If we’re sending them somewhere safer, Captain, I intend to make sure it actually is safer.”
"Most likely, that won't be possible," Raz said. "But I'll give you this. The ... Crazy Horse will escort the repair ship to their new base and you can see to the handover yourself. Beyond that, you'll have to turn over their care to someone else."
"Lieutenant Clarke, thank you. I know how little sleep you've had because I was there with you; I appreciate your being able to pull this together on such short notice."
Clarke nodded his head faintly toward the captain. "Of course, sir." His eyes glanced around the room but he said nothing else as he walked back to the far side of the table to his seat, the tension moving around him like thick water.
"Now, are there any concerns other than Ghostkin," Raz asked.
"Any idea where we're leaving to," the Commander inquired.
Raz turned toward his First Officer, giving the question consideration, sifting through moves and possibilities. "Engineering will want to go over the systems which means staying away from Borg-occupied territory for now at least. Memory Alpha is near here and I want to check on them. Do a bit of research. After that, we're headed to the Cardassian border."
Through all the commotion, Reeves had completely forgotten about the Cardassians. A status report from that border would be good about now. "Research sounds good."
"I think it will be key," Raz said. "Right now we know nothing about them and changing that, figuring them out along with rescuing hostages is going to be our focus for the moment."
"I definitely agree with that assessment," the Commander replied.
l
"Okay, well, if there's nothing else, you're all dismissed. We'll begin moving over to the Crazy Horse at once. See Lieutenant H'iri for quarters assignment and getting yourself off the Jane Addams."
Captain M'Raz
Commanding Officer
USS Jane Addams
Lt. Commander Jason Reeves
First Officer
USS Jane Addams
Lieutenant Elias McEntyre
Chief of Security
USS Jane Addams
Lieutenant H'iri
Chief of Operations
USS Jane Addams
Lieutenant Noah Clarke
Chief Engineer
USS Jane Addams
Lieutenant Richard Pierce, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
USS Jane Addams
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