Early to Rise...

Posted on Wed Aug 31st, 2011 @ 3:05pm by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Vice Admiral Quinn Androski & Ensign Matthew Lessly

Mission: Episode 2.2 - "Resistance"
Location: Ready Room, USS Orlando
Timeline: Mission Day 05, 0420

ON: [[Ready Room, USS Orlando, Mission Day 05, 0420]]

There were more than a few looks of surprise when Iluvar emerged from the turbolift and onto the bridge of the USS Orlando. He had a feeling none of those present had been expecting to see another ship's commanding officer appear, despite the fact the two vessels had been holding position together for some time. It was just one of those things that did not seem to happen all that often.

Iluvar made his way around the upper level of the bridge until he came to the door separating the Orlando's command center from the sanctum of its commanding officer. No sooner had he approached the door than it slid apart with a faint hiss, allowing him to step across the threshold and into the room beyond. His gaze swept the ready room, taking note of how its arrangement reflected the interests and personality of the vessel's commanding officer, before turning his attention to the man seated behind the desk.

Quinn had just finished a cup of coffee when Iluvar walked through the door. He wasn't entirely sure why the captain of the Pandora had contacted him requesting that they meet at once, but if it was this early in the morning, it had to be important.

"I apologize if my message woke you, admiral," Iluvar said, taking another step forward, "but I am afraid we have uncovered some disturbing information regarding the drones we recovered from the debris field yesterday."

"No need to worry." Quinn responded, pouring coffee from the pot on the edge of his desk into the cup. "I had been up anyway... son had a bad dream."

It was no surprise to Iluvar that Jaden (PNPC) had experienced a nightmare under circumstances such as those they currently found themselves in. Even Aris (PNPC) had been having trouble sleeping these past few nights and there was no doubt in his mind as to why. Bad dreams were to be expected whenever the Borg were involved.

Offering some coffee to the captain and beckoning him to have a seat, Quinn continued, "In any event, what is it that your people have discovered?"

Iluvar held up his hand in polite rejection of the offered coffee as he lowered himself into the indicated chair. Reaching out, he placed a small PADD on the surface of the desk between them. "Doctor Evans and Doctor ch'Rassa have made a thorough examination of the three drones we recovered from the debris," he explained, folding his hands in his lap, "They believe they have discovered a new form of combat-medical drone."

Quinn's eyes popped to the PADD at the mention of a new form of drone. Granted, Starfleet had only had limited interactions with the Borg but the general consensus was that they had a pretty good grasp on their technology, especially after the return of Voyager. "Combat-medic?"

"This one has the capability to reanimate otherwise dead or deactivated drones," Iluvar replied.

Quinn skimmed the PADD and took a large drink from his cup of coffee. "I'd say that definitely counts as disturbing." he said. "Is there any indication as to why? In every encounter with the Borg, they've simply used dead drones for parts."

"I'm afraid any evidence of an explanation remains tenacious at best," Iluvar continued, knowing the response disappointed Androski as much as it did him, "One possible theory is that it is in response to the effects of Voyager's return from the Delta Quadrant. It may be what remains of the Collective is attempting to re-establish itself."

Quinn nodded. Iluvar's theory was as valid as any other possibility he could think of. There were few within Starfleet that were fully briefed on the events surrounding the starship Voyager's return, but both Iluvar and himself were among them. "A drone that can reanimate dead drones in a debris field of a destroyed Borg vessel... we barely answer one question and two more spring up."

"Has there been any word from Starfleet Command as to how we should proceed," Iluvar asked. Ordinarily, Starfleet allowed its commanding officers some amount of leeway when carrying out their respective missions. This, however, was not what the admiralty would consider a typical mission. Any indication of a Borg presence in or near Federation space was treated very seriously by those back at Starfleet Command and Iluvar had no doubt there were many who waited to hear what news their investigation might be able to provide.

Quinn half shook, half nodded his head. "There's a small fleet amassing in the Tarasa System five light-years from here. If there's any sign of active Borg activity, we're to engage and attempt to hold them until the fleet arrives." he responded, his voice showing that he was less than thrilled with having the two ships dangled as bait for any passing Borg.

For a moment, Iluvar did not say anything. He could understand Starfleet's desire to be prepared should their situation begin to deteriorate and agreed with their continued interest in remaining cautious. The moment they allowed themselves to underestimate the Borg was the moment they lost their advantage.

After a few moments of silence, Quinn drank from his cup and looked up from the PADD in his hand. "Is there anything else, Captain?"

"No," Iluvar said, bringing himself back to the present. He had allowed his thoughts to wander for a moment as he considered their situation. Now it was time to make a plan of action. "I will be briefing my senior staff at oh-eight-hundred hours this morning," he continued as he rose to his feet, "is there anything more you would like me to tell them?"

Quinn shook his head. "I'm sure you've got it all covered."

Giving a polite nod in the admiral's direction, Iluvar turned and crossed the short distance to the door before disappearing onto the bridge beyond.


OFF

A Joint Mission Post by:

Vice Admiral Quinn Androski
Commanding Officer
USS Orlando-A

and

Captain Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora