The Few, The Brave

Posted on Monday 13 August 2018 @ 14:22 by 1st Lieutenant John Kayhill & Captain John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D. & Commander Cale Llewellyn DSci & Lieutenant Colonel Kachiko Bayushi

Mission: The New Collective
Location: =/\= Merlin/Vega Xu =/\=
Timeline: MD 2
885 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Barstow walked into the TIC, Tactical Information Center, after making sure they were on course and there were no anomalies of interest. The CO had learned to divide his time on shift between the bridge and TIC, where he could monitor the Task Group as part of his other command. When he walked in he smiled seeing the room buzzing with activity. Every enlisted NCO and Officer here were part of Strat Ops, regardless of discipline, and they monitored activity from the entire Fleet as well as the Merlins own area of operation in addition to helping coordinate the ship, fighters and ground personnel during combat missions. Apollo was impressed with how quickly Cale had pulled everything together here. After watching for a second longer the Commander walked up behind Llewellyn, "Commander, what's the word?" he asked with a smile.

"Sir at present all's quiet on the Western Front. On all fronts for that matter," Llewellyn reported before he gleaned a touch of fear from a petty officer.

"Sir's, we are receiving an emergency broadcast", a Petty Officer said. "Audio only, so you want it On speakers?"

"Looks like I spoke too soon, Commander. On speakers, Crewman, Llewellyn ordered.

"This is is Lieutenant John Kayhill, Starfleet Marine Corps, Vega Xu colony. We are under attack by the Borg. Avoid the planet at *static* all costs. Repeat, *static*.”

"Message must have been cut off", the Petty Officer said, looking worried at the mention of the Borg.

Kachiko had stepped in just before the replay of the emergency broadcast. She blanched, thankfully unseen by anyone else as she was behind the present company. Instead she spoke once she got herself under control, "Computer, yellow alert."

She touched a wall panel, "Bayushi to bridge, shields up and arm weapons. Keep your eyes open."

Apollo just nodded, "open a secure comm," he ordered and leaned on the back of a nearby chair, "Kayhill if you can hear me, hold tight, help is incoming fast as we can," he said, intentionally not giving a ship name or his own name, "Siemper Fi Marine," he added, hoping that would let the Lieutenant know they were friendlies.

If the message was received, there was no response. There wasn't even static on the line.

"Cale, do we know if he got that?" Barstow asked.

The Petty Officer shook his head negatively to Cale.

Kachiko looked up at Barstow as she moved to his side, "Sorry, boss. It's standing orders for all vessels and facilities within ten parsecs of a reported Borg sighting, much less attack."

"Don't apologize, ex, you're on the ball," John replied simply and flashed a quick smile before looking back, "Llewellyn, bring up our location and Vega Xu's."

"Done Sir." Cale said after bringing up a starmap of the region.

She looked at the Petty Officer, "Relay that report to Starfleet Command, Priority One. Addend it with that the Merlin is in the region. Request orders."

Apollo put a hand on Kachiko's shoulder, "We're not waiting for orders," he said simply then turned to Llewellyn while Bayushi relay the order to change course, "Commander Llewellyn, I want all fighters, Marines and even security ground teams ready to go, tell Rejal and Saren to help get their weapons modified with rotating frequencies every three shots. Barstow to O'Hara, we have a Borg problem, start frequency modulations on shields and phasers," he ordered then turned to walk out the door, "computer, red alert. Ex, tell sickbay to be ready."

"Aye Sir." Cale said before stepping off to relay the Commander's orders to the appropriate department heads.

Kachiko nodded, "Bridge, Ex Oh. Prepare Tri-Cobalt devices and prioritize quantum torpedoes over photon."

Once she ended those orders, she again activated the comm, "Ex Oh to Doctors Ki and O'Reilly. Prepare for potential boarding action and direct contact with the Borg. Secure Sickbay immediately."

Finally, the Executive Officer directed a fire team of Marines to guard and secure Sickbay. She directed a second squad to Main Engineering. Finally, she opened the 1MC, or the shipwide channel, "All Hands, this is the Executive Officer. All personnel secure your stations and secure sidearms."

Once she was finished, Kachiko sighed, "And I just brought Reiko aboard, too. I... you know what? I don't think you're going to need a yeoman right now. Cadet Sun has weapons experience, unfortunately. I want to assign her to watch over the children down in the classroom."

"Sierras here too, don't worry, I don't plan on getting blown up or assimilated just yet," Apollo replied with a reassuring smile then nodded, "go ahead, have the children taken to the Round Table, it's a designated life boat area and is on separate power, life support and we can put up forcefields," he added then tapped his combadge, "Bridge, I'm on my way up, set course for Vega Xu Colony, emergency warp."

Kachiko nodded, before securing a compression rifle from the weapons locker on the aft bulkhead of the TIC compartment.

Tapping her communicator as she boarded the lift, "Bayushi to Cadet Sun..."


OFF:

Commander John "Apollo" Barstow
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin
Task Group 47-A Commanding Officer
Task Force 47

1st Lieutenant John Kayhill
Marine Company Commander
USS Merlin

Lieutenant Commander Cale Llewellyn
Strategic Operations Officer
USS Merlin

Commander Bayushi Kachiko
First Officer, USS Merlin