"Body Counts"

[Col. C.E. Harper 0]

March 23, 2397

Pax Primus

Surface Communication Relay Outpost

 

There weren't enough bodies. That was the one thing that bothered Harper about the whole mission.

 

The facility secured and the prisoners handed over to the goldshirts, her people's job was largely done. In the control room, the Away Team personnel scurried from console to console, rerouting systems to bypass both security codes and damaged pathways. Downstairs medical personnel were tending the wounded, and some of her Marines were checking the perimeter again, to be certain nothing – and no one – had been missed. The sniper that had greeted the Away Team was an embarrassment she did not intend to see repeated.

 

All of which left her here, in the hallway between the living quarters and the control rooms, keeping an eye on the engineers and contemplating the damage to the facility.

 

From the wanton damage, it didn't look like the Romulans had been interested in seizing the facility, only in destroying it – and making sure no one interrupted them before they finished that job. Concussion damage to the outside, in the security corridor, in one of the control rooms. Weapons fire just about everywhere in the complex, both phaser and disruptor. Not to mention the blood, she thought grimly, eyes tracing a pattern on the wall that might – if she allowed herself to think about it – resemble fingers. Red was the predominant color. But there were splashes of green, particularly downstairs, and some blue mixed in, like some macabre finger-painting.

 

But no bodies. Or not enough of them, anyway. One in the turbolift, three in the control rooms, perhaps a dozen in the grisly room downstairs. There should have been more than fifty Starfleet personnel at the base. So where were the rest? Did the Romulans have the capacity to take prisoners? Surely not. Moved somewhere? Why leave just a few – and why bother in the first place if the intent was to destroy the facility. Disintegrated? It was an unfortunate effect of Romulan weapons at full power. Still, Harper fretted, toying with the safety on her phaser rifle, a bad habit she'd never entirely broken.

 

She forced herself to stop now, checking the setting, and caught one of the techs shooting her a relieved look. Apparently the soft, rhythmic clicking had been getting on his nerves. Well. She'd have to find something else to occupy her while she babysat the panel-pokers. Might as well get some work done, she thought, patting down her pockets in search of a PADD, which, naturally, was never in the one it was supposed to occupy. Or the one she preferred it in. Or the – Ah.

 

The captain had asked for a report, and, naturally, he wanted it yesterday. It was A Rule. It'd be better off waiting until they were back aboard the ship, in her opinion, since the mission was still ongoing, but since when had common sense stood in the way of bureaucracy?

 

MISSION DATE: Stardate 74223

PAX PRIMUS, COMMINICATIONS RELAY OUTPOST (CRO)

139TH MARINE BATTALION, COL. CHARLOTTE HARPER

 

The USS Agincourt was dispatched from Starbase 234 unexpectedly by a situation at Pax Primus.  Capt. Davies briefed senior officers in his Ready Room at 0950 hours ship's time.  Subsequently, I briefed Marine officers Nesbitt, Seversen, and Rieve in the NNC.  Limited intel regarded current groundside situation hampered mission planning.  Multiple operating plans were crafted.

 

Agincourt arrived at Pax Primus at 1150 hours, at which time both planetary facilities were determined to be out of contact.  Damage observed in orbital defense platforms indicated capture or destruction by hostile forces.  Final mission briefing took place at 1200 hours.  At that time insertion method remained unknown.  At 1216 hours Capt. Davies ordered deployment by transporter.

 

Remaining operational defense platform limited transport window to 12 seconds.  Initial team accordingly limited to ten (10) personnel.  (Deployment roster attached as CH74223SUP1.)  Team assembled in TR5 while Agincourt engaged in evasive maneuvers.  Deployment occurred at 1221 hours.  Upon beam-down, recon'd immediate area.  (Terrain map attached as CH74223SUP2.)  No hostiles in visual range or on sensors.  Subsequent events proved sensor readings faulty; natural or artificial dampening responsible.  Weapons-fire damage observed to entry of CRO.

 

Determining that sufficient cover was available, team proceeded to within 40 m of CRO main entry.  During this movement, Agincourt contacted me.  Given later engagement by hostiles outside the CRO, possibly within earshot of my team's location, I recommend silent ship-initiated communication be made SOP for future missions of this type.

 

Region surrounding CRO had been cleared to distance of 30 m, forcing halt in approach.  Blast damage to facility at this range identified as both internal and external.  Presuming hostiles were guarding main entry, though no visual or sensor contact had been established, team split into two groups in order to cover final 30 m.  Each group approached facility from a diff –

 

An acrid scent coiled into Harper's nose, just before something popped loudly nearby. The PADD clattered to the floor as her hand instinctively sought the rifle trigger, her head swiveling towards the sound. Sheepish techs waved ineffectually at the smoke belching from a console that had clearly given up the ghost. Someone produced a chemical extinguisher, which stopped the snapping sparks, but did little to improve the air quality or visibility. Harper retrieved her PADD.

 

– different angle, attempting to minimize target presented to doorway.  As anticipated, fire began from doorway as soon as Pvt. Rieve's team began their approach.  Unanticipated was fire from concealed hostiles outside the CRO.  Both sources appeared to be using disruptor pistols.  My team attempted to provide cover.  During this engagement Cpl. Steele was killed.  Once Pvt. Rieve's team reached minimal cover provided by debris near CRO, my team began approach.  Thanks in part to some excellent shooting on the part of Pvt. Rieve's team, no significant injuries resulted from this run.

 

Upon regrouping, proceeded with assault on CRO.  Team penetrated main security corridor and secured main ground floor security controls.  Three (3) Marines were wounded in the engagement (Sgt. MacGregor severely).

 

A second window in the orbital defenses permitted Agincourt to dispatch a shuttle carrying six (6) Marines to reinforce us.  The shuttle landed 75 m from CRO at approximately 1300 hours.  With the added forces, and the firepower of the shuttle, we secured most of the exterior and ground floor.  I reported to Agincourt, and Capt. Davies informed me to expect a standard Away Team in 30 minutes. 

 

Pvt. Rieve took Sgt. Mendez and SSgt. Green to second floor while a team of four prepared to take out last enemies outside.  Two (2) smoke bombs were used to conceal exit from CRO while upstairs team provided cover fire.  One Reman was captured and secured in facility security office.

 

Due to the impatience of desk-flying higher-ups –

 

Stop. Delete. Begin again. And stop grinding your teeth, while you're at it.

 

Due to the general concern over the situation, Capt. Davies dispatched the Away Team earlier than planned.  They beamed down approximately 75m from CRO shortly after the Remans were secured.  (Approx. 1345 hours.)  All of the equipment they needed access to was located on the second floor, so I sent six (6) Marines upstairs to reinforce Pvt. Rieve and start securing the upper level.  They encountered little resistance, and took one Romulan prisoner.

 

When the Away Team began its approach to CRO, shots were fired from a position to their rear.  The team assumed defensive positions and returned fire.  One officer was struck.  Sgt. Roarke and I immediately proceeded to the upper level.  From that vantage point we were able to kill the sniper and allow the Away Team to proceed safely.

 

Leaving the ground floor in the hands of the Security officers on the Away Team and a small complement of Marines, I took the remaining members of my team to assist in securing the upper floor.  In three teams we attempted to penetrate the control block.  One team came under heavy fire.  Second could not force entry and instead came to the assistance of first group.  Third team successfully flanked Romulan position.  Romulans were caught in crossfire and defeated quickly.  Two prisoners, both wounded – one severely – were taken.

 

Sweeps through the remainder of CRO resulted in the capture of three more prisoners.  All prisoners were turned over to Security officers.  CRO considered secure at 1430 hours.  Half of Marines ordered to check perimeter, half remained to guard CRO and Away Team.

 

Glancing at the techs, the mass of white foam, and the gently smoldering console, Harper had to wonder who was supposed to protect the Marines from the Away Team.