Mission Briefing

[Cptn Elias Moore 0]

NX-05 Challenger

Mission Briefing -- December 18, 2155

 

Elias looked at the science console and the energy readings from the alien device that had just risen from surface of Nequencia III. Everyone was speculating that it was a weapon. That was the worst case scenario, but Starfleet Captains often had to assume worst case scenarios when making their decisions.

 

"Get me in touch with Defiant," he instructed T'Parek.

 

The concerned face of Captain Hard appeared on the viewscreen within seconds. "Captain Moore, we're still taking on the evacuees from the surface, but our readings show that your people aren't leaving the planet. There's no telling if another seismic disturbance will strike."

 

"I understand that, Captain," Elias replied. "But Commander Cole and my security chief are missing in action. They were entering that mystery shaft and fell out of contact even before the quake."

 

"Do you need any extra hands?" Hard asked.

 

"That won't be necessary, the rest of our team is looking for them. Captain, I want the fleet to evacuate from Nequencian orbit. Or at least relocate to the other side of the planet. That device down there could very well be a weapon, and since it happens to be pointed up here and building energy..."

 

"I'll start giving the relocation orders," Hard said. "We just have to wait for all the workers to get on board. But what about you? If you're sticking around, I think at least Defiant should remain here to assist you."

 

Elias shook his head. "You're the only one I can trust with the honorary duty of escorting the esteemed Admiral Gardner to safety. I'm going to see to having him transferred back to Defiant, even if he needs to be dragged to the transporter room. We're going to look into this supposed 'weapon' while we wait for the rest of our people to return. No other lives need to jeopardized."

 

"We'll stick around, you relocate," Hard said. "Challenger is vital to the fleet."

 

"And better equipped to deal with situations like this. Get moving, Captain, there's no time to lose." Elias nodded to T'Parek to cut the comm.

 

That was the second time since this crisis started that he'd been short and demanding with a ranking officer, and, so far, he hadn't been forcibly ejected from either his command or the ship. But all that mattered to him now was the possibility that the device on the surface could eject him, anyone in orbit, and possibly anyone on the planet, from their lives. There'd probably be hell to pay later, most likely from Gardner, but they'd put him in charge of this operation, and there was no way he was going to succumb to subordination in the middle of a crisis.