Meeting the new intelligence officer

Posted on Mon Jun 20th, 2022 @ 8:46pm by Captain Maia Sterling & Ambassador Amanda Blake & Lieutenant Commander Sheena Toran-Blake & Commander Ryan Blake & Lieutenant Marina Tanger & Lieutenant T'Plana-hath

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Captains Ready Room
Timeline: 239505.27

The Leto had been in orbit of Betazed for three weeks awaiting crew replacements and repairs. Maia had heard that they had a new intel officer and called in her senior officers to meet her.

That includednausea.d the XO and the 2XO as well the chief Intelligence officer. It would be good to get to know her and develop a professional repertoire.

=/\=Lieutenant T'Plana'hath please report to the Captains ready room =/\=

Lieutenant j.g. straightened her skirt, picked up the PADD with her orders and the classified information on the Nightstalker. She made her way to the Captains ready room. She stepped onto the bridge and made her way to the Captains ready room. She thought to herself how it was always a good idea to remember a ships schematics that you would be stationed on. She stood outside the door and pressed the chime and waited to be summoned, she easily ignored any stares directed in her direction by the bridge staff on duty.

"Enter"

Captain Sterling was at her desk going over the final crew replacement list. The administrative paperwork seemed never ending for a starship Captain, but she had managed to get caught up in the last three weeks, especially with the help of her senior staff. Lieutenant Marina Tanger and Commanders Blake and Toran were in her office as well.

A young Vulcan woman entered her office, She was wearing intel gray, so Maia assumed it was Lt jg T'plana'hath.

"Ah, Lieutenant please come in. I've been looking forward to meeting you. I am Captain Maia Sterling, this is Lieutenant Commander Ryan Blake and Lieutenant Commander Sheena Toran, and this is Lieutenant Marina Tanger, Chief intelligence officer. Why don't you tell us something about yourself your experience and what you want to achieve with us." the Captain asked.

Marina offered a warm smile and a nod given that she’d already met T’plana’hath when she greeted her upon arrival onboard the Leto.

Ryan gave T'Plana-hath a nod as he raised his right hand in the Vulcan Salute. "Live Long and Prosper Lieutenant."

Lieutenant j.g. T'Plana-hath, smoothed out her uniform, preferring to wear the alternate skirt style, and made sure the red badge of Troon-arr, a graduate of the Vulcan School of Diplomacy was properly placed. She mainly wore it out of respect for her deceased father and sister, and to remind her what happens when intelligence officers made mistakes.
She stepped into the Captains ready room and was a little surprised to see so many individuals present. She turned to the human male wearing the rank of Lieutenant Commander and raised her right hand and replied with a smile "Dif-tor heh smusma, commander." curious if he spoke Vulcan as well as knew the ritual greetings.

"Na'shaya." Ryan spoke the Vulcan word for welcome to indicate he not only understood her, but could converse her her native language as well.

With that she turned and addressed the Captain "Ma'am Lieutenant j.g. T'Plana-hath reporting for duty. I have on my PADD both my orders with service record and schematics and general information on the Federation Ship Nightstalker, which as it currently stands is eyes only for those you deem needing such knowledge." She thought about the Captain's question for a second "Ma'am most of my career is classified, I can say that my work has been centered on the reemergence of the Orion Syndicate in this quadrant. One of my previous department heads refused to believe the data collected and nearly got the USS Valhalla destroyed when we were attacked by three Orion Syndicate Ships, which I may add were using cloaking devices. I was transferred to the USS Swordfish were we spent the majority of our time searching and seeking out any Orion Syndicate bases and outpost. I was then given orders to report to the USS Leto with the latest reconnaissance ship. I believe I assigned to this ship because I have successfully graduated from the Vulcan School of Diplomacy. I am a qualified Intelligence Officer and will provide you the best information regarding any Intelligence data you need. My goal is to ensure my Department head is given the best data and information to serve the ship and Star Fleet Intelligence." With that she smiled "One other thing to put the crew at ease a little. I am a follower and devotee of the School of Nirak, so I may display on occasions some emotions."

Marina was more than happy to have another member in the intelligence department. “That won’t be a problem where I’m concerned, I’m sure we’ll get along just fine Lieutenant.” She offered a warm smile.

Thank you, Lieutenant. Captain I must apologize for the way I arrived but both Star Fleet Command and Star Fleet Intelligence thought it best that the USS Swordfish not enter the Betazoid system given the nature of the Swordfish and her missions. It was felt it would only antagonize the Betazoids after their vote to remain in the Federation. As I understand it the ship and crew are due for R & R. This is fine with me as it will allow me to settle in and learn the Leto's 'Dark Room' and systems, as well as brief those you wish to work with the Nightstalker. With that said I assume you and these individuals have questions of me."

Sheena saluted the new officer, "Live long and prosper Lt
T'plana-jath. Welcome aboard," Sheena said showing no emotion but a simple smile.

"Yes, and if I may, that was a logical assessment. Lieutenant Tanger will show you her darkroom and get you acquainted with her systems. We have run into the Orion Syndicate before and they seem to be spreading throughout the quadrant. One thing is certain is that the syndicate is made of multiple races at this point, we have run into Gorn, Orion's, Cardassian's, Tressaurian's, Human's, and Klingons that were part of the syndicate and of course some of their business partners the Ferengi marauder or two, not to mention the Breen," The captain said.

Marina kept silent on this point, she’d been out of the loop for years as part of her deep cover in the Caliphate so she hadn’t personally encountered any of those Maia was talking about.

Perhaps Lieutenant T'Plana'Hath, you can bring Lieutenant Tanger up to speed on the syndicate.

T'Plana-hath raised an eyebrow "Captain how much do you truly know of the Orion Syndicate? The Orion's have always used a mix of other species in their organization. The thing to remember is that it is always an Orion in control, pulling the strings so to say. This is why the Federation made a fatal error in thinking they had eradicated, you would think the human species, Terrans in particular, would have learned this lesson from their past. The Twentieth century era of Earth is replete with the failures of the nation states failures to curb their organized criminal and terror organizations." She stopped her short oration and looked about the room. "I apologize Captain, it does seem I have the Vulcan tendency to lecture about a subject."

"I have had extensive encounters with the syndicate. I served as First Officer of the USS Tomcat for 10 years and we had multiple encounters with them. They were much more prevalent in the 23rd century but have been becoming stealthier and more active in the 24th. They are still trying to destabilize the Alpha quadrant. They seem to be gaining more influence in this quadrant as well," Sterling responded.

"I for one don't want to know about the Orion's of their syndicate. They done enough horrible things as is," Sheena said lowering her head.

"Dif-tor heh smusma, Commander Toran" again curious to see if the Lieutenant Commander also spoke Vulcan. "Unfortunately commander, the Orion Syndicate is back. and trust me they are doing those horrible things and worse. We are still trying to find out how and who is supplying them with cloaking devices for their ships, hence the reason the Leto has been provided the latest Star Fleet Intelligence shuttle."

“Then I’m grateful for both the shuttle, and for your arrival here Lieutenant” Marina smiled warmly. “Once this meeting is over I’d like to go over the latest intelligence reports with you.”

"My Vulcan is somewhat rusty but I am sure some of it will return with Ryan's help," Sheena said, looking at the lieutenant.

"Of course, I am at your disposal. I also think those you clear to use the shuttle will find it a 'unique' experience." She then waited in a calm and serene manner for any other questions.

"I will only clear officers that you, and Lieutenant Tanger vet for that, Lieutenant," Sterling replied.

T'Plana-hath looked at Lieutenant Commander Sheena Toran and replied "I am sure it will Commander. Captain I look forward to working with Lieutenant Tanger," with this she smiled back at Commander Toran "and teaching her the newest Star Fleet Intelligence cypher based off a Vulcan language and mathematical equation combinations."

Ryan listened attentively. "I would like to be involved in learning this new cipher system as well. My job as Strategic Operations Officer has me working closely with the Intelligence, Tactical and Diplomatic Departments aboard ship on most of our missions."

T'Plana-hath nodded and replied, "Of course commander, it would be a pleasure to teach you the cypher." She smiled internally knowing few people could grasp the very complex formula that T'Fleana, the V'Shar agent who created it, without also knowing the V'Shar communications techniques. It was the V'Shar way of giving back to Starfleet and the Federation some overlooked intelligence data that resulted in Federation lives being lost.

Marina smiled warmly, any chance to spend more time with Ryan was fine with her. She would never move in on another woman’s man, but there was no reason she and Ryan couldn’t be close friends.

"While our next mission is technically shore leave we will still have to watch out for pirate activity in the area, There have been reports of a Ferengi/Orion alliance in the Omicron Delta region and there has been word that the pirate Captain Arwella is back in business. She has constructed a new even more powerful ship and it has been sighted in the Prydon cascade. That's a fair bit away from where we will be. Also are you all familiar with Omicron Delta?" The Captain asked.

Ryan took out his PADD to look at the notes he had researched on the shore leave site. "Omicron Delta is a Class M planet. It was first visited by the Constitution-class USS Enterprise under Captain James T. Kirk approximately 130 years ago. It was reported by that the planet's single inhabitant maintains a subterranean facility that can manufacture objects, vehicles and artificial life forms that visitors imagine."

“I think I remember reading about that at the Academy” Marina looked at Ryan, and the others in turn. “One of the lessons on what to watch out for, from what I remember for some of the Enterprise crew it was more of a nightmare than fun. At least until they learned what the planet was all about.”

Lieutenant JG T'Plana-hath thought about what she knew about Omicron Delta "Commander Blake is correct, Omicron Delta has been used by Starfleet as a rest and relaxation planet since its discovery by Captain James T. Kirk. The planet scans the thoughts of its visitors and constructs artifacts to implement the fantasies of those visitors. It then deposits these on the surface near the individual whose fantasies the represent. One must remember that these constructs act as the individual expects them to act and are able to adapt to the users thoughts about how they should react. If injured the planet repairs the individual in its underground facility and then returned to the surface; unharmed. The planet is controlled by a very advanced and complex computer."

"I would like to be included as a former Security Chief. I know the hidden dangers that go hand in hand with what you think up. There have been deaths involved, the one that comes immediately to my mind was the black knight. On this one visit, if memory serves, this knight did kill the officer. Machines can replace machines, however a human or any sentient life form can not be replaced unless you can clone them," Sheena offered her two cents.

"While I have never been there before, my understanding is that any lifeform injured or killed can be repaired. Still we have to be careful with what we think up." Maia said.

“If you don’t mind Captain, I may just stay on the ship.” Marina gave Maia a brief smile. “With everything that’s happened to me...What I dream up there may make me want to stay there.” She sighed. “The two things I want the most I can’t have, and that’s the two things that will stand out in my mind if I go down to that planet.”

"That might be a good idea. If there is trouble, I will need to make sure we have enough crew on the ship to pull us out of it."

Ryan took his PADD out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Maia. "I already worked a shift rotation to man all critical areas of the ship and a list of all qualified bridge duty officers. There's no reason for anyone to not be able to have at least 48 hours of liberty call or you getting the full 72 hours before we will need to depart for our next mission."

"Excellent work, Commander!" Maia said.

Ryan glanced at Marina. "You can stay on the ship if you like Lieutenant. I recommend you take advantage of liberty though."

Marina nodded. “I will Commander. I can have just as much fun on the holodeck as I can on the surface.”

Are you worried about how your inner turmoil might translate on the planet Lieutenant?" The captain asked.

Marina nodded. “Yes Captain, I’m longing to find my daughter it’s constantly on my mind. That, and other things.” She paused resisting the chance to glance at Ryan. “I would prefer to explain that in private.”

"I quite understand" Maia said.

If there is nothing else you are all dismissed. Again welcome aboard T'Plana'Hath.

[OFF]

------------------------------------

A post by:

Captain Maia A. Sterling
Commanding Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant Commander Ryan Blake
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant JG T'Plana-hath
Intelligence Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant Marina Tanger
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916