Assignment

Posted on Tue May 4th, 2010 @ 7:25pm by Provisional Lieutenant Commander Narayn Ballard & Captain Benjamin Byrne

Mission: Metronian Diplomacy
Location: 11th Fleet Headquarters / USS Endeavour
Timeline: MD01 [BACKPOST]

The headquarters of Pegasus Fleet shimmered in the midday sun. Ballard sat on the observation deck, watching the departing ships through the orbital monitoring station. One hung still and majestic in space. The USS Endeavour. His new assignment.

His comm-badge chirped and the voice of HQ's transporter controller came through the channel. "Chief Ballard, the transporter is free for your equipment and your team to transfer to the Endeavour."

"Acknowledged." He said as he opened a new channel. "Ballard to Intelligence crew of USS Endeavour. Assemble in Transporter room six in five minutes."

--------USS Endeavour Transporter Room--------

Benjamin had been informed by Pegasus Fleet HQ that the ship would be receiving its Intelligence staff during the first day of their 'shoreleave' - Byrne had the understanding that the head of the team had been selected by Vice Admiral Sanchez's staff, due to the mission they would embark on in three day's time, and the fact came as no surprise to him. The Admiral wanted these negotiations to go well, and so it was only logical to assume he would want some of the top analysts in the quadrant onboard.

Stepping into the transporter room, he recognised Ensign Kitonuh - being the only Selkie onboard - manning the transporter console. "Chief Ballard and his team are ready to beam over, Sir," she told him.

Interested as he was about the Admiral's choice of an NCO to head up the department, Byrne nevertheless kept his thoughts to himself, and simply nodded to the Ensign. "Energise."

The blue hue of the the transporter dissipated around the Intelligence team and Narayn immediately stepped forward. "Captain Byrne. Chief Petty Officer Narayn Ballard, requesting permission to come aboard."

"Commander, actually," Benjamin casually corrected, holding out his hand. "Permission granted, Chief. Welcome aboard."

"Thank you, sir. Allow me to introduce the finest intelligence team in Starfleet. My assistant, Vannah Quinnol; our encryption specialist Jonathan Bannan and our infiltration expert, Ravvik." He said as the team who stood behind him nodded their recognition to the Commanding Officer of the Endeavour.

His eyes lingering ever-so-slightly on the infiltration specialist as he wondered under what circumstances such a trait would need to be used under his command. "Welcome aboard, gentlemen, and Bajoriah," he said, using the Bajoran word for 'lady' - it never had sounded right to say 'lady and gentlemen' - the phrase only really worked if both were in the plural.

Vannah (NPC) nodded her approval at the Commander's knowledge of her language as Ravvik (NPC) also noted the lingering eyes of his new Commanding Officer. He didn't blame him. It wasn't the first time that a superior had reacted badly to seeing a Romulan with a grey collar. He was not worried though. He was a more than competent analyst and realised that this would likely be his role in the coming mission.

The Chief turned to the team and looked them each in the eye, one by one. "Go on and begin setting up the Intelligence Centre. I'll join you once I've spoken with the Commander."

"Aye aye, Chief," Vannah responded as she headed the group out of the door and off to the Intelligence Centre.

"Interesting team," Benjamin said, as he began to lead the Chief out of the transporter room, clasping his hands behind his back. "But I wonder as to their purpose during our mission - which I assume, you were made aware of?"

"As a matter of fact, Commander, I wasn't. Vice Admiral Sanchez informed me that I would be briefed by you on arrival." He smiled. "Sometimes it's pleasant to not know what you're walking in to."

Nodding, Byrne collected his thoughts ready to brief the NCO. "Three weeks ago, Cestus III received a communique from the Metron Consortium. The message was simple; in three weeks time they are expecting a Federation representative to meet them at coordinates located within Metron space for diplomatic talks. That representative is Vice Admiral Sanchez, and we are to be his... courier."

"The Metron Consortium?" Narayn's curiosity was piqued. "Not heard that name in years. Our people had them flagged but their space is nigh on impossible to get any operatives into. All the information we have would likely amount to a few long range scans from border patrols."

The Chief made a couple of notes on his PaDD. Starfleet Intelligence had little to no information on them aside from the analysis carried out by the Science staff of the original USS Enterprise. His opinion was that they considered themselves mortal versions of the Q, taking species and passing judgement as if they were a galactic court of savagery and enlightenment.

"What brings us to their attention now?" He asked.

"Apparently, we aren't perceived to be as barbaric as they perceived the Enterprise to be," Byrne explained, though he himself was working on as much speculation as anyone. "I'm afraid none of us have any more real information regarding this mission."

"Charming." Ballard said as he followed his new Commanding Officer. He had not had much of an opportunity to form an opinion of the man's personality but he knew enough from his service record to know that he would not have been assigned this task without careful consideration and he would definitely not have been assigned someone like Narayn lightly. "I'll have my people work on whatever scans we've managed to take of the Consortium over the last couple of decades. I doubt it'll give us much to go on but it's better than nothing."

"I don't expect much from you on the Metrons, but keep me apprised," Benjamin responded, as they rounded a corner.

Narayn caught the eye of a couple of NCOs who strode past them as they made their way through the corridors of the Endeavour. "I meant to add, sir. I'll gladly provide any assistance you may need with the Non-Commissioned Officers."

"That's appreciated, Chief. I'll be the first to admit I'm not wholly in touch with the enlisted personnel in Starfleet," Ben said, as they entered the turbolift and set it in motion.

"Quite welcome, sir. I'm not like most of the secretive folk you've probably met from Intel. In my opinion, the Intelligence Service is just that. A service. I'm here to aid you sir, not to try and trip you up or catch you out." The NCO told him.

"That's just what I wanted to hear," Benjamin replied, as the lift reached his destination. "I'll leave you to get settled in. Carry on, Chief."

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Commander Benjamin J. Byrne
Commanding Officer

&

Chief Petty Officer Narayn Ballard
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Endeavour NCC-86105