Location: Overwatch Station, Command Operations Center

Elsie was up in the command operations center for Overwatch Station, she was tracking in real time the location of the USS Oakland and the USS Paso Robles and how they were still a little ways away from the Talvath System.

It was uncertain what the Tal Shair were up to. Clearly they had a plan, but the Federation had no idea what it was. A response Elsie had launched the USS Mare Insularum, from Overwatch Station to head over to the Talvath System. Our plan was to create a huge sensor net to try to track down the Tal Shair.

The ships were now in place and it was practically a blockade of sorts. Any ship could technically enter the area but in order to do so they would potentially be discovered especially if you’re trying to run dark.

Elsie watch from the operations table as the three shifts had effectively created a triangle area and expanded the sensor range dramatically of the area Plus in conjunction with the Intel probes that whole area was starting to light up.

“Any luck ma’am?” Sotti asked if she walked over to the Operations command table. She was hoping they would find the Tal Shair soon, and dry them out of the area once and for all.

“No not yet, they are slippery little buggers.” Elsie said a little annoyed about how long this was taken. She knew they were good, but she didn’t realize how good they were at avoiding detection. But it should have surprised her they are one of the most elite spy networks in the alpha quadrant.

Just after saying that the proximity alarm started going off. “Where are they?” Elsie asked extinctively, knowing deep in her heart that it was the Tal Shair. She looked over to one of the strategic operations officers.

“Commodore, we’re tracking a Romulan Warbird bearing these coordinates.” The strategic operations officer said. The main monitor lit up with coordinates outside of the triangle grid area. They were closer to the USS Paso Robles but they’re still a little ways out.

“They’re know where you’re near the Talvath System, and again they appear to be going after another transport vessel. The SS Tost’Lak a naussican freighter appears to be their target.

“where is the Tost’Lak appear to be heading?” Elsie that she looked over to the strategic operations officer.

“Unclear, but they are going into uncharted space.” The strategic operations officer said.

“Do we have any other intelligence drones in a direct flight path with the Tost’Lak?” Elsie, wanting to get a better view what was going on.

“We do have an intelligence drone in the area, I could access this data logs once the freighter moves out of our sensor range. But the intelligence drone is just outside of the sensor grid.

“Maybe they’re not at target, maybe they’re there to resupply them?” Sotti suggested to Elsie.

“I was thinking the same thing.” Elsie said as she continued looking at the main viewer and watching the freighter preparing to move out of range of the sensor grid. But it was clear that the Tal Shair were moving to intercept the freighter. They had not locked on weapons, or taking any real aggressive stands with the freighter.

“You want the Oakland or the Paso Robles to intercept?” Sotti asked. She knew the runabout with too small. So they were going to send a ship out it was going to have to be the Paso Robles or the Oakland.

“This could be a trap to get us a chase them. For now we’ll rely on our assets from the intelligence drones.” Elsie said, appreciating the quick-like response but knowing that this could be a trap you don’t want to put her ships out of formation.

Mika arrived ar the Operation Center. “Lieutenant perfect timing.” Elsie said is she looked over to Mika. “I hate to ask, but I need to know exactly what’s going on I might need you to turn the direction of the telescope towards these coordinates.” She said as she pointed to the main tactical display.

“The Tal Shair well not like us pointing the telescope for their direction, it could escalate the situation.” Mika advise the Commodore, she needed that Elsie was aware of the rest but she still wanted to pointed it out for the record.

“I suppose you’re right but I don’t like the fact that they keep targeting civilian transports either.” Elsie pointed out to mika, the situation could not continue.

“It’ll take us about 10 minutes to transition the array towards that sector of space.” Mika advice Elsie. She understood where she is coming from, but she also knew that this could escalate things but doing nothing but also escalate things so this was a game of cat and mouse in a sense but also a game of posturing and positioning.

“We need another asset in the area. And I have an idea about that.” Elsie started to say if she started thinking about the fact that they needed another Starship like now. She knew getting a new shift would be out of the question but maybe getting an older shift oh well battle-proven and tested ship might be within their reach.

“There are no other ships in the area, I know Deep Space 4 has a couple ships receiving minor upgrades, we could possibly use.” One of the strategic operations officer said as a third pulling through the list of potential ships. Now the question was a little star base probably will allow them to use it or better yet have it reassigned to the division? Both shifts are older and design one of them was a Niagara class and the other was a New Orleans class the Niagara class was closer to being completed but it’s upgrades.

“That Niagara class has better weaponry on it, then it’s counterpart the New Orleans class and it’s a fast cruiser if memory serves correctly.” Elsie said knowing that it can maintain a work field of eight instead of most of the shift in this division only having five warp Factor. I’d be able to get in and out a little easier. By no means was it the fastest shift in the flea but with two California classes with the average cruising speed of warp 5, this would be a significant increase to the division plus it’s firepower it was Superior to both California class starships.

I want you to prepare the USS Mare Serenitatis for immediate departure, I want make, Lieutenant’s Montoya, Uzo, Sh’thothrath and Woodward to join me on this mission.

Elsie knew the ship would have a skeleton crew on board and she could request a full staff be assigned to the ship as soon as it’s permanently assigned to her. She knew she needed to talk to you Starfleet command in order to get the approval. But giving their circumstance she believes would agree.

Location: Overwatch Station, Hanger Bay

5 hours had passed and right now the only information they had on the Tal Shair was being provided by a. Intelligence drone.

It appeared that the freighter was supplying them with necessary provisions. At the moment there was nothing Elsie could do about it, she needed the Oakland and the Paso Robles to continue its course towards Talvath System. She don’t want to make it a completely obvious that they were spying on the romulans. But it was clear to both sides they knew that was going on but neither side would probably admit it.

Armando had boarded the ship, he was going to be serving as the Helmsman and operations officer for this particular mission. Typically he was a logistics officer but today he got to go outside of his comfort zone a little bit and have to remember some of his Starfleet training.

He had talked to his assistant before leaving about the incoming shipments and what they needed to do. He felt a little nervous about leaving his assistant in charge while he galloped across the Galaxy to pick up a new ship. “I think the crew all gathered.” Armando said that he looked over to Elsie.

“So it is, you looking forward to being acting XO?” Elsie as she looked over to Armando. She was proud of him, she knew he is very green but he also had a lot of experience with Logistics so she hoped this transition for him wouldn’t be too hard.

“Yes ma’am, I’m really looking forward to the opportunity. According to the logs will take us 12 hours to get to Deep Space 4. So at the moment it’s going to be an overnight trip.” Armando said if he looked to her into the rest of the crew which wasn’t that big.

“Montoya is in charge of us oh boy.” Mika said with the big grin on her face, she was of course teasing him.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence Mika.” Armando said with the big teasing smile on his face, he knew that she was joking around.

“Hey I do what I can.” Mika simply responded as she looked over to Armando and then to Elsie.

“Are we ready to board the runabout?” Armando asks, he was eager to get a board. He wanted to board the new Niagara class starship, it wasn’t new to Starfleet but it would be new to them. He knew his assignment would only be temporarily, but it would be good to put on the resume. Acting first officer.

“All right guys get ready to disembark, the sooner we get there the sooner we can get back.” Elsie pointed out to them, but knowing that they weren’t going directly back to the station they be heading out to the Talvath System.

Location: USS Mare Serenitatis, Cockpit

Everybody had grabbed a bag also known as an overnight bag and everybody basically threw it on a bunk and then headed up to the cockpit area. There was only four seats and there’s only five of them going.

“Number one make sure I’ll over gear and everything is bored in the back of the vessel, you don’t need to be there for launch. “Understood.” Armando said not taking offense to it, he was a logistics officer after also if anybody knew how to handle all the logistics it would be him plus as asking for his doctor he know he would get plenty of time at the cockpit.

Everybody did their part in about 30 minutes time the Runabout lifted off and left Overwatch Station and set course for Deep Space 4. Armando was in the back, and even though he had already gone over all the provisions that they had plus the supplies they needed. There was nothing much for him to do besides say it one of the two desks in the executive area of the roundabout and start catching up on his specs for the new Niagara class shift to be working with. He decided to utilize his time appropriately.

Location: USS Mare Serenitatis, Executive Office

He was curious why the ship had that dirt in the cell below in the main hole but the more he started reading the specs and the morning started understanding how it increased the effectiveness of the warp the drive and the weapon systems it was okay with it. You wish I had a little more maneuverability but for a ship his sitze it’s still pretty maneuverable.

Deep down he wondered who was going to command her, she wasn’t older ship even older than the California classes but she was better armed and better suited for the mission at hand. He assumed that probably captains with us take command of the ship even though he was just giving command of the Paso Robles.

He also knew that it was a possibility that Captain Byron Coleman would get command over, but the same situation he just recently took command of the oakland. So it was possible that Elsie could ask for a new captain to come in or promote one of the first officers with you that was the case would be three options. But out of the three who do they choose first?

In his eyes it seem more likely that they were going to bring in an outsider than to promote somebody within the division.

However part of him also wondered if he would even be considered for the role of first officer or even Second Officer? He was hopeful since Elsie made him acting first officer for this Mission specifically.

Armando had no doubt that other people thought the same way he did, they all want to be promoted to Second Officer so he knew that it would be hard to get on the approval list and actually get the promotion. It wasn’t impossible it would just be harder. Especially since so many of his fellow officers were just as qualified as he was.

Before too long the door switched open to the executive office and and walked Katie Woodward. She was the science officer aboard the station and aboard this Runabout. “Looks like you found something to keep yourself busy with, anything I can do to help?” Katie asked as she walked over towards him.

“I’m just reading the specs on the Niagara class. All the gear is stored and everything looks good. Might as well enjoy the next 11 Plus hours.” Armando pointed out to her.

“Well maybe I’ll read the date of that as well, can you transmit a copy to me.” Katie asked as she waited for him to respond. But she knows he just handed her data pad, he was already anticipated her response.

“Thank you so much.” Katie said that she took the seat next to him and started reviewing the PAD as well. It was definitely an older ship but it definitely had more fire power better maneuverability and a faster engine. Sometimes newer wasn’t better. She needed to take California classes could only go warp five on an average speed. If they can get this Niagara class to be part of the fleet, they could definitely increase their production people and performance just serving the greater needs.

“I don’t know how I feel about that during the nacelle down below, but I can definitely see why it’s crucial in the performance of the ship.” Katie suggested to him.

“I also assumed they didn’t want to look too much like an ambassador class starship, cuz it does not have the same type of firepower as an ambassador. It’s so weird how they call an ambassador class which used to be a battleship now in emissaries Starship. I really need to review what the heck and emissary is in regards to a Starship.” Katie said hoping to make some conversation, she knew he was reading but the stuff he was reading it could wait a few minutes she was bored and wanted someone to talk to.

“They’re basically Ambassador ships designed to carry around important delegates. The shifts have been retrofitted to accommodate high ranking diplomats. But they also have enough firepower to protect the diplomats of the situation arose.” Armando pointed out to her, because you too was curious about that. So he just looked up the information real quick. The basic initial summary said cruisers that were refitted for ambassadorial duties.

“Yeah I’ll take the Niagara class any day of the week, I still like to specs better than an ambassador. But hey we do get the unique benefit of having an ambassador class bridge.” Armando pointed out to her. He was grateful they had a small science station, but they have to deal with a lot of diplomats. Even though he wanted to go into command someday he just wasn’t really a good diplomat at this point and he knew he needed to hone in on those skills if you ever wanted to accept command down the road.

To tell them continue talking about the possibility of the new command and what it would mean for the logistics Division. Katie also mentioned that they needed a science vessel still too. But she wasn’t sure if and when they would get a science vessel. But she was happy to know that the Niagara class did have the option of including a science department. So the ship is going to be a little bit of a hybrid both were Logistics and both for scientific exploration.

If Katie would have had her way she would have asked for a Springfield class starship, but she also understood the vital asset of needing to protect themselves against the Tal Shair.

Location: USS Mare Serenitatis, Executive Office

For the moment Quincy and Zachariah were on a sub space called one another. Quincy wanted Zachariah to look over sick Bay while he was gone, since he didn’t have an assistant chief medical officer he needed somebody he could trust to supervise his crew until he got back. That was still something that he was trying to fill was the assistant chief medical officer position on the station. But they were coming from across the Galaxy so until they arrived he would how to make deal with the crew he had.

“How’s everything going aboard the station?” Quincy asked if you got directly to the point, he was being a little bit of a worry wart.

“Quiet, where are we laying off tactical information to you guys, but we haven’t seen or heard anything from the Tal Shair.” Zachariah point it out to him.

“Well that’s something, let me rephrase the question I meant how’s everything going at sick Bay.” Quincy said feeling a little dumbfounded for not saying that earlier. And then listening to him repeat what he just said it made him feel stupid and foolish because yeah he should be worried about the bigger picture and not just at sick bay.

“I was quiet on this front too, not even a simple cut or straight. Think everybody’s just too focused on their duties right now and wondering what the Tal Shair is going to do next.” Zachariah suggested to you Quincy.

“Well that’s good to hear, sorry if I seem like a nosy father and sickbay is my baby.” Quincy pointed out to him.

“She’s in good hands quincy, how are you doing on the runabout. Is it some more spacious than the Danube class?” Zachariah asked, he had never been on the new Atlantic class runabouts. He just remembered how cramp feeling the day noobs were and they were pretty spacious compared to other runabouts like the Delta flyer.

“I would say the interiors are roughly similar in size and comparison but overall it’s not bad I get to sit in this cool little executive office and talk to you and have a little bit of privacy there’s only two of us I can be in here at a time there’s only two desks.” Quincy suggested to him.

“Well think it’s important that you guys get a little bit of privacy, being so cute stuck together could make you guys go a little stir crazy so a little bit of privacy here and there it’s not a bad thing.” Zachariah pointed out to him.

“I know you have a lot of work to do so I won’t keep you, again Zachariah thank you I mean that.” Quincy said is he got ready to end the call.