SD 241304.03 JL | Off the Grid

Posted on Wed Apr 3rd, 2013 @ 12:50pm by Captain Olan Dar

861 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Secret Meetings
Location: Tasman Valley, New Zealand, Earth

=/\= Tasman Valley, New Zealand =/\=

Captain Olan Dar had never been to this part of Earth before so he was somewhat delighted at the choice of location for this discreet meeting. He was also pleased to finally get a chance to take out one of the sleek brand new shuttles that the new Vindicator had to offer.

While he waited for the other to arrive he stood on the sand taking in the view of the mountain range of New Zealand's southern island.

Behind Dar, two men approached, with a smaller group following close behind. The group fanned out and took up defensive positions - not too close, but not far away. One of the two men spoke as they approached, "Thank you for meeting us, Captain," the President greeted as he came to a stop beside Dar. "I believe you've worked with Admiral Drayson," he continued, gesturing to Jack beside him.

Olan turned to face him, "My pleasure, Mr President. Admiral." he gave Drayson a quick nod, "I apologize for being cryptic with the details but the sensitivity of this cannot be over stated." he pulled out the small chip that the Romulan Commander had given him, "The Romulan Empress wishes to meet with you in person. She sent a warbird to meet us so its Commander could personally hand me this."

Jack took the chip and inserted it into a tricorder, handing the device over to the President, who began reading it immediately.

"Can you verify the message is from her?" Jack asked.

"Yes," replied the President, "We worked closely together many years ago during the Dominion Conflict. She's included references in this message that only her and I would know."

"Captain, what's the status of the Vindicator?" Jack asked.

"We are resupplying and planning to head back out as soon as I have some idea of the status of my First Officer." Olan replied.

"Do you think this is a trap?" the President asked. The recent assassination of his entire family still weighing on his shoulders."I can't very well take a fleet with me."

"Jack shook his head - he had also dealt with the Empress from his days in the diplomatic corps. "No, but the Vindicator would be able to hold its own if it is."

Olan nodded, recalling the events at the small colony, "We stood up against one of the newest Warbirds the Romulans have to offer and she didn't even get through our shields. We had some help at the end, but still proof enough."

"Are you sure the Romulan's have no idea you've been snooping around?" Jack asked Dar.

"Oh they know exactly what we were doing there. No point in hiding that, it was originally a humanitarian choice." he said, then turned to a more serious topic, "In fact, our actions may have helped to ingratiate Starfleet with the Romulan Empire. Since returning I was able to catch up on command reports and the materials the Tal'Shiar operatives were mining on that planet were key to the bombs used against us right here."

"Where does the Empress propose to meet?" Jack asked.

"Unclaimed territory in the Beta-Aslab sector. It's far enough away from all major parties and coincidentally enough close to our original course. So if the Vindicator shows up there again it should not be suspicious to anyone watching." Olan said. He had of course had Lt Webb sift through the data before he dared hand it to the President.

"Nice and out of the way," Jack observed. "We would need to keep this secret. Aside from your senior staff, Captain, nobody can know what this trip is for."

"Understood." Olan said.

"Then it's settled," the President confirmed.

"Captain, prepare the Vindicator for a crash sail. How quickly can we get underway?" Jack asked.

"I will need to recall any crew granted leave. Say six hours give or take." he looked to the President, "We should keep your party small, sir. The Vindicator has plenty of space but it is hard to hide a large group of Presidential aides and security on a starship, even one as big as a Discovery class. The Marines can supplement any security needs you might lack as a result."

"Let's plan to be underway in 12 hours," the President ordered.

"I'll arrange for false orders to cover your mission and the President's unavailability. Captain, you will report directly to me for the duration of this mission. I'll stage a marine SAR team and Task Force 5.1 at Versailles in case this goes pear-shaped under the cover of an exercise," Jack said. "Captain Dar, see that I don't have to send them in."

"Will that be close enough? We're going to be pretty far out." Olan asked.

"It's as close as we can station them without drawing too much attention," Jack replied.

"I have a meeting to attend to but then will be ready to get underway," the President replied. "Make preparations, and I'll see you aboard."

"Best of luck, Captain," Jack offered.

"Thank you." Olan replied and nodded to the President, "I will meet you aboard, sir."

=/\=

Captain Olan Dar
VAdm Jack Drayson & The President (apb Jazza)

 

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