Loading Begins (Part 2)

Posted on Wed Oct 22nd, 2025 @ 11:32pm by Commander Eila Juutilainen 'Illu' & Lieutenant Commander Lurath, Son of Grogori & Captain Mikoto Misaka & Lieutenant JG Kenneth Hunt & Lieutenant JG Erskin Mon
Edited on on Wed Oct 22nd, 2025 @ 11:32pm

1,824 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Preparations
Timeline: After Part 1

Previously, on Star Trek: Ermiana:

Lurath immediately looked to Mon. A slight insulted looked on his face, however his Betazoid sense would quickly reveal there was no ill intent with the question. The insult look settled, although the feeling lingered a bit, as he replied firmly. "I would be glad to form a strategy and move it up the chain of command, but without the information gathered from our secret Intelligence Chief, I have nothing to work with. Starfleet Security records give me possible hostiles and safe routes, but that information isn't always up to date. I can prepare us for an attack. However, without the who and where they may possible be, a surprise attack could still catch us off guard."

The Trill typed on the datapad as he listened to the Security Chief. He commented, "I'm not a Security Officer, but couldn't we attach a probability to each of the potential threats to make a reasonable assumption of who the threats are? Cardassians, Dominion, Maquis, Nausicaans, Orions, Romulans," he paused before saying the last part, "Klingons." He quickly looked back down at his PADD.

And now, the continuation:

Lurath looked down, grinning from ear to ear, as he clenched his fist. He looked back to Lieutenant Mon just as the grin went back to a firm look. "You are either implying I can't do my job or my people, who are allies, are a potential threat to our mission. Maybe both." He kept to a calming tone, trying to not take offense because he knew it wasn't intended, but just because he didn't feel it, the words hit him a certain way. "I do not want to rely on a computer to estimate a threat, because nothing is ever certain. Even with the information from that..." He growled slightly, holding his tongue for a moment, before continuing on. "From our Intelligence Chief isn't a guarantee. However, if we do your idea and establish a probability or potential threats, wouldn't being able to add more information of who is in those areas and which group has been causing trouble for us help narrow down the answer we get out of it?"

Kenneth had been standing there listening in on the conversation. But in all honesty, he thought of an idea that would have been a sure thing. "Honestly, it would probably be wiser if Starfleet sent us there with at least two escorts."

"Captain already informed us we aren't getting an escort." Lurath seemed to counter, looking quickly over to Hunt, before looking back to Mon. "It makes no sense why they would send us, regardless of what class ship we are, to DS9 to deliver these weapons in an area full of combatants without an escort. Of that we are all clearly in agreement."

Starfleet Command clearly didn't see fit to make sure the Ermiana arrived with these weapons with minimal risk. So, he wouldn't stress over it. Afterall, Hunt was just a Lieutenant Junior Grade. If things went wrong, it wouldn't be his neck on the chopping block. But it would be some Admiral for making a bad decision. "Guess we'll keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best."

"We are, in many ways, Starfleet's version of a battleship," Mon reminded as he typed on the datapad. "Galaxy Class ships may've been designed to explore the galaxy, but they have teeth in case they need them, and they can take a hit or two that would devastate a smaller ship. I'm not worried, but I'm wondering if I should be if the Security Chief is?" He meant it as a compliment, of sorts.

Hunt looked at Mon and simply shrugged. "You are definitely right about the Galaxy class. Not too many people make a point to go after the most powerful ship class that Starfleet has to offer."

Lurath let out a sigh and felt like he was repeating himself and the potential frustration that no one was listening, or at the very least, taking him seriously. He was raised to fight, so expecting a fight and looking forward to one, was in his blood. However, he was also cautious because his job required him to be. Perhaps he was too cautious, but his life wasn't the only one on the line. Klingons, like him, were raised with the understanding that death will catch up to them and to accept it when it comes. Starfleet trained it's offices in somewhat the same way, but they always instill a caution and instinct to survive. Both ideals, especially in Lurath, seemed to be at odds. He was prepared for it, even accepted it, but he also wanted to survive because there was much more he wanted to see and experience. His path wasn't finished and his song has yet to be song.

"And yet, it is not indestructible." Lurath countered. "Starfleet's records are filed with a few Galaxy Class Ships being destroyed, so it can be done. We are walking into an area where we don't know what the enemy has their hands on. With every lose comes a new determination to improve and achieve victory and glory in your next battle.." He let out another slight growl before looking around at the others. "I am Half Klingon, who has visited the homeworld and trained to be a warrior some day because it was expected of me, so I have listened to all the stories and songs of past glories. I have also heard the ones that warn us of losing a battle and losing one's honor. With all those lessons, I have learned, that just because you feel unbeatable it doesn't mean you are. Starfleet may not look at it the same way, but they do caution when it comes to walking into the unknown and losing a fight can come from everywhere. Both worlds tell us that it is more important to get back up after a lose, but it does teach us it can happen. Are any of you forgetting that the Maquis, one of the enemies out there who may come after us for these weapons were trained the same way we were at the Academy? Which means , they know this type of ship and are aware of it's weaknesses and vulnerabilities." He looked at the others before focusing on Mon. "That is why, I feel, that extra information is important. It give's us something to work with in preparing, despite that we can't prepare for everything. Consider me too cautious or too serious, but it is my way, Lieutenant."

"Not a word of what you just said is wrong, Commander." Eila nodded. "Maquis with Starfleet training are the most dangerous kind. Starfleet has seen just what happens when their knowledge falls into the wrong hands thanks to the massacre at Wolf 359. Except in the case of Starfleet defectors in the Maquis, they went AWOL and joined a terrorist organization willingly. I'm no legal expert, but voluntarily handing military secrets to a known terrorist organization has to constitute treason of some kind."

"One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter," Kenneth spoke up. "The situation with the Maquis is way too complicated with so many variables to just to label them as terrorist."

Erskin looked at Lieutenant Hunt silently, sizing up the statement that he'd made carefully and wondering how Commander Lurath would respond to it. While it was true that a terrorist could be considered a freedom fighter for some, in this situation they really were a threat if they came for the Ermiana. Absently, he glanced at the Security Chief and mumbled, "Maybe we do need an escort."

Hunt looked over at Erskin. "Like the Commander said, an escort isn't happening. So, we'll gave to hop for the best. And to remind you all the Cardassians classified the Bajoran Resistance as terrorist. And here Starfleet is a few years later working with members of that group. These are the reason why the Maquis have garnered so much support."

"Indeed," Erskin answered, wondering momentarily if they needed an escort in here.

Lurath felt this debate going in circles. People bringing up points they all knew, like it was some big twist. He grinned, raising his upper lip slightly to reveal his sharp teeth, before clinching his fists and looking sharply to Lieutenant Hunt as he had reached his limit of self control. "And what baring does that make on our mission?! How does that change the mission we have been given? I'll tell you... Nothing. Their motives make no difference when it comes down to their actions. Turning their back on Starfleet Orders and Federation Law when an treaty was made between the Cardassians and the Federation, whether we liked it or not, it still must be honored. As someone who wears that uniform, you are expected to honor it by adhering to its rules and laws, because you represent the Federation and Starfleet. We all made that promise. The ones who left for the Maquis broke said promise and, by our law, must be captured. What happens to them is not up to us. It's up to the courts."

"Bridge to Cargo Bay." The voice of the officer at the main operations console called. "Starbase control wishes to know if you're ready to recieve the cargo?"

Eila was confused. First, she had to ask twice to confirm that her orders had been carried out, now they had to confirm twice to begin loading the cargo? Eila would need to investigate this communications breakdown at her earliest opportunity:

"Bridge, this is Cargo Bay:" Eila chose not to wait on Mon, and instead figure this mess out for herself. "We already authorized receipt of the cargo to Starbase control, so what's going on here?"

"Yes Commander, that was the first shipment... They are requesting a timeline for the remaining transfers..."

Lurath mumbled. "It's all coming from the same place. Why not send it all at once? We're the only damned ship on this mission."

Looking over at the master systems display, Eila could confirm that they only had one of the holds filled.

"Bridge, tell the Starbase they don't have to wait on us after each hold is filled." Eila grumbled. "Cargo bays eight through eleven are prepped and awaiting transfers." Eila chose to omit cargo bay twelve, as they were still remaining on the final shipment that would arrive aboard the Little Rock.

"Aye Commander. I'll relay the message..."

A mission post by

Commander Eila Juutilainen
Executive Officer

Lieutenant Commander Lurath, Son of Grogori
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
Second Officer

Lieutenant JG Kenneth Hunt
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer

Lieutenant JG Erskin Mon
Chief Operations Officer

Additional personnel provided by

Captain Mikoto Misaka
Commanding Officer

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