Episode 2.01: Brushfire!

[Patrick Goodman]

Treyva nodded. "What we don't know is why the Klingons are suddenly so impatient. With some of the recent changes on the High Council, it would seem more likely for them to finally give up on this place."

[Doug Burke]

"Possibly," Sorak allowed, "Alternatively, those new in power may wish to close the book on Neural at long last. Giving the Empire a victory that their predecessors could not."

[Davy, aka GM]

"Or, they're distracting us from something else," Styles counters. He then seems to dismiss the comment with a wave of his swagger stick. "The how is the more immediate concern.

"When we first learned of the new Apellan training regimen, reflecting the potential for a mobile infantry, we suspected another weapons advancement was forthcoming. I directed my first officer, A&A officer, and Ensign Reed here to scan Apellan villages to see what they can learn from the activity of their forges and gunsmithies. They were almost finished with their scans and analysis when we were ambushed. Mr. Reed, tell them what you found."

The ensign steps forward and clears his throat in an almost apologetic way. "Aye, sir. Our scans indicated nearly all-day activity in all locations, as if the village gunsmiths were working in consecutive shifts to fulfill a quota by a certain date. We couldn't get a good reading on exactly what they were crafting, and were hoping our last scan would provide more detail -- er, right. Anyway, we think the next logical step in their weapons design is a rifled musket with an obturating bullet, and if that's what they're building in their villages, they Apellans could have an overwhelming advantage."

[Nolmir]

"The Drake is outfitted with excellent sensors. Perhaps we can achieve a more detailed scan of their workshops than what the Rostov was capable of," Tobin suggests.

[Davy, aka GM]

"That's not too difficult, especially considering your captain's reputation," Styles quips, gesturing toward Treyva with his stick. "Of course, comprehensive and fast don't exactly work hand-in-hand, and we need fast, given our current circumstances.

"As if that isn't enough, we also have the problem of at least 50 of my crew being held captive in Apella's village. I don't think I need to impress upon you the fact that Federation technology is now in the hands of the Apellans; the longer they have access to it, the greater the chance they'll figure out how to use it," he continues. "Treyva, this will need to be a multi-pronged effort. Your science department will need to scan and analyze the Apellan workshop data - do you have a competent A&A? Your engineering department will need to be on standby to design and fabricate the appropriate response to whatever weapon improvements the Apellans have learned. And we'll need your security department to come up with an assault plan to rescue my crew and recover our technology."

OOC: Yes, it does seem like Styles is trying to take charge...

[Doug Burke]

Sorak silently listened to Styles, his face settling more and more into an expression of veiled disapproval. He then turned to Treyva and raised a single eyebrow that spoke volumes.

[Renny]

Cole glances uncomfortably at Treyva, not liking the way this conversation is going.

[Nolmir]

Tobin frowns and raises a finger, clearly about to speak, before thinking better of it and glancing in Treyva's direction, waiting for him to respond.

[Patrick Goodman]

Treyva noted the reactions of his officers, and regarded Styles for a moment. "As it happens, I have an excellent A&A officer," he said. "Lieutenant Hodgkins is, even as we speak, poring over decades of accumulated cultural data, making sure he hasn't missed anything."

He leaned his elbows on the table. "Admiral Bennett was very clear that our first prority is maintaining the balance of power here," he said calmly. "As head of mission here, it's my responsibility to determine how best to do that."

[Davy, aka GM]

"Now, listen here, Treyva," Styles counters sternly, his brow furrowing and the tilt of his head indicating his displeasure. "I'm sure your orders involved continuing the mission if we were lost, but I and my command are still here. Just because my ship was destroyed doesn't mean the unit is immediately dissolved; the unit USS Rostov still stands until Starfleet declares it otherwise, and I'm still it's commanding officer and head of mission over Neural."

OOC: Reason + Conn vs. Difficulty 1 to recall if such a rule exists. It can be assisted by the ship's Computers + Conn.

[Patrick Goodman]

Treyva Reason (10) + Conn (3) Task, TN13, D1

Rolled 2d20 : 16, 13, total 29

Ship assist, Computers (7) + Conn (3), TN10

Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5

Let's see what happens....

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: New Scene. -1 Momentum.
2 Successes vs. Difficulty 1. Success, plus 1 Momentum generated.
Current
Momentum 5 (1 pending, Treyva)
Threat 10

Tryeva knows Styles' play, and it's not necessarily just a technicality. A series of instructions and regulations govern the formation and disbanding of a Starfleet unit, and a formal determination by the Chief of Starfleet Operations is required to begin the process of disbanding a unit. Even ships known to be lost with all hands are still not decommissioned and the command dissolved until the administrative procedures are completed.

In that vein, Styles is well within his rights to claim he's still head of mission over Neural; however, even that declaration doesn't allow him to commandeer another command for his own purposes -- a flag officer? Yes, in limited circumstances. Starfleet doesn't like to interfere with the sovereignty of a commanding officer outside of the most extreme of circumstances. The last two times it was invoked, Starfleet was dealing with a massive entity bent on destroying Earth and a madman with a weapon of mass destruction (the flag officer was already aboard the ship in question during the second incident, and the commanding officer replaced was his closest friend and ally).

So, Styles is definitely overstepping his bounds by a few hairs. Starfleet prefers commanding officers to cooperate with each other, commanding jointly in a situation without a clear chain of command, and ceding sovereignty to the other in their own unit. Barring that, the nearest flag command or the Chief of Starfleet Operations can set a clear chain of command. And, given that said CSFO personally sent the Drake to Neural, Treyva feels fairly confident Bennet would rule in his favor.

However, perhaps he only needs to suggest contacting Starfleet Command to resolve the impasse...

[Patrick Goodman]

Been busy the last couple days, and today's Nate's birthday, so it'll be tonight at the earliest. But, I haven't forgotten this....

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: No worries. And Happy Birthday, Nate! (Is it okay to still call him Chive? )

[Patrick Goodman]

I'd like to spend that pending Momentum point on Obtain Information: Can Treyva think of an out that will tell Styles he's out of bounds, but allow the man to save face? I'm fairly confident that I can call him in such a way as to show him he's not going to get my ship without a fight, but I don't see any reason to antagonize the man. As I think I've said elsewhere, he's still pissed off about the whole thing with the Excelsior, and he doesn't want to lose out to some tyro whose career is half as long as his own.

I'm keeping my ship, but I don't want to be a jerk about it.