RP Log: The Right Decision

Roleplay Log
Participants: deGrut (NPC)	Jatei
Location(s): Conference Room <Lya Station Alpha>
Stardate: 123473.2
2022-08-27 19:58

VIP Conference Room <Lya Station Alpha>

A long conference table of polished black wood runs parallel to a huge floor-to-cieling window offering a clear view of space. Seting for up to 16 in matching wooden chairs surround the table and a wide viewscreen is mounted on one wall. To one side of the door is located a computer terminal and replicator for refreshments, while a small sofa and an armchair for additional occupants are situated on the other side. The carpet is the same light gray with blue trim as outside and the recessed lighting can be controlled by the computer terminal or via voice commands.

Out the viewport: The blue hue of the nearby star can be seen.

deGrut looks up from the reports on her desk.

Jatei steps into the conference room and stands at attention, not something she does often. "Captain Gemilina Jatei, reporting as ordered, Admiral."

deGrut gestures to the suplicant chair before her desk, "Have a seat, Captain. I have many questions about the actions of the Phoenix and Buran within my sector in regards to Volan III."

Jatei takes the seat, "I will answer them to the best of my ability, Admiral."

deGrut waves a hand to the reports on the desk, "I do not see any authorization for action within Cardassian space. Can you tell me who authorized it and how the Phoenix and the Buran became deployed as we observed here?"

"I authorized it, Admiral." Jatei says, "All actions taken were by my authority alone." She continues, "12,000 prisoners were rescued from Volan III, they re currently being seen to by Spacedock, Lya Station Alpha, and of course Buran and Phoenix medical teams. We also believe the weapon system the Cardassians were using, that resulted in the destruction of USS Versailles, has also been destroyed."

deGrut gives a stern frown, "Are you saying that you relieved Captain T'Shaav of her command and took over the Buran as well?" She looks at the terminal on her desk, "And can you explain why the Cardassian fleet is shooting at something near Volan as we speak?"

"Ghosts maybe, Admiral." Jatei answers the second question first. "I am saying, the operation was under my authority. The blame should stop at me. My crew was not even aware the mission was unsanctioned by Starfleet."

deGrut doesn't look convinced, "Are you sure it isn't the Phoenix's corvette, Captain?" She pulls her attention from the display, "The Buran was under orders to report to Trill. My orders, in fact, Captain. Were you aware of those orders when you convinced Captain T'Shaav to follow your authority on this mission of yours?"

"The Ursa Major is transporting a couple of the Buran's crew, Admiral." Jatei explains. She nods, "I was aware that the Buran had orders to bring Lieutenant Commander Coil to Trill. I don't recall seeing any deadline to that, Admiral."

"The Buran has apparently gone to Spacedock, so apparently Captain T'Shaav is not aware of the severity of the situation or your attempts to shield her," the Admiral says sternly. She glares at the display a moment before moderating her features, "Explain what your intentions were, what the goal of this operation was, and what you accomplished, Captain."

"To do what the admiralty were unwilling to do, Admiral." Jatei says, "All the reports were there. A prison camp on Volan III, the destructive nature of the equipment there, how it devistated worlds, destroyed ships, damaged others." She calms herself. "The mission was two-fold. Free the prisoners, which was accomplished, and destroy the equipment, which was also accomplished. The threat of that facility has been neutralized, as has the threat of the Cardassian ships that could fire while cloaked, which was tied directly to that equipment on Volan III." She takes a breath, "I stand by the decision to act, Admiral. Freeing 12,000 prisoners and eliminating that noted threat was neccessary. As a Starfleet officer, I could not standby and not act."

Jatei adds, "Two of the stolen klingon cloaking devices, were also recovered, Admiral. They are in the Phoenix's cargobay."

deGrut listens quietly to the explaination, "The rescue appears to have been successful from the number the Phoenix has been transferring to the station. How was the destruction of the equipment on Volan III accomplished? Surely you did not fire upon the planet and spark yet another political storm such as when the Phoenix was originally accused under your predecessor."

"The equipment needed to be destroyed, Admiral. All precautions were taken to extricate the prisoners and any others in the vicinity." Jatei nods, "But a single warhead was launched at the reactor after it was safely deactivated. Anything less than destruction, and the Cardassians may have been able to rebuild the technology. Something Dr Ronukk, the designer of it, a Federation citizen who was forced to create the system against his will, did not want to happen. He also requested his equipment be destroyed."

deGrut frowns, "Something a little less obvious would probably have been a better option, Captain." She glances at her display again, "And the Ursa Major was to confirm the destruction then?" She looks up with a wry smile, "I would have done the same thing in your place, had I a cloak capable ship to go back and verify."

"There was little time, Admiral." Jatei explains, "The armor on the Phoenix had failed, a single torpedo was the only option available at the time."

deGrut gives a deep sigh, "I'll look forward to your report, Captain. Can you provide any insight as to why the Buran is at Spacedock instead of taking Lieutenant Commander Coil to Trill? I don't need two different political headaches due to that ship."

Jatei shakes her head, "Officially, I do not, Admiral. I half expected the Buran to rendezvous here. Though, with the Phoenix depositing so many recovered prisoners here, it is possible Captain T'Shaav, who also recovered some of those prisoners, took them to Spacedock instead. To not overwhelm any one station."

deGrut shakes her head, "Deep Space 9 is closer, so her logic is flawed if that was her reasoning."

"I only suggest it as a possibility, Admiral". Jatei says, "As I said, I do not know for certain." She asks, "Do you have any orders for me, Admiral? Or shall I begin writing up that report."

"Write your report, Captain," the Admiral replies. "The Phoenix is to remain here until I have a clearer picture of the fallout of your actions, whether it's the Cardassians or the Admirals back at Spacedock that move first."

"Understood, Admiral." Jatei replies, waiting to be dismissed.

deGrut nods, "Dismissed."