Ensign Stilk was not a senior officer, but he was the only intelligence officer on the ship, and the department needed to be represented.

He sat quietly, glancing at those around him.

Miranda smiles at Sergei.

“ Aye and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato Bisque helped as well.  Oh, and focusing on this report.

>>>>Science Department>>>>

Deera slipped inside seeing that she was a bit on the late side though it appeared as though the briefing hadn't started yet and so slipped in to take a seat.

The captain had been reviewing the details of several reports about ship readiness, and didn't like what he was seeing. They were supposed to get three days before they were activated, but with this incident, there was a real likelihood they would be called in early. Their crew was not even fully arrived yet, as they still didn't have a ships counseler.

That's when the message went off calling all the senior officers to the ready room. That was another thing they needed to do, he needed to take formal command.

He needed to give others the time to get there, so standing he checked his uniform in the mirror and adjusted it to appear correct. Then he exited his office, walked across the bridge and entered the ready room.

Entering he walked over to the Admiral and spoke softly.

"That'll be the first order of business, Captain," she replied to Anthar as she waited for everyone to arrive and be seated.

Technically, he hadn't been assigned to the Mongoose yet, not until the sudden activation orders had been released. He knew he was going to be added to the ship's crew, of course, barring some radical reason for a change, such as the ship blowing up!

But, the rumors of the ship being sent into the Expanse had been circulating for months. It was like Starfleet had been waiting for the other shoe to drop, though he had no idea what exactly that meant. It was if they were waiting for something... something to happen... or maybe just something not to happen.

Was the attack on the USS Catspaw the even that finally pulled the trigger?

He'd been studying the schematics of the ship, paying particular attention to all the refits that were going on. He was intrigued by the new sensor pod.

He hurried to the Captain's Ready Room and tried to slip unobtrusively into a chair. He had yet to meet Captain th'Valla, but he nodded in acknowledgement to him.

Nodding to the admiral, Captain th'Valla said,"Very good admiral." he then stood at attention, nodding slightly to the new arrival, though he was not familiar with the human, and his angle was preventing him from seeing the man's rank.

He asked the admiral, "Who is the late arrival?"

Miranda finished her written report, basically a clearer version of her verbal with so missing timing added and she walks over to the Captain and hands him the pad.

“ Best I could do, Sir. Enjoy rereading basically everything I already said.  ”

She walks back to her seat and sips her tea.

"That would be Lieutenant Douglas Kincaid, your new Chief of Operations," the Admiral replied to Anthar.

Finally, when Captain th'Valla indicated that everyone was present who should be there, she stood up.

"I, Admiral Kandalyn Savengriff, Commander of Starbase Narendra, do hereby officially transfer command of the USS Mongoose, NCC-62043-A, to Captain Anthar th'Valla, transfer to take place immediately on this stardate, 78003.12."

She paused then to see if the Captain wanted to say anything before continuing.

"As most of you are probably aware of already, the USS Catspaw was attacked by a Klingon ship that was escorting it to Starbase Narendra. On board was Commander T'Shran, being transported to here to take the Executive Officer position on the Mongoose."

"At the moment, this situation is being investigated through diplomatic channels."

"However, as it ties in with the Mongoose's mission, I've accelerated her launch date by a few days."

"The official mission is to explore the Shackleton Expanse. You will proceed along the edge toward the Core to test out the new sensor pod."

"There have been reports of ghost images appearing on ship's sensors when they neared the Expanse, so you'll be trying to find any of these ghosts. You should proceed for at least two parsecs, or until the Captain determines that no further information can be gained, before turning into the Expanse."

"As this is in the direction of where the Catspaw was destroyed, you'll also be looking for further evidence to confirm that."

Stilk shifted in his seat, preparing to stand and provide a brief if necessary "Pardon me Admiral, but analysis of the runabout brought into port by Ensigns Quill and Val has provided some troubling results. Should this be shared with the department heads, or we discuss this privately with you and the captain?"

Silviene's ears twitch and she eyes the Vulcan. "Is it something that Tactical should know about?" She looks at the captain and asks politely. "Were you able to contact the Ambassador, sir?"

In reply to Silviene Felis (msg # 18):

Miranda’s antenna twitch feverishly.

“ I was on that runabout. I don’t think what you have to say should be said away from my ears, Ensign. ”

Dypec stood near the desk, his hands behind his back as they were when he came into the room.

As the Captain was announced for the Mongoose he gave a small nod and continued his stoic stance, giving away no emotion or clue to what he thought of the situation as it unfolded. Personally he felt that the information should be shared now, the Ensign Vulcan should have kept quiet, he was not even to be at this meeting yet he came anyways and made his voice heard before called to do so. he took note of this and also the looks he had received by one of the other officers.

He also took note that he should take time to chat with the young Ensign at a later time if he had the chance before he ended up in corrective action for being at a Senior Officers Meeting.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:00, Thu 24 May 2018.

"I have not communicated my findings with anyone at this time, but a report has been made and will be sent through the proper channels." Stilk was being very careful to not let something slip, while still waiting for the Admirals approval. "Information will be shared witb Tactical, although it may be a sanitized version or limited to key personnel, at the discretion of the chain of command." His hand motioned towards the Captain and the Admiral.

Silviene's ears lay back and she narrows here eyes. She really would like to spar with the irritating vulcan. He could use a lesson in humility, but if this was to be her crew, her new clan then she would have to adjust to their "unique" personalities. Or at least resist the urge to dig her claws into his smug face. Maybe they could all go on a hunt on the holodecks. She had found that to be a useful bonding exercise. She turned to look at the Captain, waiting for orders.

In reply to Silviene Felis (msg # 22):

As the Admiral's briefing has started, the doors are sealed - so the sudden bleeping of the door announce is unexpected.

"Lieutenant Commander Shard Vinzz, Chief Security Officer, requesting entrance. Reporting late for briefing."

“ I can always demand your transfer, Ensign. Because you are seriously close to insubordination, unless the admiral says that the fact that I know what happened on that runabout first hand means you can not tell me what every Blast Aimed at the Ship I was commanding is something I do not deserve to know, you had best be making a full report now. Or when this meeting is over you can stay on Narenda. as the Executive Officer Of this ship will declare you unfit to be on it.”

"At ease, Commander," the Admiral says to Miranda. "Ensign Stilk is aboard your ship by the insistence of Starfleet Command, so I'm afraid you are stuck with him."

"That's not to say, Ensign, that the CO and XO can't discipline you if the situation warrants it."

"In any case, he is at this meeting at my invitation. While he is still only an Ensign, he is the only representative of his department, such as it is."

"I have read your report, Ensign Stilk, as has the Captain, I'm sure. It is my duty to pursue the matter through diplomatic channels, but it will be Captain th'Valla's duty to further investigate the matter while you commence your mission."

"And with that, I must bid you adieu and good luck. The rest of the meeting will be at your Captain's preference."

The Admiral stood, nodded to everyone, and then left the room.

In reply to Kandalyn Savengriff (msg # 25):

“ Then until I can trust him his quarters and duty office is the brig. And he can report there now.

Miranda waits for the Ensign forced upon her to obey.

Silviene moves over to Miranda and places her hand on her shoulder both with the intent to comfort and place a gentle restrant. "with all due respect sir, I'm not sure you are thinking entirely clearly in light of recent occurrences. I think it would be premature to regulate our intelligence officer to the brig. He may have an over abundance of hubris but he may also know something he feels may not be best to be heard by some assembled here. That is for the captain to ascertain at this time. If we are to work together we have to learn how to interact with each other."

In reply to Silviene Felis (msg # 27):

“ unless, the Captain says otherwise. Duty assignments and quarter assignments are the Executive Officer’s purview not the Captain’s. That man needs to learn his position on this ship gives him no leeway in following the orders of his superior officers and all department heads report to the Executive Officer. Until he does so with In the guidelines of the Uniform Code, I can not for the security of this ship allow him free reign. Also, if I was not thinking clearly then your beautiful features would have just swayed me. Then, I would have to report myself to the brig. ”

Miranda seems calm and ready for action.

Silviene blinks and takes a step back nodding. "yes sir" She looks at the captain unsure what to do about this situation, at least not unless it came to blows. That would be something she knew how to handle.

Stilk stood slowly, placing his hands behind his back as usual "I have done nothing to warrant your distrust. My orders are that the Captain will approve who has the need to know until such time that I have proven that I am capable of handling that authority" Such authorities, normally known as the SSO, are typically granted to more senior intel officers, so a compromise apparently was made.

"If the Commanding Officer makes that decision, which is likely, I will provide that report to you at a time and place that ensures it is not disseminated further to uncleared personnel. If he does not, than me providing you that report would be violation of a direct order; the very charge of insubordination you level against me now. Such as it is, I am caught between you and a hard place. If you insist on placing me in the brig I make no attempts to resist."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:50, Thu 24 May 2018.

In reply to Stilk (msg # 30):

“ I gave you an order Ensign. I expect you to obey. Or I will start disciplinary action. ”

Miranda stands calm and alert showing no signs of her previous concussion,

“ Your repeated acts of insubordination are a clear threat to the safety of this ship. ”

"As it is an unlawful order I can and must disobey it, as the order being given is strictly for your private gain, rather tham the benefit of the command, and the order is not your authority to give. As I said, only the captain can make that determination. I will provide you the information if given the authority to do so."