Reporting In to the Admiral
Posted on Thu Oct 2nd, 2025 @ 1:47am by Captain M'Raz & Lieutenant Commander Jason Reeves
1,814 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Collating Data
Location: Conference Room 12 | Starbase 343
Timeline: MD-004 - 1130
Within minutes of the Crazy Horse's arrival at Starbase 343, an encrypted message was received summoning Raz and his First Officer to Conference Room 12 for a meeting to start at 1130. Which meant that at 1120, both he and Commander Reeves were stepping onto a transporter platform in preparation for beam over. Dressed in a clean uniform, his mane of white hair somewhat tamed, and holding a PADD with his latest reports, Raz nodded to the technician. "Energize," he said.
The technician responded and, for the first time in a week, Raz found himself facing another technician though this one lacked the haunted look that everyone on his own ship seemed to share. This one was young, smiling, and entirely too perky for Raz's taste. "Welcome aboard," he said in a high tenor that literally oozed enthusiasm. "Admiral said to tell you that he'll meet you in Conference Room 12. That's one deck up from here. Just go left out the door. Turbolift is down at the end of the corridor."
Raz nodded and headed out the door, turning left as directed, and merging into the flow of Starfleet personnel moving about. The faces he saw now seemed more serious, there were less smiles and more than few worried looks. People spoke in hushed tones. This seemed more familiar. Individuals who understood what had happened, preparing themselves for the worst, while maintaining their professionalism.
Reeves had been by the side of his commanding officer the entire time. Wondering if the Admiral was only meeting with them or various other COs and XOs. By the looks of all the faces they passed, there had been nonstop talks about the Borg threat and the damage they have caused thus far. With the radio silence, knew just how bad things were. "Any clue what the Admiral wishes to speak with us about?"
"Probably orders," Raz said as he held up the PADD in one paw, "but just in case, I came prepared with reports. All the data a team of analysts could want."
Holding up his own PADD, Jason smiled. "Glad that we're on the same page. Hopefully we can get some detail on what's happening around the Federation. This radio silence, working in the dark, is driving me crazy."
"Not just the Federation," Raz said as he angled sideways to avoid a direct hit from a crewman hustling down the hall. "We have no idea on the extent of their resources or how many worlds have been hit. Klingons. Cardassians. Romulans. The list goes on and on."
"I've never considered that anyone else may have been attacked by the Borg as well. If that's the case, then there could be the possibility of an alliance."
"Or worse," Raz answered as they approached the conference room door. "Take the Klingons for example. They don't exactly play nice with each other ... or anyone else ... if their government collapses? Are they going to rally together or will it be something much more primitive?" He turned toward his First Officer. "It's worth keeping in mind though. Maybe we should look for a diplomatic team. Their advice would be invaluable."
"Nothing brings Klingons together like war," the Commander chuckled. "Also the khitomer Accords dictates that they provide aid to the Federation if the need arises. "
"If their government collapses, I really doubt the Accords will matter," Raz said. As they reached the door, he straightened. "Okay, let's do this."
Jason nodded as he followed right behind Raz. The plan for him was to simply observe and see what is brought up. Hopefully it would a viable plan or even some helpfully information.
As on the Roosevelt, the base's conference room had been adapted. Large displays, updated in real time, covered three walls and the central table showed evidence of prolonged use by multiple individuals. Admiral Chester Stillwell, cup in hand, was standing in front of a half-empty display, frowning over the lack of data, as he discussed the issue with a young lieutenant. He looked up as Raz and Reeves entered and gestured for them to come in.
"Have a seat," Stillwell said, "I'll be right with you." He finished the conversation, the lieutenant nodding as he received his orders, and then made his way over to the table. He dropped into the nearest chair with a tired sigh. "Glad to see the ..." he consulted the PADD in front of him, "... Crazy Horse made it here in one piece. Any sign of Borg activity along the way."
"None," Raz said. "Though I wasn't looking for it either. Wanted to give our Chief Engineer a chance to work out the kinks ... and get here as quickly as we could." His pale gray gaze turned toward the boards. "What's the situation, Sir?"
"Well," Stillwell said as he rose to his feet and once more approached the boards. "It wasn't a single point of contact as we'd first thought. The flow of data is sluggish, so some of this is conjecture, but what we do know is that the Romulan border has gone silent. Our listening posts are going offline, one after the other."
"The Romulans are using the moment," Raz murmured.
"That's what we think as well," Stillwell said. "From last reports, there were no signs of Borg activity there but that's not certain by any means." He gestured with his coffee mug toward the regional maps. "We do have reports of a Borg presence in Cardassian space. No word from the Klingons one way or the other."
"And our own people," Raz asked. "Any other ..."
"No," Stillwell said at once. "Though its very clear that the Borg are solidifying their control over the area they've taken and moving up forces. I don't think we have long before they advance again." His expression turned bleak. "And the sad truth is that, even with every ship we have pressed into service, we just don't have the resources to empty one world even if we knew which one they'd go for next."
"What we can do is distribute information," Stillwell continued. "And we have. Letting the planetary leaderships know what's coming and offering whatever assistance we can."
Jason sat back silent. Watching and listening the two superiors discuss which was likely the Romulans invading Federation space. It was like the Romulans to sense weakness and quickly take advantage. "If you don't mind saying Sir. Sounds like there is a strong possibility that the Romulans may already be in Federation space with an invasion force. Is Starfleet sending a Task Force or Fleet to handle the threat?"
Stillwell's gaze, light blue and red-rimmed, flashed toward the ship's First Officer. "There's a task group, what ships we can spare, have been dispatched to look for signs of a Romulan presence in Federation space. Similar groups have been dispatched to the Cardassian and Klingon borders as well." He gestured for the two to join him at the table once more and dropped down with a tired sigh, reaching for the carafe to refill his mug. "For what its worth, it's at least a possibility that the Romulans are looking for information. Independent confirmation of what's happening with the Borg."
The First Officer simply nodded as he acknowledged the gesture and joined the Captain and Admiral at the table. It was nice to know that Starfleet was addressing the possibility of a Romulan threat. Even though this would definitely stretch the Federation thin on three different fronts.
Raz sat down as well, his gaze remaining on the display, as he shook his head. "Not an ideal situation, Sir," he said finally. "We're weak and our 'neighbors' know it. The only question is how they respond. Has any thought been given to opening up diplomatic channels? Enlisting their help in fighting the Borg?"
"Diplomats are traveling with each of the groups and will open negotiations if they can," Stillwell said. "No contact as yet which reminds me." He slid a PADD in Raz's direction, nodding at it as he did so. "Pass that on to your Operations and Engineering departments. We have to assume that our communications network has been compromised. This lays out new protocols for encryption and recognition of 'friendly' vessels."
"As to the Borg," Stillwell continued, "we've placed a ring of automated monitoring stations just outside of Borg-controlled space. They're meant to passive, listening in on communications, picking up what they can and then relaying it back to us in compressed, short-burst transmissions to prevent identification and tracking. We're still getting the network up and running so no intel yet. We've got a team of analysts dedicated to sifting through the data. If we glean anything useful, we'll be certain to pass it on."
"That PADD also provides information on communications with the Roosevelt," Stillwell said. "We're going to assume that the enemy will be doing the same thing so, short burst, highly encrypted transmissions that will terminate if there's any sign of someone trying to listen in."
"And now, we get to your job." The Admiral paused to take a long sip of coffee, followed by another one. "Every ship in the fleet is expected to pick up refugees where they find them and bring them back here. We have to save as many of our people as we can. But beyond that, we need data on these Borg and especially their technology."
"We've submitted reports from everyone that came aboard the Jane Addams," Reeves mentioned. "Believe we know what their capable of, but it might be good if we could actually get our hands on a Borg to see how exactly they do operate."
"Agreed," Raz said, "but only if we can do so without danger to our people." He turned back toward the Admiral as he continued. "I have several lines of investigation that I'd like to pursue, Sir. Unless you have something specific in mind?"
"I might have an idea or two," Stillwell said, "nothing concrete as yet. I'll forward you what I have once a couple more of the pieces come in. For now, pursue your lines of inquiry but report regularly. And remember, save as many as you can along the way."
The Commander was definitely curious about what Raz had in mind regarding the investigation of these Borg. Also, he wondered exactly what Stillwell was working on. Clearly the Admiral had some information that he was sitting on.
"Unless you have questions," Admiral Stillwell said, "you're dismissed. "A full briefing package on everything we know will be waiting in your Ready Room by the time you get back."
Raz rose smoothly to his feet. "Thank you, Sir," he said. "I'll be in touch as soon as I have something."
Rising to his feet as well, Reeves simply nodded.
Captain M'Raz
Commanding Officer
USS Crazy Horse
and
Admiral Chester Stillwell
Starfleet Command
USS Roosevelt
and
Lt. Commander Jason Reeves
Executive Officer
USS Crazy Horse
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