[IC] Cardassian Border Wars [Star Trek Adventures]

[GreenDragonPage]

~ The Cardassian Border Wars ~
A Tale of Heroism on the Forgotten Alkarab Front

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Admiral's Log, Supplemental: The formation of the Antilles Task Force marks a crucial step in our efforts to protect the rimward borderland and the worlds within the Alkarab Sector. These older vessels, though not as advanced as some of the modern Starfleet ships, still hold immense potential and experience. With the urgency of the Cardassian threat, we cannot afford to let any available resource go to waste.

The initial preparations are underway, and the selected crews for the Constitution Refit-class, Soyuz-class & Oberth-class vessels are showing remarkable enthusiasm. Many of these officers and crew members have served on older ships in the past and are thus well acquainted with the antiquated tech foundwith in these ships. For those who have only served aboard newer vessels, I am told a rigorous training course has been whipped up to get those officers up to speed. Regardless, these officer's dedication to this mission is commendable, as they understand the pivotal role they play in safeguarding the colonized worlds of the Alkarab Sector.

Assembling this Task Force has not been without challenges. Acquiring the necessary supplies, updating the ships' systems to meet modern standards, and ensuring proper coordination among the different classes require careful planning and execution. However, the resourcefulness of Starfleet engineers and crews has been inspiring, and progress is being made.

The Alkarab Sector holds promise, with potential allies and resources that could bolster our efforts against the Cardassian Union. Establishing contact with the Federation citizen-colonized worlds is paramount, not only for their protection but also to solidify the Federation's presence in the sector. Diplomacy will be as important as defense, as we must navigate the complexities of the local politics and affiliations.

While the Admiralty's focus on the coreward borderland is understandable given the immediate threat, the Antilles Task Force represents a testament to Starfleet's adaptability and determination. The crew members of these vessels are proving that the spirit of exploration and Federation ideals burn as brightly as ever, even in the face of adversity.

End of Supplemental Log.

The Antilles Task Force's Mission Profile:

1. Exploration and Mapping: Our foremost mission is to thoroughly explore and map the Alkarab Sector, a region that was only lightly explored before mass colonization began. Many of these worlds are still uncharted territories, and their strategic importance cannot be underestimated. Detailed surveys and cartography will provide us with essential data for defensive strategies and potential negotiations.

2. Contact with Colonies: We must establish communication with the worlds colonized by Federation citizens in the Alkarab Sector. These colonies look to us for protection and guidance in these turbulent times. Our presence will assure them that they are not alone and that the Federation remains committed to their safety and well-being.

3. Defense Against Cardassian Threats: The Cardassian Union's appetite for territorial expansion threatens not only the colonies but the stability of the entire region. The Antilles Task Force will serve as a shield against Cardassian aggression, preventing any further encroachments into the Alkarab Sector. Our ships, although older, have been refitted and are battle-proven, and our determination will be our greatest strength.

4. Negotiations and Diplomacy: While we stand ready to defend, we also recognize the importance of diplomatic efforts. Should Cardassian forces attempt to breach our defenses or engage us in hostile actions, we will strive to engage in dialogue and negotiation before resorting to armed conflict. Our goal is to maintain a precarious peace in the sector while protecting Federation interests.

5. Resource Management: As we operate with older vessels, resource management and maintenance will be crucial. Our engineers and crew will need to work diligently to keep our Task Force operational and combat-ready. We shall make use of every available tool and technology to ensure our ships remain formidable adversaries.

The Antilles Task Force is composed of sixteen ships:

- The Antilles: An aging yet esteemed Excelsior-class vessel, the Antilles proudly serves as Admiral Marina Serrano's personal flagship. Unfortunately, the Admiral is often engaged in administrative, diplomatic, and strategic military planning pursuits, aboard Deep Space Station T-12. In her absence, control of both the Task Force and the Antilles is entrusted to Fleet Captain Toshiki Hosokawa.

- Constitution Refit-class Vessels: The Task Force fields six of these storied vessels, each bearing the name of a significant island in Earth's Lesser Antilles: the Martinique, the Dominica, the Saint Lucia, the Saint Vincent, the Carriacou, and the Grenada. While upgraded with contemporary technology, these Constitution-class ships are deemed outdated compared to more advanced counterparts such as the Ambassador and the newer Project Galaxy ships. While they can hold their own against smaller Cardassian vessels, engaging a Galor-class ship in open combat poses a grave risk. Admiral Serrano emphasizes coordinated tactics for the Constitution-class captains, especially when confronting larger Cardassian adversaries.

- Soyuz-class Vessels: Despite their retirement and antiquated status, the Task Force relies on five Soyuz-class vessels — the Bequia, the Union, the Canouan, the Mustique, and the Mayreau. Their rugged communication arrays assume critical importance in bridging communication gaps within the remote Alkarab Sector, which rests far beyond the mainstream Federation communication network. The mobility and agility of the Soyuz-class ships might prove decisive in scenarios where Cardassian incursions threaten sector stability.

- Oberth-class Vessels: Through resourceful requisition, Admiral Serrano secures four Oberth-class vessels for the Task Force's service. Each ship accommodates a specialized pod dedicated to solar system survey missions. These scientific assets will play a pivotal role in mapping the intricate Alkarab Sector. Lacking combat adaptations, the Oberth-class ships are instructed to flee upon detecting a Cardassian vessel, subsequently alerting the nearest Constitution- or Soyuz-class vessel for support. In anticipation of heightened conflict along the border, the Admiral envisions converting a number of Oberths into hospital ships via the acquisition of medical pods. The four Oberth-class vessels in the Task Force fleet are known as the Quatre, the Baliceaux, the Bettowia, and the Palm.

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Connected Threads:
In Character
--- Thread 1
Out of Character
--- Thread 1
Recruitment
--- Thread 1

[GreenDragonPage]

Admiral's Log, Supplemental:
The Alkarab Sector stands as a volatile and untamed border-region on the outskirts of Starfleet's jurisdiction. The recent inclusion of the Betazed colony of New Rixx as a Federation Member World has brought with it a complex set of challenges. The Federation Council, in its wisdom, has staked a direct claim in this sector. This move is bound to provoke the Cardassians into asserting their influence, leading to potential annexations and territorial disputes. The Cardassians are likely to seek to bolster their position to gain the upper hand in any future negotiations over this border conflict.

The ascension of New Rixx has necessitated a strategic shift in our operations. We must now allocate precious resources from other fronts along the shared Federation-Cardassian border to ensure the safety of New Rixx, as well as safeguard the numerous colonies founded by Federation Citizens during the colonization boom at the beginning of this century.

Our continued presence in the Alkarab Sector requires us to walk a tightrope, given its inclusion within the territories of the Federation, the Cardassian Union, the Klingon Empire, and the Talarian Republic. Furthermore, the lack of a recognized central authority within the sector has transformed it into a breeding ground for instability, characterized by rampant piracy. Among the most notorious of these pirate groups are the marauders from Nova Orion and the formidable Naussicans.

Our unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Alkarab Sector demands vigilant surveillance and cooperative diplomatic efforts with neighboring powers. Pirate activity poses a significant threat to both civilian and Starfleet interests, and we must remain resolute in our mission to protect innocent lives and uphold the principles of justice and order throughout the sector.

To achieve this, Starfleet has deployed its finest officers and vessels to patrol the Alkarab Sector. We work closely with our allied powers to combat piracy and ensure that lawlessness does not gain a foothold. We recognize that the complexities of this region require not only a strong military presence but also astute negotiation and diplomacy to prevent conflicts that could jeopardize interstellar relations.

The Alkarab Sector, with its intricate web of political, social, and security dynamics, serves as a profound testament to the challenges we face in our mission of exploration and peacekeeping. It is a realm where the ideals of the Federation are put to the test, and where our actions resonate across the stars. We remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold the values of Starfleet and to navigate these treacherous waters with wisdom, courage, and honor.

End of Supplemental Log.

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Located perilously close to the Klingon border, the world of Federation's Hope was envisioned as a beacon of peace and prosperity, a utopia designed to nurture cooperation and friendship among diverse peoples, both within and beyond the Federation's boundaries. This promising world boasted four major continents, and representatives of the original four founding members of the Federation – Humans, Vulcans, Andorians, and Tellarites – each undertook the task of creating a miniature version of their homeworld on one of these continents.

Tragically, the outbreak of the Federation-Klingon War shattered these dreams. Federation's Hope, with its still-incomplete planetary defense grid, became an easy target for Klingon aggression. From orbit, the Klingons unleashed devastating assaults upon each of the four continents, resulting in the annihilation of one million colonists and a profound sense of abandonment among the survivors.

In the war's aftermath, the surviving colonists came to believe that Starfleet had prioritized other strategically significant worlds, diverting resources away from Federation's Hope. This bitterness festered across the four continents. Three years following the end of the war, the colonists embarked on a bold exodus, leaving behind the war-ravaged front lines to seek a new home far beyond Federation space. Contact was eventually severed with these settlers as they ventured deep into uncharted territory.

Twenty years ago, communication was reestablished with the Nemo System, nestled deep within the Alkarab Sector. In honor of the most remote point in Earth's oceans, the colonists of Federation's Hope had built a new life on an M-class world, where they not only survived but thrived. With a burgeoning population nearing one hundred million, the inhabitants of Nemo VI serve as a testament to the Federation's potential for resilience and self-sufficiency, even without centralized governance.

With the onset of the Federation-Cardassian Border Wars, the Republic of Nemo sought assistance from the Federation, although the shadow of the Klingon War still looms over their relationship. Despite their preference for neutrality, the President permitted the establishment of a small Embassy by the Federation Council. Attempts to situate the Embassy in the capital city sparked protests, ultimately leading to its placement in orbit around Nemo XIII, a remote Ice Giant on the periphery of the Nemo System.

Admiral Marina Serrano christened this space station "Easter Embassy" in homage to Easter Island, Earth's closest landmass to Point Nemo. It is from Easter Embassy that the exploration of Sub-Sector P within the Alkarab Sector will commence. Given the great distance of Sub-Sector P from Federation space and, notably, New Rixx, only three vessels from the Antilles Task Force were spared for this mission: the Constitution-class Dominica, the Soyuz-class Mustique, and the Oberth-class Quatre.

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As the aged Constitution-class Dominica navigates through the turbulent subspace of the Alkarab Sector, the bridge is a scene of controlled chaos. Engineering crews are hard at work, repairing the damaged consoles that suffer from a significant input lag, making even routine operations a challenge. The ship itself creaks and groans as it maneuvers through the unpredictable subspace eddies, giving the impression that it's seen far more than its fair share of journeys through the cosmos.

The Captain's chair, showing signs of age and wear, stands as a symbol of the many crews that have lived, worked & died on this venerable vessel in the past. While the current crew members are not those who have called the Dominica home in previous eras, they all sense the historic significance of this mission. It's a final voyage, one they hope will contribute to saving the Federation and its people in a time of dire need.

Amidst this atmosphere, the communications console blinks, indicating an incoming message. Lieutenant Chesapeake, the acting CO of the Easter Embassy, appears on screen. His curly black hair and bushy mustache give him a distinctive appearance. He introduces himself and briefly explains his role overseeing the station's Starfleet personnel and its defense and maintenance. He hints at Ambassador Binni blasch Begm's assertive involvement in other matters, accompanied by a subtle eye roll.

Lieutenant Chesapeake then gets to the point, conveying the urgency of the situation. Reports of Nova Orion and Cardassian activity have recently crossed his desk, and it's clear that events are escalating. The background noise hints at the tension within the station, and he implores the Dominica to arrive as soon as possible.

With this urgent message in mind, the Dominica accelerates towards the space station, its crew prepared for the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead in Sub-Sector P of the Alkarab Sector.

Spoiler: OOC

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The ship is about 30 minutes from Easter Embassy. Now would be a good time to introduce yourselves and perhaps have a small dialog between the crew before the ship docks.

Spoiler: Bridge

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[Lentrax]

The turbolift doors open, and a green skinned Orion woman steps onto the bridge, rubbing her ear with a finger.

I will never get used to that music. I am going to have to start wearing earplugs when I am travelling around the ship.

She steps over to the engineering station and taps the crewmember there on the shoulder.

How are we looking, Chief? Any luck getting those conduits on H-deck rerouted?

[bramblefoot]

doctor elyra suvan stalks back and forth in her medical bay, fighting the urge to comm the bridge. her ice blue eyes watch bianca leath file paperwork on a datapad, logging every little detail of how her fingers move across the keypad and send files to where they need to go. finally, she gets tired of waiting and comms the bridge "medical bay to captain vandegroot. how are we doing?" theres a hollow chuckle from elyra, and she says "even down here i can feel the dominica creak and groan like a man sick with vegan chronomeningitis"

looking around elyras medbay, there are a trio of sterile tribbles in a glass container in her office, and four small pastel fluffballs in another container. two are light blue, one is lavender, and the last a bright shade of fuchsia. both containers are bolted to a hard surface, with an area for reaching in to fish one out. the pastel fluffballs give off a soothing trill and elyra smiles. "let the senior staff know id like them for their physicals at the earliest possible opportunity"

[samduke]

as cheif of engineering, she sure had her hands full of getting repair crews to the most important areas first. at 21 she was not the youngest cheif engineer ever. With short blonde hair and green eyes, she could turn a head as easily as a spanner.

"How are we looking, Chief? Any luck getting those conduits on H-deck rerouted?" XO, the crews are working on it and the other vital systems, then maybe we can try to iron out some of these oddities that keep popping up.

[Lentrax]

S’Vana smiles at the response from the Chief Engineer.

Good. I hope that someone will be able to figure out why the turbo lift plays music. Otherwise I’m going to ask the doctor to replicate everyone earplugs for traveling through the ship.

She picks up a spare PADD nearby and taps it to life. She calls up the crew manifest, and begins scrolling through assignments.

We have all the major projects assigned to the engineering teams, but there are some personnel with basic engineering training that we could put to work on some of the secondary problems. Recommendations for which projects first?

[Pepper_Oni]

All of the creaks and groans of the ship make Hasic uneasy as if he potentially put in the wrong coordinates to the Easter Embassy. He rubs his Bajoran earring nervously to calm himself but his brow still furrows along with the ridges across his nose. The rush of engineers around eeriely reminded him of his family's freighter. So many things that needed fixed all of the time. He was just happy his conn was still in working order.

Sitting at the helm, LtJG Orhm Hasic taps his communicator and announces, "Captain, we are coming upon the embassy shortly. Recommendations for docking? The situation seems volatile."

[The Commander]

Lt. Junior Grade Mox

The bittersweet memories of the USS Carson were still fresh in his mind, but Mox was determined to make the most of the situation and find a place for himself aboard the Dominica; even if she was to be ultimately decommissioned much like his old ship. Perhaps this was for the best? Maybe it was fate that Mox should have an ever changing 'family' with Starfleet rather than one rooted in cultural expectations. He ran a hand through his thin brown hair.

He had already been introduced to his small science team, and decided it was best to pay the ship's doctor a visit - he had nothing better to do at this particular moment and perhaps the two of them could discuss their respective cultures whilst they waited for the ship to arrive at Easter Embassy.

He took a turbolift down a couple of decks and walked to sickbay. He understood the music that played when the lift went further than he did was some kind of old Earth song. It was enjoyable, and served to break up the monotonous hum when taking a longer turbolift journey; so Mox didn't mind.

He reached the sickbay doors and strode inside.

"Ah, Doctor Suvan! It seems we have some spare time on our hands and I thought I'd come and pay you a visit! How are you liking the Dominica's sickbay?" He smiled at her, but refrained from the typical overexpression Denobulans were somewhat infamous for - he had learned early in his days at the Academy that some people were put off by such displays and so had tried to train himself not to overexpress himself in such ways.

[bramblefoot]

elyra pivots on her feet like a dancer and moves over to mox. "ah lieutenant, your the first one to report for your physical" she purrs, moving to fish a small pastel fluffball out of its cage and passing it to mox. "feel free to pet it" she offers, scanning mox with a tricorder while the small pastel fluffball makes soothing noises.

elyra will answer moxs question with a half shrug "It's interesting, but nothing i havent dealt with before" she says. "your physical comes back green lieutenant" she says, placing the tricorder down and retrieving the pastel fluffball from mox and returning it to its cage. "if you need anything, im always here"

Spoiler: mox

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youd spot elyras eyes reading you like a book, missing nothing. you dont know what shes doing

[The Commander]

Lt. Junior Grade Mox

Mox stroked the small creature as Elyra scanned him. "I am sure the other officers will report to you once we're safely docked at the Embassy." He handed the creature back to her once she was finished.

"First time working with a Denobulan?" He inquired as he noticed her sizing him up. "I'd be happy to discuss Denobulan physiology if it's helpful to you. Oh! But I should inform you now if you haven't already seen it in my medical file: I'm due for my annual hibernation cycle in about a month. Five days should be sufficient for me. I will, of course, take my hibernation in my quarters. I will let you know when my hibernation cycle is imminent, and will likewise inform the captain. In the event of an emergency you'll need to wake me with a potent stimulant administered intravenously; but we can go over the finer details closer to the time if you wish?"

[bramblefoot]

elyra chuckles "i have worked on a multitude of species in a multitude of conditions" she says, clapping mox on the back affectionately. "your not the first denobulan i have had to wake from hibernation sleep, and you certainly wont be the last"

as elyra turns a little, the light from sickbay reflects a small midnight blue scorpion patch on her left shoulder embroidered in iridescent black thread. it stays visible for a split second, and then elyra turns back to face mox and its gone. "if there is nothing else lieutenant, you are free to go"

[samduke]

S’Vana smiles at the response from the Chief Engineer.

Good. I hope that someone will be able to figure out why the turbo lift plays music. Otherwise I’m going to ask the doctor to replicate everyone earplugs for traveling through the ship.

She picks up a spare PADD nearby and taps it to life. She calls up the crew manifest, and begins scrolling through assignments.

We have all the major projects assigned to the engineering teams, but there are some personnel with basic engineering training that we could put to work on some of the secondary problems. Recommendations for which projects first?

Well as it seems to be of importance, we can assign them to figuring out why the turbo lift plays music. but if it is something more than an easy fix, it will have to wait for an engineering crew.

[Lentrax]

I suppose that's fair. But I was being serious. Is there anything we can task to others to free up engineering personnel for more urgent tasks?

[samduke]

Sorry sir there are not many other tasks that can be accomplished by a rookie.

[The Commander]

Lt. Junior Grade Mox

Mox smiled at Elyra again and turned to leave the sickbay. She seemed friendly enough, but there was something about her that Mox couldn't quite put his finger on. Maybe she was just extremely busy, or homesick? Mox resolved to attempt to befriend her in the future.

Leaving sickbay, he made his way to crew lounge, hoping to get a good view of the Embassy at they arrived.

[Lentrax]

Fair enough. I'll leave you to it then. Keep me informed of our progress.

With that, she continues scrolling the PADD as she steps away from the engineer.

She looks around the bridge, but seeing nothing else she needs to attend to, she sighs as she gives the turbolift a hard look. She goes in and as the doors slide shut, she gives her destination as sickbay. And the music....

Then the ride is over and she exits the lift, and heads down the corridor to sickbay.

She takes a moment to gather herself before stepping inside.

Good morning, Doctor. I am cataloguing all of the Dominica's quirks. Everything coming together down here? Any oddities to report?

[bramblefoot]

elyra will turn to the orion, and offer a smile. "ah XO, how good of you to come in. no quirks in sickbay"

she will ask s'vana "would you like to do your physical now, or later? i like to make sure everyone is in good shape for the journey ahead" assuming she gets a yes, she will break out a small pastel fluffball and let s'vana pet it while she scans her

[davyjones]

A pair of weathered gray-green eyes regard the rough-edged jawline in the mirror. Lt. Cmdr. Elias Vandenboogard concludes the beard is coming in nicely, and it doesn't scratch as much as last time he afforded himself an underway soup-catcher. Tradition, he calls it.

Elias' last command was a auxiliary repair facility - he still doesn't fully understand why Starfleet stuck him on that pile of rocks for three years - so he kept clean-shaven, as he always did. Here, though - here, he's in space, and in command, to boot. A beard will do nicely, thank you.

The call from the bridge comes in and the captain acknowledges the report. "I'm not sure us screaming into port at maximum warp is going to solve any crisis, Mr. Orhm; but, increase speed to warp eight anyway. Have Ops reply to Easter Embassy with our acknowledgement and my compliments, and call Alpha Shift to the bridge," he ordered. "If trouble is imminent, let's have our senior officers at their stations. I'll be there shortly. Vandenboogard out."

With that, the captain dons his tunic, smooths it out, and leaves his quarters.

Spoiler: OOC

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I figure all bridge PCs are on Alpha Shift. :)

[Lentrax]

We can do it now, Doctor.

S’Vana looks at the Tribble. She grew up on ships in Orion space, and heard stories of infestations of the things. She gently refused the offer of the thing.

Are there any other conditions among the crew we need to be aware of?

[bramblefoot]

elyra shrugs "the tribbles have been sterilized, but i wont force you" she'll scan s'vana, and make some small talk while she scans the XO. "so tell me, how does an orion end up in starfleet?" she asks, putting away the tricorder. "i understand if you dont want to tell me, and my lips are sealed should you tell me anything"

[Lentrax]

S'Vana considers the question. It seems like she is wondering whether she wants to answer or not. But she finally does. It is all in my service record, but the long and short of it is that I was saved by a Federation ship when my family ship was destroyed by Cardassians. I was the only survivor, it was my choice to stay in the Federation and join Starfleet. It keeps me on ships, so at least there's that. And not having to worry about being hauled out of my bed in the middle of the night by someone looking to move up in the... ranks.

She smiles up at the doctor. Plus the ladies like the uniform.

[bramblefoot]

elira smiles back. "ive yet to meet someone who didnt look good in a starfleet uniform" her hand moves to s'vanas' shoulder, and she says "you need something, im here"

[Lentrax]

Why, Doctor. Ivy says with a small half smile. If I didn't know better, I would say I needed an escort to be around you.

[bramblefoot]

elira cracks a wry grin. "i dont have a vow of celibacy in place as im only half deltan" she says. "if you ever need a rebound, count me in" she lets her hand drop, and grins "see you around XO"

[Lentrax]

Aye, aye, ma'am. Counseling services noted and logged.

[bramblefoot]

"go and fight the good fight out there" elyra says. "ill put you back together if you get a little beaten up." she grins "if there is nothing else, i can pronounce your physical complete"

[Lentrax]

Better get used to seeing me in here then. I tend to need doctoring quite often.

[bramblefoot]

"the medbay is open, day and night" elyra says with a smile. "there aint nothing i havent seen"

[Lentrax]

Guess we'll see. But hopefully not too soon.

S'Vana collects her PADD and exits Sickbay. That is when she hears the captain call for all senior officers to the bridge. Which for this ship, this tour, means her.

She steps off the turbolift, and proceeds to the security station, where she relieves the junior officer there, taking the station for herself, and awaiting their arrival at Easter Embassy.

[samduke]

upon receiving the request from the captain, Samantha orders the crew in engineering to keep an eye on the reactor as power could be needed for the shields or weapon system. Stepping into the lift activating the controls to go the bridge, then stepping out and walking over to the engineering console. Reporting as ordered, engineering controls are transferred.