Summary:
The USS Andromeda, against all reason, has found itself at Deep Space 17, a station under construction and completely off the grid. After twenty-four hours of shoreleave, the crew is assembling in the Admiral's conference room for their first briefing.

~"~"~"~"~"~"~Begin USS Andromeda: "All the Stars Fall Down" Mission 2 - Stardate 11211.03~"~"~"~"~"~
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
::making his way down the corridor towards the briefing room::
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::already in the conference room, looking out a window::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
::Sitting at the head of the conference room table, facing the doors, a stylus in his hand and his focus on the large touch screen in front of him...he signs a document, then slides it out of the way with his other hand, and continues reading::

ACTION:
Just beyond the conference room door, two security officers stand, checking each entrant against a list on a PADD

CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::strides through what serves as a corridor these days; it actually reminds him of his primary school while it was being (severely) renovated::
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Turns the corner of the corridor after just exiting the turbo lift.::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
::arrives just outside the door and announces his identity to the security officers::
Security_Officer_Frake says:
:Doesn't even need to check the list:: CO: Of course, Sir.    ::Steps aside to provide the Captain admittance::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
::steps in through the doors into the conference room and takes a seat next to the Admiral::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
ADM: Good morning Admiral.
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::rounds the corner and makes his way towards the entrance of the conference rooms, and the non-descript, meat-headish security officers at its hatch::
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Walks down the corridor and stops at the security check point.::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
::Looks up from his work, taking his coffee mug in his hand, and nods to Knight::  CO:  Good morning, Captain.  How was your day off?  ::Finishes off his coffee and goes to the replicator for a refill::
Security_Officer_Frake says:
CEO: And you are...?
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
CO:  Can I get you anything?  ::Slides his mug into the replicator::  Replicator:  Repeat last order.
Security_Officer_Dram says:
::Starts slightly as he sees Davis approach, as if spooked by a ghost, but simply nods, moving aside for the Commander to pass::
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
Officer Frake:  Ensign Tavish McQuade, Chief Engineering Officer, USS Andromeda.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
ADM: With all the reports I had to go through, it really wasn't much of a day off.  ::grins::  Thank you sir, I'll have a coffee...black.
Security_Officer_Frake says:
::Scrolls through his list, then nods:: CEO: Right this way, Sir.
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::doesn't really bother even acknowledging the officer, or his apparent cowardice or sissy-ness, and he enters the conference room immediately::
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Nods.::  Officer Frake: Of Course.  ::Follows the security officer.::
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::fold her hands behind her back, watching ships slowly move past::

SCENE:
The view beyond the conference room "window" (if an entire wall can be called such) is patently gorgeous - shimmering flumes of rose, azure, and majestic purple swirl and dance around each other like something alive, dancing with charges of power.

Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
::Orders another black coffee, and ferries the drinks back to the table, looking up as the doors open;  he delivers Knight's coffee, then as he sees Davis, points at him with two fingers and then points to the chair on the other side of his from Knight's::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
ADM: Thank you Admiral.  ::looks over at Davis with curiosity::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
CO:  I know the feeling.  ::Sits again, putting a thumbprint to the last document he's signed, and slides it away::
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
:;sees Kensington's gesture right away, as he had sought the admiral out upon entering; he makes way for the chair immediately, saying nothing to the other officers who have filed in thus far::
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::draws the chair out from the table slight and sits down, offering his first acknowledgement of any person in the area with the exception of Kensington; he nods to Knight::  CO: Captain.
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
CO:  Captain, this is Commander William Davis.  CIV:  Commander Davis, this is Captain Ethan Knight, commanding officer, USS Andromeda.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
::nods to Davis:: CIV: Commander.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Moves beside Ensign Ivara slowly.::  CSO:  Nice view.  Considering this station doesn't exist.
Host Attaché_Cmdr_Light says:
::Strides into the Conference Room, breezing past the security officers, and moves purposefully across the briefing room, coming to a stop just behind and beside the Admiral::
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::nods a second time, though he doesn't see a need to repeat Knight's rank to him::
Host Attaché_Cmdr_Light says:
::Holds a PADD out to Kensington::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
Light:  Good morning, Commander.  ::Accepts the PADD and begins to read, and now that all parties are present, swivels slightly in his chair toward the observation window::  CSO/CEO:  Ensigns, if you would join us, we'll begin.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Turns from the window and takes a seat at the table.::
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::shifts slightly in his chair, swiveling just a little towards Kensington::
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
CEO: Yes it is, the interaction of the gasses with the station's shields and external fields result in a visually pleasing view.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::moves to the table::
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Smiles and nods as he turns his chair to face the admiral.::
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::straightens her dress uniform and takes a seat away from the CEO::
Host Attaché_Cmdr_Light says:
::Moves back from the Admiral and others, sort of taking a place standing in the very corner of the room, a sort of sentry::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
::Folds his hands and rests them on the table, as his eyes scan each of the individuals, matter-of-factly::  All:  Good morning, all, and welcome.  Today's briefing will be strictly informational, and everything in the briefing will be classified, expected for the eyes and ears of your crew, only.  I'll take as many questions as we have time.
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::stares at Light for a moment, wondering why she would prefer to be some mostly stationary paper pusher, as opposed to a line officer::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
::turns his attention to the Admiral::
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::looks calmly at the Admiral::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  I'd like you to meet Command William Davis, if you haven't already been introduced.  Commander Davis has been transferred to the station as Strategic Operations Officer for these sectors.  Now that the station is at least partially operational, Starfleet is going to begin moving assets into the area. 
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  We'll need someone to coordinate those efforts on a lower level.  He will be assigned to the Andromeda and at your disposal, Captain.  ::Looks toward Knight::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
::glances toward Davis and then to the Admiral::  ADM: Of course Admiral.
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::remains attentive to Kensington::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
::Nods once, and continues::  All:  Starfleet began construction on this station in order to fill the gap between Starbase 514 and Deep Space 5, due to growing concerns coreward, and the lack of Starfleet assets in the area, due primarily to the Caeal and secondarily, to developing worlds beyond the Patriarchy.
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  Deep Space 121 wasn't going to fill the need for an adequate base of operations.  We've seen that station firsthand... ::Looks around the table again::  ...I assume you realize why that is the case.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Glances at Commander Davis briefly, then snaps back to the conversation as Deep Space 121 is mentioned.::  Self: Oh god yes.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::nods::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
::nods::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  Due to the recent and present threat of the Vroa in Sector 97 ::Glances to Davis a moment::, the xenophobia of the Caeal, and sketchy intelligence from within The Patriarchy itself that their attitude toward the Federation may be shifting, this will be a new frontline base in the area to be a vanguard for Starfleet operations... 
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
Self: Great another battle line drawn in space.
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  ...and we dearly hope operations of only the diplomatic variety.  Nevertheless...we're preparing for worst-case scenarios on all fronts.
Host Attaché_Cmdr_Light says:
::Shifts somewhat uncomfortably in her place::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
::Taps a button on his console, activating the holographic projector, which displays a starmap of sectors 90 and 91 briefly, then zooms in on Deep Space Seventeen::  All:  This station, of course, remains classified until it is completed.  It is presently being guarded through some borrowed tech from the Chalak, rendering it invisible to known
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
sensor configurations.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
::leans slightly forward as he looks at the projection::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  Relations are a bit more tense with the Chalak of late.  We can't afford to lose them as allies at the moment, tenuous though our alliance may be.  If the opportunity arises to strengthen that relationship, we'll need to take full advantage.  The Federation Council wants to remain on best possible terms with them.
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  Any questions, so far?
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
::Takes a drink of his coffee to hold off the growing dryness in his throat::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
ADM: With the technology that the Caeal have, can you be absolutely sure they are not aware of this station?
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::remains expressionless, and virtually motionless, though he very much wants to get out of this room and off this station::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
::Gives Knight a rather meaningful look, raising a breath to speak, then switching questions in his mind at the last moment::  CO:  ...No, we can't be sure.  We can only do our due diligence.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
ADM: Understood.
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  Although the Federation isn't entirely sure of the Caeal in general, we do know that the Caeal have very powerful telepaths, and like any xenophobic race, likely has an intelligence network whose capabilities far outstrip our awareness of them.
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  We're doing the best we can -- most of our operatives and higher-ranking Admirals and intelligence officials involved with these matters are carrying telepathy-dampening devices like these... ::Pulls out a small black box with a toggle button:: ...that some of you will remember from our briefing at Earth Spacedock.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
ADM: Only all too well.
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::eyes the device, but remains quiet--particularly on this issue::
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::raises an eyebrow and looks at the device, quietly envious::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  This station is considered safe harbor...we've gone to great length in vetting all those who come aboard.  ::Looks at each of them a moment again::  It will be difficult, but we'll do the best we can to protect our assets and strategic intelligence.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Wishes that was mandatory.  Looks around the room at all the Telepaths in the room.::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  That said... ::Zooms out on the starmap again, and zooms in toward a patch of black where the center of the Caeal Coalition would be located...if it were actually charted::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  We have been separately contacted by two members of the Caeal Coalition, through proxies and back channels.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::checks something on her PADD:: CO/Adm: Captain, given our range to Gehmohr I would assume that the Chalak know about this station.
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
CSO:  They are keenly aware, as they wanted full disclosure on the intended use of their technology, which we provided.  They're no slouches when it comes to strategic intelligence, either, and we assume that, so long as we remain on good terms with them, the knowledge will be safe.
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
CSO:  As you'll recall, they would've had the opportunity to tell you about the station while you were there, and yet, they redacted it from their sensor sweeps.
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
CSO:  Thus, we are more assured of their dedication to protecting this particular secret.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::nods::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  We're going to recess at this point.  I'd like to have the rest of the senior staff here, if possible, before we continue, as we'll be discussing your next assignment, as well as the latest intelligence reports about the Caeal.
Host Attaché_Cmdr_Light says:
::Nods at the Admiral's dismissal tone, and starts across the briefing room for the exit, to be the first into the refreshment room, and ensure everything is ready for the crew::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
All:  There are refreshments in the room across the hall.  Take some time to think about what you've heard so far, and be prepared to ask questions, if necessary, when we resume.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
ADM: Reconvene in 30 minutes Admiral?
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
CO:  Sounds good, Captain.  ::Smiles, amiably::  I'll see you then.  All:  You're dismissed.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Glances at Commander Davis again.::
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Stands from the table.::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
ADM: If you wouldn't mind Admiral, a private moment of your time?
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Exits out the room and into the room across the corridor.::
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::stands quietly and walks from the room::
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::leans back in his chair and pushes away from the desk, standing up from his seat::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
::Looks around a moment::  CO:  Certainly.  What can I do for you?
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::eyes Knight for a moment, but as quickly as he looks his eyes meet the deck, and he begins towards the hatch he came through::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
ADM: First of all, I wanted to personally apologize for any pushback I gave you while on the Andromeda.  My emotions were very high with the children, and hopefully you can understand that.
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
::Sits back in his chair, disarmed::  CO:  Captain...I appreciate that very much.  I know things have been very difficult for you lately.  I probably haven't helped matters, and I apologize for any difficulties I've caused you and your command staff.
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
::passes out the door, lingering in the corridor for a moment::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
ADM:  Thank you Admiral.  One other thing if I may.  I sent some reports in to SFC, but haven't heard anything as of yet.  Would they have perhaps contacted you?
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Steps out of the room for a moment.::  CIV:  Commander Davis sir.
CIV_Cmdr_Davis says:
CEO: Ensign.  ::nods::
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
CO:  Yes, I have.  All communications are being routed through the Starbase, while we're here, for security purposes.  I just received this prior to the briefing.  ::Hands the PADD over to Knight that he earlier received from Light::
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
CIV:  It’s an honor to meet you sir.  I've read some of your papers on Warp plasma containment.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
ADM: Thank you Admiral.  ::looks down at the PADD::  This is good news.  Now, if you will excuse me.
Host SC_RAdm_Kensington says:
CO:  Of course.  Please see me if there's anything I can do for you.  ::Smiles again, good-natured::

~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"Pause Mission - Time Lapse: 30 minutes~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~

Notes:
The refreshments room is spread with an array of hors d'oeuvres and other light snacks - nothing too heavy - as well as a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. But there is a replicator, if you want something more.

Light, will wait at the periphery of the room, on sentry duty, unless approached.

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