Brett:
 Summary: The Delphyne has been escorted back to Arcadia Station through the warp gate.  The ship has been given priority in the station's repair facilities, alongside Claymore and the Delphyne's crew has been given quarters aboard Arcadia until their situation can be sorted out.

Brett:
 Summary: The station is awash in civillians who have been removed from Starfleet vessels and are being transported back away from the "front".  Starships pass through on a daily basis headed for the war zone, and Arcadia has the feel of a large spaceport with its crowds and transitory population.

Brett:
 <<<<Resume Mission - "Sanctum: Line of Control - Part 7">>>>

Brett:
 INFO: The officers of the USS Delphyne have been given quarters aboard Arcadia and have settled in.  While the bulk of the crew is told to "stay out of the way", the engineers and technicians have been tasked with assisting the station in its repair work.

Brett:
 INFO: The Senior officers have been called in for a briefing with the Admiral's aide, and are now assembling before going there.

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::shows up near where they were supposed to meet and looks around for any of her fellow Delphyne crewmates::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::Moves through the crowd of people, able to see over the majority of them::

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 ::Holding a few PADDS in his hand, he walks over to the pre-destined location where they are to meet for the briefing.::

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 ::walks into the meeting area::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Approaches the doors leading to the meeting and sees others begining to gather::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 :: Straightens his uniform as he steps off the turbolift, headed for the rendezvous. ::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::on the far side of the war room talking with a pair of personality-less lieutenants::

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::walks toward the doors with a slightly sour look on her face...irritated to be called away from her patients...::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::Sees the others and makes her way to them::

CNS_Ens_Silelik:
 ::curious what took the rest of the staff to get there and finishes his tea::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ALL: I guess this is the place, huh?

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::dismisses the lieutenants and turns around:: XO: It is. Have a seat, Commander.

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Looks around to see who showed up for this::

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 ::Sees the other officers and walks over to them and into the room.::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::Moves in with the others, nods at them all::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 HQ_RED: Thank you, Sir ::Motions others to follow and files into the room::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::looks down at a pad in front of him and grimaces, showing his fangs before looking up:: XO: Where is your captain?

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 ::follows the XO into the meeting room::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 :: Enters room:: All: I apologize for being so late, there was a.. delay.   ::Sits down::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 HQ_RED: He should be here momentarily, Sir.

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 CO: Aah, Captain, we were just talking about you.

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::eyes around the room and nods politely, then moves quickly to an empty seat and sits::

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 ::Sees Lieutenant Rhykmal and nods to her with a slight smile.::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::follows the Captain and likewise sits down::

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 ::Finds a seat and sits down.::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 XO: I wondered why my ears were burning, commander. ::grins::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::Sits and studies the room::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Waits for the Captain and ladies to be seated and takes his own place::

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::crosses her arms and legs simultaneously, leaning back slightly in the chair::

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 ::finds a seat and sits down::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Smiles:: CO: Yes, Sir.

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::retrieves a device from in front of him and points it at the screens filling the war room, multiple angled images of Delphyne shows up, ripped up badly:: All: If you're done...

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Pays attention::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::Antennae move down to lay on her head at the sight of the Del:: Self: looks bad

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::quickly and quietly decides that Captain Red is less than diplomatic::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::It's a sad sight before them, the Delphyne and all that damage::

CNS_Ens_Silelik:
 ::sitting next to the CMO and delivering a thermos of tea, he nods to her before turning his attention to the HQ representative::

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 ::looks at the ship on the monitor and feels a desire to get back to her and get to work::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 :: Tries to study the Delphyne stoically. ::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::Turns in her seat slightly to cast a quick glare at Captain Red, the looks back::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::stands:: CO: Captain, could you tell me what happened? Did your group do anything to provoke this? ::focuses intently on him, suggesting the seriousness of his question::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::blinks passively and waits for the Captain's response::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Looks a little puzzled by the HQ captain's questions, and the attitude::

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::nods appreciatively to Silelik...and poors the tea into an extra cup sitting between her and Silelik on the table...she takes the cup gratefully in her hands and grips it perhaps a little tighter due to Red's question, her eyes on the Captain::

CNS_Ens_Silelik:
 ::almost forgot the rumors of Starfleet internal cynicism::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::thinks back and goes over the events in her mind, shakes head slightly and faces Captian Mash'ev::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 HQ_Red: With all due respect, Captain, we sustained most of our damage trying to fight off the Synod when they attacked us.

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Thinks- Can't believe they want to blame us for this::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::paces a bit and gestures with the device, enlarging an image of Delphyne and the damage to her secondary hull where the drones and fighters carved her up:: CO: You didn't answer the question, Captain. Did your group do anything to provoke this?

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Biting his tongue::

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::narrows her eyes at Red and grips the cup a big tighter....why that self-righteous...::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 HQ_Red: No, we did not. In fact, we first attempted a diplomatic solution which was met with silence and then aggression. We tried to save the other Federation ships and took many hits, ourselves, in the process.

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 HQ_Red: Then, when we managed to limp away, we were confronted by some Orions and a Ferengi Marauder.

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 ::Writes a few things down on his PADD.::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::Seeting inside, only noticeable sign is her anttenae laying down flat on her head::

CNS_Ens_Silelik:
 ::watches all of the crew and the SrCaptain carefully::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::narrows his eyes, showing remarkable lack of tact in front of Mash'ev's subordinates:: CO: Captain, who fired first. Was it the Sherman? Someone else in your party?

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 ::feels his anger rising at Red's words::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Has to realize the Captain is doing fine and doesn't need anyone to add their two cents::

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 ::Looks over to Syrna briefly, trying not to allow his emotions to take over.::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::thinks back to the battle and the drones that came out of the gasseous cloud, thinks to herself: They fired first::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 HQ_Red: The Synod fired first.

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::eyes the distance between her tea cup and the irritating captain...sadly, too far to look like an accident...::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::looks at OPS a calm resolve in her eyes::

CNS_Ens_Silelik:
 ::takes out his padd and scribbles a collection of notes in regards to the statements and level of emotion responses from each other crew::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::slams the device down on the table and it bounces across the surface, sliding to a stop in front of Mash'ev:: ::growls beheath his fangs and then suddenly smiles, which looks even more predatory:: CO: Good.

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 :: Furrowing his brow, trying to determine what Sr Captain Red is up to? ::

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::jumps just slightly at the slam onto the table, then glares unrestrained at Red...this is an entire waste of her time...::

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 ::somewhat confused by Red's reaction::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::almost sighs at the agression from the klingon captain as its so stereotypical::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::focuses on Mash'ev for a moment and then looks around at the rest of his crew:: All: I needed to be certain that you were certain. No equivocations. No 'it might have beens'. We need certainty.

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::One eyebrow goes up as she sends another glare to Red::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::retakes his seat and snaps his fingers, beckoning for the device in front of Mash'ev back::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::Syrna also raises an eyebrow:: Red: Sir... is not what happened clear from our recorders and data logs?

CNS_Ens_Silelik:
 ::restrains the 'intriguing' he could have easily whispered in response to the SrCaptain's admission::

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::raises an eyebrow just slightly as red snaps his fingers...who does he think he is?...glare still in place::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Is relieved he wouldn't have to teach this big Klingon a lesson::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::glares at the Lieutenant for speaking out of turn:: CSO: Records and logs can be faked.

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 Red: Most certainly, but what motivation would we have to do such?

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 HQ_Red: I take it, then, that our word is good enough?

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::rolls eyes and looks back down to her tea...then takes a small sip...ten minutes, and she's out::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 CO: I should think so.

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Looks at Red::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::retrieves the device and points it at the screens again:: CO/XO: Yes. I trust a man's word more than any computer. And what I heard in your voice tells me you're ready to hear more.

CNS_Ens_Silelik:
 ::begins scheduling counseling sessions in his head, starting with those who need it the most::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 HQ_RED: Well, good, go ahead ::Relaxes in his chair and listens::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 HQ_Red: We are ready for more.

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 All: What have you learned about where 'we' are, right now? ::indicating all around them::

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 Red:  The only certainty of this situation is that something needs to be done in order to prevent the Synod from plunging this quadrant into war.

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::thinks: Figures a klingon would feel that when when truths do not lie... but people do... and also can be more mistaken...::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::leans foward a bit::: Red: Aside from the fact that there are many civilians out there?  ::glances towards the door::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Looks around::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 HQ_Red: There's been talk on the station but I prefer to hear the truth for myself.

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::adds after a small pause:: RED: Sir

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 ::leans back in his chair and waits to see where Red is going from here::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 HQ_RED: We've been very out of the loop most recently?

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::rests his elbows on the table and leans forward, as if taking them into his confidence:: All: Five hundred meters below us is a cache of half a million metric tons of photon torpedoes. More than enough ordinance to crack a planet in half.

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::Leans foward more and her antennae move up slightly:: RED: half a million?

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::wonders how long the Federation had been stockpiling those::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 SELF: Whoa!

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::whistles softly::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 :: Gives the slightest double-take at Red's words. ::   Self: Hmm....

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 ::lets out a quiet whistles::  Self: that's a lot of firepower.

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::gestures with the device again and on the screens around the room images of other ships parked around the station replace those of Delphyne herself:: All: In the last week, the Fourth Fleet has mobilized over seven hundred thousand personnel and another quarter of a million reservists. There are a hundred ships outside and another four hundred coming. We've already deployed two hundred frontline ships.

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::closes eyes slightly and rests her head against the headrest...::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::looks to OPS, briefly thinking about how there's going to me more trouble and fighting...::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 By the end of the fortnight, we'll have an active force a thousand ships strong. The Fourth Fleet will have one million officers and crewmen working in this area of space.

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Thinks- Sounds like we are going to war::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 Red: Who are we going after, sir?

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 All: The situation we're in could not be more serious. We are at war with the Synod. ::grimaces:: And it started with you.

CNS_Ens_Silelik:
 ::suspicious that perhaps Starfleet was actually planning on war::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 HQ_Red: Us?

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 Red:  Okay... hold up just one second.. ::Puts his hands up.::  Though I'm not going to argue that something should be done.. isn't that a little overboard?  Couldn't we send a team into Synod Space and learn as to why they are attacking us?

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::feels a headache starting::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 HQ_RED: We didn't start a war!

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::looks at OPS:: OPS: When you were working on jamming the enemy communications... were you listening to their chatter?

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::stands quickly, slamming his hand down on the station:: All: SILENCE!

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 CSO:  Yes!  Yes they did.  They were afraid that we were going to violate their holy temple... there is something very important in Synod Space that they are afraid we'll get to.

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 OPS: I agree. HQ_RED: I'd like to know what progress has been made in communications and negotiations with the Synod, first.

CNS_Ens_Silelik:
 ::finds all of this excitement a sociopsychological gold mine, allowing the PADD to record things for him::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::almost jumps at the sound of the PADD slamming down, looks at Red sharply before resuming her normal placid calm expression::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::stabs the device out at the screen again and a few pictures of planets and space stations appear:: All: Siddonic, four hundred dead. Outpost 597, 300 dead. Outpost 599, Another hundred and fifty. Aria'arkun.... ::turns around to face them again:: We only found fifty people alive when we reached the planet.

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Looks to the Captain to see how we proceed::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 Red: My question in all of this is... why? Why would they do it? Why now? Why not before?

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 Red:  You can't condemn us all to war.  Yes they've killed alot of our people but it is our duty as Starfleet Officers to find a peaceful resolution.  We aren't Klingons.

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::tilts her head forward at the report of fatality statistics, and shakes her head slightly...she'd heard about the gore in the medical circles in Arcadia's medical center....this simply broke it down into numbers::

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::internally winces at Sanford's comment, but nods her approval and looks at the Ops officer, then at Red::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::glares at Sanford at the obvious baiting but ignores it, focusing on Rhykmal:: CSO: We don't know. The Federation has never had formal relations with the people of the Sanctum. Only the Amenti have and they ended up at war with them for the last two hundred years.

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 HQ_Red: I refuse to believe that we're the crux of this war! The Synod were there when the Amenti signed the peace treaty and they attacked us when we started charting Amenti space. Perhaps we should ask our new allies a few questions?

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 ::cringes when he hears the numbers of dead::

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 ::Groans and closes his eyes.::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 CO: Amen to that, Sir.

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 Red: Then perhaps diplomatic relations should be established. :;said as simply and succinctly::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 Red: Sir.  ::makes eye contact with the SRCaptain, waiting to be acknowledged by him::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 CO: Ask them what? Why the Synod attacked? That's irrelevant. We did nothing to provoke it so the reasoning is theirs and theirs alone.

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::picks out the blue-faced woman:: CTO: What?

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 Red: When we fought the Synod ships, they were fairly easy to disarm.

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 HQ_RED: So, have we given up on trying to talk to the Synod, or Amenti for that matter?

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 Red: But they fired torpedoes at us that didn't act at all like what we are used to

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::turns to look at Llynisika::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::holds his hands up to quiet them down:: CTO: You're referring to the so-called 'drones'?

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 CTO: That's right. Synod think their warriors are expendable.

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 :: Shakes his head, not wanting to believe he's hearing what he thinks he's hearing. ::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 Red: The drones were easy to handle, it was the torpedoes.  After we were hit, they seemed to send out a .::pauses, thinking:: 'burst' of something that overloaded our Dorsal Shield emitter generator.  And then it got the backup When it came online too.

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 Aloud:  Our officers are not.  War is not the answer.  It never has been the answer.

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 RED: A Synod cruiser slammed the USS Sherman destroying both ships and both crews. Those were not drones, Sir.

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 All: You'll recieve what Intelligence has on them later. Suffice it to say it will be fatal if we deign to question the Synod's resolve. They will go to any lengths to achieve their aims. And we don't even know what their aims are.

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 Red: I've been wanting to study them, but I've been busy with repairs and the such.  Are we going to be able to study them now?  Here at the starbase?

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 RED: So, we should wipe them out before we know?

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 HQ_Red: Shouldn't we know what their aims are before we go to war with them?

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::looks around at the crew...and is on the verge of walking out....::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::quietly considers what OPS said about the enemy communiation about a holy temple:: All: If they believe that they were protecting something sacred to them... then that may explain why they were so willing to sacrifice their lives to protect it.

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::focuses on Sanford but speaks to the wholse group:: OPS: When faced with an enemy that accepts no offer of diplomacy and refuses even to communicate with you - does nothing but relentlessly attack and attack and attack, invading your space and killing soldiers and civilians alike - you best your pink skin that War IS the answer.

CNS_Ens_Silelik:
 ::curious what direction this meeting is headed in, if there is any; he stands and slowly moves to the captain:: CO: Sir. I think this meeting needs order again.

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::Sits and waits, looking fairly calm, antennae still down::

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 ::Refrains from losing his cool.::

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 Red:  War may eventually be the answer but not without trying ever other possible course.

CNS_Ens_Silelik:
 ::suddenly realizes this is the first advice he's given his captain as ship's counselor and personally maintains the memory for nostalgia::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 :: Looks at Silelik and regains his composure. ::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::looks over at OPS as she sees him struggle, hoping that maybe her calm will keep him calm as well::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 CNS: Of course, yelling at each other won't resolve this.

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::folds his arms:: CEO: And look to the government for a peaceful solution?

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 Red:  It definatly needs to be attempted.

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Hears the CNS and takes a deep breath::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::holds his hands up to quiet them down again::

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::Still making eye contact with Red, not backing down, even though she isn't saying anything::

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 HQ_Red: We were there, we saw what they did first-hand, and we're still committed to finding a peaceful solution before going to war.

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 CEO/All: Then perhaps you haven't heard. The government is in disarray. Our Minister of Defense has gone missing with Sharikahr. Our fleet's built-from-the-ground up diplomatic ship - our ship of peace, is missing. Presumed destroyed in the same attacks the Synod carried out. That started with you.

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::quietly:: OPS: Surak once said... The spear in the other's heart is the spear in your own. Do not let an agressive nature incite your own.

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 Red:  If it is our fault then let us find a way to resolve this.  Let us go in there and get them to listen.

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 ::sits back and listens to Red calming down a bit.::

OPS_LtCmdr_Sanford:
 ::Looks over at Syrna and smiles a bit as best as he could.::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::walks back over to his customary place and faces them again, abruptly changing the subject:: All: Admiral Harlan asked me to pass along her congratulations and good will. She is relieved to see you all alive and only wish your sister ships had returned as well.

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 HQ_RED: No more than we wish it, Sir.

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 ::nods appreciating what Sanford is trying to do::

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Thinks how he would like much more information before getting behind this war plan::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 CO/All: Captain, you're dismissed. You've been granted shoreleave. For how long, I can't say. We'll need you back on the line as soon as your ship has been sufficiently patched up. Oh, and for the rest of you... War is now a fact of your life. Get used to it. It's not going away until we've resolved it.

CTO_Lt_Llynisika:
 ::Still wants to check out the Synods torepoes, hopes she can get the chance while they are here::

CEO_LtJG_Heller:
 ::decides he really needs to find more info on what has been happening while they were out of contact::

CSO_Lt_Rhykmal:
 Red: My concern is how it is to be resolved... by might? or... ::pauses for emphasis as its a play on words of a common saying:: by right?

XO_Cmdr_Bauer:
 ::Doesn't like what the Klingon said but it looks like our reality::

HQ_SrCaptain_Red:
 ::looks at Rhykmal but doesn't answer::

CMO_Ens_Lincaad:
 ::decides she should chat with Arcadia's medical staff about this Klingon....hears Syrna and looks at the Klingon captain with a raised eyebrow..:: Self: Interesting...no answer...I suppose he is all brawn and no brain. :;snorts slightly as she stands:: Figures.

CO_Capt_Mash`ev:
 :: Stands:: HQ_Red: Thank you, sir. If there's nothing further I shall like to start my leave? ::Turns and walks out of the room without waiting for an answer. ::

Brett:
 <<<Pause>>>>