Meeting of the Minds

Terix exited the Alsea's briefing room with much on his mind. Normally content to work in the background, Lieutenant Snow had now asked him step into the light and spearhead a collaboration between the cadets in his group. The Romulan headed back to holodeck two where he'd done his initial work on the containment scenario and reinitialized his program.

"Computer initiate simulation Terix One." 

The Azimuth Horizon anomaly, the Alsea, and the Romulan flotilla took their assigned places again and Terix examined them for a moment before deciding that it was time to reach out to his new compatriots and seek their individual inputs. Just because he preferred a background role did not mean he was incapable of assuming leadership if need be. 

"Computer, broadcast message to Cadets Gunner, Shadowhunt and Hansen."

"Ready,"

"This is Cadet Terix, Instructor Snow has asked that I prepare a collaborative report on our efforts. If you would join me in holodeck two when you have a momement I would like your input on this assignment. Terix out."

"Message sent," the computer confirmed

Terix knew it would likely take some time before anyone else joined him and so he went back to studying his simulation and waited.

Upon hearing the announcement from Terix, Sabrina Shadowhunt headed to the turbolift and directed it to holodeck two. Arriving, she approached the entrance and entered into the simulation.

She moved towards the brown-haired Romulan and nodded an acknowledgement as she sat across from her fellow cadet. She gazed down at her PADD and organized her files in preparation for this upcoming meeting.

Terix heard the doors open to the holodeck and though he was in his own thoughts contemplating just what the remnants of the Romulan Empire would have hoped to gain from attacking Lotus Fleet as they tried to contain such a dangerous spatial anomaly. The science stated that the anomaly would have continued to spread and eventually threaten all life in the quadrant. He turned to see the raven haired, human female cadet walk into the room. She offered no verbal greeting as Terix briefly struggled to recall her name simply because he had absorbed himself in the current assignment, but just as he was about to ask it jumped to his mind.

"Cadet Shadowhunt, a pleasure. I will wait for the others before giving a formal briefing, but tell me, what do you know of the Azimuth Horizon? As you can see I've recreated a scale version of the anomaly here. Lieutenant Snow has asked to know what procedures could be taken to contain such an anomaly while under assault from a hostile force."  

A smile emerged on the face of the youthful Earth woman as she was addressed by her fellow cadet.

“Having read all of the files that I could obtain on this and other events which occurred involving Lotus Fleet was what inspired me to actively seek a position in this unique division,” she began reflectively.

“In regards the anomaly itself,” she continued on point to his question, “I have prepared a proposal which includes digital blueprints. If this recommendation is accepted and ultimately implemented, it would allow the Alsea while in multi-vector mode, enhanced detection in the forward arc in unfavorable conditions; such as a nebula or other phenomena in which normal sensor readings are nullified.” 

Sabrina spun her PADD around to give the Romulan a brief glimpse of a blueprint.

Terix scanned the blueprint briefly though that type of technology was not his field of expertise he was not a leyman either.  

"Those look like fairly intense modifications at first glance. I admit not being an expert in such things, but I suspect our Tellarite Captain would probably embrace such a challenge...in his own unique way. I have been attempting to discern how the Fleet was able to contain the Azimuth Horizon with so few ships. All of the data points to a massive anomaly as well as interference from the remnants of the Romulan Star Empire. I am beginning to suspect though, that the Klingons may have been involved as well." 

 Sabrina subtly grimaced as she considered his allegation.

“I am not certain about the Klingon’s involvement with the anomaly or how they would even go about creating such an immensely dangerous phenomenon in the first place. All I know is studying the reports from the captain and crew then seeing images captured during those events seemed like the most harrowing experiences imaginable. 

She felt herself shutter as she pictured those terrifying moments in her mind once again. Regaining her composure, she studied her counterpart.

“What challenges do you imagine we’ll confront on the Alsea as we undock and venture out into deep space?”   

"Apologies, I did not mean to suggest the Klingons created the anomaly," Terix said pointedly "Scientific data hypothisizes the anomaly was created by warp travel from all warp capable species.  My suspicion is that the Klingon Empire attempted to engage Lotus Fleet as our future colleagues worked to contain the anomaly. As for what our future holds...given what I know about this division of Starfleet I suspect that it will be anything but boring. We are near the borders of two of the Federation's most persistent rivals; the aforementioned Klingons and of course my people who are nothing if not persistent. I believe the humans call it Murphy's Law: whatever could possibly happen, will happen."  

Sabrina’s reaction pivoted between anticipation and anxiety as she acknowledged Terix’s somewhat ominous prognostication.

“It also notes that this usually occurs at the worst possible time too,” she added with a smirk. “We’ll just have to work at keeping ol’ Murphy in check as best we can during our mission.”

The door to the holodeck opened and in walked Cadet Gunner carrying a PADD. Looking around the large Klingon sensed something was off. Little did he know he just missed a discussion about his people.

“I apologize for the delay” Gunner said as we scrolled through information on the PADD.

Terix acknowledged the entry of the rather large Klingon cadet with a nod "No apology necessary, I knew all of you were reporting to Lieutenant Snow as I had."

Looking around the simulation Gunner noticed the Romulan ships on the viewscreen. Taking his PADD he walked over to the tactical station.

“How many Romulan ships are we expecting to engage during this excersize?”.

Terix pondered for a moment his response. He contemplated leaving out the fact that he suspected interference from the Klingon Empire, but decided that it would be better if he simply got it out of the way. He also wanted to see how Gunner would react as it would give him insight into the man's character. Would he defend the Empire or acknowledge the possibility?

"First, Jolan Tru, or Qapla, I believe is the Klingon expression," Terix said "The mission assignment is containing a massive anomaly while under fire from hostile forces. I do not know exactly how many vessels were present during the original Operation Horizon. I assumed that the remnants of the Romulan Empire would send a sizeable force as Sela is not known for small demonstrations. So, I estimated originally approximately twenty Romulan vessels with at least one captial ship. However, given our proximity to their border I believe it would be wise to assume that the Klingon Empire would not remain silent during a major Starfleet deployment so I am beginning to suspect that the Empire would send their own battle group into the area. Do you believe that would be a logical assumption from a tactical stand point?" 

Gunner nodded in agreement.

"You assessment would be correct".

Gesturing to the screen Gunner continued.

"Sela was not known for her small scale tact and given the importance of the mission it is likely she would throw everything she had at her objective. Given our distance to Klingon space you have to figure a few Klingons would get involved".

Pausing slightly Gunner smiled.

"Some would get involved because of the fight, some may still owe the Federation a favor, and others... well they would get involved just for the chance to kill a few Romulans. Given the nature of our engagement I would suggest we prepare of attack pattern beta 2. This would give us the change to negate the swarm tactics while still being able to concentrate the needed torpedo fire on the Romulan capital ship.".

Gunner adjusted himself realizing he had ranted a bit.

"Sir"

Terix nodded with a smile, he did not share many of his people's xenophobic feelings toward Klingons and he was beginning to like this one. "Thank you for the gesture but I do not outrank you yet. Please feel free to call me Terix. That said what if we had to split our attention? How effective is the Alsea if only two sections are in combat while the third is engaged in whatever scientific mission is taking place?" 

Gunner thought for a moment about the simulations he had run on the multi vector systems.

"If that was the case then your best bet would be to use a spread pattern, such as Alpha Two. You would also want to have your saucer section engage in the scientific mission while your nacel sections engaged in combat."

Gunner gestured to the science station before continuing.

"The primary sensors are mostly located in the saucer section and as such it is most suited for a scientific mission. Your nacel sections have more combat capabilities and would be better suited in a two pronged attack. Besides the saucer section is fastest and would be best suited to join a fight quickly if it had to be redirected."

Sabrina contemplated these scenarios as her fellow cadets exchanged information, thoughts and ideas regarding battles options and tactics.

Gunner paused for a moment as he thought about the proposed changes.

"I am afraid that such a solution would be impractical and impossible given our time.".

Gunner gestured vaguely showing the entire ship.

"Making such modifications would require relocating entire sensor arrays as well as shifting torpedo launchers. Such modifications would be impossible to do outside of drydock and would impact other facets of the ships."

Gunner snapped when an idea popped into his head.

"You could modify the sensors to improve their output using the McKenzie modifications, which have been adopted by numerous vessels. These modifications, while not entirely within starfleet code, would improve the sensor output of the nacel sections allowing for a significant increase in their scientific capability. This would improve their ability both tactically and for research, but they would still not be equal to the saucer section.".

Terix frowned in reaction to the Gunner's suggestion "I'm not familiar with these modifications myself, perhaps you could highlight them for me? Additionally, the sensors on this ship are quite heavily modified to begin with.  Though if the the McKenzie, which is a much older design, can handle them I suspect the Alsea would be able to as well. Miss Shadowhunt, what do you think?"

Sabrina processed and the information and ideas presented by her colleagues for a moment longer before she responded. She was striving to be clear about what she had in mind.