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A silent mission: Draft picks

Posted on 24 Jun 2025 @ 8:48am by 1st Lieutenant Cassandra Matthews & Lieutenant Commander Leland Hawksley

1,804 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: S3 Episode 5: 95th Regimental Missions
Location: MCO office - Tomcat-
Timeline: 3 days into shore leave.

ON:

It wasn't the way she had been hoping to reconnect with her old friend. Still, looking at the paper in her hand. Yes, paper no electronic signals or imprints tied this mission to Starfleet directly. Though its authenticity could not be denied. She needed a team. Not just any team but a team she could trust more than any other. She would need several highly qualified engineers and a pilot, no two pilots at least. Protection for the former groups. So, she sat up late into the evening looking over service files of those that might fit the bill. Thats how she'd come to send for Leland. She had a couple service files, and she wanted his opinion of the people for whom they belonged too.

“Cass!” Leland’s voice was warm, and his grin was wide enough to light up the room. “I’ll be damned, it’s so good to see you.” He stepped inside with barely contained enthusiasm. “When I got your message, I thought, ‘No way she’s dragging me into some boring logistics meeting.’ But this…” he gestured at the paper on her desk, his eyes sparkling excitedly. “Smells like trouble. The good kind.” His grin radiated at Cassandra.

He took the chair across from Cass, leaning forward with a friendly familiarity. “So, what’s the deal? You’re building a dream team!” He shook his head in delight. “You've got to tell me what’s lighting up your late nights. And don’t hold back on the details—I’ve been itching for something interesting to dive into.” Leland patted his hand on the tabletop, brimming with anticipation.

Leland’s grin remained as he got comfortable, his joy at seeing Cass again blending with the thrill of whatever secret mission she was brewing. Whatever it was, he was already fully in.

She smiled at him despite her weariness. Leland always made her smile. "I am going to need your combadge in the box here please." She motioned to a heavy looking box that held Cassandras own comm badge locked away. "This conversation is going to have to be more private than usual. My apologies." Cassandra said, she felt bad asking. He had a wife and was about to be a father. How worried his wife would be if she couldn't locate him. or contact him. especially since his accident. Cassandra felt guilty as hell. Still, she had to follow protocol.

Leland nodded, realizing the nature of the conversation they would be having; it was critical.

"Cool."He reached and then set his com badge into the big lock box. Watching as Cassandra locked it away. Hawksley got more intrigued.

Leaning back in his seat, he pondered as he reached for his silver tall mug of coffee. Taking a drink, he opened. "Ok. Cass. What is this about?" He was not concerned; if it involved Cass, he was more interested in her opinion.

"Herc will be more worried. He is my AI Dog. He has a constant connection to my com badge. But he is sleeping right now for the next few hours. His belly is full." Leland chuckled. "Cass, you got me interested, details."

Confident in their total privacy now. Cassandra sat back cradling her own mug of coffee. Her blue eyes lost the mirrored look of practiced nonchalantly, giving way to worry. "Leland..." She took a deep breath. "What do you know about the Terrain Empire?" She asked her voice was soft, a note of fright edged it's way in.

He slowly lifted his chin upward, as if tuning in more to the question Mathews just asked him. Hearing that word sent shivers down his spine. Narrowing his eyes, letting a breath out. "What I do know. Are they an alternate existence, a parallel darkness that ruled Earth? Starfleet is consistently on the look out for parallel anomalies in every sector..." Which begged the question. What did Mathews find out?

"Continue..." Leland listened, setting his mug aside. Cassandra was on to something, and he could feel it.

Cassandra nodded his reaction confirmed her Choice was ideal. "If you had to pick a team to infiltrate and set up surveillance on a mining colony that may or may not have been infiltrated by said faction, whom do you think would be most successful? I have found whom I believe is best, however some of the names on this list make me hesitate. They are, you are dear friends to me, family even. These people we are up against, if we can call them people at all are monsters." Her voice was low like child's even discussing the boogie man. "I know this intimately. I know it's not professional to put my feelings before my job. I just.. if they're are there we could all die or worse." Her body shivered involuntarily as she remembered Tevern Antako, his cruelty for the sake of cruelty. His complete and utter lack of empathy for anyone. What it might mean for her daughter if she refused to take the job. The admiralty knew who Martha's father was, what he was. What would those lab monkeys do to her child if they knew what she was part of?. "I'm...I'm afraid." She finally said into the silence of the room.

Leland’s jaw tightened upon hearing the name of Tevern Antako; his fists clenched momentarily before relaxing. The name evoked memories of reports detailing the man’s savagery—Starfleet officers mercilessly butchered, their deaths serving as a display of power.

His gaze shifted to Cassandra, where he noticed the tremor in her voice and her shrinking posture. He recognized the fear she endeavored to conceal, fully aware of the terror that Antako had inflicted upon her and her family. It was, indeed, a nightmare; yet Cass was present. Always a fighter! This invigorated Leland. Had Antako inflicted even greater harm upon her? The mere thought churned his stomach, yet he suppressed it, concentrating on Mathews’ words. Mathews was family, and he would be damned if he allowed her to confront this ordeal alone.

“Cassandra,” he said, his voice low yet steady, rough from issuing commands yet softened by concern. “The Terran Empire... if they are reemerging in our timeline, we are facing a nightmare that does not adhere to our rules. They are not merely ruthless—they embody everything against which we fight. They are cruel, calculating, and thrive on fear. Antako..."

He spat the name, his lips curling in disdain. “That individual is a testament to their depravity.” Hawk shook his head, almost shedding a tear. “I should have been there... You needed assistance!" He felt horrible, it never left when he found out the torture Mathews endured.

"If he is connected to this mining colony, we are not simply discussing infiltration; we are potentially confronting a bloodbath," Hawksley cautioned. This did not imply that he would not support her; he was prepared to leave as soon as she assembled the appropriate team, and Leland also wished to meet everyone in person.

“Cass. I am here for you. You are family. Who are we hiring?”

Her eyes turned to him. Leaning forward she sat the cup of forgotten coffee down untouched. "I have been instructed to arrange two teams." She passed a padd across to him with the names of her first picks.

Team 1
Pilot - Lt. M.LeFebvre
Infiltration/Security- Lt JG F.Benson
Engineers-
Lt. Com L.Hawksley (Team leader)
Mst Srg C. Larmie
Medic- 1st Lt. Ross

Team 2
Pilot-Lt JG A. Kennedy
Infiltration/Security - Mst Srg T. Zang (Team leader)
Engineers-
Lt. T Sh'Zoarhi
Lt.T Hewitt
Medic- 2nd Lt. M Hawthorne

Cassandra let him read it over taking the time to collect herself better. "I have put together two teams. More man power but will cut the job in half in regards to time and ground covered You will lead team one, while Zang will be leading team two We have been given access to a couple stealth ships. I wasn't given the specs however theses two were on the list of those who could fly them as they have similar set ups to crafts they have previously been trained with. Benson and myself can act as back up pilots in an emergency should we need it." She explained. "Zang and Benson are the best with infiltration tactics. They will serve as protection for the engineers along with Gavin and Hawthorne yes they are also medics but they are first and foremost trained Marines and when the time comes for the teams to split up it will provide protection for each of the assigned engineers." She added knowing that it was in her mind the best plan to get in and out fast. "When you are done if you agree with my picks we will erase that list and get the teams together no later than 13:30. We will meet on the main elevator in main engineering where an escort is going to take us to our ships."

“Cassandra, this is solid” Hawksley said. His tone confident and supportive. “You’ve put together two strong teams here. LeFebvre and Kennedy are damn good pilots. I’m glad we’ve got them on those stealth ships, especially knowing you and Benson can step in if things go sideways. Zang and Benson leading infiltration is a no-brainer. They’re the best we’ve got for getting in clean and keeping everyone safe. Pairing them with Gavin and Hawthorne as medics who can double as Marines is smart—keeps the teams lean but protected. And the engineers? Larmie, Sh’Zoarhi, and Hewitt are top-notch. I know them... They’re all good people who’ll get the job done right.”

He leaned back slightly, his expression earnest. “I think you’ve nailed the balance here—manpower, speed, and coverage. Splitting the teams to cut the time in half is the way to go, and I’m confident with these picks." He paused. "You have been thinking about this for a long time, it shows. Pushing to have us ready by 13:30—that’s the kind of hustle we need. Great work, Cassandra.” Leland nodded, but he didn't need to. Matthews certainly had eyes on her from the upper commands.

Cassandra stood and offered a ghost of a smile. "Thank you, Leland. Let's, Umm get to work then." She was glad to have him to help her with this. She had such a bad feeling though. She couldn't dwell on that, however. "See you soon." She said to his retreating figure.

End:

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