The Briefing

Posted on 04 Nov 2025 @ 2:13pm by Captain Jasmine Somers FCapt

1,584 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Season 1: Archived Mission
Location: Various
Timeline: Circa 2386

[ON]

- Somers Personal Quarters -

After the docking was complete and Jasmine had left the bridge, she headed straight for her quarters, where she put on a fresh uniform and primped herself to look not so dishevelled. The,n when she was satisfied, she left her quarters and headed down to the docking port.

- Docking Port Deep Space 6 -

Arriving at the Station, she walks over to a Security Officer, who comes to attention when he sees her rank. Looking at his rank, "So Petty Officer, where could I find Admiral Thrace?" She asked.

"In her Office, Colonel,, He said, handing her a directions Padd.

"Thank you, Sergeant, she said with a smile and left.

The Petty Officer looked at the Departing Marine Officer and wondered what that white band on her arm meant, but was relieved that she had left. "Sheesh, why me?" He asked himself. Walking along the Promenade, Jasmine entered the nearest turbolift when the doors closed. "Admiral Thrace's Office, she said.

- Deck 1 CinC Annexe - Admiral Thrace's Office -

Exiting the lift, she walked over to the outer Office door and pressed the Chime. Trying to ignore the door chime sounding in her office as she normally did, Kara continued to browse through the report she held in her hand. It was the 18th request for access to the newly opened Neutral Zone she had received from the Federation Science department. Once the announcement was made public last week, Kara had specifically made it clear that any ships wanting to approach the Neutral Zone had to get clearance from DS6, just to be on the safe side for the first few months. She cringed. Someone had the balls to press the door chime again. "COME", she bellowed... loud enough so that the officer on her staff brave enough to disturb her when they knew she was busy could hear her shout without the use of the intercom.

Kara sat back as the doors parted, growling with her eyes over the desk and across the room. Jasmine entered and came to attention and Saluted. "Apologies for the disruption, Sir", Jasmine said as she lowered her salute. "Lieutenant Colonel Jasmine Somers transferring from Taskforce 47, thought I would report to my new CO, I Command a Marine Detachment ship, the USS Tomcat" She said, Jasmine saw how upset the Admiral was at being disturbed, if not that then the shout told her everything, as a Marine very few Fleet Officers unnerved her, but still she trod lightly.

Kara gazed at the Colonel from behind her desk, choosing not to stand up to greet the Tomcats' CO. "Are you trying to infer that I was unaware that your ship wasn't a Marine Detachment vessel, Colonel.... Or that I wasn't the one who approved your transfer.. Hhm?" Kara paused, letting her little ribbing sink in. Watching the Colonel not move from her position, Kara stood and moved out from behind her desk, making her way over to the Colonel "There are two things you should know about me if you are going to serve under me, Colonel... I don't need to be told who my COs are, and I'm not a fan of Marines" Kara paused as she moved to stand face to face with Jasmine "I have yet to meet one who has impressed me or changed my mind.... Do you think you are any different?" Kara challenged, hoping that what she had heard of Jasmine was true and that she would impress her.

Looking at the Admiral, Jasmine's hackles were raised, "May I speak plainly, Admiral?" She asked. "This should be interesting" Kara said as she strolled back to her desk and sat down behind it "go on Colonel, I dont have all day" "First off Admiral while I may be a Starfleet Marine and head of the 95th Rifle Regiment I am also a Starfleet Officer, unlike some people I do not distinguish between Fleet and Marine, I may use the terms Fleet and Marine but it is not with malice, its saying that while both are Starfleet, the Marines are different as our training is different" she paused.

Where too much information is concerned when I arrived! Well, I have learned that even if the new CO knows what ship is being transferred over, it never hurts to freshen the CO's mind on that. I was doing my duty by reciting what I did. Now, your judgment of me, while justified, is unwarranted. A personnel file can only speak to a person's accomplishments; no judgment should be made of anyone until they have been seen in action or in a tough situation. I assess others this way, and I always hope they respond in kind. Now, if it's a Firebrand you want who will stand her ground in front of her new CO, well, Admiral, you have your girl; I will do that. I wade through truth like a Bull elephant in a fine bone China shop, I speak my mind, and I am not always tactful" She paused to inhale.

"It would appear that you are a firebrand Colonel, Something I have found common in all Marines", Kara spoke while Jasmine caught her breath.

"Indeed, Admiral, it might also interest you to know that I did start as a Fleet Officer; this is why I do not differentiate between the two, except in name. I have at least four regular Starfleet serving on the Tomcat among a bunch of Riflemen," She said and paused, "My Unit is like the Strikers Unit, we are specialists, myself, XO and a few of my bridge staff wear the white cord of courage, those who wear it are proper specialists. Each Rifleman is trained to fight in pairs and make each shot count, unfortunately the majority of the Marines on the Tomcat have not long transferred from regular Marine to Rifle, so training is on going and this is the reason why I have currently two Units of 15 men each stationed on the Tomcat, I will eventually get around to replenishing the Marines to 125"

She stopped, figuring that she would see what the Admiral would say. Glad to see that Jasmine had risen to the bait, she knew that she had made the right decision on accepting the Tomcats' transfer. With all the changes going on in the neutral zone, she needed someone with a strong crew and a confident CO under her command.

"My opinion of Marines has not changed, Colonel. Until you prove otherwise, it will remain the same" Kara finally spoke, keeping her eyes on Jasmine "That being said, the third thing you should know about me is I like COs with balls! You have at least proved that to me today."

"The first Step is always the hardest to take, Admiral" She said then oO I like this one, she is Feisty Oo Jasmine thought to herself and hid a smile.

"Have a seat, Colonel". Kara motioned for Jasmine to take a seat at the opposite end from where she was sitting. "Now, I have an assignment for you", Kara said, sliding one of the padds on her desk across to Jasmine. Finally taking a seat, "First time in this area as a ship Commander, Admiral, you obviously know my ship's capabilities. Is there any particular place you need the Tomcat?" Jasmine asked.

"Yes, pirate activity was rampant across the Tarod system and the Antaran system until we arranged the amendment of the Treaty of Algeron; since then, they have been racing against us to try and get into the unexplored sectors of the former zone.... The USS Cairo last reported picking up some activity in the Hydaransz system. They lost the trail and had to pull back for a mission I sent them on" Kara paused as she quickly checked the status display on her monitor to confirm her facts before continuing "According to the initial scans by the Cairo, Hydaransz VI is rich in kemosite... We have not detected any further movement in the system via long-range scans. I want you to take the Tomcat and set up a patrol route, make a show of force in the system until we can get some science teams in"

"Understood, Sir. Is there anything else about this system?" Somers asked.

"Yes, the Hydaransz system has some unusual astronomical disturbances preventing subspace communication... You will be on your own out there - no backup should anything arise," the Admiral intoned.

Almost salivating at the thought of some possible action oO contain yourself Oo she thought, "Does Starfleet have any further information on the Hydaransz system?" She asked.

"Not at this time, Colonel, apart from the Cairo, you and your crew will be the first people to go there in over 200 years" "Understood, Admiral"

"If there is nothing else, Colonel, I have a lot to attend to", Kara said as he waved her hand in the direction of the stack of PADDs lying over her desk.

"No, nothing else, Sir, I will see how the upgrades and resupply are going, and I shall leave you to the work I interrupted", Jasmine said.

"For your sake, let's hope you change my perception of Marines," Kara replied with a blank face. Standing, she walked to the door and about-faced and gave the Admiral a crisp salute. She left the Office.

[OFF]


Vice Admiral Kara Thrace
TFCO Deep Space 6
Bravo Fleet

Lieutenant Colonel Jasmine Somers
Commanding Officer
95th Rifle Regiment & USS Tomcat

 

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