Briefing
Posted on 10 Aug 2026 @ 3:59pm by 2nd Lieutenant Elora Rykov & Lieutenant Commander Leland Hawksley & Lieutenant JG Faith Benson
884 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
S04 Episode 02 The Hackers Backdoor (Incidentals)
Location: MXO Office
Timeline: Backpost
[ON]
USS Tomcat Marine Operations Briefing
Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Mission Package
Operation: RECOVERY FAITH
Classification: Tactical Briefing – Marine Command Use Only
**Prepared By:**
2nd Lieutenant Elora Sirah Rykov
Marine Executive Officer, USS *Tomcat*
**Briefed To:**
1st Lieutenant S’earr
Marine Rifle Commanding Officer
---
Mission Overview
Situation
Lieutenant JG Faith Benson, USS *Tomcat* Chief Security/Tactical Officer, is currently isolated on the surface of Galen IV following a compromised Drop Pod test.
The initial test deployment was successful. Lieutenant Benson landed safely and began establishing communications.
Shortly after deployment, hostile forces compromised Federation communication channels and attempted to impersonate USS *Tomcat* command personnel in an effort to manipulate Benson into moving into a vulnerable position.
Benson correctly identified the deception and refused hostile instructions.
Current assessment:
**Lieutenant Benson is alive, mobile, and operating behind enemy lines.**
---
Tactical Environment
Planetary Conditions
**Location:** Galen IV
**Environment:** Temperate surface region
**Terrain:**
* Mixed woodland.
* Rocky elevated terrain.
* Open test zone.
* Limited natural cover in designated Drop Pod area.
* Multiple elevation points suitable for communications relay.
Primary concern:
The enemy has demonstrated the ability to monitor Federation communications and may possess surface surveillance capability.
---
Enemy Forces Assessment
Confirmed Capabilities
Enemy forces possess:
* Cloaked raider vessels.
* Advanced electronic warfare.
* Communication spoofing.
* Federation signal interception capability.
* Coordinated orbital attack tactics.
Enemy forces demonstrated preference for:
* Hit-and-run engagements.
* Sensor masking.
* Electronic disruption.
* Isolating targets before capture.
---
Current Enemy Disposition
Orbital
Confirmed:
**Hostile Contact Alpha**
* Destroyed.
**Hostile Contact Bravo**
* Disabled and drifting.
**Unknown Contacts**
* Possible remaining cloaked vessels.
* Fighter support currently maintaining orbital watch.
---
Planetary
Unknown.
Assumed:
* Enemy surveillance teams may be present.
* Possible extraction team deployed.
* Possible electronic relay stations operating on surface.
---
Tactical Map Notes
Landing Zone Alpha – Drop Pod Impact Site
**Status:** Compromised
Assessment:
The original landing area should be considered hostile territory.
Potential threats:
* Enemy observation.
* Signal interception.
* Possible ambush site.
CSAR team will not directly approach unless Benson confirms location.
---
Rally Point Bravo – Elevated Terrain
**Purpose:**
Primary CSAR regroup point.
Advantages:
* Improved line-of-sight communications.
* Better sensor coverage.
* Defensive terrain.
* Reduced chance of observation.
Recommended location for:
* Team assembly.
* Medical stabilisation.
* Extraction preparation.
---
Emergency Extraction Zone Charlie
Criteria:
* Open terrain.
* Minimal hostile cover.
* Fighter visibility.
* Transporter-capable if shields permit.
Alternate extraction:
Orbital insertion pickup using Marine shuttle.
---
Possible Enemy Electronic Warfare Site Delta
Assessment:
Based on communications behaviour, enemy likely possesses a surface relay or signal amplifier.
Indicators:
* Signal redirection.
* Voice modulation.
* Communication interception.
Priority:
Locate and disable if required.
---
CSAR Team Assignments
CSAR Command Element
Team Leader
**Call Sign: Reaper Actual**
**1st Lieutenant S’earr**
Responsibilities:
* Mission command.
* Tactical decisions.
* Rules of engagement authority.
* Extraction approval.
Equipment:
* Command tricorder.
* Tactical sensor suite.
* Heavy phaser rifle.
* Emergency beacon.
---
Team Alpha – Rescue Element
**Call Sign: Hammer Team**
Mission:
Locate and recover Lieutenant Benson.
Personnel:
Hammer One
Primary Assault Lead
Role:
* Forward movement.
* Threat identification.
* Point security.
---
Hammer Two
Security Specialist
Role:
* Rear security.
* Perimeter defense.
* Counter-ambush.
---
Hammer Three
Heavy Weapons Specialist
Role:
* Defensive fire support.
* Hostile suppression.
* Cover extraction.
---
Team Bravo – Medical Support
**Call Sign: Angel Team**
Mission:
Maintain combat medical capability.
Personnel:
Marine Medic
Responsibilities:
* Benson medical evaluation.
* Trauma treatment.
* Radiation/environmental monitoring.
* Casualty extraction.
---
Team Charlie – Electronic Warfare
**Call Sign: Ghost Team**
Mission:
Counter enemy communications warfare.
Responsibilities:
* Locate hostile signal sources.
* Restore secure communications.
* Prevent enemy tracking.
* Protect team transmissions.
---
Flight Support
Marine Aerospace Support
**Call Sign: Talon Flight**
Responsibilities:
* Orbital overwatch.
* Anti-cloak sensor assistance.
* Emergency extraction support.
* Hostile vessel interception.
Rules:
Maintain distance unless engaged.
Avoid revealing CSAR team location.
---
Communications Plan
Primary Channel
Marine Secure Channel Gamma-7
Secondary Channel
Emergency Starfleet Rescue Frequency
Emergency Code Word
"Blue Lantern"
Meaning:
Immediate extraction required.
---
Rules of Engagement (ROE)
General
1. Mission priority is recovery of Lieutenant Benson.
2. Avoid unnecessary engagement.
3. Preserve intelligence opportunities when possible.
4. Extraction takes priority over pursuit.
---
Hostile Contact
If Enemy Avoids Contact:
* Avoid engagement.
* Maintain concealment.
* Continue recovery operation.
---
If Enemy Attempts Capture:
Authorization granted:
* Disable hostile personnel.
* Destroy hostile equipment preventing capture.
* Use necessary force.
---
If Enemy Threatens Team or Benson:
Full defensive response authorized.
---
Weapons Restrictions
Approved:
* Stun settings when practical.
* Lethal force against armed hostile combatants.
* Anti-equipment fire.
Restricted:
* Orbital strikes.
* Area bombardment.
* Destruction of unknown technology.
---
Special Considerations – Lieutenant Benson
All personnel are reminded:
Lieutenant Benson is not a passive casualty.
Expect:
* Independent movement.
* Improvised defenses.
* Possible hostile contact already neutralized.
* Deliberate misinformation provided to enemy.
If contact is established:
Do not challenge her actions.
Confirm identity first.
She has demonstrated sound tactical judgment under compromised conditions.
---
Final Commander’s Intent
This is a recovery mission.
We are not hunting the enemy.
We are not securing territory.
We are bringing one of our own home.
The enemy believes Lieutenant Benson is isolated.
They are mistaken.
She has survived because she is exactly the type of officer Starfleet trusts with difficult missions.
Our responsibility is to ensure she does not have to survive alone any longer.
---
**END BRIEF**
**2nd Lieutenant Elora Sirah Rykov**
Marine Executive Officer
USS *Tomcat*
[OFF]
RSS Feed