Admiral, I would advise against firing on the surface of the planet, especially where they are mining. Our sensors indicate that there is a high concentration of a mineral that seems to have the property of stabilizing the omega particle into it's crystaline structure.

A phaser could just blow up half the planet, even more.

Admiral, if those are rogue Cardassians and they learn thet you are onboard, sir, we will face heavy resistance. Their numbers are still unknown to us and they may have more ships than we can face...

Indeed, sir. I believe that even if they were working for Central Command, they would no have the authority to arrive and occupy a planet like they are doing.

The Cardassian-Federation treaty 298.1, that was signet just after the end of the Dominion war, states clearly that, in exchange for Federation help in rebuilding their stations and refiting their fleet, they would never again occupy a planet by force.

And it seems that is the case here...

I think we should contact Vontak Nor and ask them if they know what's happening here. If they don't, perhaps they'd send some help to deal with these rogues. If they do, then it's up to Starfleet HQ to solve it, don't you think?

If we use the transdimensional warp, maybe minutes, but we wouldn't want Vontak Nor to see us emerging from a dimensional rift, would we? O regular warp speed... *taps some commands on his desk's computer terminal* Seven hours on warp 9 and a day and a half if we go on warp 5. I suggest warp 9, sir.

And we will, of course, use our phase cloaking and drop it as soon as we approach sensor range on Vontak Nor. It'd be best for us if they didn't find out about the cloaking too...

But what shall we say once we arrive there? How can we lure them to tell us what we want and, most important, what will be our cover? Exploration vessel?

*enters the room after Director Svensson*

Please, take a seat, sir.

*points to a chair on the conference desk*

Computer, display all the data I have requested.

*turns a computer screen to himself and another to the Director*

*reads for some time*

So, sir, what do you think?

*grins* That's why you're the boss... And of course we could play with the Cardassian excessive pride and their need to prove themselves better than the Federation.

I guess offering a dinner on board our ship would be a nice thing to do... Especially if at the time you were "ill", sir... So that you would be able to sneak in and no one would miss you.

Also, we could always arrange for a group of rogue Loxians to attack them while we are there... A group of well funded Loxians, of course... *grins once more*

So, let's tell helm to lay a course to the dark passage and tactical could prepare an unmarked shuttle for a rendezvous with Loxians, if we have to.

*stands up*

Well... It's time for action sir.

*goes out of the office after the Director*

(Edited by Alexei Chekov at 4:30 pm on April 1, 2003)

There is, however, a problem, sir. As soon as we hail Vontak Nor, the Cardassians here will notice our presence. Perhaps the only way of contacting them safely would be to exit the system.

Right away sir.

As far as I know the active members of the Phoenix crew are Huw, Max Brooks, myself and Miss Voya, whose post is still pending on Director Svensson's approval.

Mr. Mason has no replied for a long time, but I'll start a roll call nevertheless

*twelve hours later*

Sir, Engineering reports the ship is ready to go, as long as we don't use the transwarp too much. I've also got the list of needed equipment from the base.

We can leave this sector whenever you want, sir.

I believe we will have to finish our conversation after dining, sir.

*presses a control on the table's small console. his voice is transmitted through the door's comm system*

The door is open, miss Voya. Please come in.

*she enters, followed by Brooks and Huw*

OFF: Where are you two?http://expansionfleet.sparks.priorweb.be/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> Huw? Brooks? Are you still with us?

Aye sir. Huw, Brooks, Ensign Carter and Ensign Madisson, meet me and Miss Voya on cargo bay one.

Instead of atmospheric suits I think it would be more appropriate to use the six construction bees we have brought with us from Starphoenix.

OFF: The ensigns are there just to add more personell to the mission. In case no one knows what a bee is, it's a small, single person vehicle, used by the Federation in building operations. It has small robotic arms in front of it.

As you wish Admiral... Perhaps we can let the desert for another time.

*taps some commands on a small console to his left*

*half an hour later, all have finished dinner and all has been removed. the conference room is like before*

Very well Admiral, let's get to it. Miss Voya, I believe you should stay.

Computer, activate holographic projection Chekov Zeta-Eight.

*lights go dim. a holoigraphic simulation of a battle on Dantor begins to play over the table*

Admiral, the simulation you are watching was made on my demand using all the data we have on your base, estimating your avaliable defense capacity. And we made a good estimate.

*the movie continues for more ten minutes and then stops. lights go back to normal*

I asked for another dozen scenarios to be run. In all of them you are defeated within no more than thirty minutes after the first wave of attacks.

My crew simulated attacks from all the hostile forces of which we have tactical knowledge, including species 8472, the Borg, Hirogen and other native species of this quadrant.

You see, sir, you think that your base is well defended on the ground, which is true. However, your enemies will not strike you directly on the ground. Any mildly wise commander would first bombard you and take out all your defenses.

My pont here is that these simulations prove that you need a better space defense. Starfleet can't afford to lose this base.

If I know my friend and Captain I think he knows how to solve this problem for you, and it would be wise to talk to him...

I know you don't trust me, so I'll give you access to my service record. It'll not be unrestricted, but you will know I am telling you the truth when I say I want the best for your station.

*presses a command and a small viewing screen appears in the middle of the black table-top, in front of the Admiral. it shows basic information about Chekov and the ship, including his status as a Federation Intelligence Officer and the ship's comissioning data, though not it's specs.*

This information is, of course, for your eyes only, sir. Should you discuss this with any one you will be subject to court marcial, as specified on Federation Special Order  X-24 sub-section B.

*stands up and smiles*

I am honored sir. Perhaps it would be best for us to change into our regular starfleet uniforms, like we did when we met the Cardassians.

*looks to the officer manning science console*

You shold figure out a way of making uniforms that change colour... I hate having to change uniforms every now and then. *smiles and turns to face the Director*

So, sir. Our Chief Engineer has prepared a list of all we will need for the base. All we have to do is go down and meet the CO of StarPhoenix.

He's an Admiral, from what I have read, so it'd be nice to hold a dinner for him and his senior crew, don't you think?

OFF: Our helm officer is Mr. Mason, sir. And I'm still on holidays.. http://expansionfleet.sparks.priorweb.be/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

*sits on his chair and taps some commands on his chair's arm console*

That'd be Lt. Cmdr. Sara Blake, sir. She hardly leaves engineering.

I'll call her and schedule a meeting as soon as she's through with the most important repairs.

Mr. Brooks, I suggest that you use this downtime to run a complete level one diagnostic on all weapon systems. You have autorization to do any upgrades you deem necessary, as long as it doesn't expose us too much.

Fine... Blue Moon then. Computer, Blue Moon, Ella Fitzgerald.

*an Ella re-creation appears on stage and starts singing*

I hope you like that, Miss Voya.

*they start dancing*