Marching Orders

[tigh]

The Esteem, The Black: January 2nd 2523


Admiral Tigh Vangard had just got done talking a wave from Fleet Command about the ships new marching orders and was given a time frame for taking the ship to its new post. After the signal was sent out the Alliance had lost a decent level of control in the verse. It's presence diminished and its capacity cut greatly. Recently the Alliance had begun to reestablish itself on the core worlds and unrest was back at its presignal levels on those worlds.

The Alliance leadership had decided it was time to show the Verse that it still was capable of maintaining it's presence around the systems. The first task was to begin increasing patrol of the White Sun system. They had send orders to the Admiral that they were to take up a wide orbit around Persephone as to help slow the suggling the planet was know for. There weren't any real specifics as to what they were to do whielt here but Tigh had already resolved that a simple presence in a wide orbit wasn't enough.

He was going to regain Persephone as a Alliance controled planet. Along with the wide orbit he was going to have his crew conduct rutine ship inspections along with assigning his security crew to do rutine troop patrols on the surface of the planet in areas know for summler activity on the planet.

He had sent a message to several of his leading officers to report to his office for a closed door meeting. Along with boots on ground he was expecting is arial squadrin to be maknig flights over the citys to make their presance known. If all went well he could reestablish Persephone as a core planet with the Alliance as the leading power there again. After the signal the Nobles of the planet had taken more power and it was assumed they had alot to do with the recent spike in smuggling that wa occuring from the planet.

Tigh was not looking for a formal meeting with his staff but an opportunity to seek their input on how to approch the situation. As he sat there at his desk with a stiff drink in his hand he watched as the door opened. Assumidly the first of his crew to show up. It was nearing what would be midnight on Lundinium, the planetary time that all Alliance ship ran off of, and most of the senior crew was also in their off hours.

[andrea]

Andrea had been fast asleep in her rack when the Admiral had Summoned her. He had sent Commander Fairchild to get her up and have her report to his office. Fairchild had already left he quarters and began to make his way back to Tigh's office when Andrea was getting herself ready.

She quickly changed for what she was sleeping in back ni to her uniform and got her hair under control before departing at a brisk pace. She shook her head just before arriving at his office door to try and wake herself up. The door was open and she could see Commander Fairchild and Admiral Vangard both sitting down in the office.

She walked in and saluted them both. "Lt. Cmdr Cavina Reporting as ordered Sir." She stated before lowering the salute. Then she proceeded to walk forward toward the desk as to stand directly infront of the Admiral. She hadn't been informed at to exactly what the meeting was about aside from it being new orders. She wondered if the new orders were for her deck crew or if it was a ship wide order. She would find out soon enough though.

[Sibil Tucker]

Sibil was a busy woman, very busy. She liked it that way though, there always seemed to be something to do. Her security team were up to par according to her and the Admiral's standards. She was quite proud of that fact actually. Sibil wasn't aware of any others who'd made it into such an important position at her age. Of course with that came rumors and gossip, the commanding officer of the ship was a man and she was a woman who got promoted. She tended to ignore most of it, if she reacted to people talking about it, it'd probably only make them think they were correct.

It was late when she got word about the Admiral requesting a meeting. She'd been in her office still, going over the inventory reports on the weapon supplies that had been turned in to her today. Sibil asked Fairchild what it was about but he didn't answer with anything useful. She wasn't one to keep someone waiting though and quickly put her paperwork aside and locked up the office.

While the Lt. Commander walked down the hallway towards Admiral Vangard's office she pulled her hair back so it was out of the way. She ran her hands over her uniform to fight away any wrinkles and straighted her pins. Sibil and the Admiral had alot of interaction, he seemed a little more laid back than his chief of security though.

Sibil walked into the office where both Vangard and Fairchild were seated, she noticed Cavina had beat her here. "Lieutenant Commander Tucker reporting sirs." Her words were accompanied by her salute, as she lowered her hand she moved forward to stand next to the Chief Mechanic of the Esteem.

[orville]

Orville was the first that Commander Fairchild had tracked down for the meeting. He had been down in the ships gym for a while working out when Fairchild had tracked him down. He quickly finished up the set he was doing then took off for the Admirals office without worrying about changing. It tok him several minutes before he was finished and definatly was falling behind on how fast the Admiral would like but it couldn't be helped he felt.

When he arrived at the Admirals office he saw the door open. He wide his brow with the towle he had carried with him the walked in. Commander Fairchild had made it back along with Lt. Commander Cavina and Lt. Commander Tucker. 'Oh great the Admirals girlfriend is here.' He though to himself as he went and took position next to them at the Admirals desk.

"Leiutenant Owen Reporting as ordered Sir." He relpied like the others had before him. Though he had never met Sibil other then passing by her in the halls he had grown to have a bit of a dislike for her already. He didn't have any hard facts but there was a select group of people, for whom he was part of, that thought she was secretly intimate with Tigh to earn a promotion and the position of Cheif of security. I mean come on when was the last time a ship of this caliber had someone so young take charge of an entire department, espesially the security department.

In time he would prove it he was the Chief of Intelligence nothing would avoid him here. And in the end he found everything and when he did he would be able to confront the Admiral on the issue and have her removed from the position.

For now though that wasn't his major consern. He was interested in what the new orders where and why he was there for this. It must be something important or he wouldn't need Orville there. "What can we do for you Sir?" He questioned.

[tigh]

Tigh hadn't called for a large meeting for this they had their orders and really it would all be handed down tomorrow. Tonight was a chance for him to discuss with his most trusted leaders in what they though they should be doing exactly. The orders were simple and didn't provide much to go off of, but that was on purpose the Alliance Navy was leaving it up to Tigh to decide how exactly to approch the situation.

All four of them had shown up and now it was time to get to business. Tigh didn't see a need for extreme formality with these four since they were a good portion of his senior crew. That didn't mean all the time. When others were present they showed the formality that was needed. Sibil and Andrea still hadn't got to comfortable with being informal with him but they would get there in time. Owen on the other hand fell right in to it he was the only one to show up out of uniform after all it would be apperent ot the others that he was comfortable with the Admiral or maybe just lacking disapline.

"At easy everyone." He said as he returned their salutes. "Have a seat we have new orders and I am looking for everyone input." They would all have their own ideas of how to proceed with the mission at hand. "We've been given orders to take a wide berth orbit around persephone and resecure Alliance presence there." He continued.

He move his glass around in circles as he talked making the drink splash around, until Commander Fairchild grabbed it from him. "Well if this isn't a formal meeting Sir I'll hold your drink for you." Commander Fairchild said as he took the glass and took a drink from it.

Tigh wasn't to pleased with this display but he had a soft spot for Fairchild and disregarded it quickly. "I want to get boots on ground so our presence is known and we need to put a stop to the smuggling. I need the four of you to assist in deciding how we will go about doing this." He told them. He stood up and grabbed a stack of four folders and set passed them around. Each of them with a different members name on it. They contained the information on what reports they have from the feds about Persephone: Crime reports, known smugglers, ships with docking papers that here and to come in the next month.

"Take a moment to glance over the information and we'll begin." he told them as he slide around some papers on his desk to get his copy of the paper work in order. He hoped they would have some ideas he himself hadn't come up with yet. He knew Sibil would have something for sure she never disapointed him when it came to surprises.

[andrea]

Andrea relaxed as the Admiral offered them a seat she was still a little uncomfortable at the idea of taking a seat when in the presence of her commanding officer and it showed as she sat down as he had requested.

She listened as he began to explain the what the orders were carefully taking in everything that was said. She felt a bit disapointed in the actions of Commander Fairchild and the Admirals lack of reaction to it but what could she do really. As the admiral handed out the packets to everyone she quickly began to look it over. Persephone was a busy planet and it would take one hell of an effort on the crews part to put a stop to the smuggling but her flight crew's would be able to handle it as long as the deck hands could keep up on mantainance. They would manage but it would require some extra hours she figured.

"If we can get orbital and sky patrols going we can manage to police all ships comming in and out I am sure. It will take some hard hours though Sir." She informed him. THey had enough transport and small crafts to intercept most ships leaving the planet so they could do inspections for contraband and they would be able to get patrols over the major cities to make their presence know. Along with that if they could pull of having some to check the open areas of the planet as best they can for ships making unautherized cargo transfers outside of the cities. "I can have crew teams tasked out for that by tomorrow night Sir. I'll git with Lt. Commander Tucker about what she will need for her crews as well."

[Sibil Tucker]

As Lieutenant Owen entered the room Sibil did notice him, he came to a meeting with the admiral in gym clothes. Really? She'd roll her eyes about it later, at the moment she kept her composure. She knew from the gossip that he wasn't fond of her, but yet he didn't even know her. Very few actually did and none of them were on the Esteem. When Vangard told them to take a seat Sibil felt uneasy, she preferred to remain standing but took the seat anyway. Her attentions were on these new orders and she listened intensely.

So they were going to re-secure Persephone, it had become more and more a home to crime of all sorts of the years. It would be a challenge. Sibil raised a brow when Commander Fairchild took the Admiral's drink, fully expecting Vangard to be upset about it. He didn't seem to be though, at least not from what she could tell. She hadn't said anything but she stared at the Commander while he did it as though she couldn't believe what he was doing.

Sibil listened to Cavina's thoughts, nodding a little. The sky wasn't the only thing they should keep a watch on though. With the size of the Esteem and it's capability of carrying many crafts they would definitely have a presence in the air though, a commanding one depending on how they staffed the smaller crafts.

She was glad that Lieutenant Commander Cavina seemed to be similar to her in ways, though she hadn't spoken to the woman at any length. "While I agree with the Lieutenant Commander, I believe it would also be a good idea to have a strong presence on the ground as well. Perhaps we should start with the Eavesdown docks. We could do inspections both there and in the air, get double the amount of work done."

There were other things for them to worry about though, they were in fact just one vessel. While a large one, still just one. Her security team was only about 100 members in size, they could only cover so much. Not to mention the power that some of the crime lords on that planet had, one such Minerva Colt. Surely she wouldn't appreciate their presence. "There's alot to consider here Admiral, we might want to call for some extra security force as well. What with the hostility I'm sure we'll find from the local crime syndicates and the like. The Alliance hasn't had a very strong presence on Persephone for a long while, it will be a big change for them and some might react rather violently."

Sibil silently worried a little about her team, some of the crime lords were ruthless and more than happy to kill folks. She would rather sacrifice herself than any of her people. The Alliance needed to recover it's strength though, that was the most important above all.

[orville]

Orville sat down with haste when the Admiral gave permission. He saw no need in standing if it wasn't required. As the Admiral began to talk Orville gave him his full attention but that drifted as Commander Fairchild took the drink. 'why didn't I think of that' Orville though to himself. He had a hard day and could use a drink but he wasn't quite that comfortable with the admiral, yet at least.

He drifted off in though as the other two worked out their plans. he knew what his job was and didn't really need to talk through it. He had a crew of only 12 inculding himself it would be pretty straigh forward from there his thoughs drifted. 'How long had Sibil and Tigh been in this secret relationship? How did thay keep it secret.' it also crossed his mind if Andrea was single herself, she was attactive after all.

It was then that he realized that the others had complete their part of the initial planning and they were waiting on him. "Well Sir it is pretty straight forward what my job will be. Gather the intelligance. I would suggest we focus on some of the bigger names on the planet. Minerva Colt, Sabine Wei and Duke Rider. He began to explain. "I know a decent amount about all of them. I wouldn't be worth my weigh if I didn't know the big names in crime in all sectors after all. I haven't much details on current events with them but I am sure with some assistance from Lieutenant Commander Tuckers men at my disposal I should be able to get some guys on the inside even."

He wanted acess to her men so he could pry for information about her and the Admiral. "I will need permission to task out some of her men from time to time at my discression so that I can make things happen though. With that I imagine it will only take me a few weeks to peice togehter exactly what is going on there." Orville said with a smile. If he could con his way in to the request then he would have no problem getting the information on the crime there but also to have the upper hand on Tucker. You never know maybe even a promotion himself once he can get this back to Alliance Naval Headquarters. He set the papers down on the arm of the chair he was sitting in and looked at the Admiral in wait for a responce.

[tigh]

Tigh listened as his three lead officers on this mission gave their perspective on what to do. They all had good ideas and would serve to better their odds of getting the job done. He did notice that Orville had drifted from the conversation a bit while the others were talking and Tigh didn't appriciate the lack of attention. This was the first major task the Esteem had gotten under his command and he needed his officers focused. Though it did serve to give him input on how to handle the situation.

"First of Lt. Command Cavina I think your spot on we need to make sure we have the skys and above covered with your flight crews. People will have to pull some extra shifts if we are to pull it off though. I expect you can let them know they will be busy." Tigh stood up and looked over the staff. "You will Also need some mantainance crews on the ground to keep the Security staffs transports opporating." he told her as he turned to look to Sibil.

As for Sibil she had the biggest task ahead of her. She would have to have crews on the thick of it dealing with canvasing the group along with some staff left on the ship to handle boardings by the Esteem itself. "Lt. Commander Tucker I expect most of your crew to be broken down in to teams on the ground. You have alot of ground to cover and I expect you will have a small detatchment to keep Cavina's men safe as well. You will also need to have a boarding party left here on the Esteem for orbital issues." He told her as he looked over the paperword that he had in hand. Eyes glancing back and forth from her to it.

While igh talked Commander Fairchild took notes to document everything for Tigh. "I will get ahold of Naval Command and see what I can do to have a second security detachment sent out to increase your numbers. As far as you Lieutenant I agree we need to get intell with bots on ground as well I will go ahead with your request for that. After Tucker has her teams assigned I will allow you to assign your men to her teams. They will assist in your tasks as I approve them out side of that you and your men will fall in under her."

With all that explained it was time to allow them to look for ajustments to the plan. For sure none of them would be fully happy with the situation but this was not a play ground and none of them ever get exactly what they are after.

[andrea]

Andrea listened as Orville made his request she made no real note of it as it had little effect on what she had to do or what she needed. SHe wouldn't have minded if Tigh had offered to get her a bit more flight crew. They were going to have their hands full. "Roger that sir I'll have a full draft of oporations set up for you by the end of tomorrow."

It did surprise her that Tigh decided to turn the Lieutenants crew over to Tuckers command. She had heard the rumors and this would be the kind of thing that would make people think it was true but even so she didn't see any truth in it. Every commanding officer had people they favored and Tucker seemed to be one of Tigh's. Then again everyone here seemed to be in Tigh's good graces. He had hand selected all of them for their positions and that right there was a sign of his positive vies of them all.

That all being siad it wouldn't help stop the rumors if the crew was to see the favor being put on her. "If I may sure... I belive it could be a logistical nightmare if ever time Lieutenant Owen wants to conduct his job he has to go through you for approval. I know it isn't my place to decide what we do but we wouldn't be here if you didne't want our suggestions. I might be approriate to allow them to have liberty to call the shots when it come to things that could relate to the names he has listed."

She hoped she had not over stepped her bounds but she was just trying to make things work as smooth as possible for everyone. She had no idea how Owen was planning to use the position to try to spy on Tucker.

[Sibil Tucker]

Owen wanted what? Sibil was a little shocked, the Lieutenant wanted her entire security force at his disposal? To infiltrate Minerva Colt's operation no less. Sure she had a few officers who might show some promise on doing undercover type things but the way he was talking she felt like she'd lose alot of people. Sibil didn't retort, it wasn't her decision to make, but there was some look of surprise in her face.

When the Admiral addressed her she simply nodded at his orders. Sibil was thankful he was going to see about getting another detachment of troops for her security team. That would make things alot less stressful considering all of the things she needed her men to do. At this point there'd be little rest for any of them.

She was surprised yet again at the Admiral's response to Owen's request and thankful at the same time. He wouldn't be able to do as he pleased, he'd be under her command. Him and his men.

Sibil would adapt to whatever was decided, her job was going to be rough regardless. She was ready to get started. Though she did agree with Cavina on her thoughts.

[orville]

Orville was furious about the idea of the way Admiral Vangard had decided to lay out the pecking order for the mission. How was he supposed to do anything he needed to with someone like Lieutenant Commander Tucker taking charge of things. He knew she wouldn't be willing to risk her men. On leader wanted to risk they men.

Cavina had a bit better of an idea but he still wanted to have the free access he had requested. As far as he saw it though there wasn't to much choice left at this point other then just let the Admiral make the final call. "I'll have my teams plans drafted up as well by tomorrow evening Sir." Was all he said as he waited for the Admiral to dismiss them and let them get to their business. He would have a meeting with his men first thing in the morning and proceed from there.

The situation wasn't ideal but in the end he would get what he needs one way or the other. He could understand Tigh not having given him free reign since he was lower ranking but he still felt it was favoritism.

[tigh]

It seemed there was limited dispute over the planned layout of the way things would work for the crew and that was good enough for now for Tigh. Things would chance and adapt as the mission went in to effect. Everything always had to be adjusted as things went along.

"It seems we have a tentative plan. I'll expect all of you to have a full report on how you will run your respective departments on my desk by 1700 tomorrow." Tigh told them as walked around the room. "You're all dismissed"

As he waited a few minutes for them to all get up and get ready to go. Fairchild only took a few seconds to make his way out the door. "Alright Tigh I'll see you in the morning." Tigh was defiantly visually displeased with Fairchild at the comment. He let the drink side, at least in front of the others. He would talk to him about it but not in front of the other but this was just one more thing to add to the list. Tigh had known Fairchild since he first joined the Alliance Navy and was a fresh Ensign under Tigh, a Lieutenant commander at the time, and they has served together ever since.

The lack of professionalism was getting out of hand. This was an informal meeting but there was still common respects his rank was deserving of even in the most laid back of situations. If Fairchild hadn't sunk to such a point in his career he would be the top choice for first mate but it seemed those days had passed. For now the Esteem would go without a first mate.

"Lieutenant commander Tucker, if I could have you hang on a minute before you leave." Tigh wanted a little more input from her about the upcoming mission. She had become his go to on, well, everything she was still a young soldier and had all the information still fresh in her head. he had countless year in the service now and had fallen in to patterns and predictability's as was common for someone of his rank. He was wise enough to know that.

[andrea]

Andrea was well enough satisfied with the results of the meeting. It would be a hard job for her crew to maintain all that is expected of them but they would handle it. She was confedent of that. "Yes Sir." She responded to his request for the information. with the follwing dismissal she didn't hesitate.

She offered a salute as she stood up and walked out. Andrea grabbed the papers that the Admiral had passed to her and walked out of the officer right after Fairchild did hardly even noticing the comment about Sibil staying behind. SHe walked down the hall and made her wait to her office so she could figure out what they would need to do. It was late and she wouldn't get it all done tonight but she figured it best to start to make sure she had plenty of time.

[orville]

Orville was furious with the pairs display right there. Did the Admiral really think he didn't notice. Did he really think this kind of thing would not be noticed. It was just insane to belive he could get away with it. No Orville would find out the truth and would expose it. For now though he needed to get out of there before he got himself in trouble. "Understood Sir, you'll have my report right away." He said as he too stood up and walked out of the room making sure to grab his papers as well.

As he walked out he looked over the papers and turned the corner slowly. Only taking a few steps outside the Admirals office before he stopped and continued to "look" at the papers. He waited and listened to see if he could hear anything. If they did notice him out there at least he could say he was just looking over his papers trying to decide on what to do.

Surely they would make a mistake and he would hear it and know for sure what he needs to be looking for. It was only a matter of time.