| SUBMITTED: Stardate 94765.6 | FILED BY: Captain William Levesley | SECURITY: Level 3 - Restricted |
LOCATION: Itrin System, Scavenger trading hub
MISSION: Get the Bolian trader 'Piett' to take the mission team to his supplier.
OUTCOME:
- Contact made with 'Piett' who took part of the team to his supply location.
- Rest of the team remained on a shadowing cloaked warbird for intervention support.
- Teams cover identities as the crew of the Rem'lr secure. Though the 'formidable' reputation of the crew provided by Intel may not be as accurate or continue to stand up to inspection
Captain William Levesley
Captain Beylara Ailes
Captain Isadora Lyn
Captain Emery Quint
Commander Thue t'Xereth
Commander Tellara Zarath
Commander Alistair Nimitz
Sublieutenant Shiarrael t'Lhoell
Centurion Tylen
Lieutenant H'ajah
Captain Beylara Ailes
Captain Isadora Lyn
Captain Emery Quint
Commander Thue t'Xereth
Commander Tellara Zarath
Commander Alistair Nimitz
Sublieutenant Shiarrael t'Lhoell
Centurion Tylen
Lieutenant H'ajah
NARRATIVE:
This report consists of the inital day of the mission. A report of the following day's activities will be filed by another member of the team.
The team was assembled my selection by Fleet Intelligence services. Upon arrival Admiral Perim briefed the team on the mission objectives which were:
- Get the trader Piett to take us to his supplies who it was hoped would be able to provide us with useful intelligence about Species 2492
The admiral made the rules of engagement clear issuing clear instructions of:
- "You are not limited in your tactics for gaining his assistance, nor are you limited in tactics for gaining assistance of his contact, if you can get a meeting"
It is this officers opinion that when this order was given, members of the team did not quite comprehend the scope of our remit. This would later cause a contentious situation, further thoughts on which will be appended at the end of this report.
Several approaches to the target were made from the intelligence provided.
- The targets crew was underpaid and may not be aware of the profit the trader Piett is making
- The Itrin authorities are probably unaware of where Piett is getting his merchandise and may not be happy with being deceived by the trader
- The trader Piett is financially supporting his extended family who live a few sectors away. - This was deemed a last resort approach as manipulating him though his family was deemed to be least likely to get an extended period of cooperation from the trader.
The team was deployed as the crew of the ship Rem'lr. The team having been made up of crew that could assume the identities of the Rem'lr's crew easily. This crew possesses, according to intelligence, a 'formidable' reputation and are known for working alone.
Upon arrival at the trader base the team spread out seeking the trader Piett, once located the team entered a cargo bay where he was overseeing his cargo alone.
At this point Lieutenant H'ajah playing the role of the Rem'lr's Captain approached and began to negotiate with the trader Piett. Unfortunately the Lts approach was rather direct concerning our interest in the traders supplier. This was in the opinion of several of the team not getting us anywhere and only proceeding to alert the target to our true intentions.
At this point I, Captain Levesley, interceded into the conversation. The rest of the team walked away leaving myself, Commander Nimitz and Commander Zarath with the trader and the cargo.
The trader assured the three of us that he got his cargo from ruins and random wreckage salvage. Commander Zarath's inspection of the cargo was that the units were age but not in a poor condition this led us to believe that the trader was lying.
I then attempted to subtly pressure the trader utilising the intelligence we received during briefing regarding his underpaid crew and the origins of his merch concerning the Itrin authorities. Both of which were either not picked up upon by the trader or were ignored. I did not want to tip our hand by mentioning the traders family so under the authority of the Admiral from the briefing applied physical pressure on the trader.
Given our crews 'reputation' I deemed the course of action appropriate. I forced the trader to the ground by pinning and manipulating his hand. After an exchange that had not yet given sufficient information. I applied further pressure after the trader told me to 'piss off'. At which point I broke the Bolians finger.
At this point several members of the team returned. Showing obvious objection to my methods. I was promptly pulled off the Bolian and the team began to act caring towards the trader. This action of sympathy may have undermined our 'formidable' reputation.
The trader was not impressed however he did state in his condition "So you can do to them what you've done to me." This implication of a 'them' should have been pursued further, as his story of finding the weapons in ruins and wreckage was falling apart. Unfortunately the team chose not to pursue that avenue of investigation.
Having been extracted from talking with the trader several of us split off from the group and attempted to converse with the traders crew elsewhere. My evaluation is that it may be feasible to insert an operative into the ships crew if necessary. However our brief encounter with them revealed little that could be utilised immediately.
At this point Captain Lyn was utilising the opportunity to speak with the trader alone. Her solo effort as a caring face, in my opinion, was successful thanks to being pushed to the other extreme by my actions. Her efforts were however exemplary given the circumstances.
After gaining Piett's trust it was arranged for members of the team to accompany him and his ship to his supplier.
This concludes my report and contains the essential information of day 1 of the operation.
RECOMMENDATION:
As a result of this mission and report I have several recommendations to make.
Firstly, that those being selected for missions are chosen by skill and experience. Not simply because they look the part. There were several members of the mission clearly lacking in experience of operating in these circumstances as well and lacking the knowledge of how such social circles as the one we were in operate.
Secondly, further time should be given over to mission preparation. The team was not given sufficient time to put in place a suitable engagement strategy that utilised all of the teams skills. The mission broke down into a series of individual efforts, that whilst achieving our objective this was not the most efficient use of those on the mission.
Thirdly, further from my first point. There are a variety of documented stratagems for infiltration, including changing the teams appearance. This I feel could have been better utilised so that the right people were given the right roles. In my opinion Lt H'ajah was out of her depth when given the role of 'Captain'.
Fourth, whilst I do not seek to criticise the preparation of this mission. In my opinion the intelligence for this mission was lacking especially concerning our crew and the way the station operates.
OOC: The report reflects my character recollection and account of the event. Unfortunately the Part 1 log posted does not contain the first section of the mission so I am unable to be detailed about the initial contact with Piett
