| SUBMITTED:
Stardate 94768.4
| | FILED BY:
Centurion Tylen tr’Valex
| | SECURITY:
Level 3 - Restricted
| |
LOCATION: Alpha-7192 Sector
MISSION: Proceed to Ralin homeworld covertly in order to deliver a communication of peace crafted by Starfleet.
OUTCOME:
- R.W.W. Tagor navigated to Ralin homeworld without being detected.
- Analyzed planetary structures and population in order to determine the optimal location to deploy Starfleet communication.
- Deployed message to Ralin homeworld and confirmed probe was functioning.
- Withdrew from Alpha-7192 Sector without being detected.
- Retrieved deployed covert shuttle. See report for details.
KEY PERSONNEL:
Commander Thue t'Xereth
Commander Qhenter tr'Aodhh
Centurion Tylen tr’Valex
NARRATIVE:
Crew departed from DS13 aboard the R.R.W. Tagor under Commander t’Xereth. As an Intelligence Officer, I manned communications and sensors in order to have access to the most data possible and to ensure the covert nature of the mission.
Upon arriving at the edge of Azedi, the Tagor’s sensors picked up two 2492 dreadnoughts, traveling at impulse. The Tagor’s trajectory would have put us within half a lightyear of the ships. Because speed was not imperative to the mission at the time and sensor range on 2492 vessels and stations are still an unknown, I suggested we alter course to ensure the dreadnoughts would detect us. Commander t’Xereth agreed and made the proper course corrections. The Dreadnoughts continued on their heading and we were able to move through Azedi space unmolested.
Approximately fifteen minutes later, the Tagor’s sensors picked up another group of ships. These ships did not match any known 2492 designs and were not along the Tagor’s path. The Tagor continued course, arriving at the edge of the Ralin homeworld system. No dreadnoughts were present, however two orbital stations were present on opposing hemispheres of the planet with a variety of smaller craft moving in and out of the system utilizing wormhole technology. Further scans determined no other cloaked ships were in the area. From the information gathered from scans, Commander t’Xereth locked in a course to sections of the planet between the two orbital stations to minimize the likelihood of detection.
As we waited for Starfleet to transmit us the communication they were formulating, the ships of unknown origin the Tagor’s sensors had picked up dropped out of warp. Moments later, the 2492 dreadnoughts jumped into the system via wormhole technology and began to immediately fire upon them. Some discussion among Commander t’Xereth and Commander tr’Aodhh about attempting to covertly intervene commenced, however it was decided the mission was priority. Commander t’Xereth decided to send a shuttle under cloak to attempt a covert rescue mission while the Tagor continued to the Ralin homeworld. Commander tr’Aodhh attempted to assist by putting together a deflector mod designed to mask transporter signatures on the shuttle. Once the shuttle was deployed, the Tagor resumed course.
Once closer to the Ralin homeworld, I began sensor sweeps of the planet to determine species compositions. Two main cities in the north and south. The southern city was comprised of 81% Ralin, 15% Kacem and 4% another indeterminate species. The northern city was comprised of 77% Ralin, 5% Kacam, 6% Frith, and 12% other 2492 species. Commander t’Xereth asked for opinions from myself and Commander tr’Aodhh for opinions. We all agreed finding an area of heavy Ralin concentration would ensure the best chance of the message avoiding governmental suppression. I suggested the southern city to avoid the government facility in the north and scanned for an area of heavy Ralin concentration. Commander t’Xereth suggested a marketplace. From the scans, I was able to offer a specific marketplace location.
After some discussion, it was decided transporting the probe directly into the marketplace carried the least risk of being detected. The probe was beamed to the marketplace and we were able to confirm the message was successfully delivered. A few minutes later the Tagor stopped receiving the transmission. Scans could not detect any detonation from the probes location so it was likely moved somewhere shielded. With no additional probes provided to repeat transmissions, the Tagor had no other option but to withdraw and set course for DS13.
On the return trip, the Tagor retrieved the previously deployed shuttle. Unfortunately any survivors of the convoy attack were taken prisoner by the 2492 dreadnoughts and the shuttle did not make an attempt to claim any bodies or wreckage with the dreadnoughts still present.
RECOMMENDATION:
Based upon my observations from the mission, I have several recommendations to make.
Firstly, it seems problematic Starfleet decided to wait until the Tagor disembarked to construct the communication. Waiting for the transmission kept us in 2492 territory longer than necessary, increasing risk of the Tagor’s discovery. Had we been discovered, it is highly likely we would not have lived long enough to transmit the communication, less retreat from Ralin space.
Secondly, due to the potential of government suppression of the communication, at least three probes should have been provided. These probes could have been simultaneously deployed at locations highly dense in Ralin population. This tactic could have increased the likelihood of Starfleet’s communication dispersing through the general population significantly.
Thirdly, it is questionable as to why two Romulan Commanders were assigned to this mission. While it did not appear to negatively impact the mission, the idea of having two commanding officers of the same rank on a ship together is problematic. Because the Tagor is under Commander t’Xereth’s command, Commander tr’Aodhh was not a necessary asset to this particular mission. This in no way means to suggest Commander tr’Aodhh himself is not capable, but simply could have been problematic on the basis of potential contradictory orders.
Fourthly, it is my opinion the shuttle should never have been deployed to attempt rescue of the attacked convoy. As unfortunate as the loss of life was, the risk of being revealed was too high. Had the shuttle been identified, 2492 warships likely would have responded with an immediate and detailed sweep of the surrounding area. Because we still do not know the sensor capabilities of 2492 warships, we would have had no reliable way to avoid detection.
Addendum: Upon reading Vice Admiral Perim's AAR, recommendations should be made for the Romulan detachment to receive all orders and intentions. The ambiguity mentioned in the report would have been a nonfactor if Starfleet had properly communicated orders to the Tagor.
OOC: If I missed anything in this report, do feel free to contact me for corrections!
