AAR: Stormier Weather & Stormiest Weather

Valore · October 22, 2019, 12:00am

SUBMITTED:
Stardate 95809.1

FILED BY:
LTJG S. Valore

SECURITY:
Level 2 - Confidential

LOCATION: Besvar IV, Besvar System, Aldebaran Sector

MISSION: Neutralize and detain Ex-Maco terrorist cells.

OUTCOME: Enemy ship disabled. 20 Ex-MACOs captured.

KEY PERSONNEL:

CAPT S. Bishop
CAPT A. Nimitz
CAPT T. Nimitz
CAPT A. Tanaka
CAPT Z. Sel
CMDR A. Samaras
LTCOL J. Mason-Archer
LCDR J. Eunbi
LT J. Read
LTJG S. Valore
LTJG T. Shinwa
ENS R. Mitsuki
1ST SGT Z. zh'Izenahr

NARRATIVE: This officer has the following to document with regards to the mission. This officer’s presence was requested for the operation to assist in exfiltrating Captain Nimitz from a camp controlled by former MACOs that were actively carrying out operations against the Federation. This officer landed on the planet and linked up with the team being led by Captain Tanaka and Commander Samaras. Anything that happened prior to my landing should be inquired from them. Captain Tanaka proved able leadership. Some of the junior officers constantly made sarcastic remarks regarding the plans we had made regarding the mission, but the Captain chose not to interfere. This portion of the operation succeeded with one injury. Upon reaching the camp stealthily and removing any restraints from Captain Nimitz and his team, a firefight soon ensued with the hostile MACOs. All hostiles were rendered unconscious and restrained for prisoner transport. Unfortunately, Commander Samaras was gravely injured and placed into stasis when a shuttle arrived to transport us from the scene. We also brought the prisoners with us.

It is here that the situation begins to derail quickly and dangerously. We discovered that the leader of the former MACOs and the bulk of his forces were in orbit in a Miranda-class vessel salvaged from a scrapyard (see Captain Derenzis’ and my previous AAR on the MACO threat) fired upon us. It was at this moment that, and this officer can say this in no other manner, Captain Nimitz began acting irrationally and emotionally. He asked all present whether they had seen a human film “Die Hard”. For the record, this officer did not. Without elaborating at the moment, the Captain stated this would be his plan. At that time, this officer had no idea what he was talking about.

The Captain held up an isolinear chip and claimed he could use the vessel’s prefix codes to shut it down. The Captain began voicing his desire to assume control of the vessel. It was at this moment that several officers informed the Captain that the override he claimed he could execute was likely changed, given that we were dealing with professional former MACOs. It was at this moment that I also began to offer alternate plans to the Captain, stating that we should depart from the system so that the prisoners could be processed, interrogated, and the Commander could receive medical attention. It was at this time that the Captain held up a hand to this officer, giving a nonverbal order for this officer to remain silent. The Captain did not offer any reasons for why he rejected the advice of all present, only that he was set in his plan and he intended to execute it. This officer wishes to note that while I complied with the order as was expected of duty - as did everyone else. The ex-Macos posed a threat to the Federation and its reputation across the galaxy. However, it was my impression that this was a risky plan that was more likely to fail than succeed.

Following the plan’s failure (as our enemy did indeed account for the Captain attempting to utilize the shutdown order) the shuttle began to receive enemy fire. The group was transported to the Bark, as the Endeavour was not present in the system at the time. (Captain Bishop can explain why more than this officer can.)

It was at this moment that Lieutenant Read assumed command of the Bark, being the most senior Endeavour officer onboard. This officer wishes to make the following observations. This officer observes that Lieutenant Read may not have been in a real command situation of urgent nature before, and understands that while making these observations. Lieutenant Read asked for advice regarding the situation and the Miranda-class vessel. This officer, to my knowledge, was the only one to respond, suggesting that the Bark retreat from the system as to deal with the prisoners and strike at the MACOs at a different time and place. Lieutenant Read instead ordered that we fire upon the MACO vessel. This officer inquired whether that means Lieutenant Read intends to engage in direct combat with the enemy vessel. This officer wishes to note that I was merely seeking confirmation as to ensure there was no communication between the CO’s chair and the bridge. The Lieutenant acknowledged. It was at this moment that Captain Nimitz ordered this officer again to be silent and follow the Lieutenant’s orders. This officer believes the order to be both aggressive and uncharacteristic of the Captain.

During a brief firefight, the Bark was boarded by hostile ex-MACOs with the enemy combatants making their way directly to the bridge. This officer joined others in repelling them. LTCOL Mason-Archer was knocked down at this time, but when this last officer last saw her, she seemed to have been fine. A definite answer should be directed to the LTCOL and Bark medical.

This officer, unfortunately, must continue voicing concerns and objections to her CO, Captain Nimitz. It was during this firefight that the Captain purposefully transported directly off of the bridge and onto the shuttle we had previously abandoned. When the firefight was over, we could not find him until he hailed us from the shuttle and arrived on the Bark. This officer believes this action to have been both dangerous and reckless, as the Captain transported to a shuttle that could have had its interior destroyed as a result of the previous firefights with the enemy vessel. This was also done while the bridge was being boarded and he informed none of this matter, as we were all very confused. The Endeavour proceeded to us for debrief.

The entire time, Captain Nimitz had only one objective in mind that he constantly voiced: He desired to get Harrison. He at first refused to leave the planet without finding Harrison. On the shuttle, all he spoke was how he has to get Harrison. This officer is concerned that the Captain has become obsessed over finding and neutralizing this one individual over all other duties and responsibilities.

RECOMMENDATION:
1) This officer is hesitant to state this, but feels there is a duty to Starfleet and the general welfare of the crew. Captain Nimitz acted recklessly, aggressively, and uncharacteristic of himself. He rejected the advice of everyone, intent on pursuing what seems to be an emotional obsession with hunting down the leader of the ex-MACOs (As he was constantly mentioning a necessity to stop this particular individual, rather than the group as a whole.) He gave no reason for why he did so, insisting that his order not be questioned. The Captain also told nobody of his plans, nor of his plan to transport onto the shuttle during the firefight despite not being in operational command.

2) As a result of 1, this officer must voice the following. This officer has lost confidence in Captain Nimitz and the orders he gives. This officer requests Command read all available reports of the situation. This officer has been the Captain’s personal yeoman for months and has never seen such behavior. It confounds and concerns this officer.

3) This officer believes Lieutenant Read handled command sufficiently, given her rank and the suddenness of the situation. This officer believes that Lieutenant Read could benefit from practice in communication in command positions. This officer wishes Lieutenant Read well and that she progresses in her skills.

4) The leader of the group is believed to have escaped. Efforts should be undertaken to stop him before the reputation of the Federation is damaged further as a result of his actions.

5) This officer recommends Captain Nimitz be mandated to see the psychology department regarding the situation.

6) Recommend all logs of the shuttle and Bark regarding the incident be turned over to Command for review.

OOC: Valore's perspective to the Stormier and Stormiest Weather events. Please bear in mind that this event ICly occurred on the 23rd of October despite being OOCly earlier. If I missed anything, let me know.

Edit: Swapped Dex's names around in Key Personnel because Japan.

Edit 2: Added Zal, sorry!

Sam · October 23, 2019, 12:00am

SUBMITTED:
Stardate 95809.8

FILED BY:
1LT Valencia

SECURITY:
Level 2 - Confidential

NARRATIVE: This officer was not on the Endeavour at the beginning of the mission, rather, was returning from leave onboard the Transport Vessel District, which was due to rendezvous with the U.S.S. Ras al Khaimah where I would depart and return from the Endeavour when the two met two days later. However, the transport vessel was intercepted by a Miranda class Starfleet vessel, who posed as officers conducting a routine check. When the officers from the Miranda came aboard the District, they began to execute the Starfleet Officers, whilst sparing the civilians. The Captain of the District decided that he would load everyone into shuttles to evacuate them so that the attackers would not know who the Starfleet Officers were. He then activated the self destruct of the vessel, sacrificing himself, and killing the attackers on the vessel, buying time for the shuttles to escape.

The shuttle that this officer was in consisted of an Ensign, a Crewman, and three civilians. We were pursued by a shuttle from the Miranda, and were forced to land on the nearest habitable planet, which was Besvar IV. What followed was a game of cat and mouse, where I had to keep the five other officers alive until we could escape, or until rescue. On the planet, we counted twenty-one MACO hostiles. We managed to evade capture for roughly twenty-six hours before we were ambushed by a team of three of them. As we were being taken to what the MACO referred to as "the bunker," I overheard that there were other people on the planet that the MACO were hunting. I initially assumed that these were more survivors of the District; they were in fact the members of the away team sent by the Endeavour.

We eventually came across a downed shuttle, which two of the guards that were escorting us decided to check out. I used this time to disable the MACO guard who was watching over us, though in the struggle, I killed her. I then proceeded to try to disable the two MACO guards who were inspecting the shuttle. It was then that Captain Tanaka, Commander Samaras, and Lieutenant Read appeared from within the shuttle to also help disable the MACO guards. After this, we brought the rest of the group (the two officers and the three civilians) into the shuttle, where we camped for the night. I handed over my operational command to Captain Tanaka, given his seniority, and the plan to rescue the other officers who had been captured (Captain A. Nimitz, Lieutenant Colonel Mason, Lieutenant Commander Eunbi, and First Sergeant zh'Izenahr), was formulated. This plan had the MACO that we had captured act as prisoners, whilst the officers would be dressed up as the MACO, and infiltrate the camp. From there, we would surprise the enemy and rescue the captives, subduing the MACO and leaving the planet on whatever transport they had arranged. After preparations were made during the night, we rested and set off in the morning.

As we approached the MACO camp, we were greeted by the ARGO that had been sent by the Endeavour, no doubt to check on the progress of the away team they had sent. This shuttle consisted of Captains T. Nimitz, Sel, Lieutenants Shinwa and Valore, and Ensign Mitsuki. We decided to enlist the help of the two Lieutenants, whilst the Captains and the Ensign would return to the shuttle we departed from, where we had left the other officers and the civilians to keep them safe from harm, and to return them to the Endeavour with information on the situation on the planet. We hoped that the Endeavour would then be able to deploy MACO Team 32 and supplementary security teams to assist with the rescue of the captives. The rest of us decided to press on to the MACO camp to see what was happening.

Lieutenant Valore was quickly able to spot the tent that Captain A. Nimitz was being held in. We were alarmed at the sight of armed MACO approaching the tent, and believing that we could not wait for the assistance from the Endeavour, we sprung our plan, hoping that we could delay and bluff until rescue arrived. Lieutenants Shinwa and Valore snuck down to the tent, whilst Captain Tanaka and Lieutenant Read attempted to stall the MACO leader. Commander Samaras led me, who at this moment was acting as a prisoner, into the tent where the captives were held, the Commander having tricked the MACO into thinking she was one of the guards. When we were all in the tent, we freed the captives. It was suggested that we use this time to sabotage the MACO's equipment and then retreat until the Endeavour rescue team arrived, but Captain A. Nimitz was adamant in taking down the MACO leader, believing that the leader could lead us to Harrison. The debate was cut short when we heard shots outside; Captain Tanaka's ruse had been discovered, and we all lept into action to disable the sixteen MACO guards that were outside. We had the element of surprise, and this assisted us, but Commander Samaras took a shot to the chest, critically wounding her. Eventually though, we were able to stun and disable the guards.

After we had the MACO guards bound, we witnessed the return of the ARGO, being told that they were unable to leave the surface of the planet due to shots from a Miranda Class ship. We loaded everyone onto the ARGO, placed Commander Samaras in stasis, and then proceeded to reattempt an exfil from the planet, due to a storm that was rolling in. Captain A. Nimitz's plan was to attempt to disable the Miranda by using the command codes from the Changzheng. It was a bold move, but several officers voiced their concern that these codes would not work. Our plan B was to attempt to contact the Endeavour which I was told was in orbit, though it was discovered that the Endeavour had left the system, and had left the Bark in orbit.

The command codes did not work, and the ARGO ended up under fire from the Miranda. We were able to hold off until the Bark received our communication and was able to beam us on board. Lieutenant Read, being the most senior Endeavour officer on board due to the incapacitation of Commander Samaras, took command of the Bark and in the exchange of fire that followed between the two ships, both had their shields disabled, though the Miranda came out worse in the exchange. As predicted, the Miranda sent over MACO officers to try to capture the bridge, but they were fought off by the officers on board. At some point during the firefight, Captain A. Nimitz transported off the Bark, and the Miranda disappeared from sensors, activating her cloaking device. Their attempt to escape was foiled by the arrival of the Endeavour, who tractored the ship, and deployed a team to detain the crew. Captain A. Nimitz then reappeared on board the ARGO.

This officer then joined Captain Sel and Colonel Mason to finish detaining the MACO teams on board the Bark.

RECOMMENDATION: The following officers deserve commendations for their actions.

Captain Tanaka showed remarkable leadership and determination to make sure that nobody gets left behind, but not at the cost of the lives of others.

Lieutenant Read also showed outstanding command skills upon taking command of the Bark, though her decision to stand and fight the Miranda was possibly a poor choice, she was able to effectively command the ship and enabling us to disable the Miranda.

Ensign Mitsuki also showed piloting skills above the average helm officer, her piloting of the ARGO in the stormy atmosphere of the planet, and the Bark during the engagement with the Miranda saved the lives of people on both ships. This was done in the most stressful of situations, under fire from both enemy vessels, and enemy combatants within the ship. I believe that her actions will potentially go overlooked by others, but I would like to stress that without her, it is almost a certainty that the ARGO would have been destroyed before the Bark was able to intercept.

However, all the officers are worth mentioning for commendations; against a superior enemy, and overwhelming odds, each and every officer stood their ground, looking out for each other and serving to the best of their ability. Against an enemy that seemed to have discarded the principles that MACO are trained for, every Starfleet officer stuck to their principles, showing great bravery and resilience, putting the MACO enemy to shame.

With this in mind, I would be remiss to not comment on Captain A. Nimitz's actions. Whilst on the planet, what I witnessed seemed to be in line with the Captain's style; a determination to not just think about the situation at present, but to think two steps ahead; capturing the MACO leader was a good tactical decision, and Captain A. Nimitz must have believed that we were able to deal with the guards. This proved to be the case.

On the ARGO, Captain A. Nimitz carried out his plan to attempt to disable the Miranda using the command codes he had. Whilst officers voiced their concern, Captain A. Nimitz continued with the plan. At this stage, the Captain was well within his rights, since he was in command of the ARGO and other than pure speculation, there was no reason for the plan to not work. If it had succeeded, then we would have managed to escape without casualties. It turns out that the plan did not work in this instance, but placing blame on the Captain for this in hindsight is unwarranted.

On the Bark, the Captain accepted the chain of command without question, and the efforts of both him and Captain T. Nimitz enabled us to disable the Miranda. Here, Captain A. Nimitz showed considerable tactical skill and acted in a manner I would expect from a Starfleet officer.

Where I must draw concern is Captain A. Nimitz's unexplained transporter beam off away from the Bark during the firefight on the bridge, and his subsequent reappearance on the ARGO. Given his skill set, his assistance would have been helpful in repelling the boarders, and yet he seemingly disappeared. I am unsure why he acted in such a manner; my only guess is that he had his own plan to help achieve the mission goals. I would ask the Captain to clarify his actions in his report.

OOC: This event gave me a headache... this is Brie's view of what happened! As people will no doubt want logs I have them here:

- Event 1 (Stormy Weather) - Start until the capture of the away team.
- Event 2 (Even Stormier Weather) - Capture of A. Nimitz's team until ARGO shuttle.
- Event 2.5 (Getting Stormier) - Discord RP of Tanaka's Team from their capture until they set off to rescue A. Nimitz's team.
- Event 3 (Stormiest Weather) - On the ARGO shuttle until end.
- Debriefs - including A. Nimitz's arrest.

Let me know of any issues or errors!

Moose · October 24, 2019, 12:00am

SUBMITTED:
Stardate 95811.6

FILED BY:
LTCOL Mason, Jayne

SECURITY:
Level 2 - Confidential

LOCATION: Besvar System

INITIAL MISSION: MACO/Starfleet Combined Tactical Exercises

RESULTING MISSION: Investigation into unsanctioned MACO activity on believed uninhabited planet.

OUTCOME: Capture of the stolen decommissioned vessel, U.S.S. Chengzhang and hijackers, notably capture of former MACO Colonel James Harrison. Uncovered rogue ex-MACO operation within the Besvar system.

KEY PERSONNEL:

CAPT Bishop, S.
CAPT Nimitz, A.
CAPT Nimitz, T.
CAPT Tanaka, A.
CMDR Samaras, A.
LTCOL Mason, J.
LTCMDR Eunbi, E.
LT Read, J.
LT Valencia, G.
LT J.G. Tsurugi, S.
LT J.G. Valore, S.
ENS Mitsuki, R.
1ST. SGT. zh'Izenahr, Z.

NARRATIVE: Elements of a number of MACO teams convened aboard the U.S.S. Endeavour with the intention of training in tactical exercises with Team 32 stationed aboard Endeavour, I made my way to the bridge to introduce myself to the Captain and to go over the Endeavour's MACO schedules. While I was on the bridge, Commander Eunbi reported unusual gravimetric distorsions which Captain Tanaka confirmed were from the Nivra system. Captain Bishop ordered a change of course as we were slightly ahead of schedule and the system was apparently earmarked for investigation as was.

When we arrived at the system, two unusual readings were detected. First was a wrecked transport ship in orbit, the second were lifesigns on the planet from various species. Captain Tanaka confirmed that the transport ship had been attacked with phaser based weaponry. Captain Bishop asked Captain Nimitz to lead an away team to the surface to investigate the lifesigns and recover survivors. Due to heavy storm activity on the planet, transporters were unable to be used, and we took a shuttlecraft to the planet instead. The shuttle journey was without incident.

Once on the planet, we quickly lost contact with the Endeavour. Captain Tanaka attempted to boost our signal while me and Sergeant zh'Izenahr set up a defensive perimeter around the shuttle. Commander Eunbi (a Betazoid officer) was able to sense what she described as "hostile emotions" coming from ahead, my own sensors confirmed lifesigns. Captain Nimitz set out with Commander Eunbi, myself and Sergeant zh'Izenahr, leaving Captain Tanaka in charge of the team remaining at the shuttle.

I attempted to keep a defense perimeter ahead of the team, being one of the few members of the away team in armour, however this caused contention and Captain Nimitz ordered Commander Eunbi to take the lead. The Captain additionally ordered to not attack unless we were attacked first. We shortly encountered people in full MACO armour. The Captain drew his rifle, ordering us now to fire first, albeit with stun settings. I questioned the Captain on this change of order, however before he could respond, Sergeant zh'Izenahr stood up and announced our team, asking for the MACOs to identify themselves. The MACOs complied, identifying themselves as MACO Team 4, holding their hands out. As our cover was already blown, I stood up and identified myself, followed by Captain Nimitz, who demanded they all submit themselves for arrest. They raised their weapons demanding we surrender our own, it was at this point that Captain Nimitz declared the MACOs infront of us had "destroyed a Starfleet vessel, murdering the entire crew", (I assume the Captain refers to the destroyed ship in orbit, however there was no evidence to my knowledge that would suggest MACO involvement nor that the crew were murdered) he immediately opened fire on the team in front of us.

Their attack was short lived as I deployed a stun grenade towards them, incapacitating the hostile team. At this point, I turned towards Captain Nimitz, using the butt of my rifle to disarm him, ordering Sergeant zh'Izenahr to secure the MACOs on the ground. The Captain offered no explanation to his actions at this time, however we were quickly surrounded by 20 more MACO forces and forced to surrender ourselves. Captain Nimitz kept referring to a "Harrison", demanding the other MACOs take the Captain to Harrison.

We were marched through the forest towards an encampment where we were restrained to large wooden stakes inside a tent. I once more asked the Captain to explain his actions whilst looking for a possible escape path where I noticed the stake I was restrained against was placed in relatively loose dirt. Captain Nimitz once again spoke in conjecture, linking the MACO forces on this planet with various incidents that had occurred throughout the quadrant. He also assured that if these MACOs were still operating with authority, he would be aware of their locations, something I found hard to believe.

Ultimately, I overheard the MACOs themselves saying that they would begin to execute prisoners as they haven't heard from their other teams recently. We took that as a signal to move, but so did the other team we had left by the shuttle originally as they launched their own response moments later. Commander Samaras of the Endeavour posed as one of the MACOs and entered the tent with Lieutenant Valencia. Commander Samaras freed Captain Nimitz, myself and Commander Eunbi, announcing the intention of a rescue mission from the team preparing to assault the MACO compound. Captain Nimitz ordered the plan to be halted until the aforementioned Harrison revealed himself, however the battle outside had begun. Commander Samaras distributed weaponry and we assisted with the battle outside.

Unfortunately, Commander Samaras received a direct high-powered phaser hit to her chest which disintegrated her armour and causing a deep wound, I pulled the Commander back in to the tent to administer first aid. After the battle was complete, Commander Eunbi took over as she had significantly more medical training. I took the opportunity to collect my equipment and secure the MACO combatants.

After the battle, a medical Argo shuttle from the Endeavour landed after rescuing civilians from the destroyed ship in orbit, collecting the members of our team as well as the captured MACOs. The shuttle was piloted by Ensign Mitsuki who reported that a Miranda class ship had attacked the shuttle while in orbit after the Endeavour had left the system for some at this time unknown reason. We had to take off quickly before another storm front rolled in meaning we would potentially face the Miranda in orbit. Captain Nimitz took command of the shuttle and informed us of his plan, asking the crew of the shuttle if we were aware of "the classic Christmas movie, Die Hard". His plan entailed shutting down the Miranda class, boarding it and holding Engineering to then knock out the remaining crew, stating this would be the last thing that Harrison would expect.

The Captain proceeded to pull an isolinear chip from his jacket which he proclaimed contained the prefix codes for the U.S.S. Changzheng, the Miranda class vessel we were soon to face. Despite mass objections from nearly every member of the shuttle crew, the Captain declined to consider other options, stating that any attempt other than his initial plan would result in failure.

The Captain hailed the Changzheng and attempted to transmit the prefix codes (I should voice my concerns that given how the Captain just happened to have an isolinear chip with the prefix codes for a starship he would have otherwise have had no expectation of encountering is suspect at best) however the codes failed, and the Changzheng opened fire on the shuttle. Our shields were depleted immediately and our hull suffered damage, preventing a return to the planet as that was likely to rip the shuttle apart. Thankfully, the U.S.S. Bark had been deployed from the Endeavour before it department and was able to return fire on the Changzheng. The Bark transported the shuttle occupants aboard and a battle with the Changzheng ensued.

Lieutenant Read was given command of the Bark as she was the highest member of the Endeavours normal chain of command while other members from the shuttlecraft took appropriate bridge stations. During the battle, the Bark's shielding were taken offline and boarding parties beamed aboard. The boarding action outside the bridge was repelled, however I took a hit and was winded so am unable to comment on what other members of the Bark's bridge were doing at that time.

After I recovered and the Changzheng had been disabled, I led a small team to secure other areas of the Bark that had been boarded.

RECOMMENDATION: Review intelligence sharing procedures between Starfleet Operational Command and MACO Operational Command to ensure any relevant operational intelligence is made available, investigate rogue MACO activities in conjunction with Starfleet.

While that may not be as prevalent with MACOs assigned to shipboard postings, non-mobile units are not apprised of goings on in a broader scale, with information being limited to an active objective. It is my opinion a potentially rogue MACO force in particular should have been disseminated, especially as MACO forces were grouping for tactical exercises.

Rogue MACOs run the risk of tarnishing our reputation, one I fear many Starfleet officers and potentially civilians may already hold in low opinion. I would request additional MACO teams are mobilised to investigate and deal with this rogue group.

Standard MACO training does not include advanced Starship operations, certainly not to a point demonstrated by the crew of the Chengzheng, both in fitting such a vessel with a cloaking device, upgrading power systems required to accomodate a cloaking device and sustaining a battle with a vastly superior and newer tactically oriented ship. I would posit that this group has extensive support in order to accomplish their goals.

OOC: I think I've put as much as I can do into this! Unfortunately it's late and I've been spending far too long writing it! As you may be able to tell by my closing sentences I was running out of things to elaborate on!

Sam · October 25, 2019, 12:00am

SUBMITTED:
Stardate 95817.0

FILED BY:
CAPT S. Bishop

SECURITY:
Level 2 - Confidential

LOCATION: Besvar IV, Besvar System, Aldebaran Sector.

MISSION: Analysis of strange energy readings in the Besvar System.

OUTCOME: Energy readings indicated phaser fire. Lifesigns detected on the planet. Away teams sent to rescue lifeforms. Team attacked by hostile parties, who are eventually neutralised and captured.

KEY PERSONNEL:

CAPT S. Bishop (U.S.S. Endeavour)
CAPT A. Nimitz
CAPT T. Nimitz
CAPT A. Tanaka
CAPT Z. Sel
CMDR A. Samaras
LTCOL J. Mason-Archer
LCDR J. Eunbi
LT J. Read
LTJG S. Valore
LTJG T. Shinwa
ENS R. Mitsuki
1ST SGT Z. zh'Izenahr

NARRATIVE: The Endeavour was en route to participate in routine training exercises when we detected unusual energy readings from the Besvar System. It should be noted that the Besvar system contains high gravimetric readings which disrupts sensor scans. The planet itself, Besvar IV consists of one lush rainforest, and also contains unexplained phenomena that make scans difficult in the best of conditions. The planet is also ravished with constant storms that make transporters defunct, and makes shuttle flying almost impossible when the storm passes overhead. Other than microbial and plant life, there is no other life on the planet.

Given that we were not on a time scale, I elected to move to observe these energy readings. Upon arrival, we found wreckage from a Federation Transport in orbit, and we were able to confirm that the energy readings were from weapons fire. We also detected life signs on the planet which, as mentioned above, was uncharacteristic of this planet. Assuming that these were survivors from the transport vessel, I sent an away team consisting of these officers:

CAPT A. Nimitz
CAPT A. Tanaka
CMDR A. Samaras
LTCOL J. Mason-Archer
LCDR J. Eunbi
LT J. Read
1ST SGT Z. zh'Izenahr

Their mission was to locate these life forms and attempt a rescue if they were survivors. From this point onwards, I cannot comment on the actions of the away team, which should be detailed by one of the officers above. However, as there were several storm fronts rolling in, and with communications from the away team non-existent, I sent down a second team, consisting of these following officers in an ARGO, to assist the first away team and to report back to the Endeavour.

CAPT T. Nimitz
CAPT Z. Sel
LTJG S. Valore
LTJG T. Shinwa
ENS R. Mitsuki

At this point, we received a distress signal from a Klingon vessel nearby. Being the nearest ship in the vicinity, I deployed the USS Bark to remain in orbit of the planet for the away team, and moved to assist. The events of that distress signal will be detailed in a second report, but suffice it to say we returned back in orbit of Besvar IV to capture a Miranda class vessel trying to escape under cloak. After establishing contact with the Bark, we beamed security teams over to help combat the enemy combatants on the ship, and then moved to secure the Miranda class vessel.

RECOMMENDATION: The reports and debrief show conflicting opinions of the mission, so I would like to add what I can to the report. I placed Captain Nimitz in command of this mission on the planet's surface because I have worked extensively with the Captain, and I knew that he had the skills and the experience to see this mission through. Due to the inability to communicate with the away team, I sent a secondary relief team down with supplies and personnel to provide assistance if needed and to establish contact. It is my belief that the officers on the surface had the ability to make command decisions and to hand over command as they deemed it so.

The actions of Captain Nimitz on the Bark, where he beamed off the vessel is concerning to me. It was later learnt that the Captain's goal was to take control of the Miranda and capture Harrison, thereby ending the battle quickly. Whilst I have every faith that Captain Nimitz was acting in a way to save lives, the very act of beaming away in the middle of a battle with no information on where you are going or any indications of your actions, in command or not, should ring alarm bells, hence the need to place him under arrest. I have faith that the resulting investigation will seek to clarify Captain Nimitz's actions and I hope that he is brought to justice, whatever outcome that may be.

Secondly, there have been a number of commendations passed to me, and I wish to echo those commendations here, though I will submit full commendations to the awards board in due course. I would like to bring up the following officers;

First Lieutenant Gabriella Valencia, despite being off duty at the time, took charge of a situation that she was not in control of, and contributed directly to the survival of her party, evading capture for over twenty-six hours, in conditions that were extremely hostile. The Lieutenant showed remarkable courage and leadership in the face of adversity. In addition to this, she played a key role after coming into contact with Captain Tanaka and his team, doing so with remarkable strength of character and integrity, despite the fatigue she must have been experiencing.

I have received several commendations about Captain Tanaka's leadership, and I would like to also place a commendation for him. He adapted to the situation he was placed in, expertly, placing great value in saving the lives of all on the planet.

Lieutenant Josie Read showed great strength in command, in a way that far surpassed the expectations that would be placed on other officers in her position.

OOC: And here's Sam's version of the events, based off debriefs and such. Also explains the missing Endeavour. Very important.