U.S.S. Pegasus, Main Tactical Briefing Room, Deck 16.
Stardate 100377.6
The tactical briefing room on Pegasus is busy with various Starfleet and Republic officers both from Pegasus, and other members of the Blackjack Squadron. Chattering dies down as the door opens and Captain Alistair Nimitz walks through, crossing the stage and making to the podium. He sets a padd down and activates the tactical display hologram.
“Good evening, crew of the Pegasus and Blackjack. As most of you know right now, we are standing upon the brink of war with the Romulan Star Empire. I wanted to take the time to impart my own personal words.” As he begins, the tactical display shows the outline of Romulan space, dividing between the Imperial and Republic control.
“As most of you within this room know, I myself was once a member of the Imperial Navy, and graduated from the War Collage back in 2375.” The display changes once more to a view of various Romulan ships, ranging from a T’Varo to a Scimitar.
The hologram changes to the overview of a T’Varo, with tactical readings. "Imperial Commanders largely fall within two camps of tactics depending on their warbirds, in the first camp, we have Wolfpack hunters, the wolfpacks are primarily birds of prey, specializing in hit and runs attacks. They like to decloak, and make runs upon their target and cloak once they have sent off their payload. Birds of Prey are not designed to take a heavy beating, nor are any commanders with half a head going to risk getting drawn into a brawl. Tactical officers, I recommend taking pot shots when they appear if needed, but I highly recommend focusing more on your defenses, and targeting their incoming plasma torpedoes. Birds of Prey are most valuable during their decloaking and recloaking as that brief window will have their shields down. "
A trio of T’varo simulating a diving bombing on a Galaxy class begins. “The goals of the wolfpacks will be to divide and conquer. When engaging with an enemy task force they will do their best to separate a flaking vessel in a formation to break off where it will be much easier to pick off while alone. I won’t tell you not to break formation, but I will state if you find yourself surrounded and alone, your best bet is to make a tactical withdrawal and lead them to a place where you have the advantage.”
“However this brings me to the second camp of Commanders, and the warbirds. These are warships, but each have their own variations. From the D’deridex, and the Morgai still serving as their main backbones of the fleet, to the Scimitars.” The tactical display moves to show the overview of a Morgai and a D’derdex. “When engaging with the D’derdex and the Morgai their main power conducts tend to run along their necks, multiple ships coordinating fire will be able to pierce their shields and render most warbirds dead in the water. The key thing to remember is that the Romulan ship designs tend to rely upon forward facing weapons, flak and out maneuvering is your friend.”
“This however, leaves the Dhailkhina class.” An image of the USS Zheng He and other Starfleet vessels facing down a Romulan task force over Coppelius shows onto the viewscreen behind Nimitz. “I can’t speak much on the Dhailkhina, She’s a newer type of warbird build in the post Hobus era of the Empire and is likely few in numbers, however we know from prior experience that she is largely in the hands of the Tal’shiar. Tal’shiar crews are different from standard navy, they lack the same training and experience as the navy and will likely stay closer to their key planets, such as Rator III. This could be subjected to change.”
“As for the Scimitar, we’re all familiar with Battle in the Bassen Rift. Don’t get drawn into a battle you can’t win, the main weakness of a Simitar is greater numbers.” The Captain pauses his speech as he looks over the audience, setting the padd aside as the hologram turns off.
"One final thing… these coming weeks our missions will be volunteers only. Many within the Republic already know what is at stake. The Republic is fighting to survive, we however will be fighting to protect one of our most sacred values, freedom for our allies. As members of Starfleet, we all signed up willingly, some to be explorers, some to be peacekeepers, and some for science, or engineering, or a dozen other things. Many within the Empire are there because they had little choice, many were drafted, or obligated by law, some by patriotism. These are just ordinary people like us, anyone unwilling, or objects to the potential of taking the life of another will be reassigned without judgement.
Tactical department you will be remaining behind for section assignments, pilots, assemble in the main hanger within one hour for squadron briefing and drill assignments. Let’s be about it." Nimitz steps back from the podium and begins to walk out as the audience begins to depart upon their dismissal.
End of Recording