AAR: Beneath the Surface

Subspace Network Reports
1
SUBMITTED:
Stardate 95701.3
FILED BY:
LTJG S. Valore
SECURITY:
Level 2 - Confidential
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LOCATION:Delmak System, Ba'aja Sector

MISSION: Make First Contact with Sokaarians.
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OUTCOME: Captain Nimitz infected with mind-controlling parasite. Parasite removed and system placed under quarantine.
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KEY PERSONNEL:
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CAPT A. Nimitz
CMDR S. sh'Ikellit (NPC)
CMDR M. Novak
CMDR A. Lleyal
LTJG S. Valore
1LT G. Valencia
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NARRATIVE: U.S.S. Pegasus received request from Sokaarians to meet, specifically the U.S.S. Pegasus. Despite possibility of a trap, it was decided at the briefing that diplomatic first contact would be attempted. Upon arrival in the system, communication was limited to text. After three hours, Sokaarians requested one person be beamed onto their vessel. Captain Nimitz complied with the request, choosing to go himself. The Captain chose this officer to assume command of the U.S.S. Pegasus, with reasons outside the personal knowledge of this officer at the time of this report. This officer complied, assuming command. This officer intended to act with the competence and integrity expected of her by the Captain.

The Captain's biosigns were being monitored, and it was detected that another life form was merging with the Captain. Unsure whether such an action was malicious or merely a form of communication, this officer and other staff were conflicted over course of action. It was decided to wait and see, and this officer had Lieutenant Valencia attempt to contact the Sokaarians regarding biosigns. The response was that we could return the Captain to the Pegasus. However, following a brief conversation with the Captain over comm, this officer - along with Commander Novak and Commander Lleyal - concluded that the Captain was not acting as himself. Believing foul play had occurred, this officer - following the expert medical opinions of Commanders Novak and Lleyal - had the Captain transported directly to Sickbay with a security detail en route. Following transport, this officer was relieved of command by Pegasus XO, Commander sh'Ikellit.

In Medical, a snake-like creature had been discovered inside Captain Nimitz. Speaking through the Captain, it claimed to have taken over Captain's body, and now had access to everything Captain Nimitz knew. Medical officers concluded the creature was parasitical in nature, and the creature implied to be a Sokaarian. This officer kept Acting-Captain sh'Ikellit informed of the situation. The Acting-Captain decided to postpone briefing Starfleet Command of the situation at the moment.

With surgery being ruled out by medical officers, Commander Novak suggested that a transporter be used to separate the parasite from the Captain. This officer briefed Acting Captain sh'Ikellit of the situation, and the Acting-Captain agreed. This officer proceeded to assist Commander Novak in the transporter. For reasons presently unknown, the parasite was not transported into the container but on the floor of the transporter. As the parasite moved towards this officer, Commander Novak vaporized it with phaser fire. Captain Nimitz soon awoke, having fallen unconscious as a result of the transport. He informed this officer that the Sokaarians intended to seize control of the Pegasus through the Captain. Commander Novak proceeded to take the Captain to sickbay for a full examination and this officer recommended to Acting Captain sh'Ikellit that the system be quarantined in the meantime.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Starfleet Command and Diplomatic Corps review AAR and formulate response to Sokaarians. Recommend Sokaarians be studied and methods be formulated to counteract their means of control. Recommend Captain Nimitz undergo full medical examination before returning to duty.
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OOC: This is the AAR to Nimitz's event "Beneath the Surface." Thanks to Nimitz for hosting. Do let me know if something was left out so I can add it. Happy Friday the Thirteenth.
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2
SUBMITTED:
Stardate 95703.2
FILED BY:
1LT G. Valencia
SECURITY:
Level 2 - Confidential
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LOCATION: Delmak System, Ba'aja Sector

MISSION: Make First Contact with Sokaarians.
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RECOMMENDATION: This officer would like to make the following observations:

It is my opinion that Captain Nimitz demonstrated a lapse in command judgement during this mission. After the Sokaarians requested that only one member of the crew would be allowed to beam over to make First Contact, Captain Nimitz decided that he would go himself. I questioned this decision as, since only one member was to be sent on board (and that they did not specifically request the Captain), the best choice of action here was to send the First Officer. To have the Captain of the vessel on an unknown, and previously hostile, enemy ship, without any backup present in the form of security or other officers, compromises the safety of the ship and her crew.

Not only this, the Captain appointed Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Valore to be in command. I do not know the reasons for this, and perhaps the Captain himself would be able to justify his actions when he is cleared to return to duty, but to appoint a junior officer with little to no command experience in a situation such as this increases the chances of error in what is already a difficult situation. This error is magnified due to the fact the Captain himself was on an unknown vessel, alone.

This is proven by the Lieutenant's unease and nervousness in the centre chair which was clear to see, as well as the fact that at no point did the Lieutenant question the Captain's decision to beam on board the Sokaarian vessel, or to place her in command of the ship; in fact, she justified the decision herself when I brought the matter up. I do not condone insubordination, however, it is the duty of every officer to voice concern to their superior's decisions, if they are seen to jeopardise the safety of the ship, her crew, or the mission. I saw none of this from the Lieutenant (or any of the other officers present), in this situation.

Despite this, I wish to also commend the Lieutenant for her leadership after assuming the command role. In spite of her unease, the Lieutenant conducted herself well in command, taking charge when needed and allowing officers to help her in reaching a safe conclusion. The Lieutenant also played a crucial role after the Captain was recovered, and along with the trio of Commanders, made sure that the Captain's initial errors in judgement did not cause the mission to fail.

I would like to end by saying that I do not believe that these errors in judgement by the Captain are symptoms of a larger problem; the Captain has proven himself to be one of the 38th Fleet's senior commanding officers, and that the errors made in this mission are nothing more than a small slip up. However, it would be amiss to not report my concerns so that Command has a full picture of the events of the mission.


OOC: Just a few comments from Gabriella about the mission!
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3
SUBMITTED:
Stardate 95703.5
FILED BY:
Ambassador Perim
SECURITY:
Level 1 - Open
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ADDENDUM: This report has been reviewed and archived by the FDC per LTJG Valore's recommendation. The Sokaarians have clearly indicated their disinterest in peaceful contact and displayed hostile intent. Until such time as a diplomatic relationship is deemed safe and viable, no further FDC overtures will be recommended. This matter may remain entirely in the purview of Starfleet.
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