The bridge of the USS Okoboji was all serious as it pulled away from Starbase 381. The Captain's chair was occupied by the starship's commander, Commander Baker. But, although it was not his place of duty, nor his responsibility, MAJ Matt Svenson was the focus of the room. He still wore the civilian clothes he had been wearing when he received the message only a short hour ago.
He too was in work mode and his general laid-back attitude was overrun with a calm seriousness and slight rush. He pointed at the comm officer. "Contact Outpost Argo's Command Team. Inform them that we are on our way and that we are requesting two medical officers for assistance. If they ask why, tell them I'll explain when I arrive. Its possible that their command team already knows, even if the rest of the Task Force doesn't. But no operational details in the clear. Understood?"
The comm officer nodded his response.
Matt turned towards Commander Baker. "Sir, I'm going to go brief my team on this. We've assigned the operational name 'Noble Return'. I'll be back up here to conduct the comms with Outpost Argo when we arrive."
The dynamic between the two men was unique. Technically, Commander Baker outranked the MACO Team Commander. But, both Commander Baker and his vessel, were tasked with direct support to the team, an authority that the MACO team held. The two men had no issues with the arrangement. Both understood their roles and acted with the professionalism that is found at no higher level than that of Starfleet officers.
Commander Baker tipped his head forward slowly. "I will let you know when we are on approach, Major."
MAJ Svenson returned a nod then stepped off the bridge into the cramped corridors of the Okoboji. He glanced down at his PADD. He had already written the message, but had stopped before hitting 'send'. He wanted nothing more than to alleviate the pain he knew she was feeling. But, so many uncertainties robbed him of that simple gift. What if rescue turned to recovery? What if they found nothing at all? What if this interrupted her journey towards acceptance? Neither sending, or not sending, seemed right.
His face contorted in frustration. He decided to wait.. and hope that she already knew and perhaps they would get a chance to talk on it during his brief stop at Outpost Argo.
******** a few hours later ********
Matt stepped back onto the bridge, now in his tactical uniform. His team had been briefed and begun hostage and rescue drills in their cramped training holodecks.
He had arrived just as the Okoboji dropped out of warp a few kilometers from Outpost Argo. The continuing construction to the starbase was ever present.
They had arrived only moments after another ship. The huge mass of the USS Bulwark filled the top of the view screen and cast the Okoboji in shadow. Such titans were commonplace on the frontier and as the nimble Okoboji cruised down and towards the starbase more large vessels came into view. The USS October, the USS Mabel, and the USS Bucephalus were all either orbiting the station, heading to the transwarp gate or towards the various other outlying facilities that comprised Outpost Argo. Even a Romulan Republic Warbird, the avian like ship tinted emerald green, shared company with the other vessels.
As the Okoboji closed on the starbase, it maneuvered between a formation of jet black Peregrine Fighters and a small medical vessel, the USS Kindred.
As a voice came over the speakers, Matt nodded at the comm officer. "USS Okoobji, this is Outpost Argo Control. We have you on approach."
Matt spoke. "Argo Control, this is MAJ Svenson..." He paused wondering for a moment who was listening... "Please inform the Command Team that we have arrived. I am here to pick up two medical officers for Operation Noble Return." He knew that the operational name hadn't been relayed off the Okoboji yet, and it was likely the outpost Comm Officer had no idea what he was talking about. "I will be attending the 2500 Non-mandatory mission request & briefing."