Operation Edelweiss - Briefing
100528.5
RADM Bishop, S.
LOCATION Beta Reticuli System, Noro Sector
MISSION OBJECTIVE Liberation of the Beta Reticuli System to create a corridor between Starfleet Occupied Territory and Romulan Republic Territory.
BACKGROUND Intelligence briefings indicate that the Romulan Star Empire have been preparing for a large attack in occupied systems. These systems have been heavily fortified. Operation Edelweiss has been constructed in utmost secrecy to prevent the leak of the true location of the joint assault. Planning for Edelweiss started following the capture of the Sarita System by the U.S.S. Endeavour. This drove a wedge into RSE controlled territory in the galactic north, enabling us to open a front and push downwards to the occupied territories.
Victory at Fvillhaih gave us an opportune position to launch an assault into several occupied areas. Given the direct link Fvillhaih had to the Agrama System, along with Agrama’s central position to support key areas, this seemed like the ideal target to capture. Initial intelligence reports reported an overwhelming enemy fleet and substantive fortifications. An assault here would result in considerable losses.
Given the defences at Agrama, Beta Reticuli seemed the next opportune location. Whilst this was also fortified and defended, it was less defended than Agrama. However, should a fleet assembled to launch an attack on BR without precautions taken, the RSE would move their fleets using interior supply lines to fortify BR, resulting in a considerable defeat. Hence, the location of Operation Edelweiss was kept a closely guarded secret outside of Starfleet, Republic, and 38th Fleet Command.
In order to create the illusion of an attack elsewhere, several subsidiary operations were launched in the week before the attack;
Capture of Sienae
The Blackjack Squadron, led by CAPT Nimitz, was sent to capture the Sienae System. The proximity to Agrama meant that this location was chosen to be the launch of the attack to that location. However, due to fierce resistance here, Sienae was placed under siege instead of captured.
Operation Struensée
The failure of the initial capture of Sienae, whilst originally unplanned, became a vital piece in the deception of RSE forces. Operation Struensée placed the system under siege and conditions of surrender made very public. The emphasis on the date of surrender, along with increased Starfleet presence in the area created the illusion of urgency and showcased the importance of the system as a staging system to an upcoming attack. Given the aforementioned proximity to the Agrama System, intelligence began to suggest that an upcoming attack would be launched from Sarita to Agrama.
Operation Oleśnicki
In order to attain up to date intelligence of RSE movements, the U.S.S. Mariner under the command of CAPT Tolar was ordered to deploy a network of probes across carefully chosen systems in the Vendor, Agrama, Noro, and Rator Sectors. These systems would enable us to capture snapshots of RSE movements, but were also chosen to further create confusion amongst RSE intelligence as to the true direction of the attack. The probes were designed to look like they were hidden but could be easily found by RSE scout ships, “revealing” to them that a big Starfleet operation was planned. With luck, this would mean that the RSE would deploy the bulk of forces in defence to one location, allowing us to bypass it in our true location.
Operation Birbal
38th Fleet ships assembled at the Fvillhaih System and orders given to plan a large assault on the Agrama System. Unbeknown to the captains involved with planning this operation, select details were carefully leaked to RSE intelligence, to create the illusion that the Agrama System would be the focus of the assault.
In addition to this, the U.S.S Reyga, under the command of CAPT Kermit, was deployed to survey the Agrama System. If RSE intelligence detected the Reyga, this would have corroborated the evidence that was leaked to them about the potential location of the assault.
Operation Rasputin
In order to mask true operations and movement of Starfleet forces and misdirect RSE defences, the U.S.S. Forrestal under the command of CAPT Vel, was equipped with sensor jamming probes which were then deployed in the Vendor, Agrama, and Rator Sectors. Coupled with Operations Oleśnicki and Birbal, RSE intelligence would be inclined to believe that this large assault would focus on these sectors, with the location being either Agrama or Cirini Prime.
To protect the integrity of the process and preserve the illusion of careful planning, the U.S.S. Forrestal was under orders to not engage any forces. However, fighters from the 10th Carrier Wing led a warbird to an incidental destruction. As this destruction would have led to the redeployment of RSE forces that had been carefully plotted from previous intelligence missions, Operation Edelweiss was delayed for a week to acquire up to date intelligence on fleet positions. Operation Rasputin was rerun to continue the sensor blocks, and the Forrestal was sent to deployed to destroy a RSE base, to disrupt reinforcements to the Agrama Sector and to slow down the movement of ships through interior supply lines.
Operation Babington
The final operation to launch would be Operation Babington. This operation would create the illusion of large forces attacking multiple systems, using sensor ghosts, with the bulk of the “forces” moving towards Agrama. These illusionary measures would mask the movement of the true invasion moving to BR, as per Operation Edelweiss.
OPERATION EDELWEISS Edelweiss began with the immediate redeployment of the 38th Fleet to Fvillhaih. At Gamma, Operation Babington will launch, followed by the launch of the invasion fleet from Fvillhaih to BR.
Despite the illusion created above, the defences at BR are expected to be substantial. Intelligence shows the presence of a large RSE fleet in orbit, along with sensor-disrupting defensive platforms, and cloaked vessels. Thus, the attack will split into four main areas.
Battle Plan
Edelweiss Alps - RADM Bishop
The main force of the assault will be led by Rear Admiral Bishop. This force will warp in and head on a bearing of 204 mark 003 until they encounter the enemy. The aim for Alps would be to hold up the main battle fleet of the enemy. Alps will be entering and battling in a defensive stance. It is imperative that Alps maintain a high threat profile to protect the other forces throughout.
Republic Forces
With the main force of the RSE engaged with Alps, the Republic forces will enter on a heading of 059 mark 045, looking to locate and exploit weaknesses in the RSE lines. They will be battling in an offensive formation.
Edelweiss Pyrenees - CAPT Tungsten
The U.S.S. Dragon will be entering the battlefield after initial contact has been made by Starfleet and Republic forces. Pyrenees will locate and destroy any defensive platforms to allow for Alps to gain target locks on the enemy. As soon as target locks have been achieved, Alps will move to an offensive formation to attack the RSE fleets.
Edelweiss Apennines - CAPT Tolar
The U.S.S. Mariner will enter the battlefield after Alps and Pyrenees. Apennines will locate and destroy any cloaked vessels that are providing sensor data for RSE forces.
Reserves and Retreat
A reserve fleet will remain on alert in Fvillhaih, under the command of VADM Aluk. The main purpose of the reserve fleet will be to react to RSE movements.
Should there be a need to retreat, all ships will engage emergency transwarp and regroup in Fvillhaih. Captains must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their command, as well as protecting Starfleet assets. Permission is given to all COs to enable self-destruction to prevent the capture of Starfleet vessels, provided that all crew are able to safely evacuate. Evacuation priority will go to ships that require the most immediate aid.