Marine Recreation Lounge - Deck 7

Chris entered the Recreation Lounge and announced the plans of the mission to the Squad, along with 1Lt. Parra standing beside him. The Marine Captain singled out MSgt Arbor to give him the details on what was expected from the Marines. That way the Master Sergeant would get the Squad ready to depart in an expeditious manner.

MCpt Lopez: Master Sergeant, I need you to get the Squad in the ISSCV on the double! Outfit them with the following weapons designated as M-41A Pulse Rifles, M-56 Smart Guns, M-240 Incinerator Units, M-4A3 Pistols and make sure Hicks has his Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun too. I know how much he likes that weapon for close encounters. So let's get a move on, Master Sergeant!

The Marine Detachment Commander went to his locker and got into his armor and grabbed his M-41A Pulse Rifle and M-4A3 Pistol that he always kept in there and got himself ready. Looking over at 1Lt. Parra, Chris helped his Deputy Detachment Commander get ready as well. Once everyone was in their armor and outfitted with the appropriate weapons, they moved down to the Shuttlebay where the ISSCV was prepped and ready to launch. They just had to wait for Dr. Sarrlak and his medical team to arrive with their equipment and they could launch!
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Marine Captain Christopher D. Lopez
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti

Sickbay - Deck 5

The Vulcan Physician gathered up the equipment he needed, along with Ens Diesso and Cwmn Flores carrying the rest of the items and made their way to the Shuttlebay to board the ISSCV with the Marines who were ready to defend the escaping colonists and Dr. Sarrlak's medical team. Stowing their med-gear, the Doctor, his Assistant Medical Officer and the Medic took their seats and waited on the Marines to do the same so they could launch from Infiniti.

Cmdr Sarrlak: Captain Lopez, the medical team and I are ready to depart. Our equipment has been stowed in the aft section, there should be enough room for all your weapons you need to store for our trip to the surface back there as well.

Since the medical team was seated in the rear of the ISSCV, it left all the seats in the front and mid-ship for the Squad of Marines. With the medical equipment stowed in the rear, it left them plenty of room to store the bulky weapons they were carrying, along with all the ammunition they needed for the journey down to the surface of New Bajor. Once it was time to launch, it would be a turbulent trip to the surface due to the weather.
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Commander Sarrlak
Chief Medical Officer, USS Infiniti

Shuttlebay - Deck 10

The Marine Captain made sure every member of the Squad was seated and their weapons stowed for the journey down to New Rakantha. Once everyone was ready, Chris tapped his Combadge to notify the Bridge that they were all aboard the ISSCV and ready to launch to the planet’s surface where they would be protecting the evacuees along with Dr. Sarrlak, Ens Diesso and Cwmn Flores from the Xenomorphs should they try to attack.

MCpt Lopez: Lopez to Bridge, we’re all inside the ISSCV and ready to go!

Chris went up in the cockpit where Sgt Ferro and PFC Spunkmeyer were in their seats to inform them the Bridge was notified and they would be receiving word to launch very soon.

MCpt Lopez: I’ve notified the Bridge we’re ready to launch, we should be hearing back in a matter of moments!

The Marine Detachment Commander got a nod back from both the pilot and navigator before going to his seat and preparing for the launch down to the surface of New Bajor. Chris was sure the Bridge would inform him when the colonists made contact so he could let Sgt Ferro know where to land so Dr. Sarrlak and his med-team could begin removing any embryos from infected people waiting to be evacuated off the planet. In the meantime, the Squad would be using their handheld scanning devices to check the evacuees for impregnation. MCpt Lopez wanted this operation to go smoothly, that way it would cause as little trauma to the colonists as possible.
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Marine Captain Christopher D. Lopez
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti

Bridge - Deck 1

The Commodore heard MCpt Lopez’s call to the Bridge and immediately responded to the Marine Detachment Commander and let him know they were clear to launch from the Shuttlebay to head down to the opening to the caverns that ran below New Rakantha. E.J. hadn’t heard anything from LtCmdr Trylon yet if there was a response from anyone down there so that had Como Carpathia a little worried.

Como Carpathia: You’re all clear to launch, Chris! Safe journey and be sure to stay safe down there! As soon as we hear from the colonists, we’ll let you know! Bridge out!

E.J. looked over his shoulder at LtCmdr Trylon and gave him the instructions to open the Shuttlebay door that way the ISSCV could launch through the Force Field that kept the air pressure inside the Flight Deck.

Como Carpathia: Open the Shuttlebay door, William! Allow the ISSCV clearance to launch! Maintain open frequencies to the planet’s surface so we’ll know as soon as we get a response from any of the colonists on the surface. They probably cannot respond until they’re out of the cave network, so we may have to wait for them to come to the surface first.

As the CO waited for the ISSCV to launch, he was able to see the anticipation on the faces of everyone on the Bridge. It was coming down to zero hour for the evacuation to begin and even E.J. felt the exhilaration of what was coming up. Como Carpathia said a prayer under his breath for the Marines, Medical Staff and all the colonists that everyone down there makes it up to the orbiting vessels above New Rakantha safely.
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Commodore E.J. Carpathia
Commanding Officer, USS Infiniti
Division 1 Commander, Gamma Fleet

Shuttlebay - Deck 10

When Chris heard the response from Como Carpathia, he immediately notified Sgt Ferro it was time to go!

MCpt Lopez: We’ve been cleared to launch, Sergeant Ferro! We’ve got colonists to save, so let’s do this!

The Force Field snapped on as the Shuttlebay Door opened so the air pressure on the Flight Deck could remain intact as the ISSCV lifted off the deck and headed out into space. As they began their descent, LCpl Hudson just had to make one of his typical announcements to everyone aboard the ISSCV.

LCpl Hudson: We’re on an express elevator to Hell! Going down!

The Lance Corporal was always proud of himself when he thought he said something humorous, this time was no different. Chris smirked as he looked towards LCpl Hudson to let him know what he said was at least worthy of a smile from his commanding officer. MCpt Lopez looked to the rear of the ISSCV to see how Dr. Sarrlak, Ens Diesso and their Medic, Cwmn Flores was doing. They appeared to be just fine, which was just dandy. Everyone in this small ship seemed to be in good spirits which made Chris happy about the mission ahead of them which was sure to be dangerous.
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Marine Captain Christopher D. Lopez
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti

Bridge - Deck 1

Aléjandro watched as the ISSCV launched from Infiniti with the full compliment of Marines aboard and Dr. Sarrlak with his Assistant and Medic along with them on the Center Console between Como Carpathia and himself. As they moved closer to New Bajor, the five SA-43X's from Whitestar, known as the Wildcards, surrounded the ISSCV in an escort formation. Cmdr Delgado immediately pointed it out to Como Carpathia so he knew what was going on.

Cmdr Delgado: Looks like Captain Daqtorgh sent the Wildcards to escort our ISSCV down to the surface. They're probably going down there for air support as well. This is really going to help them out down there if those Xenomorphs try to attack their base of operations. We should send our thanks over to Whitestar's Captain to let him know we appreciate what he did to protect our people and the colonists, Sir.

The XO pointed to the screen on the Center Console so the Commodore could see what he was talking about. With the ISSCV heading into the thermosphere of the planet, it wouldn't be long before they landed in the large open area by the mouth of the cave that led down into the labyrinth of catacombs beneath the city of New Rakantha. Aléjandro began to wonder when they were going to hear something from the colonists they had been broadcasting the message to for the past few minutes. The Commander was sure they would've heard the transmission from all the ships above the city, so he hoped they'd be making their way to the surface by now.
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Commander Aléjandro M. Delgado
Executive Officer, USS Infiniti

The Commodore looked down at the Center Console as Aléjandro was speaking and saw the Hammerheads escorting the ISSCV and was enthralled with Capt Daqtorgh’s decision to have the 58th Squadron join MCpt Lopez and the Squad of his Marines down to New Rakantha. Cmdr Delgado was correct about a message of thanks to Whitestar’s Captain. E.J. called out to LtCmdr Trylon to open a channel to the Akira Class Starship so the Commodore could thank Capt Daqtorgh personally.

Como Carpathia: William, hail Whitestar for me!

As the Chief Operations Officer did as he was told, the Commodore rose up from his chair and stood between the Flight Control Station and the center of the Bridge.

Como Carpathia: Captain Daqtorgh, this is Commodore Carpathia aboard Infiniti! I want to thank you for sending the Wildcards to escort our Marines and Medical Staff down to New Rakantha. I really appreciate what you’ve done and I’m sure Captain Lopez and Dr. Sarrlak are grateful as well. The SA-43X’s will certainly add a higher level of security for the evacuees that ground forces couldn’t do alone.

The CO of the USS Infiniti waited to see and hear Capt Daqtorgh appear on the Main Viewer from over there on the Bridge of the USS Whitestar. As E.J. was waiting, he could see how bored Lt. Florenté was sitting there at the Flight Control Station with nothing to do. There wasn’t much to occupy Joey in this situation since they were maintaining a geosynchronous orbit over New Rakantha. The ship’s navigation computer could keep the ship over the same fixed location on the planet without the Lieutenant having to check it regularly. But the situation could change and Lt. Florenté’s piloting skills could be in need at any time. Otherwise, the Commodore would’ve dismissed the Lieutenant to the lower decks to find something to occupy his interests.
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Commodore E.J. Carpathia
Commanding Officer, USS Infiniti
Division 1 Commander, Gamma Fleet

William maintained the Companel on his console, making sure the channel was crystal clear for Capt Daqtorgh's response for Como Carpathia. When the Klingon Captain appeared on the Main Viewer, he could be seen standing up and straightening his uniform.

Capt Daqtorgh: Hello Commodore, Sir. Thank you for such kind words. I did it because, if I was one of the Marines, I would hope I would have air cover if needed. It gives us a distinct advantage as we have ground and air covered. I have ordered all security teams to all decks with flame weapons and with orders that if any Xenomorphs get aboard to use fire on them and contain them behind a Level 10 Force Field. I suggest all ships in fleet do this. Once again, thank you Sir. You're are a man of honor. Daqtorgh out!

The Chief Ops Officer looked over at the Commodore and was a bit surprised that Capt Daqtorgh cut the conversation short so quickly. William didn't know any Klingons, so it may be customary for one to end the transmission on a superior officer so abruptly. It certainly wasn't the Starfleet way, LtCmdr Trylon knew that for sure.
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Lt. Commander William T. Trylon, III
Chief Operations Officer, USS Infiniti

The Commodore heard what Capt Daqtorgh had to say and was pleased to hear that the Klingon said E.J. was a man of honor. But Como Carpathia was a little put off by the Captain closing the channel without hearing any feedback from the Division 1 Commander on how putting Security Personnel on each deck waiting for an adult Xenomorph to show up was being extremely over-cautious. Since the evacuees were being beamed up, the Transporter lock would know the difference between carbon based life forms and silicon based life forms. So there was no way one of those creatures could just show up on Whitestar, or any other of the Starships in orbit. So if Capt Daqtorgh wished to be overly cautious, it was his right to do so as CO of the USS Whitestar, as long as it didn’t impede the mission of the fleet.

Como Carpathia: Well… I did have something to add, but he must not have wanted to hear it. It’ll just have to keep until a later time.

The CO walked back to his chair and took a seat, waiting to hear of news from the surface. E.J. figured the colonists were cautiously making their way to the clearing outside the cave entrance and they would transmit from there. Once they did, the evacuation process would begin with the Marines on the ground securing the area, the Medical Personnel doing their job of removing any embryos found inside an infected colonist, and the 58th Squadron doing their bit to keep the area secure from the sky. The Commodore was unsure how long the whole operation was going to take, but E.J. knew there was no time to waste. Hopefully, when the colonists made contact they would have the manifest ready to be transmitted so any ships that left the system could be tracked down and made sure not to contain any Xenomorphs aboard.
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Commodore E.J. Carpathia
Commanding Officer, USS Infiniti
Division 1 Commander, Gamma Fleet

ISSCV - Themosphere of New Bajor

As Colette looked out the canopy of the ISSCV, she saw the Hammerhead off the starboard wing of their craft. A few seconds later, Sgt Ferro heard the voice of MCpt Vansen, leader of the Wildcards, through her headset built into the helmet.

MCpt Vansen: Captain Shane Vansen calling Infiniti I-Double-S-C-V! We’ve been sent to escort you to the surface and then standby in low altitude proximity to provide air cover for the evacuation zone. Please acknowledge!

The Sergeant called back to the cabin container of the ISSCV for MCpt Lopez to let him know what MCpt Vansen had said.

Sgt Ferro: Captain Lopez? The Wildcards are here to escort us down to New Rakantha, then provide air cover for us while we evacuate the colonists. The Captain is asking for us to acknowledge.

Chris ran up to the cockpit and looked out the window to see MCpt Vansen give a wave of her hand, to which the Marine Captain waved back. Tapping the Companel on the console between Sgt Ferro and PFC Spunkmeyer, Chris responded to the pilot of the SA-43X out the starboard window.

MCpt Lopez: Captain Vansen, this is Captain Lopez of Infiniti's I-Double-S-C-V. We acknowledge your assistance and wish to express our gratitude to you and the rest of the Wildcards for your support. We're awaiting a transmission from the survivors hiding in the depths of the catacombs beneath the city. As soon as we get one, we'll touch down and setup a base of operations in the clearing, east of the mouth of the cave entrance. So that's our plan, Captain Vansen.

The Marine Detachment Commander left the channel open and remained in the cockpit in the event MCpt Vansen had something further to say to him. Instead of just standing in the cockpit, for safety reasons, Chris took a seat behind PFC Spunkmeyer. Since Daniel was the co-pilot, it would be easy for him to adjust the Companel for MCpt Lopez should the Hammerhead pilot contact them again.
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Marine Captain Christopher D. Lopez
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti