Preparation

Chapter 41

[Bridge]

    James and Racheal were the last to arrive when T’Sol turned to James “Captain I took the liberty of plotting the course to Alben Sir; awaiting your orders” he stated.

    “Excellent” James replied awaiting for the go ahead from Engineering when his Comm went off “Yes.”

    “Herek here, we can depart anytime Captain; all systems are green for go” he informed James.

    “Thank you Lieutenant, Lake out” as he looked over at T’Sol “Lieutenant she’s all yours; you know the routine” Lake ordered with a grin.

    “Yes Sir…. Going to one half impulse until we clear the outer markers” as the Ship began to move then bank to the required coordinates. Minutes later “We’ve cleared the outer markers and ready to go to slipstream on your command” T’Sol stated.

    “Make it happen Mr. T’Sol” as the Vigilant jumped to slipstream….they were on their way for hopefully a successful mission.

[Deck 3 Mess Hall]

    Lieutenant Nox, Ensigns Benna and Jen sat at the table going over the intel the Captain had provided them since the Intelligence area really didn’t have a place to meet.

    Reading over the information Nox couldn’t believe what she was reading as she looked up at her counterparts “Here you both need to read this” as Nox slid the PaDD over to Mark and Yesrin then commented “What they do to woman in that place is beyond despicable “ then she paused waiting for them to finish reading “IF anyone approaches us in this manner you have my permission to put them down for good.”

    Mark looked to Nox “Being a guy I would never even imagine doing those types of things to any woman” he stated with disgust.

    Yesrin chimed in “If any guy tries this stuff on me I’ll put him down so fast his mother will feel it; providing that low life even has one” as she grinned with fervency.

    “Ok, so this is how it’s going to go…..we’ll go in under the cover of darkness with full tactical, explosives, and weapons. Also make sure you have an extra two batteries for your phaser.” Then looking to Yesrin “Please don’t take this the wrong way, and it has no bearing on your abilities, but because the three of us has never worked as a team before I’ll be taking point, Mark will have our six and Yesrin I would like you between the two of us…..at least for this mission” Nox ordered.

    Yesrin smiled “Whatever you need…..you lead and I’ll follow and I don’t blame you for being cautious with me but rest assured I’m able to execute my job very well” she replied.

    “I’m sure your excellent at Infiltration but we need to get in, grab our package, and the four of us get back out of there alive to tell the tale” Mark interjected with a smile.

[Intelligence]

    After their meeting Nox unlocked the equipment case and grabbed three wrist computer with an orb for each “I’m going to download all the intel maps so each of us have a copy just in case we should get separated for some reason” as she set to work.

    Looking at the equipment Mark turned to Nox “So what do we want…..vests or utility belts” he inquired already knowing what her answer would be.

    “Vests since we’ll be dressing like the locals” Nox replied “Was there any doubt” as she grinned.

    “Looks like you two can pretty much read each other’s thoughts” Yesrin commented with a light chuckle “I can see I’m going to fit right in with you both.”

    “That’s the plan” Mark stated while he continued to grab what tech they would need for the upcoming Op.

[Bridge]

    Everyone was at their Stations doing what they were trained to do when Racheal asked “Lieutenant T’Sol what’s our ETA to Alben.”

    Keeping an eye on his screens he replied “We will arrive at Alben at twenty two hundred since we will be able to slipstream the entire way there.”

    “That’ll work out perfectly, that way the Infiltration Team can go right in and find then extract AJ then we can be on our way before anyone on the surface is any wiser” James added looking over at Racheal then continued “Of course we’ll all be keeping a watchful eye on everything so we don’t end up with any unwanted surprises while they are on the surface.”

    “We certainly don’t need anyone mucking up the works while we’re above the planet” Maria chimed in with a grin.

    “That’s for sure Lieutenant” James replied with a grin then tapping his comm “Lieutenant Nox this is the Captain.”

    Hearing the call “Yes Captain” Nox answered.

    “We’ll be arriving at our destination at twenty two hundred” James informed her.

    “That’ll work out perfectly. We’ll be ready to depart soon after and that will give us plenty of time to get to the extraction point to rendezvous with AJ and get her out of there” Nox replied as the team were getting their things organized.

    “Excellent” James commented “When you’re all set to go make sure you three get some rest if you can.”

    “We’ll certainly try Captain but usually the adrenalin keeps me from sleeping….you know just before an Op’s about to start” Nox replied.

    “Do your best Lieutenant” then James paused “I guess I don’t have to remind you to be safe and get the four of you back here safely.”

    “Always Captain” Nox stated with a grin then returned to the task at hand.

    Racheal looked over at James “I have every confidence in those three so I’m sure everything will go as planned” she stated.

    “So do I but I’m always a little concerned every time one of the Crew leaves the ship and from what I’ve read Alben gives me the creeps just thinking about it” James replied knowing deep down Racheal was right.

[About twenty two hundred]

The three Infiltration Specialists were all outfitted in the local’s garb along with all their Tech stored in a their vests and edged weapons in a special sheath on both outside legs.

Mark looked at the front of his trousers seeing a U shaped zippered flap. It didn’t take in long to figure out the flap’s function as he stated “You have got to be kidding me” being quite disgusted at it’s intended use.

Nox looked over to Mark and Yesrin “What seems to be the problem Mark” as she snickered at his attire knowing what he was referring to before  inquiring “You guys ready for this” she inquired jazzed to start the OP.

Mark grinned “I’m more than ready to kick some creepy male ass” he responded ready to get going.

“Yup, let’s get this show on the road” Yesrin replied with a snicker.

“Good! Just what I wanted to hear. Star frosty and watch each other’s six…..we can do this” Nox stated with determination on getting AJ out of there safely. Tapping her comm “Captain Lake we’re ready….just give the word.”

“Excellent! The Transporter Room has your coordinates already so proceed and be careful down there” James ordered with some concern.

“Always Captain! I’ll let you know when we return, Nox out.” Looking to her partners “Let’s go” as the three made the way to the Transporter Room. Arriving the three Specialists walked onto the Transporter pads “Energize” Nox ordered as the three disappeared from sight.