Bait and Switch (Mission)

Bait and Switch
Season:	Season 4
Episode:	25
Date:	June 28, 2390
Template:Mission

NOTE: This mission ran concurrent with Mission 26: Cover of Darkness.

With Task Group Belvedere deploying a sensor net along a line from Gavara across New Risa to Altair, the crew of the Black Hawk, along with two other ships, work to set a trap near Nebula G71-2B. Sensors are unable to penetrate the nebula, leaving the crew to think that it’s a good place for someone to hide.

The trap, a convoy assembled from Gamma Command’s two Defiant class escorts and two of their Wallenburg transports, is dispatched from Gavara to New Risa. The Black Hawk and its escorts attempt to mask their warp signatures as they follow the convoy, ready to jump in within seconds once (if) their mysterious attackers reveal themselves.

Summary

As the Black Hawk orbits Gavara IV, elements of Task Group Belvedere begin to plant sensor buoys along the new front line, having lost more than a full sector to the mysterious power now dubbed G90B. Commodore Geisler finds himself in the mist of coordinating all of these efforts, all the while acclimating new officers under his command, including Lieutenant Frex as Chief Engineer, Provisional Ensign Wysocki as Chief Flight Control Officer, and the newly promoted Lieutenant JG Mitchell temporarily as Chief of Security.

The front line remains quiet for a week, leaving the quadrant to wonder if these attacks have come to an end. No sign has emerged of these attackers, nor has there been any efforts by anyone to claim responsibility for the destruction of Starbase Unity, its support ships, and the USS Gaittithe. Harvey, with assistance from Gamma Command, concocts a plan to draw G90B out and reveal themselves on his terms and before another surprise attack. On June 28, This plan is revealed to the crews of the Black Hawk, Endurance (commanded by Captain Graham Holmes), and the Valcour (commanded by Captain Mari Solvbakken). Their three ships would join a convoy of two Wallenberg-class vessels, the Defiant-class Centurion, Defiant-class Gemogt, and Saber-class Krutigtee, all bound to deliver supplies to a disaster-striken Yolvanda II. The convoy is spread out enough so that each ship is just outside of weapons range of each other, but well within another's sight to allow for sensor data collection and escape.

That evening, the convoy departs Gavara IV to begin its two day journey to Yolvanda II.

The following morning, Captain Geisler performs his first inspection tour aboard the new Black Hawk. He begins with Engineering where Lieutenant Frex presents a plan to use the deflector to push an anti-polaron beam into the shields in order to strengthen them against G90B's attacks. Commodore then meets with Counselor Rael in her office to discuss crew morale while the two officers learn more about each other. In Security, Geisler tests Lieutenant Mitchell's knowledge of the ship's security capabilities and procedures in an attempt to prove her mettle, to which she passes with flying colors. The Commodore then travels to the science labs for his first official check-in with the ship's Science Chief, Lieutenant Zyler.

On the Flight Deck, Geisler observes a briefing led by Deputy Squadron Commander Carter, and then reviews the squadron's plan and strategies with him. Then, in the Intelligence Office, both Commodore and Lieutenant Commander Geisler share a moment as both a married couple, as well as officers on board the ship. In Administration, Commodore Geisler discusses Task Group updates with Master Chief Petty Officer Rasputin, as well as checks on the department's readiness. Finally, the Commodore arrives in Auxiliary Control, where Lieutenant Commander Marsh, Chief Petty Officer Tarsa Rogers, and Ensign Wysocki are settling into the ship's temporary command center.

Timeline

Backposts

• A Matter of Security (June 21, 2390)

Day 1 (June 28, 2390)

• 1000 hours: The Best Laid Plans

Day 2 (June 29, 2390)

• 0730 hours: Tour: Engineering
• 0745 hours: Tour: Counseling
• 0800 hours: Tour: Security
• 0815 hours: Tour: Science
• 0830 hours: Tour: Flight Deck
• 0845 hours: Tour: Sickbay (in progress)
• 0900 hours: Tour: Intel
• 0915 hours: Tour: Administration
• 0930 hours: Tour: Auxiliary Control

Day 3 (June 30, 2390)

• 1130 hours: Cabin Fever (in progress)

OOC Information

Mission 25 began on October 1, 2024 and ran concurrently with Cover of Darkness. Since then, 9 posts have been published.

External Information

Complete Mission Logs for Episode 25: Bait and Switch