All In One Place

Posted on 2026, Thu Feb 12th, @ 1:23am by Rear Admiral Jacob Hawks Esq, SMH PMV & Commander Jack Riley Jr & Lieutenant Jep Fallo & Vice Admiral Jack Reacher Jr & Captain H'Lai & Captain Kate Reacher & Commander Cormac Situs & Lieutenant Commander Varen Dexal & Lieutenant Nicolas Kalgeropoulos M.C.C. & Captain Samuel Woolheater & Lieutenant Tavi Renn & Lieutenant Meila Tris M.D. & Lieutenant Daven Voss & Lieutenant JG Eska

3,207 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 1 "Operation Iron Justice" USS Halo, Star Base 113, USS Vigilance
Location: Star Base 113 - Deck 068 – Recreational Hub
Timeline: MD-01

Reacher walked into the Concert Hall, and it was bustling with civilians and officers alike, some in uniform, some not.. Reacher was one still in Uniform, Well so was Kate who had walked in next to him. She had just gotten off from a Directors meeting for the Academy.

Lt. Jep Fallo, the Grazerite pilot, sauntered into the hall from a side entrance. He had recieved the invite as they arrived back at SB 113 after returning from their recent mission. He was still wearing his duty uniform and noticed a few familiar face from the Halo crew mingling around mid level concourse in betweem the lower and upper sections of seating.

Cdr. Situs, F/Capt. House, and Commodore Parton were among the faces he recognized as he approached, and he saw Cpl Fitzroy also nearby.

"Greetings sirs...I see I wasn't the only one who got an invite to this shindig."

"That's a word for it. Though I'm surprised this hall can fit everyone from the Halo" Situs welcomed the conversation. "Speaking of, who was on duty at the helm when they docked the Halo?"

"LT..JG Vargas. Why do you ask?" Fallo replied to the blueshirt Commander.

"I was going to ask what took him so long, it felt like we went through 4 different ports. Did we get held up by port authorities?"

"I think it was 3 docking bay doors we went through to get to our parking space yeah." Fallo chuckled.

"Well. 113 is bigger than most bases Commander" Reacher said as he walked up. "So How was the end of the mission? I read the AAR's and they were, well interesting nonetheless"

Situs straightened his posture instinctively. "Inconclusive I'd say sir. The samples are promising but it will take time to make something out of them"

"I honestly never thought I'd see one in person, and to think, when we got up above the cloud cover and got a fix on our approximate location, that was roughly 10000 light years away." Fallo replied, reminiscing about the massive Doomsday Device they had found on the other side of the Iconian portal.

"When i read about the Doomsday, I was like That's new. " Reacher said with a laugh. He looked to the bar tender. "Jack and Coke please".

"So Fallo, thoughts on the Halo? You like her?" Reacher asked the Pliot.

"She handles well for a big girl. Certainly can't complain about my quarters either."

((ELSEWHERE IN THE HALL))

Seated in the front row of the of the upper seating area was Cdr. Riley and Lt. Voss.

"What a mess." Riley said as he reviewed the current situation reports on his padd.

"4 more ships have gone missing near edge of our AoR in the past 2 weeks. And right when we got almost 2 dozen ships stuck helping evacuate the Lissepian Colony on Sarkash 4. Can you get in touch with Starbase 508, they're the closest to the frontier sectors where the ships have disappeared. Have them give us all the info they got? We'll have to scrape together some sort of response force to send out there. They only have an old Centuar and a few runabouts as their support craft. Not enough to even organize an effective search." Riley said as he looked over to the young intel Lt who had proven himself to be an invaluable asset to the Theatre staff over the past several weeks.

"It's worse than a mess, Commander," he said quietly, pulling up a tactical display on his PADD and angling it so Riley could see. "It's a pattern we can't afford to ignore, but also can't afford to respond to obviously."

He highlighted the lost vessels one by one.

"Four ships in two weeks. First was the SS Kauffman, an independent freighter hauling dilithium ore—small crew, light armament, practically defenseless. Second was the Mumbai, a Federation courier ship with a crew of twelve and classified diplomatic pouches. Third was the Antares Prospect, a civilian science vessel doing geological surveys. And the fourth..."

He paused, letting the weight of it settle.

"The fourth was the USS Belleau Wood. Saber-class. Full crew complement, armed, shielded, and experienced. She didn't just go missing, Commander—she went dark mid-transmission. No distress call. No debris field. Just... gone."

"Losing a freighter is unfortunate. Losing a courier ship raises eyebrows. Losing a science vessel and a Starfleet warship in the same operational area inside fourteen days? That's an incident, sir. And everyone in shouting distance is going to notice when we start moving assets around to respond."

Lieutenant Voss displayed a star chart on his padd and showed it to Commander Riley.

"Here's the problem with sending a response force: we're at the edge of our AoR. Starbase 508 is positioned right on the line between Federation space, the Talmakian buffer zone, and what's left of contested Romulan fringe territories. The moment we send anything bigger than a runabout out there, we're going to have the Talmakians asking why we're mobilizing near their border. The Romulans—or whatever's left of their local governance—will want to know if we're annexing salvage rights in their former space. And if any independent colonies catch wind that Starfleet can't protect its own shipping lanes..."

He trailed off, the implication clear.

"We'll have a diplomatic incident on top of whatever's actually taking these ships. And right now, sir, we don't have answers. We don't know who's doing this, why they're doing it, or where they're taking the ships—if they're taking them at all."

"Indeed. And you make some valuable points as usual Lt. Be careful, if you keep it up Hawks or Reacher might see fit to have you promoted and placed on staff in a more permanent role. You don't seem like the type who wants to get the reputation of being a first class staffer and desk jockey this early in your career. . . just get me those intel files and sitreps from 508. I got an idea." Riley said to the Intel upstart. He then took a moment to gaze around at the crew assembling below their perch in the front row of the upper mezzanine seating in the large Concert Hall. All of the newly assigned Halo crew as well as the senior staff and the majority of the off duty crew had been invited. Just over 1100 souls that would all easily fit in the lower bowl and orchestratral seating sections below them. A few other civilian and Starbase staff invitee's were scattered around the upper mezzanine with Riley and Voss.

Daven kept his expression professionally neutral at Riley's observation about promotion and permanent staff assignments, though his internal reaction was considerably more complex.

"Understood, sir," Lieutenant Voss replied with carefully measured tone. "I'll have the intel files and sitreps from Task Force 508 compiled and forwarded to you within the hour."

Six years at the Academy preparing for operational intelligence work. Two years carrying a symbiont the Commission thinks he doesn't deserve. And now a career path that kept him at a desk where both organizations could keep watching him.

He made notes on his PADD, already pulling up access protocols for 508's reporting structure. Riley's comment about reputation carried uncomfortable accuracy—he was rapidly becoming known as the analytical specialist who produced comprehensive assessments on impossible timelines.

And the Symbiosis Commission will love that. 'Irregular host demonstrates operational competence in desk-bound staff position. No immediate complications. Status: stable, but continue monitoring.'

The irony wasn't lost on him. The Commission viewed him as a procedural irregularity requiring perpetual oversight. Starfleet was positioning him as a permanent staff analyst. Both trajectories kept him exactly where institutions wanted him—controlled, monitored, and safely away from situations that might expose whatever vulnerabilities they feared he possessed.

"Is there specific focus area within 508's operations you want prioritized, or a comprehensive overview? I'm looking for the why here, sir..." The young Intell officer asked.

"Simple, its the closest starbase to the region where the ships are.going missing. Intel reports from the past 2 months, any information on the missing ships, and sure, throw in an overview." Riley replied.


((Lower bowl and concourse, Concert Hall))

Recently promoted Marine Captain Samuel Woolheater entered the large room and took a good look. There were so many new people here. And he didn't really know any of them. He was looking forward to getting to know his new crewmates. He had just taken a swim in the large, olympic sized swimming pool here on deck 68. Twenty minutes of swimming and then a quick shower, he arrived with his short, spiky hair still damp and a fresh duty uniform.

Someone was both kind and considerate to have an open bar. Sam saw it and clocked it right away, "Aww...hell's yeah!" He approached and took a look at the bottles. The bartender was a nice touch too. Prevented the situation from turning into a trough. "An old fashioned, neat." Sam turned to the person next to him also looking for a drink option. "Are you with the Halo crew too?" he asked an waited for an answer.

"No Captain, I'm a.civilian employee of the station here. Old fashioned, neat" the bartender replied before placing the drink on that bar.

Eska slipped into the hall. She was still wearing her uniform, as she didn't even own civilian clothing. The person, who was at the bar, startled her with his excitement about the bar. She quietly slipped into a seat at the quietest part of the bar and ordered some simple water.

Sam looked around in the room and saw so many new faces. This was going to be an excellent mission.

The Denobulan doctor walked into the recreation hub. He had just finished a surgery on Bolian, who had snapped his leg in two on the holodeck. Given that he turned off safties, he was able to give him quite a lecture. It was such a bad break the regenerator didn't work, so he had to go in. Operating on Bolians was no fun; their acidic blood made it difficult. He looked around and got what Humans called an old-fashioned. He fell in love with it when he was at the academy. Taking a sip, he looked around to see who else was there.

Sam heard the Denobulan also order an old-fashioned. He nodded and lifted his drink. He was heading to a quieter part of the concourse bar area of the Concert hall where a young woman sat with an auburn-haired Ltjg. Sam stood at an open spot at the end of the bar before speaking, then he said,

"Hi. I'm Sam. offers a hand to her to shake:: I'm pretty new around here. I saw you sitting down here and thought maybe you'd be one of my first friends?"

She looked at the hand for a long moment. Then she took it, as she remembered that is how people greet each other. "I'm Eska, and aboard welcome." She said a little to quickly.


Ravi entered the room. He wasn't security or intel, but his eyes swept the room as though he was. He didn't see anything dangerous or out of place, but hadn't thought he would.. What he did spot, however, was a member of his own race. He started heading in that direction.

H'Lai looked around her, she was not sure who was who, other than Nico and Meila. They had met when the Horatio Nelson picked them up to bring them to 113. Meila and Nico were sitting at the bar just jabbering away, reminiscing about their shared past. H'Lai, in her uniform decided to join them.

"I think you're wrong Nico you son of a ... " Meila was interupted.

"Captain H'Lai, glad to see you!" Nico interupted the obviously drunk Meila.

"H'uuggghhhhh" Meila said as she threw up on the bar.

Nico held back his laughter, and patted Meila on the shoulder, "I think that's it there slugger."

"I concur with Lt. Kalgeropoulos, Doctor, you are inebriated. Perhaps you should eat something." H'Lai said taking a napkin and wiping on the young woman.

"I don't like replicated stuff, it makes me vomit." Meila said putting her feet on Nico's lap.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about, you got that mopped up." Nico looked at the Barkeep.

"Perhaps we should take a trip to Sickbay Meila, get some other fluids into you." H'Lai said in a concerned tone.

"Are you showing emotions?" Nico was shocked.

"Yes, it appears so. I was with humans for 34 years." H'Lai said.

"I will be fine." Meila protested, "Besides, I think I got it out of my system. I still haven't gotten used to being joined and drinking yet." she let out a hiccup.

"Well Doctor, perhaps avoid alcohol for the night, and clean yourself up in the washroom. I will join you."
(Tags anyone)

Just then a chime sounded, and the standard voice of the Federation computer announced over the PA system 'The event shall begin in 3 minutes. Attendees please take your seats.'

As several of the officers and crews began asking their conversation partners if they knew which seats where theirs, and numerous others began fumbling for padds trying to find the original invites, Reacher raised his hand and let out high pitched whistle that was successful in getting everyones attention.

"Don't worry about assigned seating people, theres plenty of room, just find a seat!" The acoustics of the hall easily allowed the former LAPD cops voice to carry throughout the 2800 seat theatre venue.

As if out of nowhere RAdm Hawks, his 2IC, strolled up beside Jack. Reacher. He immediately recognized that Hawks wasn't alone, a short, strawberry blonde, freckled, LCdr wearing a science blue duty uniform was holding Jacobs hand.

"Quite a crowd you've got here Jack." Hawks said with a grin.

"Agreed" Reacher stated

"Jana?" Was all Reacher could muster as he then realized that the shorter woman was Jakes long lost wife. He hadn't known Jana that well, having only served with her for a few months in addition to a mere handful of other encounters over the years, but he recognized her face. And he knew she had been missing for approximately 8 years by this point. The implication was clear, Jake had been successful in his hasty search for the survivors of the USS Hyperion.

"Hi Jack." Jana replied as she let go of Hawks' hands and hugged the Threatre Commander.

"You always were a bloundhound Jake...outstanding, so the Bonnie's mission was a success then?"

"Partial success yes. We were able to rescue 67 survivors of the Hyperion from a Breen prison labour camp. Theres still more out there at other camps though I'm sure." Hawks admitted.

Jack nodded then walked up to the podium. "Thank you everyone for coming, Hope everyone is enjoying their drinks"

"This is a Notice. I figured by now you all know there is currently an active Investigation into me, and a Diplomatic Event that happened not too long ago....And that i am Currently under watch and confined to certain parts of the station. Unless under escort of Federation Diplomatic Security or Marines Assigned under them, With that said the Next few weeks arent gonna be easy, This place is about to be crawling with JAG Officers. and its gonna become a Diplomats worse Nightmare with that said are there any questions?"

"When are you taking your flagship out on its next mission then sir?" A junior officer hollered from the orchestral seating. The young man, had taken the words right out Hawks' mouth. When things get hot, usually you get out of the kitchen.

"I hope once all this Diplomatic stuff is dealt with, Anything else?" Reacher asked.

Hawks then walked up to podium next his old friend who stepped aside. Hawks had been kept up to date of the situation by Riley, and he had just received a message from the Theater's head planner about the Halo's next mission.

"Alright, now listen up people.. The Admiral is still in command of the Threatre as he is innocent until proven guilty. As for the Halo's next mission, that is being planned as we speak. The ship will be resupplied for a long range patrol, and you will all embark on that mission a week from now. Until then, you'll be on-boarding some new crew mates, and your medical staff and fighter wings will be performing some cross training with the stations crew. But for the next 4 days, consider yourselves all on furlough with full leave passes." The assembled crew cheered and clapped at that announcement. Hawks then shut the mic off and turned to his old friend.

"Now lets go get you outta this fucking mess boss." Hawks said in a hushed tone.

((BACK IN THE UPPER MEZZANINE))

Daven stood in the upper mezzanine, watching Admiral Reacher's announcement with the kind of analytical detachment that came from processing information while simultaneously evaluating its operational implications.

So we're just... announcing the JAG investigation publicly now. That's certainly one way to respond to an investigation. The Trill thought to himself.

He kept his expression professionally neutral while his thoughts raced through the operational calculus. Reacher hadn't been forced to disclose the investigation to 1100 assembled personnel. He'd chosen to. Which meant this wasn't crisis management—it was a calculated move. It was a shot across the bow. . .Reacher was firing at the brass.

By publicly announcing he was under investigation, confined to certain areas, and required diplomatic security escort, Reacher had just made the JAG's job significantly harder. Every potential witness in this room now knew their commanding officer was being investigated. They knew he'd been confined. It would make them less likely to cooperate with investigators absent a direct order. Witnesses who might have volunteered information will now hesitate. The crew will close ranks around their commander. And JAG will have to burn political capital just getting basic cooperation.

When the junior officer asked about the Halo's next mission, Reacher brushed off the entire investigation as a mere administrative inconvenience rather than a serious charge. He was framing the entire effort as diplomats and bureaucrats interfering with operational command rather than him punching a high-ranking official.

He looked back towards Commander Riley as he thought about his litany of tasks. He was absolutely certain that the Admiral's declaration of war on JAG wouldn't pause any intelligence operations.

""Sir," Daven said quietly to Riley, "I'll have those 508 reports ready within the hour as requested. Should I continue working on Captain Woolheater's cover identity during the furlough period?" He asked the Commander.

"Yep, this announcement changes nothing operationally. I have a feeling since the Admiral was openly willing to mention the investigation and the particulars publicly, he likely expects charges to drop any time now...and knowing Admiral Hawks as long as I have, him jumping up there with his morale raising speach giving most of the crew a furlough, he expects the same and is ready to take the reins instantly if needed...lets call it a night and go grab a drink Lt." Riley said as he stood and grabbed his small stack of padds.

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