TIme to Begin

Posted on 2026, Thu Mar 19th, @ 12:00am by Captain Rhyx Kade & Captain Samuel Woolheater & Lieutenant Daven Voss

921 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 1 "Operation Iron Justice" USS Halo, Star Base 113, USS Vigilance
Location: Starbase 113 - Shuttlebay 1

Captain Kade stood at the shuttle bay awaiting the Arrival of Voss and Woolheater, Kade was one of the few that knew about the Marines mission, Kades mission was to drop him off at a civilain transport sector to allow the Marine to have more of a back story rather than just appearing out of no where on Zytchin.

Lieutenant Daven Voss arrived at the shuttle bay with characteristic precision—exactly on schedule, carrying a secure data case containing Captain Woolheater's final operational materials and backup documentation. The past four days had been spent ensuring that Elias Mercer's legend was as bulletproof as he'd promised.

He spotted Captain Kade waiting near the shuttle and recognized the tactical purpose immediately. This wasn't just transport—this was the first layer of cover establishment. Dropping Woolheater at a civilian transport sector would create verifiable travel records showing Elias Mercer arriving through normal commercial channels. Now came the part where his tradecraft either succeeded or failed in the field.

"Captain Kade," The Trill Intelligence officer said as he shifted the data case to extend a handshake. "Lieutenant Voss. I'm here to provide final operational briefing materials and ensure Captain Woolheater has everything he needs before insertion."

The shuttle bay doors slid open with a muted hydraulic sigh and Samuel Woolheater stepped through. Sam practiced a quick glance at th cooling and support systems, the power grid and the atmosphere processing.

He spotted Voss talking to another man whom he did not recognize. Sam was ready, Elias Mercer was just waiting in the wings.

Medical had done exactly what Intelligence requested. Sam’s short dirty-blond hair had been stimulated to grow out several weeks’ worth in only a few days. It fell longer now, brushing the collar of the faded civilian work jacket he wore. His beard had filled in as well. It was thick, uneven in places, the kind of growth that looked less like grooming and more like a man who spent too many weeks working cargo decks, planetside installations and union company meetings and construction platforms to care about mirrors.

The tattoos that normally marked his arms and shoulders were gone from sight. He wore a jacket and a plain slate-gray work shirt. The clothes themselves weren’t stylish. They were the sort of durable civilian gear a contractor might buy from a freight station supply kiosk, dark utility trousers with reinforced knees, scuffed work boots, and a jacket with enough pockets to carry tools or datapads.

Nothing about the outfit looked expensive. Everything about it looked used. The only thing that hadn’t changed was the way he moved.

Even dressed like a dockside labor contractor, Woolheater still carried himself with the quiet balance of someone used to armor and gravity shifts. His shoulders were relaxed, his stride steady and economical, blue eyes sweeping the bay once out of long habit before settling on the two officers waiting beside the shuttle.

For a second, the Marine captain looked almost amused.

Then he reached them and gave a small nod.

“Morning, gentlemen.”

His voice was the same as always, central, rural Georgia with a touch of West Texas gravel. Samuel's Pacifican clip was masked. He didn't use it or need it. He spoke relaxed now. The man standing in the shuttle bay no longer looked much like a Starfleet Marine officer.

He looked like exactly what the cover file said he was.

A civilian contractor named Elias Mercer.

Kade nodded and looked at Voss. "This should be a quick and easy drop to the location then Woolheater can get on a transport and make his way back here. I Assume the ID and everything is fully checked and ready?: Kade asked.

"Nothing is ever quick and easy, Captain," Lt. Voss replied quickly as he began to load the equipment into the shuttle. "But the legend is solid, Elias Mercer's credentials will pass standard and non-standard verification protocols."

He turned to Sam, conducting a brief visual assessment. The posture was right. The civilian contractor bearing was present. Even the voice had shifted to that rural Georgia drawl with West Texas gravel.

"Mr. Mercer," Lt. Voss said, handing over several isolinear chips from his secure data case, "final operational materials. Backup documentation, emergency contacts, and updated intelligence on Torvak's network."

Sam ran his fingers through his hair to move it out of the way, a gesture that he had practiced. In his pockets he had well worn, abused padds and a few manual calc machines and data rods containing formulas and other data that he might need. Inside, when he peered into the craft, he could see a travel tote.

"Any other tech I need?" he asked Voss and Kade.

Lt. Voss shook his head with immediate certainty. He had chosen to go by the principle he had learned in Intelligence school: Simple is better. Fewer variables mean fewer potential points of failure.

"The less technical baggage you're carrying, the better. Everything you have right now looks authentic because it's practical and used, not pristine and new." He said. "Additional equipment creates additional variables. Something could be out of place, inconsistent with your cover background, or trigger questions you'd need to answer." Lt. Voss continued.

"We're ready whenever you are, Captain Kade" Lt. Voss said, looking towards the senior officer of the group.

Kade nodded and power up the shuttle and ploited it out of the bay and then looked to the two. "Lets get going" And he shifted the shuttle into warp.

RSS Feed