In Character Conference Special Operations Seminar Stardate 10406.27 Lecture 2

Speaker: Lt. Mrlr – Special Ops, CTO – USS Sharikahr

Subject: Special Operations

Synopsis: When it is time for diplomacy and when it is time to send in the specialists.  Case scenarios of past situations will be studied.

===============================================================

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
::smiles:: Hello Ensign.  We will begin in a few minutes.

Ens_Ryushi says:
::smiles politely at the Lt.::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
::chuckles:: Now how did I know you would be here, Ensign Turok.

Ens_Turok says:
::Smiling:: Mrlr: Learn from the best, that's my philosophy, sir.

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::walks in and takes a seat::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
::Smiles at the SO that just walked in::

Ens_Turok says:
Ryushi: Hello ensign.

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::nervously returns a smile at the Lieutenant::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
All: We'll wait a few minutes before starting.  The other seminars are just finishing.

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::wonders how adept at guerilla style special ops he would be had he been born a mere decade earlier::

Ens_Ryushi says:
Turok: Hello Turok.  ::Pleased to see a fellow Apache crewmember attending::

Ens_Turok says:
Ryushi: Be prepared to learn. :: Smiling::

Ens_Ryushi says:
Turok: Yes...

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
::walks up to the podium and smiles:: I would like to welcome everyone to the final Special OPS seminar of the conference.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
My name is Lt Mrlr and I am currently the CTO of the USS Sharikahr.

CTO_Lt_K`Vas says:
:: walks in and takes a seat::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
I was previously assigned to Special OPS for their infiltration and extermination teams.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Which is why I am giving this lecture today. ::smiles and wraps her tail around her ankle to keep it from twitching::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Special Operations....those two words can conjure up a multitude of mental images and feelings.  Excitement, awe, fear.  It is a role and a function that is glamorized by the media.  All Special OPS personnel must be brave and strong and manly, right? ::grins and indicates her lithe 5 foot frame:: So what is a little bitty kitty cat doing <c>

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
talking about and participating in Special Operations. Good question. ::grins:: And the answer is...the media is wrong. I will now pause for the gasps of disbelief and dismay.

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::gets the feeling he won't be entirely in tune with that sense of humor::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
::walks to the front of the podium and leans against it:: Special OPS does require, for some positions, more brawn than brain.  But for most of the positions it is this ::taps her skull with her paw:: that is your most important weapon.  Whether it be extraction, elimination, disposal or intel...your mind, your knowledge is what is important.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Does anyone have any questions about Special OPS?

CTO_Lt_K`Vas says:
:: raises hand ::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Special Operations is a combination of numerous people and departments all working together to accomplish a mission.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Yes, Lt.

CTO_Lt_K`Vas says:
Mrlr: How are the members of your team chosen.  How do you make sure they have the warrior's blood in them?

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
We don't.  Members of the team are chosen by their abilities and talents.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Let me explain further.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Let's go over a few scenarios and break them down into their individual parts.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
This is one scenario that seems to be popular, one of you is acquainted with it ::smiles at Turok::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
A galaxy class starship has been taken over by hostiles who have gained access to the command codes.  The senior officers are being held in the brig and all personnel are in lock down in their quarters.  Your job is to retake the ship by any means necessary.  Casualties must be kept to a minimum.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
There are 75 hostiles spread out through the ship.  They have full access to all systems and functions.  They have stated no demands or ransom and have refused to speak to anyone.  The origin of the hostiles is unknown.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Sensors indicate that they have placed a transporter inhibitor around the entire ship and shields are up with weapons charged.  The hostiles are a mixture of humanoids from a multitude of species.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Records indicate that there are over one thousand Starfleet personnel and families on board.  What would be your plan of attack?

SO_Ens_Lora says:
Mrlr: Are we inside or out ship the ship?

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
We are outside the ship.  We are a special OPS team that was ordered to rescue the hostages.

Ens_Turok says:
::Thinking he will let the others answer this one::

SO_Ens_Lora says:
Ah, I see, I'm sorry, I wasn't clear if the assumption was we were crewmembers or a team sent in to retake.

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::thinks::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
::smiles at the Ensign:: Not a worry. When designing a plan you need to break it down into various steps.  The first step would be reconnaissance or intel.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
We need to know where the hostiles are and any other statistics about them.  Can anyone tell me how that can be accomplished?

CTO_Lt_K`Vas says:
Mrlr: We beam aboard.  The refresh cycle for the shields of a Galaxy class would allow it

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Ahhh...but there is a transporter inhibitor in place throughout the ship.

SO_Ens_Lora says:
If we sent in a shuttle with all power cut, life support on five to ten percent, and engines to drift, it might be able to get close enough without being detected?

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Yes....but then what?  The ship has it's shields up.

Ens_Turok says:
::Trying desperately to hold his tongue::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
What is the most sure fire way of getting information?

SO_Ens_Lora says:
But that would allow us to make sensor sweeps at least, in order to get an idea of the lay of the land?

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Yes it would Ensign.  But what if the hostiles are sending back false sensor readings?

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::is silent::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
The best way to ensure that the information is correct is to get someone on board the ship.  Correct?

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Can anyone tell me how that could be accomplished?

SO_Ens_Lora says:
If transport is inhibited, and the shields are up...

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Could we transport through the shields?

SO_Ens_Lora says:
Surely not if there are inhibitors present, even if it were possible to transport in through the shields

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
True...the transport inhibitors prevent transporting into the ship.  But what about outside of it?

SO_Ens_Lora says:
onto the hull?

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Correct. ::smiles::  We can transport through the shields because we know the shields frequencies...after all it is our ship.

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::nods::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
There is nothing to stop us from beaming in one person to enter through one of the many entrances that can be found on a ship's hull if one had the hatch access codes.

CTO_Lt_K`Vas says:
Mrlr:  How are you to compress the access and enter without setting off internal alarms

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
With the proper codes the alarms will not sound.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Let's move onto the next phase of the plan.  Infiltration.

CTO_Lt_K`Vas says:
:: listens thinking that this problem wound never occur on a Klingon vessel ::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Let's say that we acquired all of the intel and have successfully gotten a nine or ten man team onto the ship.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
But we have 75 hostiles.  How do we overpower them?

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::guesses that 'weaponry' won't be the answer::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Well there are three things that must be done.  First...any of the hostiles that are in isolated areas can be dispatched first.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Second, release the crew.  they are the ones that know their ship the best and outnumber the hostiles .

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Third, take back control of vital areas of the ship.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Does anyone have any questions so far?

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::shakes head::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
::grins:: This is the quietest bunch I've had all conference.

CTO_Lt_K`Vas says:
:: checks his Chronograph:: Mrlr: I mean no dishonor Lieutenant, but I have other commitments  :: gets up and leaves ::

Ens_Turok says:
::Smiling in agreement::

SO_Ens_Lora says:
Sorry sir - I really don't think I would have much to contribute - my knowledge of special ops is limited, at best.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
::chuckles:: and now it is even quieter...

Ens_Turok says:
Mrlr: What, in your opinion is the most important part of special ops, sir?

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
That's all right Ensign.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Turok:: Stealth.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
What makes Special OPS and Special Forces so effective is that we are not seen or heard.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
That and the support personnel.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Without them the glory team would have no intel, no equipment, no transportation....

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Special Operations is more than just barging in with phasers blazing and rescuing someone.  It requires stealth and intelligence gathering.  It requires the talents and skills of a dozen different personnel  for just one mission.

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::nodding along::

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Anyone can be in Special OPS.  As long as they have the desire and the commitment to dedicate themselves and their career to a lifetime of learning and training.  Training goes on every day for as long as a officer is with a unit.

Ens_Turok says:
Mrlr: How many other personnel would there be supporting a 9 man team, sir?

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
There are different levels.  Immediate support would be a medical and transportation team.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
After that are your intel and equipment supply.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
And then your admin and logistics

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
it can be anywhere from a dozen to three or four dozen people

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
::looks at the time:: Well it looks as if my time is almost up.  Is there anything else anyone would like to know?

SO_Ens_Lora says:
What is the most difficult assignment you've ever been on?

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Unfortunately I am not allowed to speak about specific assignments.  but I have been on several ...elimination or extermination assignments that were difficult.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
mainly because those are one person teams with little support.

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::nods::

SO_Ens_Lora says:
Thank-you, Lieutenant, it's been very informative

Ens_Turok says:
Mrlr: Thank you for making it a much more enjoyable conference, sir. Very educational. I hope to have the honor of serving with you in the future.

Host Lt_Mrlr says:
Thank you both for attending.

SO_Ens_Lora says:
::smiles, stands, and heads for the door so he can get to the flight seminar on time::

Ens_Turok says:
::Exiting to go to his next seminar::