Andromeda Project Mission Briefing - Special Operations Team Candidates

Seated in an auditorium at Starfleet Headquaters, you look around anxiously at the other Starfleet personnel that have been gathered.  You try to go over the few facts that you already have at your disposal:  You have been selected as a candidate for a prestigious mission, one that involves the discovery of the intermittent wormhole to the Andromeda galaxy in Sector 017 and Commodore Westlake's proposal to the Federation Council.  You know that you and the others were excused from your duties at your regular post to come all the way to Starfleet Headquarters on Earth to hear the proposal of a volunteer mission.  Finally, you know that nearly all of the other personnel gathered are renowned for their diverse talents and dedication.

As the lights dim, a vague stellar map appears on the auditorium viewscreen.  It is labeled 'Andromeda Galaxy Sector 001 - The Exodus Sector'.  A pretty standard, if nondescript, map seems to indicate several potentially habitable systems, if you remember your stellar cartography training from the Academy correctly. 

A female Andorian officer, wearing pips that indicate the rank of captain, enters and takes her place behind the auditorium lectern.  She displays grace and poise in the simple act of entering a room, taking the stance of a warrior behind the dubious setting of a podium.

"Good Evening.  I am Captain Quora' Veron and I am here to brief you on a volunteer mission that could very well change your lives.  I am attached to the joint civilian-Starfleet Andromeda Project as head of a Special Operations Team that will serve directly under Commodore Walter Westlake.  I have been given the opportunity to select my team and out of thousands of potential officers and enlisted, I have chosen those of you gathered as potential candidates."

Captain Veron pauses for a moment, glancing out at the assembled candidates to see what reactions her declaration has created.  "I don't believe in beating around the bush and frankly I don't have the time, so I want to let you know exactly why we have selected you, what we want you to do and how you're going to do it.

"As most of you know Commodore Westlake's Andromeda Project proposal has been given a green light.  He, along with the crew of five starships, will accompany one thousand colonists into an unstable intermittent wormhole which leads to the Andromeda galaxy in the name of exploration and Federation achievement.  We know almost nothing of what lies ahead, as you can see from the bare bones data about our point of ingress displayed behind me.

"The Federation colonists and Starfleet personnel in Andromeda will be cut off from the United Federation of Planets, perhaps forever, with no guarantee of even irregular communications with their home galaxy.  Despite the resources that are being committed to this Project, these people will be without the benefit of the many institutions that help to build our way of life here in the Alpha Quadrant.

"Without the benefit of a Starfleet Intelligence, for example, or a Temporal Investigations, or a Diplomatic Corp... the brave colonists and explorers will be dependent on a select few to handle unusual or unfortunate circumstances.  My Special Operations Team will be responsible for various duties as needed - from rescue missions to first contact to investigation and perhaps espionage.  It was necessary to find those Starfleet personnel who would not only be well suited to the mission parameters but demonstrated adaptability and a variety of skills."

Veron pauses again, taking a sip of a raktajino from behind the lectern.  It appears that she wants everyone to take time to fully absorb her rather blunt briefing and its ramifications.  "You are those members of Starfleet," she begins again, setting down her cup of Klingon coffee, "the odd, the elite, the select few who I am giving the opportunity to be a part of my mission to ensure the success of the Andromeda Project.

"I say 'opportunity' because you are obligated to go no further than this briefing.  Out of the eighty-three I have gathered here probably only half will volunteer and out of that remaining half only sixteen will be chosen.  I only ask that you review the mission-related materials before you opt whether or not to apply.  These materials are presently classified as sensitive information, so treat them accordingly.  My assistants will pass out PADDs with the data on the way out.

"I want you to know it is conceivable that the Andromeda Project mission will begin and end with the Special Operations Team.  We will be piloting the stripped down Oberth-class ship the USS Hubble through the wormhole before anyone else will be allowed to pass.  This is necessary to ensure the wormhole and the conditions on the other side are safe before we send more ships, personnel and civilians through...

"Once the entire Project fleet passes through the portal to Andromeda, we must find a suitable colony world quickly amongst the half dozen or so systems surrounding the other end.  No one in the command chain of this mission has any desire to drag a fleet, half of which will be composed of transports and colonists, around the galaxy looking for the perfect piece of real estate.  The colonists are aware of and accept this decision."

Captain Veron smiles slightly at the end of her speech and adds, "What happens after that is anybody's guess... but I'm sure it's going to be one hell of an adventure.  I hope you can join us."

The curious Andorian captain nods to the administrative assistants at the end of the center row and the lights begin to raise.  They begin to pass out data PADDs as promised.  You eagerly await yours, unsure of whether you will volunteer but very intrigued by the prospect of being among the select few chosen to protect what could be the birth of a second United Federation of Planets in another, far off galaxy.

At the door, Captain Veron pauses and turns.  The assembled Starfleet personnel instantly stop chattering amongst themselves as they take notice.  "There will be a question and answer session here tomorrow night for those of you still interested in the Andromeda Project Special Operations Team."

Captain Quora' Veron as a Starfleet Academy Cadet

The briefing continues out-of-character (OOC) in Character Creation

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