| Secret Secret, Hush Hush Hush |
| Summary: | Elias and Amos discuss a secret mission. |
| Date: | 01/07/2016 |
| Related Logs: | Libran Intel Report |
  |
| Battalion HQ -Deck 3 - Battlestar Orion |
| The headquarters room is the primary command location for all Marines associated with the battlestar or accompanying fleet ships. The walls and desks are covered with maps, photos, and satellite imagery - as well as clocks indicating the current time in each colonial capital city. Secure phones are bolted to each bulkhead, and for added insurance, each desk possesses its own encrypted wireless unit with its own independent wiring. The small room is always manned by a wireless operator and a duty sergeant, at a minimum, though it tends to be a hive of activity during duty hours. |
| AWD #375 |
While there might not be many active ops running from Orion at the moment, there's an anticipation in the air, and marines from the lowest enlisted right the way up seem to be feeling it. This might in part be due to the fact that the S3 has been rather busy of late, pouring over maps of Aerlion and now also Libran. The large table to the side of the room designed for just this purpose is currently surrounded by a gaggle of experienced marines debating points relating to the labour camp at Crossroads. There appears to be a plan, of which the fine details are being debated civilly, and the whole thing is being chaired by the senior marine present, in this case Amos.
Elias enters the HQ and steps off to one side, studying the active planning session and the Marines bent over the map. Dressed in his blues and carrying his overflowing clipboard, the Intel officer has a air of a man on a mission, though he seems content to wait for now. His lips compress as his gaze falls on Captain Ommanney, and when he is able to catch the man's eye Elias lifts his right hand, pen held vertical in his fingers and waggled back and forth, to indicate he'd like a moment of the S-3's time.
Amos does eventually look up and upon seeing Elias he gives a short sharp nod, glances back to the map, the holds up just the index figure of one hand to indicate he can extract himself momentarily. Well, in less than a minute anyway. Passing the decision making powers off briefly to a long serving Lt of the 1/8th he walks a couple of paces towards the Major then tilts his head towards the CO's office as if to ask if this needs to be private.
"Captain." A quick nod from Elias confirms Amos' guess, and the young Major steps toward the office door as well. Once in the CO's small office the Intel officer steps aside and turns to address Amos. "I see you're otherwise engaged, so we can keep this brief. I wanted to get your thoughts on the mission proposal for Libran — as a native of the Colony and an experienced field officer. And to make certain Marine command understands the full ramifications of the mission."
"Major," Amos replies, closing the hatch to the CO's office to ensure they're undisturbed. "I've read it, but you'll forgive me if I say I've not giving it my full attention as we're launching another assault on Aerlion tonight and I need to make sure everything is sorted for that." Moving so he can lean against the edge of Rand's desk he folds his arms over his chest and attempts to mentally switch tack. "I know the area in question fairly well," he states first, "and as I understand it you want to go take a look at Yorrik to see just what it is that has excited the Cylons so?" That's how he read it anyway. "The main question I think I had was to clarify if we're not nuking the basestar due to our resources being stretched elsewhere, or the fear of retaliation on the surface?" Or something else of course, but they're the most likely reasons he's come up with so far.
"Mmmm," Elias makes an understanding noise for the Marine's priorities. It seems he was aware. "Best of luck with that." Then there's a nod for Amos' take on the mission, though there seems to be more to it than that. "Yes. That's the starting point at least But I'm glad to hear you're familiar with the area. We're rather short on Librans aboard Orion at the moment, and I wasn't looking forward to combing the fleet for someone who was." There's a moment of hesitation, and then a slow shake of his head. "We are going to knock out the basestar over Libran. In fact the entire rest of the fleet will be making several diversionary attacks as cover for the recon team." Apparently it is that important. "As for putting more boots on the ground … you're correct. If we put a battalion on the ground, the Ones might very well call the entire Cylon fleet in to protect their pet project."
"My family were reasonably wealthy, and well educated," Amos replies with a faint smile, "we visit /the oldest settlement on Libran/ several times, and that's not counting the school visits." Yes, he knows the area. "I haven't yet had chance to scour the list of resistance contacts though I'm afraid, to look for anyone who might be influenced by the family name." Yes, it also looks like he's planning on going. "If it helps though, when I was with the 55th MCCS on Capria my duties were to co-ordinate and find resistance groups that could be utilised, so I have some experience in that field should we be able to achieve contact." Leaving the hard-sell there he nods once to the comment about the basestar and asks, "so investigate the cylon activity at Yorrik, look for local resistance contacts, anything else?"
The Intel officer quirks a brow at Amos' level of familiarity, but he's clearly pleased to hear that Amos has such a personal stake in the mission and seems committed to going. "I suppose I should have guessed. Given that Libran is a relatively small Colony, population-wise." And then he gives a quick nod for the extra info about resistance-contact experience. "I was hoping you'd volunteer to lead this mission, Captain. I had your name penciled in. I expect your knowledge and experience will be critical." Anything else? "Don't get caught," Elias suggests dryly. "And forward me a list of personnel and equipment you need ASAP. Whatever it is, you'll get it."
"What sort of time scale are you looking at?" Amos asks, mindful of the requirements of personnel for Aerlion and who can be rotated out for a prolonged absence on Libran. Then, with the immediate question out of the way he studies Elias for a few moments, then asks, "so we're clear from the off. When you say 'don't get caught' do you mean try your best, or shoot yourself int eh head to avoid it?" It's an important distinction after all, and one the ECOs have the painful side of already. "Also, why now? I know that stopping the destruction of the archives is certainly a nice to have, but you don't strike me as a man who'd allow sentiment over tactical thinking. Why this new front now?"
"As soon as possible," Elias says for the timing. Just like everything else. A fact he knows full well, but he makes no attempt to apologize. And then the young Major hesitates before frowning and shaking his head. "No … no one is going to order suicide protocols, Captain. Do your best, but we need that information." The question of 'why' earns a bit of a longer pause, and then nod of understanding from the Intel officer. "We've been working toward this for some time, but there's finally evidence of a major rift forming among the Cylons. All indications are that the Ones are up to something on Libran, and if we can expose it to the other lines it could undermine their entire war effort."
"Glad we cleared that up then," Amos replies with a wry smile to Elias, he has worked on suicide protocols before, and probably still should given his inner knowledge of the operations of the 55th, but if he doesn't have to drag the rest of his team to that level then all the better. As the why is explain he listens carefully, "a worthy cause. I'll let my oppo in the 1/8th know you've tapped us for something and that she might have to take up the slack with regard to Aerlion, we should be able to manage without having to call on Spree for extra boots." Not that he doubts Spree mind, but hte less that know there's something up the better as per usual. "Once we've got this labour camp cleared on Aerlion I'll be in a better position to judge what we can and can not commit. Give me forty eight hours and I'll have an initial proposal on your desk."
"Mmmm," Elias makes a carefully neutral noise for Amos' wry comment. And while he nods cautious agreement for giving the other Marine units a heads up, there is a caveat. "Needless to say, the details of this mission need to remain top secret, Captain." He's far more certain for the forty-eight hour time-line, however. "Understood. Best of luck withe camp, and I'll look for your mission plan shortly thereafter."
"As I said," Amos replies with a faintly raised eyebrow, to make it clear that he doesn't need reminding of his job, "I'll say you've tapped us for something. Nothing more will be needed." With the meeting apparently over he stands up straight once more and unfolds his arms, "thank you Major. I assume any queries that pop up in the meantime can be directed to the map room as per usual?" It's not exactly a question he's burning for an answer for so he moves towards the hatch and starts to spin it open.
There's a ghost of a wry smile for Amos' raised brows, and then Elias nods. "Yes. Contact me personally, regardless of the hour, if there's anything you need." And then he too is gathering himself to go, and let the Marine get back to his current planning session. "Until then."