The Archanis Campaign: Task Force 86 Releases

Captain Christopher Branson strode into the conference room where the senior officers of Task Force 86 had gathered.  He’d just been briefed on events in the Archanis Sector and would now need to mobilize 86 to respond to the Klingon faction’s attacks. 

“The Hunters of D’Ghor have launched a series of attacks on Federation colonies and assets in the Archanis Sector.”  Captain Branson announced as he lowered himself into the chair at the head of the conference table.  Above the table’s surface hung a holographic star chart showing the extent of the rogue Klingon factions actions.

Allowing a little time for the gathered Task Force officers to take that in and study the star chart, Branson sat silently and watched each of them in turn for about a minute.  Eventually, he spoke again.  “As much as we might like, we can’t just park a starship in orbit of each of the Federation colonies in Archanis.  Eighty Six has been tasked with preparing those colonies in the region to withstand future attacks.”

Branson paused for a beat before continuing, “Our ships will visit the colonies and assist with building up their defensive infrastructure, our personnel will train local defense units and work with the government to draw up protocols for sheltering the colonists during attacks.”

Captain Kord, the Commander of Task Group 25, chimed in before Branson had the chance to continue.  “We might as well paint a large bullseye on each colony we visit while we’re at it.  The moment we start making these kinds of preparations on a colony, we’re increasing the chances of that colony being attacked.”  

She wasn’t wrong.  Captain Branson studied Kord for a moment before replying.  “That’s true but what’s the alternative?  Leaving these colonies defenceless and at the mercy of the Hunters of D’Ghor?  That’s not an option.”

“Are we preparing these colonies to defend themselves independently of Starfleet?”  Lieutenant Commander T’Ka, the half human/half Vulcan Task Group 64 CO asked with a single eyebrow raised.

Branson shook his head.  “These preparations are only meant to buy us time to get reinforcements to the colonies.  We’ll also be upgrading their communications and surveillance systems to give us enough of an early warning that we can dispatch ships and get them there as quickly as possible.  The key is to minimise a colony’s losses until our ships arrive to reinforce them.”

The Captain sat forward, placing his elbows on the table and laced his fingers together before continuing.  “The Hunters of D’Ghor are without honor.  They’re more like pirates or thugs.  They prefer hand-to-hand combat over using weapons so it’s likely they they’ll beam down landing parties looking to murder and claim trophies of their kills.  They won’t hesitate to kill unarmed civilians.  That’s why it’s so important that we train defence units on the ground.”

“I’ve recalled the Trafalgar.”  Branson announced as he stood.  “I’ll be taking her as my flagship and will command Eighty Six’s response to these attacks from Archanis.”  He looked around their faces once more.  “Let’s get this done.  Mobilise the Task Force.”

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In This Release:

• Captain Branson briefs his officers regarding the attacks on the Archanis Sector by the Hunters of D’Ghor.
• Task Force 86 is ordered to assist Federation colonies in Archanis with preparations for possible attacks by the Hunters of D’Ghor.
  
• Captain Branson orders Task Force 86 to mobilize in support of the Archanis Campaign.
  
• Members of TF86 are encouraged (though certainly not required) to begin deploying their characters and avatar ships (should they have one) to the Archanis Sector to participate in the campaign.