> <snip>
> >> >order to make securing a foot hold much easier. From Hunter's reports
we
> >> >think that these beings are highly organized, highly intelligent, and
> highly
> >> >militaristic. From first hand accounts they deal out punishment in
the
> >> >form of a hunt. Where the condemned are only spared if they can make
> it to a
> >> >given point before they are hunted down and slaughtered like game.
> >>
> >> Lorin didn't like this one bit...
>
> Kitanya was unphased. In the earliest of recorded history, when there
were
> only a few widely scattered clans, her own being the oldest and most
> militaristic, such punishments were the order of the day. t was the
> harshest form of punishment and was only rarely carried out, but it was
> part of their history. Just as humans tended not to bring up the
> punishments of ancient Rome, that part of Caitian history was not
generally
> a topic of conversation.
>
> >> >Based on this information, I would like Starfleet's permission to
> propose to
> >> >the Task Force that a small squadron of ships be sent to where they
come
> >> >from. The purpose being to learn as much about them as possible about
> their
> >> >society, arms, technology, and plans. " Black stopped to allow
> questions at
> >> >this point.
> >>
> >> Lorin stood up, "Captain Black...Admiral Renaud. Is there a way for
Senior
> >> Staff to obtain copies of these video images in order to allow us to
watch
> >> for any possible underlying infiltration we may already have? If this
group
> >> is on the `hunt' per se, we need to make our Security staffs aware of
their
> >> presence now rather than later?"
> >>
> > "Yes, sir. It is being sent as we speak."
>
> "I'm not surrre," said Kitanya, "that they would use memberrrs of theirrr
> own species as spies. Caitians arrre not numerrrous off-worrrld. That
> makes us stand out quite a bit. Even if this species rrresembles
Caitians,
> they would still be noticed. We have to considerrr that they may be using
> Federrration memberrr rrraces or close allies as agents. Therrre arrre
> plenty of beings in the galaxy who will sell theirrr souls forrr a quick
> crrredit." She was thinking personally of the Ferengi. "Not that I don't
> want to get a look at these beings, forrr obvious perrrsonal rrreasons.
> I'm just not surrre how much good it will do us if they arrre using
> otherrrs as operrratives."
>
"Thank you for bring that up, Sir. That is a very good point. To
date we have found a number of races in their pirate ranks. These include
Ferengi, Alpha Centauri, Elassi, Breen, Cardassian, Human plus several other
less notable races. Again, these beings are using ciminals and mercanaries
on this side of their rift to act as their main force. However, how long
this will continue- i.e. how long until they start bringing in more fo their
own forces it unknown.
About this plan... I would like to go into a bit more detail before
you decide how to proceed. The plan consists of sending a force of 5 ships
to the other side. It is hoped that these ships will be cloak capable. It
is my hope that the Klingons will either send cloaking devices and crews to
operate them or send ships that we may borow and run with a joint
Federation/Klingon crew. Three of these ships will proceed to explore the
far side fo the rift. They will gather all forms of information using
passive means and with landing parties if need be. The remaining ships will
guard the rift and provide support for an emergency escape. It is my
sincere hope that we can gather more information on this potientially new
race before they move on their plans. The more we know the better our
defense against them will be.
Of course this is only a rough sketch of the plan. I wanted to seek
approval from Starfleet before proceeding further on the design of the
mission."
{response}
