>> Returning to Polath, "Our *interview* with the prisioner revealed plans to
>>hit this convoy, and that the pirates are supporting a main force
>consisting
>>of at least 2 Felid ships of the size of an escort. We can take them...,
>with
>>the support of a few other ships from Starfleet."
>>
>> Black finished by saying, "We have a plan of action all set. Just need you
>>to do three things......."
>She wasn't pleased that she had not been informed of the prisoner, but it
>wasn't technically her show. She let it be. "And those would be?"
>>"1) approve the plan. 2) Get Snellings to approve the plan and approve the
>>diversion of the crusier USS Istanbul. and 3).... Lead one of the boarding
>>parties to capture as many felinids as possible."
>
>She chuckled. "Only a few minorrr things, in otherrr worrrds."
>
> "Right..... Nothing that someone of your stature could not handle..."
>Black said both of them grinning (or as close as Polath was likely to get to
>a grini with this human). Obviously a lack of sleep had caused some....
>effects.
>
>"Well, the firrrst is done. I apprrrove. I will worrrk on the second. As
>to the thirrrd..." She flexed her claws. "I think it might be nice to
>surrrprrise them with a felinid face. Orrr severrral." She paused to let
>them comprehend what she'd said. "I spoke to my homeworrrld. As of last
>night, the Caitian forrrces have been temporrrarrily rrreassigned to me
>forrr coverrrt operrrations."
>
> "Glorious news. More good warriors to share in the battle and glory."
>Polath commented.
>
>"I think they should stay herrre forrr this one," she said. "The felinids
>believe they arrre the bosses, that humanoids and Klingons arrre
>inferrriorr. We should let them think that forrr now. It will be easierrr
>laterrr to send yourrr teams in, because they won't be expecting
>'inferrriorr' species to be used as spies or to infiltrrrate the colonies
>they contrrrol. I will lead, and yourrr teams will appearrr as though they
>arrre subjugated to my command; 'lackies'. When the time comes for a full
>strrrike, it will confuse them. They won't be expecting it to be led by a
>non-felinid, so may not take it serrriously, allowing us morrre time to gain
>contrrrol of the situation. They may just see it as a slave rrrevolt
>rrratherr than a militarrry operrration."
>
> "Agreed." they both said...
"Good. Well, I guess I have to talk to Snellings beforrre we head out."
She looked at her chronometer. "We have 2 hourrrs beforrre we leave,
captains. Why don't the two of you get some sleep. You look like you need
it."
"Gladly..." Black replied.
She grabbed something to eat on the way out; Caitians, like Terran cats,
didn't need to eat as often as humans did, sometimes going for several days
without food or water if necessary without ill effects. A light, high
protein snack was enough for her.
She asked the computer where Rear Admiral Snellings was at the time and
went to his location, ringing the door chime.
<Admiral Snellings is in his office. Level 5, room 5201.> the computer
replied in the neutral voice that was standard across Starfleet installations.
She came in, holding a hand up for him to remain seated. "Good morrrning,
Admirrral," she nodded. "A busy day today forrr everrryone."
"Good morning, Admiral Kitanya. It is a pleasure to see you this morning.
What can I do for you..." he greeted her and moved into business right away.
He was polite, but she could tell that this was a surprise for him. Snellings
did not like her there, and there was little he could do about it. Her
presence in his office was making him a bit edgy, like he was expecing
something bad to happen and was trying not to let it show just how uneasy he
actually was...
{response}
