Bresasam s'Tal'Diann
2014-05-18
Gessatra ir'Virinat t'Prell: The Fleet Meeting is starting now. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude and pride to the members of the fleet who have done so much recently to fulfill the requirements of the Fleet Holding Projects, and thank you again for holding down the fort while I was indisposed due to illness. We have come a long way since we were reorganized under the Republic less than a year ago, and surpassed many older fleets. There is yet some distance to go, of course, and I trust that I may rely upon your continued devotion to our fleet and its causes.
Arrehae ir'Mhiessan t'Kramdranel Sahull: No doubt there are other fleets who have more reputation, more progress together, more interaction, but those will not compel me to seek them out instead.
Gessatra ir'Virinat t'Prell: As to the matter of recent astropolitical events, our allied powers are no longer in open war with one another, and this can only bode well for the future, especially in light of our many common foes, and those yet to make themselves known. I would urge everyone to remember that although this fleet is specifically allied with the Orion Syndicate and the Klingon Empire, the Federation is also the ally of the New Republic, and to be considerate when interacting with Starfleet personnel. They are not all honorless targs.
Arrehae ir'Mhiessan t'Kramdranel Sahull: Agreed, with the accursed Undine and the Iconians' continued threat, the Empire and the Federation may renew the Khitomer Accords again. Considering the last time they were renewed, our unity defeated the Dominion from conquering the galaxy.
Galactica Val'danadex Trel t'Charvon: *nods in agreement*
Gessatra ir'Virinat t'Prell: I would like to see a new accord which includes our Republic as well, but these are matters we must leave to the civilian authorities. I do advise D'Tan, but he is also my Commander, and he does not take orders from me. For now, what we do as the Tal'Diann is largely military in nature, although it has implications for civil matters as well. In particular, the Military Intelligence aspects of the Tal'Diann involve a four-part process.
Arrehae ir'Mhiessan t'Kramdranel Sahull: Please explain, Admiral.
Gessatra ir'Virinat t'Prell: The first phase of the process is Collection of Information. This is not "intelligence" until the second phase of the process, known as Analysis. The field agent gathers information and reports it, and then the analyst examines the information in light of other information, in connection with the reliability of the agent or asset, and looks for confirmation. Unrelated information may also be used in Analysis, because it can often have hidden implications which bear on the information which has been gathered. Once the Collection and Analysis are done, the next phase is Packaging. This is where the intelligence is prepared for delivery to specific audiences, with a mind as to how best to present the intel to them in an effective manner. To be more ... precise, Following the first two phases, critical vulnerabilities are then indexed in a way that makes them easily available to advisors and line intelligence personnel who package this information for policy-makers and war-fighters. Vulnerabilities are usually indexed by the nation and military unit, with a list of possible attack methods. It is in this phase where we have been ... dragging our feet, so to speak. Packaging threats and vulnerabilities for decision makers is a crucial part of Military Intelligence. A good intelligence officer will stay very close to the policy maker or war fighter, to anticipate their information requirements, and tailor the information needed.
Arrehae ir'Mhiessan t'Kramdranel Sahull: What you say is true, Admiral. I often see this in ground missions with the STF. It disappoints me to see those who rush into battle without any plans nor intelligence gathered.
Gessatra ir'Virinat t'Prell: We have been gathering info and analyzing it to make intel, but Packaging has been weak. There are vulnerabilities to which the Undine are particularly susceptible, and not merely through the use of biomolecular weapons. Other methods of attack and defense need also be considered, particularly in connection with attacks on their planetkiller shipyards, due to the globules of viscous material which can impede our ships' movements and so on.
Arrehae ir'Mhiessan t'Kramdranel Sahull: There's an Earth term for such behavior based on a 21st century figure known as "Leroy Jenkins," who was notorious for rushing into a battle recklessly, which resulted in defeat for him and his entire team.
Gessatra ir'Virinat t'Prell: Ah, yes, I am familiar with that foolhardy warrior.
Arrehae ir'Mhiessan t'Kramdranel Sahull: More fool than warrior.
Gessatra ir'Virinat t'Prell: Portals in the Fluidic Space also seem to be able to drain ship energies and shields. We need to identify effective means of countering these things, and we must package our findings for Kererek and Obisek, that they may pass them on to their fleets.
Galactica Val'danadex Trel t'Charvon: The rifts they open are particularly troublesome.
Gessatra ir'Virinat t'Prell: The final phase of the Military Intelligence process is known as Dissemination, in which the processed intelligence is distributed through database systems, intel bulletins, and briefings to the different decision makers. We have been doing this, but with less than ideal Packaging, so that some of our findings have not been emphasized sufficiently to make the necessary impact on the policy makers.
Gessatra ir'Virinat t'Prell: While we are Military Intelligence, we are also Military Criminal Investigative Services, Internal Affairs, and Military Police. Security is thus an important consideration. I would like to recruit more Reman Shadowguards to assist with this, in particular as relating to Undine imposters, whom the Reman Shadowguards would be more likely to detect through their Psionic talents and disciplines.
Arrehae ir'Mhiessan t'Kramdranel Sahull: I am pleased you mentioned the Remans, Admiral. I shall be undertaking a mission to recruit one.
Gessatra ir'Virinat t'Prell: We shall also begin monitoring traffic and communications on ch'Mol'Rihan and in the Mol'Rihan system, in real time, to scan for possible threats and identify additional sources of information who might be useful to our mission and causes. Some of those might be amenable to being recruited. There are other aspects of what we do, the Tactical, the Scientific Research and Development, the Temporal Sciences Division, the Medical Research, Engineering and Operations, but these are going along well enough at the moment and need no adjustments. We should however be aware that the Military Intel aspects, and the Security aspects, have effects on at least some of these other activities. That is all I have for this meeting. Does anyone have anything else to offer for the good of the Tal'Diann and the New Romulan Republic?
[remainder of meeting minutes redacted due to security concerns]
