Star Trek

Personal Communication
From: Commodore Robert Applebee
To: Admiral William Preston
Stardate: 63296.08

Admiral Preston,
Apologies for the inconvenient timing of this dispatch; I¿ve only just been ordered out on assignment and am therefore pressed to send it before reporting to my vessel. It has come to my knowledge through certain channels that the mission my crew and I are to undertake with great urgency has been generated principally by your office, and if I may be so bold as to say, largely due to the peril your nephew is potentially caught up in. Despite my own personal objections to the use of the Resolute; a defiant class, as a search and rescue vessel - I give you my assurances that we will uncover the truth behind the disappearance of the SS Starspire, and return any and all members of the crew we can recover.

You may or may not be aware of the Resolute¿s staffing situation. Due to our impromptu departure, we have been forced to forego proper crew selection and transfer procedures. While the temporary staff on loan from the Starbase will suffice for the operation of the Resolute, personnel with the attached qualifications should be sought out and sent to me as soon as possible. While you undoubtedly have other important matters to attend to, the proper staffing of my vessel will only aid in the rapid resolution of this matter, and the safe return of your nephew and the entire crew of the Starspire. For your convenience I have generalized some of the positions critical to the success of this mission.

Chief Engineering Officer
There is no more critical post, especially for a Defiant, overpowered as they are. The Resolute¿s role as an escort and combat vessel will see the need for a talented engineer. Our temporary engineer, Warrant Officer Franklin McCord is a highly qualified individual ¿ in dry-dock. His skill at rapidly repairing numerous vessels is commendable, but not well suited for my ship. I need a CEO who excels at ad-hoc repairs in the field, keeping us running even under heavy fire or repairing derelicts - someone who thinks creatively and will allow my crew and I to overcome the complexities of any hostile situation. Administrative qualifications are not a priority, given the relatively small Resolute engineering department. Additionally, the CEO should have some experience in maintaining and repairing auxiliary craft, in particular, the Blackhawk Class runabout.

Chief Intelligence Officer
Given the precarious nature of the Resolute¿s theater of operations, and indeed, the particulars of this mission, I have a great need for an informed and dedicated CIO. Past field experience as an infiltrator, surveillance specialist, or undercover operative is preferred. The Resolute¿s CIO should be capable in these aforementioned areas, delegating to staff members when necessary, in addition to being a competent analyst. Starfleet doesn¿t have all of the answers to the pertinent questions, the CIO should know who does, and how hard to squeeze.

Chief Science Officer
The resolute has little need for a full blown science department. Instead the duties of the CSO would involve organizing the science staff to function in a laboratory capacity as part of an investigative team. ¿A critical element on secondary away missions, the CSO will be responsible for the analysis and careful preservation of evidence from areas first secured by the Resolute¿s combat departments; Security and the A.C.E.S. ¿. The CSO should also be prepared to work in an advisory capacity with the Resolute¿s Chief Medical Officer in identifying and neutralizing a variety of pathogens and other agents harmful to the crew, as well as suggesting unorthodox treatment methods to the Chief Medical Officer when the standard regimen of treatments proves inadequate.

Diplomatic Officer
As the Resolute lacks a complete Diplomatic department, when the functions of such are necessary, a properly staffed vessel will typically be called in. As such, the Diplomatic Officer aboard the resolute serves primarily as an advisor to the command staff; providing insight into the cultural, religious, and social paradigms of races or groups we encounter. Additionally, the Diplomatic Officer compiles and maintains dossiers on important political, religious, or social figures, providing copies to the Command Staff when necessary, and briefing the Senior Staff on all of the aforementioned areas during meetings.

A.C.E.S. Pilot
¿ ¿ ¿ ¿The Advanced Combat and Extraction Squadron is the Resolute's unique Marine detachment. The five-member group specializes in infiltration and retrieval; retrieval of documents, information, hostages, or enemy personnel. The group's pilot is charged with flying the Blachawk Class runabout - not normally capable of being used on a Defiant, but applicable in the Resolute's case due to specific modifications in her hull and shuttlebay launching technologies designed by the ship's executive officer. In addition to being an accomplished pilot, being able to circumnavigate debris and other natural hazards, the ACES pilot should also have combat experience, as he or she may be called upon to act as a combat auxiliary to the Resolute. Furthermore, the ACES pilot should be familiar with ground-based vehicles as well, and should be able to serve temporarily as the Resolute's helm officer in emergency situations.

While these are the most critical positions, there are many others that have yet to be filled, as can be seen on our manifest. I will relay mission reports regularly through the communications grid. Once you have identified individuals with the qualifications listed above and specified in the attached documents, please direct them to the Quartermaster here on 349, who has agreed to help process the transfers. Any inquiries you may have can be addressed via my personal link.

If you can assist me in this matter, I'm sure we our mutual interests can benefit greatly.

Best Regards,

-Commodore Robert Applebee
USS Resolute, Commanding
Task Force 72, Fourth Fleet