08-09-2026, 08:45 PM
For the first time, the hologram began to move, greeting the assembled officers with her familiar smile. Once enough people had gathered, she began the briefing. "Welcome to my team-building exercise—one designed to give our newer department heads an opportunity to lead an away team under challenging conditions."
She extended one hand, palm upward, and a holographic image of Commanders Alex Talion and Beno Velaul appeared above it.
"Commanders Talion and Velaul have gone missing. They are now more than six hours overdue for their scheduled check-in." The image shifted into a topographical map marked with a single red dot. "This is the last known location of the commanders. Their final transmission mentioned a nearby cave."
A second red dot appeared several kilometers to the west.
"This marks the landing site of their shuttle at the entrance to a large cave system. Initial scans estimate the cave extends at least three hundred meters below the surface. The probability of triggering a cave-in by attempting to fly inside is ninety-four percent. Entering by shuttle is therefore strongly discouraged." The map dissolved into a rotating holographic projection of the cave's interior, highlighting jagged passages, unstable rock formations, and narrow tunnels.
"Our knowledge of the cave is limited. Approximately twenty kilometers inside, the main passage ends at a sheer cliff. We cannot determine its full depth, though scans indicate a substantial body of water at or near the bottom. Beyond that point, we have no actionable intelligence."
The display shifted again, showing two rugged all-terrain vehicles. "You have been provided with the equipment necessary to complete the mission. In addition to standard gear, each vehicle has been fitted with heavy-duty winches on both the front and rear. They were not included by accident."
Beno looked first toward Jez, the closest officer.
"Lieutenant Mala, you have consistently demonstrated quick thinking and strong leadership potential. For those reasons, I have selected you as one of the two team leaders." Her gaze then shifted to Cologero.
"Lieutenant Coppola, you have repeatedly demonstrated strategic thinking, careful planning, and the ability to see solutions others overlook. Those qualities have earned you the role of the second team leader." She paused long enough for the words to settle before continuing.
"The purpose of this exercise is to develop your leadership skills by placing you in an unfamiliar situation where teamwork, adaptability, and sound judgment are essential." A new holographic display appeared, showing a selection of equipment. "Before deployment, every member of your team may select one additional item to bring on the mission. As team leaders, each of you may select up to three additional items. Choose carefully—this is the only opportunity to acquire them."
Based on the briefing alone, it was clear the teams would be covering significant distances, negotiating steep cliffs, and potentially entering deep water. "One final reminder. The shuttles have already been programmed with the required flight plan. And remember..." She smiled slightly. "...everything has a secondary purpose. Keep that in mind."
The hologram folded her hands behind her back.
"If there are any questions, ask them now. This program will remain active until the first shuttle departs. After that, the briefing will automatically terminate." The exercise had been designed with flexibility in mind. The hologram would answer almost any reasonable question about the mission, the equipment, or the environment. The only thing it would never reveal was how to bring the exercise to an early end.
==Tag to all, and like always any GM inputs should be asked in any other mission.==
She extended one hand, palm upward, and a holographic image of Commanders Alex Talion and Beno Velaul appeared above it.
"Commanders Talion and Velaul have gone missing. They are now more than six hours overdue for their scheduled check-in." The image shifted into a topographical map marked with a single red dot. "This is the last known location of the commanders. Their final transmission mentioned a nearby cave."
A second red dot appeared several kilometers to the west.
"This marks the landing site of their shuttle at the entrance to a large cave system. Initial scans estimate the cave extends at least three hundred meters below the surface. The probability of triggering a cave-in by attempting to fly inside is ninety-four percent. Entering by shuttle is therefore strongly discouraged." The map dissolved into a rotating holographic projection of the cave's interior, highlighting jagged passages, unstable rock formations, and narrow tunnels.
"Our knowledge of the cave is limited. Approximately twenty kilometers inside, the main passage ends at a sheer cliff. We cannot determine its full depth, though scans indicate a substantial body of water at or near the bottom. Beyond that point, we have no actionable intelligence."
The display shifted again, showing two rugged all-terrain vehicles. "You have been provided with the equipment necessary to complete the mission. In addition to standard gear, each vehicle has been fitted with heavy-duty winches on both the front and rear. They were not included by accident."
Beno looked first toward Jez, the closest officer.
"Lieutenant Mala, you have consistently demonstrated quick thinking and strong leadership potential. For those reasons, I have selected you as one of the two team leaders." Her gaze then shifted to Cologero.
"Lieutenant Coppola, you have repeatedly demonstrated strategic thinking, careful planning, and the ability to see solutions others overlook. Those qualities have earned you the role of the second team leader." She paused long enough for the words to settle before continuing.
"The purpose of this exercise is to develop your leadership skills by placing you in an unfamiliar situation where teamwork, adaptability, and sound judgment are essential." A new holographic display appeared, showing a selection of equipment. "Before deployment, every member of your team may select one additional item to bring on the mission. As team leaders, each of you may select up to three additional items. Choose carefully—this is the only opportunity to acquire them."
Based on the briefing alone, it was clear the teams would be covering significant distances, negotiating steep cliffs, and potentially entering deep water. "One final reminder. The shuttles have already been programmed with the required flight plan. And remember..." She smiled slightly. "...everything has a secondary purpose. Keep that in mind."
The hologram folded her hands behind her back.
"If there are any questions, ask them now. This program will remain active until the first shuttle departs. After that, the briefing will automatically terminate." The exercise had been designed with flexibility in mind. The hologram would answer almost any reasonable question about the mission, the equipment, or the environment. The only thing it would never reveal was how to bring the exercise to an early end.
==Tag to all, and like always any GM inputs should be asked in any other mission.==