<div class="floatleft">(https://i.stack.imgur.com/mVOSg.gif)</div>The briefing room on<strong>Deck 2</strong>was nestled just below the bridge, and was graced with a view of the port bow and a beautiful table inlaid in silver with the stylized phoenix of the Avenger project in the dark wood. There were a total of eighteen chairs to the table, eight along each side, with a chair at each end. While windows graced the outer wall, the inner wall was decorated with a detailed and intricate mural of key events in Federation history, from the first meeting between Humans and Alpha Centaurans, to the founding of the Federation, to the signing of the peace treaty that ended the Four Years War.<br/><br/>Along the spine of the table was a transparent window that lit up to show key information, such as the intended course, key personnel, and other information based on the input that came from the console at either end of the table and various inputs from the keypads along the edge of the table. Each station carried a tablet and stylus, which interfaced with other devices around the ship using the complex quasi-AI of the ship’s computer to serve as a digital assistant. It contained working notes, schedules, messages from other departments, and could even be used to schedule personal events like scheduled events being hosted on the ship for off-duty entertainment.<br/><br/>For Captain Coursel, he had of course been able to read the letter that had been given to him by the head of Starfleet for his sector of space, outlining their mission.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Letter from Starfleet Command</div><div class="spoiler_body"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: courier;">TO: Captain Decimus Coursel, CO, U.S.S. Avenger<br/>FROM: Starfleet Military/Exploration Command, Triangle Sector, Starbase 10<br/>DATE: 2/0809.28<br/>SUBJECT: Mission, U.S.S. Avenger, effective 2/0810 to 2/1010 or until recalled<br/><br/>Captain Coursel,<br/><br/>Congratulations on being assigned to the testbed for numerous technologies going into the future of Starfleet. The vessel you’ve been assigned to is a magnificent vessel, meant to pave the way towards a safer future. We’re sure you and your crew will serve admirably during your first scheduled tour. You should have little difficulty fitting in under Commodore Nolan Greaves.<br/><br/>The Avenger is a tough ship and we know that the other powers will be watching. Normally we’d slowly phase out vessels closer to home, but the situation in the Triangle has become rather precarious over the past decade, not the least of which because of the Klingons during the last war. Commodore Greaves has requested reinforcements in the form of at least three destroyers, so we’ve sent him two and then we’re also sending your ship. I know the Avenger carries more firepower than one of our Saladins but we’ve got a bigger goal in mind for you and your ship.<br/><br/>Your mission will be to reinforce Starbase 10 and her defensive wing. You’ll find the current compliment appended to this letter. You’ll also be at the forefront of Starfleet’s presence in the Triangle, where you’ll be interacting with the locals and making sure the Klingons and the Romulans aren’t getting too involved. While the Prime Directive prevents Starfleet from directly interfering with the affairs of another power, that doesn’t mean we can’t keep an eye out for direct interference from another power. The situation in the Triangle is one of the most complicated in the known galaxy, and it’s going to be like juggling plasma cutters for you and your team.<br/><br/>Good luck, Captain, and know that we here in Starfleet Command have faith in you and your crew.<br/><br/>APPENDIX:<br/>Starbase 10 compliment:<br/>Alva - NCC 531 - Destroyer<br/>Ambartsumian - NCC 3817 - Tug<br/>Azrael - NCC 517 - Destroyer<br/>Batidor - NCC 593 - Scout<br/>Hannibal - NCC 512 - Destroyer<br/>Sirius - NCC 1744 - Heavy Cruiser<br/></span></div></div><br/>Sitting in the room when the others arrived was a man dressed in a fairly standard starfleet uniform, only his uniform was grey. He would only directly be known by the Captain and Commander as Lieutenant Lief Arlef and was explicitly assigned to the Avenger from the Office of Naval Intelligence. He wasn’t a spymaster or spook, but rather an analyst, dispatched from the group that took information from ships such as the Avenger, compiled it together, and tried to paint a broad picture of what the enemies of the Federation were up to before passing that same information back down to where it was needed most.<br/><br/>He was a young man, perhaps early thirties, and his eyes were bordering between grey and blue. His hair was in a professional high and tight regulation haircut and as dark as the night sky. He stood upon the Captain entering and gave him a professional stand to attention. In doing so, it was quickly apparent he was well built and muscular, and held himself at attention as easily as many would stand at ease in front of their commanding officer. Impressive for someone who was technically outside the normal chain of command on the ship, though he would of course report directly to Captain Coursel.<br/>