Deployment

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SWF episode
"Deployment"
Season:	One
Episode no.	One
Prod. code:	SWF 03
Writer(s):	Jrofeta
Original post date:	2001-02-15
Stardate:	50980.8
Year:	2373
episode chronology
Previous episode:	"Vengeance"
Next episode:	"The Front"

Deployment is the first episode of the first season of Star Trek: Swiftfire.

The Dominion War has begun and the recently repaired USS Swiftfire-A is immediately sent to join the Fifth Fleet on the front. Friction appears between the Security division on the ship and the Starfleet Marines. The only way Captain Jonathan Masters can solve it is to let them both go to war...with each other!

Contents 1 Summary 2 Memorable quotes 3 Background information 4 References 5 External link

[edit] Summary

The USS Swiftfire (NCC-76125-A) makes its way back to the Sol system following a two week shakedown cruise. When it exits from warp the ship is challenged by the 142nd Tactical Squadron. Captain Jonathan Masters queries the squadron leader about the increased security in the system and informed that the Federation and the Dominion have gone to war.

The Swiftfire is directed to head to Starbase Mariner where Masters is to receive a briefing from Vice Admiral Paul Cattermole. In the briefing Masters is told about the event of the war so far: the mining of the Bajoran wormhole, the fall of Deep Space 9 and the destruction of the shipyards at Torros III. He is also given the Swiftfire's assignment, they are to join the 268th Tactical Wing, Fifth Fleet in Sector 432.

Following the briefing the ship receives its remaining crew complement, a wing of Peregrine-class attack fighters led by Wing Commander Maxine Benton and a company of Starfleet Marines led by Colonel David Tiki. Once these new members are boarded the Swiftfire leaves the system for the front.

The peace on the ship is shattered following a brawl between the Starfleet Marines and Starfleet Security personnel that result in several crew ending up in sickbay. The brawl is caused by inter-service rivalry between the two divisions. The two ranking officers, Colonel David Tiki and Lieutenant Commander Nikki Whitechapel blame each other for the event. It seems that neither side would be capable of working together on the ship. To try and foster a more positive relationship Masters organises a war game on the ship. The Marines are to act as a boarding party and attempt to capture the ship while the security will be responsible for defending the ship.

The Marines start the game earlier then Masters and security predict and manage to quickly take over several decks without alerting the defenders. They are finally revealed when they attack the ship's shuttlebay. The defenders rally to fight back but Masters has them abandon their positions to deck 7 to give them time to properly organise their defences.

Despite this extra time the Marine's superior tactics and combat training allows them to quickly force the defenders into retreat. Eventually the Marines clear a way to the bridge and attack. They take the bridge and "Captain" Tiki notifies the crew of the Marines' victory and the end of the games. In the end the Marines only just managed the victory with only five individuals remaining in the game from the original one hundred and fifty person strong company.

During the debriefing of the game Whitechapel and Tiki show a new found respect for each other. This attitude spreads down the chain of command and where the two divisions were brawling they are now sharing drinks. The entire crew of the Swiftfire is now harmonious and not a moment too soon as the Swiftfire finally arrives at its destination. Admiral Victor Harvey greets the Swiftfire and Masters informs the admiral that the ship and more importantly the crew are ready to face whatever the Dominion can throw at them.

[edit] Memorable quotes

"Haven't you heard? We've gone to war with the Dominion."

— The crew been notified of the start of the Dominion War.

"You look worried, Ensign."

"Of course I am. I shot at the Captain!"

"True, but you missed."

--Lieutenant Karak and Ensign Frank Cole

"I’m glad you missed. Getting shot by your own crew. I’d never have lived that down."

— Captain Jonathan Masters to Ensign Frank Cole.

"You were right, Susan."

"About what?"

"Everything. The past is important but the present and future are vital. And this is my present and future. I’ll miss them, the old crew and ship. But this new one is more important. I have a responsibility to the United Federation of Planets, Starfleet, this ship, this crew, you and myself. It’s important I understand that and I do now. The present is in danger and the future is unsure but it is my duty to make the present safer and the future sure and I can’t do that if I let the ghosts of the past haunt me."

--Captain Jonathan Masters and Commander Susan Core

[edit] Background information

• This story takes place shortly after the Star Trek: Deep Space 9 season five finale, "Call to Arms".
• "Deployment" was the third story rewritten in the Star Trek: Swiftfire continuity but is the first episode of season one of the series.
• The main characters of Terri Letac, Frank Cole, Maxine Benton and David Tiki make their first appearance.
• The female Marine that is involved in the fight with Captain Masters is meant to be Rachel Stevens. Originally these two characters would be paired off and this event would be used as a comic device for how they first met.

[edit] References

2360s; 142nd Tactical Squadron; 268th Tactical Wing; Akira-class; Alpha Quadrant; armoury; Bajoran; Bajoran wormhole; Battle of Torros III; Betazed; USS Bonestell; Borg cube; Brand, Cameron; Cardassia; Cardassian; Cattermole, Paul; Christopher Pike Medal of Valor; company; dabo girl; datapadd;dedication plaque; Deep Space 9; Dominion; Dominion War; dropship; Earth; Federation-Cardassian border; Federation Diplomatic Corps; Federation News Service; USS Fury; Gorn; Klingon Defence Force; Fifth fleet; freighter; gym; Harvey, Victor; holodeck; Hyralan Incident; Jefferies tube; Jem'Hadar; London; Maquis; Mars; mine; nacelle; non-aggression pact; Normandy-class; Orion slave girl; Peregrine-class; phaser; platoon; poker; Rekris, Andrew; replicator; Romulan; Second Battle of Deep Space 9; Sector 432; shuttlebay; Sisko, Benjamin; shakedown cruise; shuttlecraft; Sol system; squad; squadron; Starbase Mariner; Starfleet Academy; Starfleet Marine Corps; Starfleet Security; Starfleet Starfighter Corps; Third fleet; Tholian; Stevens, Rachel; USS Swiftfire; Torros III; Torros III shipyards; transporter; Transporter wristband; turbolift; Type-6 shuttlecraft; Type-7 shuttlecraft; Type-9 shuttlecraft; Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards; Vulcan; War games; warship; wing

[edit] External link

• "Deployment" in PDF format at Star Trek Swiftfire