Task Force 72 Report #8

September 11, 2024

INTRODUCTION

In the aftermath of the events heralded by the incredible Fleet Action VI: Labyrinth, Task Force 72 continues to grow and develop apace, a reflection of an exciting and broader culture of change that has seen a new sibling join the Bravo Fleet Task Force line-up, Task Force 21, necessitating a rebranding of our own Task Group 21 to Task Group 101, which pays homage to the number used by Bravo Fleet’s New Exploratory Operations (NEO) affiliate set in the post-Wrath of Khan era in the 2000s and 2010s. With so much thrilling news to catch – up with, without further ado, let’s delve into the world of the “72ers” and get you all up to warp speed on what’s been going on!

TASK FORCE REPORTS

By Commander Trevenan Williams, TF72XO

Following our last report, TF72CO Captain Edward O’Gallagher (Alexander) decided to stand down and consider further career options after three months of serving the TF as both CO and XO, respectively. During his tenure, Alexander typified what is best and brightest about the TFSS, always available to encourage our members to be their very best and get the most out of their participation and leading TF72 to place a very commendable 2nd place in the recent Fleet Action VI: Labyrinth. As TFXO, I owe Alex a personal debt for his patience and mentorship while I learned the many ropes that rig this mighty ship we all sail on. I am sure all 72ers will join me in thanking Alexander for his sure leadership and dedicated service, and we look forward to voyaging alongside him for years to come!

As we pipe one leader ashore, we welcome aboard the BFXO, Admiral Liam Dahlgren (David), who was graciously stepping into the breach to serve as interim TFCO and help our membership grow and evolve as Bravo Fleet continues its evolution. Having a member with such acumen and leadership experience agree to steer our course whilst a new TFCO candidate is considered is a distinct honor and advantage that we encourage all 72’ers to make the most of whilst David is at the head of our table! With his influence and presence already revitalizing our membership base, as one we welcome the admiral to TF72!

With a new star in our collective firmament, we also say farewell to some beloved 72’ers as they step – up to ‘colonize’ Task Force 21 and breathe life into this new addition. Former TF72CO/TF72XO Th’lora Vehl (Alekia) transitions to TF17 to assume the TFXO role, and former TF72CO/TF72XO Geronimo Fontana (Aaron) ships out to join the new members of TF21. The impact and contribution both of these members have had on TF72 cannot be overstated, and, although we bid them a sad farewell, our hearts are both buoyant and glad that these two exceptional friends and officers are bringing their unique talents to enrich our sibling TF’s and Bravo Fleet as a whole. Farewell and Godspeed!

As places at the table are vacated, so quickly they are filled. Recently we welcomed a plethora of bright-eyed new Cadets to replenish our ranks, who are already making their mark in Discord and the BFMS with their eagerness and activity! We warmly welcome T’Vae (jkcallonetta), Logan Ellis Tomes (.snellman), Areinnye s’Rllaillieu. (Natasha), Erik Lyonsbane  (Erik), Luna Lovegood Long (Luna), Mattie (Mattie), T’Sey (Lizzbeth), John  (Aeodin) & Zion Ortov (Creativitydestroyer). We also welcome back Tommy Hawk  (HSB816#6714) from the reserves.

In closing, we’d like to share some of the astounding statistics that were gathered by the BFSS in relation to the recent Fleet Action VI: Labyrinth and pause to laud and thank all of those who strove tirelessly to provide such an encompassing and immersive fleet – wide event that broke just about all recent records for FA activity. Without the contributions of both BFSS, TFSS, and our members, such a momentous community event would be inconceivable; such is the creative ambition and breathtaking scope that saw Task Force 72 take 2nd place overall and deliver the following results that are a testament to our comradeship and sense of community:

  • Overall 2nd Place
  • 147 Total entries
  • 7  unique participants, averaging 21 entries per participant
  • 1st Place – Writing Ribbon Race
  • 1st Place – Gaming Ribbon Race
  • Battlefield Promotion: Lieutenant Commander Ginsh to the rank of Commander
  • Task Force Prestige Grant: 38,000 prestige 

With a clutch of top-gong’s and a veritable piñata of prestige, this naturally meant that there has been some movement in the TF72 Member Commands as players spend their well-earned prestige on new vessels, and it has also eventuated in the securement of the following exciting new Fleet Assets that have been gathered for all TF72 members to be able to employ as NPCs in their creative writing:

So, without further ado, let’s catch up with our members’ commands and see what our intrepid explorers have been up to before, during, and after the impactful galactic events of Fleet Action VI: Labyrinth.

FICTION UPDATES

Task Group 101

  • USS Rome: Commander Thomas Rivers and the crew of the New Orleans-class frigate, USS Rome, are currently berthed at Starbase 72 in the Minos Korva system, preparing for their next voyage.
  • Dragonfly Division: With the 3 vessels comprising the Dragonfly Division, under the command of Fleet Captain Geronimo Fontana, re-deploying to form Task Force 21, we look back on their combined adventures with a tinge of nostalgia & pride. 
    • Captain Alexandra Pantuso and the crew of the titular USS Dragonfly transitioned from the USS Mackenzie, to this capable Obena-class emissary. 
    • The USS Douglas under Captain Helena Dread faced the prospect of being lost in the chaos of Underspace, whilst continuing the deadly game of cat – and – mouse with their New Marquis antagonist, the nefarious Pandora Crawford. 
    • Meanwhile Captain Wren Walton and the crew of the USS Perseverance encounter a mysterious signal whilst on the Federation/Tholian Border, discovering a capsule with a single occupant, whose identity only leads to further questions.
  • USS Cantabras: Life aboard the Raven-class USS Cantabras is seldom uneventful, with Commander Alex Benson and his crew continuing their struggle with Dominion forces assembling at Farpoint Station. As the crew run readiness drills and prepare to engage, their future survival depends upon the choices they make next.
  • USS Cheyenne: Transferring from the California-class utility cruiser USS Rubidoux to a new command is always a daunting prospect, but as he assumes command of the USS Cheyenne, Bolian Captain Morr begins to experience a pervading sense of trepidation, is he embarking aboard a brave new journey or is he starting to make the mistake of a lifetime? Only time will tell.

Task Group 99

  • USS Galaxy: In the Fleet Action story ‘Dominus’, veteran Captain Clara Myers and the crew of the USS Galaxy are forced to make some hard decisions when the discovery of a Gorn breeding planet is superseded by the intervention of a subspace aperture that plunges the Galaxy-class explorer and the investigating runabouts USS Leo and USS Libra, into a race against time to find a way to escape Underspace before the anomaly collapses, consigning all within to an inevitable and grim fate.
  • USS Albion: After a brevet promotion sees Lieutenant Commander Samantha Hyland assigned command of the New Orleans-class frigate, USS Savannah, Sam soon comes to appreciate that there is more to commanding a starship than sitting in the “Big Chair.” With an unknown New Marquis saboteur amongst the crew seeking to destroy everyone from within and pursued by the Machiavellian True – Way commander, Gul Yomat Ghallir, Sam is forced to make the hard decision to take refuge in Underspace. Seeking a way to repair her ship and escape before time itself becomes her executioner— these events precipitate a Kazon invasion of Federation Space—Sam foils a plot to destabilize the Depta Council by the Cardassian High Command and faces a Board of Inquiry. Small wonder that, when presented with the opportunity, Sam readily elects to join the Inquiry-class exploratory cruiser, USS Albion, as it’s new executive officer under veteran Captain Robert Carrington. Position is no substitute for experience.
  • USS Galaesus: Newly arrived amongst the ships of Task Force 72, the Raven-class light support vessel USS Galaesus has yet to make its mark.
  • USS Galileo: When last we joined them, Commander Maxwell Knapp and the crew of the Steamrunner-class heavy frigate USS Galileo traveled from the Alpha Quadrant via the Labyrinth, emerging in the Delta Quadrant stranded with several systems offline. Whilst effecting repairs and dedicating their best and brightest to finding a way home, the crew prove that the spirit of discovery still typifies Starfleet, charting new space and discovering the “Void,” a place in space where nothing exists, not a single speck of space dust or asteroids.
  • USS Riverside: One of the new additions to the task force, the California-class USS Riverside busies itself about its tasks as Ensign Zion Ortov finds his way as a new Junior Officer aboard Starbase Bravo.

TASK FORCE RECOGNITION

Merit Awards

  • Captain Clara Myers: Meritorious Service Cross, Starfleet Medal of Commendation
  • Commander Ginsh: Starfleet Medal of Commendation
  • Commander Trevenan Williams: Star Cross, Meritorious Service Cross, Starfleet Medal of Commendation
  • Lieutenant Commander Solaris McLaren:  Star for Distinguished Service,  Medal of Achievement,  Starfleet Medal of Commendation
  • Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael Dart:  Meritorious Service Cross,  Medal of Achievement

Promotions

CONCLUSION

By Admiral Liam Dahlgren, TF72CO

Task Force 72 has always had a special place in my heart, as it was the first task force I ever joined as a member back in 2004. It was also the first task force I held a leadership role in, as a TGCO around 2007, and then TFXO that same year. In the modern era, I have led 72 two other times, for around four months total in 2021, before and after Commander Micah Mendoza. During that time, I had the privilege to be able to pick the name of the flagship, the USS K’Ehleyr, initially a Resolute-class vessel, but retconned to an Excelsior II-class vessel due to Season 2 of Star Trek: Picard. I also wrote much of the canon related to Starbase 72. So, when Captain O’Gallagher stepped down abruptly and unexpectedly, I was excited for the opportunity to continue to contribute to Task Force 72’s growth.

As Commander Williams noted, one of my first acts was to utilize the reserve of prestige we had amassed to purchase an additional station and five other starships to serve as assets in your Task Force 72 stories. Each of them provides a unique setting and contrasting characters for you to use in all manner of ways. I’m especially curious to see what our new outpost with the Tamarians will bring to your stories.

Under my tenure so far, we’ve been able to chase down some awards and promotions that were lingering on dossiers, and engagement in the task force lounge continues to be strong. Over the next few months, I am hoping to add a third task force staff member, in the form of a task group commanding officer, though our current priority remains supporting our members wherever we can.

Task Force 72’s performance in FA VI: Labyrinth was unexpectedly strong, as the only other time the task force broke past third place was FA III: Sundered Wings. The leadership shown by Captain O’Gallagher and Commander Williams was very strong, as were the contributions from the members of this task force. While I will not be the TFCO the next time there is a fleet action, my hope is to continue that strong sense of enthusiasm and activity in all areas of the fleet through, so that FA VII will be just as strong for 72.

Brett Logan Bravo Fleet Executive Officer
Task Force 72