Joint Log | SFCinC & Other | FAdm. Malone & Gen. Sharpe | "A Swift Kick in the Ass"

Posted on 241404.15 @ 12:03pm by Fleet Admiral Kerry Malone & General Richard Sharpe

Richard found himself alone in his stateroom aboard the Ticonderoga, yet again. He hadn't sought the company of others since the evacuation of Earth, mostly because he felt like a spare part. He was a disgraced former marine general, with no troops to command, no prospects in the future, and denied his quiet retirement by people who had seen him as a political tool to their own ends. His family was scattered to the four winds of the universe, and no one had seen or heard from his lover - Dare Shao - in weeks.

He had taken to keeping himself to himself, mostly to keep out of the way. He'd ignored repeated attempts by others to summon him to staff meetings and other such trivialities, because he just didn't see the point. There was enough brass on this ship to start a marching band - adding his own was irrelevant.

When the door chimed, he at first intended to ignore it, but the chiming became somewhat insistent. He harumphed, put his book down on the glass coffee table, putting his spectacles on the old hardback book. He rose from the couch, where he'd been lounging, and went to the door. "For the last bloody time, I do not want to go windsurfing!" He grumbled at the door.

"Well, I'll be sure not to invite you then." Said an unexpected voice as the doors opened, revealing a man wearing a Starfleet Admiral's uniform.

"Oh, its you." Richard sighed, and moved back into the room. Unlike his guest, he was wearing civilian clothing. "Sorry, there's some idiot around here who seems to think I need to do more physical activity. Keeps trying to drag me to the holodeck for water sports."

"Denobulan, right?" The visitor asked. "Doctor Prax. He's a great MD, but he doesn't like to take no for an answer."

"Insistent Bastard." Richard grumbled, and moved back to the couch, sitting down, as his guest entered the room. "What do you want, Kerry?"

Malone smirked, hardly surprised at Sharpe's impudence. Even back under normal discipline lines, Sharpe was an insolent son of a bitch. He doubted that recent events would have changed that in any way. But the man got results, and that seemed to save him ninety percent of the time. "What, no social niceties like offering me a drink?"

"If you want a drink, there's a lounge eight decks down." Richard grumbled. "You didn't come bothering me for a cup of tea, so get to the point."

Kerry sighed, realising this was going to be a tad harder than he'd anticipated. He walked over to the replicator, and got himself a mug of tea with milk and sugar, then moved over to a vacant armchair, sitting across from the moody marine. "How're you holding up, Richard?"

"How do you bloody think?" Came the reply, tainted with his northern England accent. "My daughters are being hunted down by the government for no crime other than being my offspring. My spouse is out there somewhere, I do not know where. I know they don't have her, because its impossible to capture her. Beyond that, I know nothing. I am a disgraced former marine, who can't even retire without causing a political shit-storm."

"Oh, so this is all about you, is it?" Malone said, gesturing with his free arm in a wide sweep. "Federation First staged a coup just to get at you, is that what you're saying?"

"Oh don't be so melodramatic, Kerry." Richard snapped. "You asked how I was, I replied."

"You're not the only one who's family has been disrupted by all this. Anyone on our side of the fence is facing that problem. Myself included." Kerry said, taking a sip of his tea. "This is a terrible time for everyone, not just you. So get your head out of your ass."

"You can turn it off, just like that?" Richard snapped back. "What about your daughter?"

"My daughter is with her mother, safely on Trill." Kerry said, calmly. "I pity the fool who dares to go after her. Asil might be a doctor, but she's a mother, and even I wouldn't mess with her."

"Spit it out, Admiral, why're you really here?" Richard said, his Yorkshire twang apparent again.

Kerry didn't reply right away, but instead took another sip of tea. "This is the first civil war that the Federation has ever had to endure in its three hundred years of existence. No one is sure how to even fight one. However, what will become readily apparent is that this will not be a space war. The war will be on the planets of the Federation, in the hearts and minds of the people. You are one of Starfleet's finest ground commanders, and that's what we need right now."

"I'm in disgrace, or did you forget that bit?" Richard replied.

"We've discovered that the whole incident was staged - to a degree. Admittedly, they couldn't have known you'd shoot at the woman, but her role was to provoke you into a temper outburst. You're well known for them, and discrediting you was the first big step towards securing their aims. With you side-lined, you were less of a threat. At least that's what they believed. In my view, they miscalculated. They did the same when they tried to nobble Towers. That was a bit more elaborate, I admit, but it still backfired."

"How do you figure that?" Richard replied.

"Because they brought Towers back to Earth, where you were. Anyone who has studied your careers knows that you two are a formidable double-act. You're the brains, he's the brawn. You can see tactical and strategic solutions to almost any ground engagement, and you plan to bring your people back again. Towers is a blunt instrument, I grant you, but he executes your plans with amazing adaptability and savy. You're both popular marine commanders." Kerry explained.

Richard harumphed, but said nothing.

"After you and he were removed, the marine units around the Federation became restless. They started disobeying commands from the UFP Government. So they thought to replace their senior officers. That didn't work." Kerry said.

"Because they're idiots." Sharpe replied. "If you want to control a marine unit, you don't replace the officers. You gain the support of your non-coms. Marine units are run by the Sergeants, who graciously allow the officers the illusion of command. Anyone who's spent time in green, knows this."

"Quite." Malone said. "In any case, after they went for the Commandant, the marines almost rose as one, and threw off their UFP overlords. We have about 90% of the entire marine force on our side. That gives us the advantage, because UFP Security forces aren't trained for sustained ground combat - your people are."

"What's your point? Planning to invade Earth?" Richard smirked.

"Perhaps." Malone replied. "In any case, I need you, and you have a duty."

"Don't lecture me about duty, Admiral." Richard said, firmly. "I've been in uniform since I was 18. I've devoted 42 years to Starfleet, and when I wanted out, you forced me to stay, then I was railroaded for an agenda. I did my duty, Admiral."

"You're still needed, Sharpe." Malone said, firmly. "Get your ass in gear, get your uniform on, and report to the next staff meeting. That - is an order."

Richard pondered that for a moment. He was sorely tempted to refuse, but that wouldn't get him anywhere. "Alright, fine." Richard said. "But after this is done, you and I are going to have a very long conversation."

"Oh, I have no doubt." Kerry said. "But right now, I need every asset I've got. Next meeting is at 1800. Be there."

"Yes *sir*." Richard said, sneering the last part.

With that, Kerry put his empty mug of tea into the replicator and headed for the door.

= End Log =

Fleet Admiral Kerry Malone
Starfleet Commander-in-Chief

&

General Richard Sharpe