Plot Log | "The times that try us"

Posted on 241407.10 @ 5:55pm by Fleet Admiral Kerry Malone

Mission: Insurrection [Fleet Plot]
Timeline: Several weeks after the events of "The Battle of Logan's Nebula"

= Sandringham Estate, England =

President Hutchins glared at the assembled group of men, who were standing on the Ax-minster before his overly ornate desk. His anger was palatable, and it was rather evident to those viewing him, as a vein pulsed above his left eye, and his eyes seem to bulge somewhat out of the sockets.

"You gentlemen better have some damn good explanations for recent events, or I promise you, you'll regret coming here." He said, his tone cold - menacing - fierce.

Peter Robins, the Secretary of Defense, stepped forward. "Mister President, despite our setbacks at Logan's Nebula, we believe that we've dealt the rebels a significant blow. The fact that the Ticonderoga was in the fray, merely points out how desperate for ships they are - if Malone has to fight himself."

"Fool!" Hutchins snapped. "He won them a sweeping victory, and used his personal charisma to rally them to his banner. Crushing them will be harder now, because they *believe* Malone can win, he's proved he can!"

"Yes sir, but we did deal them some significant damage, and they're going to be hesitant to attack us head-on again." Robins replied.

Hutchins just waved him away, and beckoned Fleet Admiral Jackson forward. "Well Admiral, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Mister President, I'm doing the best I can with the resources I have at my disposal, but my hands are tied." Jackson protested. "Your political stability department is causing havoc on my starships. These political officers are causing what few CO's I have to question their judgments, and they're often forcing CO's onto reckless assaults on starships with no end-game."

"That's what they're there for. To keep your weak-willed Captains in line." Hutchins growled.

"Yes sir, but given that these Captains have already pledged their loyalty to us, by not going over to Malone, surely we don't need these people?"

"Enough Admiral!" Hutchins snapped. "Or do I need to assign a political officer to your office?"

"Very well, sir." Jackson backed off, allowing the new head of Starfleet Intelligence to step up. He had the most to answer for.

"So. You lost Ascari. You can't find Tyris. You can't find Sharpe. You can't find Towers. You can't do much of anything can you?" Hutchins said, very acidically.

"Respectfully Mister President, my organisation is an intelligence gathering one, not a police force." The new director replied. "What military assets I do have, keep getting squandered on foolish missions against Starfleet assets with no real significant goals. The capture of Captain Carpenter of the Enterprise was a complete waste of an asset, because we failed to secure the Enterprise, and that's now vanished into deep space."

"Alright, dazzle me with your intelligence." Hutchins said, leaning back, folding his arms across his chest.

"Very well sir." He said, and activated a holo-presenter. "We have very credible intelligence to believe that whilst Malone has achieved some success in getting starships to his cause - he's not exactly got an almighty force. If he intends to strike at us, he'll use the Klingons to do it. Their forces have almost reached pre-membership levels, which is an alarming rebuild."

Hutchins frowned. "That is worrying."

"Not as worrying as the fact that whilst Malone asked his ships to either join him or flee, it seems that a great many have chosen a fourth option. They've been banding around an organisation known as the Vanguard. This para-military organisation has been around a fair number of years, and has often worked towards our own aims. However, they've softened their line in recent years - hence why we didn't bring them on side. It appears they have managed to enlist several former Starfleet assets, including the USS Pendragon - which was another botched SFI operation - which drove Captain Vokar right into the Vanguard's hands, with his advanced starship to boot."

That elicited a growl from the President. "Great..."

"Further, I have very good reason to believe that Malone has tasked one Admiral Denterius to lead a strike force to retake Starbase Zetari. There has already been a failed attempt at seizing the starbase, which was quelled quietly. But its possible we may loose that asset." The intelligence director explained.

"Anything we can do about it?" Hutchins asked Jackson.

"We can send a fleet out there sir, but it'll take us two weeks to assemble a sufficiently large force, and it will require us diverting assets from the Klingon front." Jackson explained.

"Hmm... I don't want there to be any gaps for Malone to exploit. Looks like Zetari's on her own then." Hutchins said. "Anything else?"

"Yes sir, it looks like the Romulan civil war is coming to an end - given that the Triad forces decided to attack Romulus - thereby rallying all Romulans under the new Praetor. There's already talks of the Empress being removed from political power. If we want a force to help us against the Klingons - an alliance with the Romulan Star Empire would be a good idea." Intel suggested.

"Not a bad idea. Let our diplomatic people work out how to make that happen, but I want to talk to the Praetor." Hutchins said. "Now, you may all go."

"Thank you, Mister President." They all said, and made to move.

"Dixon, wait." Hutchins called after his Intel director.

The man dressed in all black turned back to face his President. "Yes, Mister President?"

"What of the rumors that Tyris is somewhere on Earth?" Hutchins asked.

"They're true. He was spotted recently. He'll be caught, the net is tightening." Dixon replied.

"If you find him - eliminate him." Hutchins said. "He's too great a risk to be kept alive."

"Yes, Mister President." Dixon said, giving a short bow, and leaving the room.

= End Log =