Duty Log | FAdm. Malone | "Ramifications"

Posted on 241510.12 @ 10:32pm by Fleet Admiral Kerry Malone

Mission: Reconciliation & Reconstruction [Fleet Plot]
Timeline: Subsequent to "Politics"

Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. - Ronald Reagan

Life was quiet aboard the USS Ticonderoga. With General Sharpe having wrapped up the worst of the fighting on Krigoria, there was finally a move towards stability in the entire region. The criminal underworld that had thrived from Krigoria had been thoroughly beaten, and despite the best intentions of the puppet regime of that world - they had not defeated Federation forces.

Malone was taking one of the rarest things that someone in his position could take - a day off. He wore comfortable jeans and a shirt with sandals as he walked with a towel over his arm towards the holodeck. He'd left specific orders that he was not to be disturbed unless the Federation itself was coming unravelled. He'd earned his damn break, and he'd have it.

As he reached the massive double-doors of the holodeck, ready to tap the panel, an aide walked very briskly towards him, holding a PADD. Kerry noticed her arrival, and narrowed his eyes. "This better be the menu for tonight's dinner, Ensign." He growled at her.

"I'm sorry Admiral, priority one communication from Starfleet Command. Marked Admirals eyes only." She stammered nervously.

Kerry sighed. they always were marked as such, yet tended to be requisition requests. "You know, back in the 19th century, you may well have been birched for disturbing your commander in chief." He eyed her.

"No Admiral, I wouldn't, because women were not allowed on ships in the 19th Century." She replied, a little too quickly, then covered her mouth as she gasped.

That caused Kerry to chuckle. "Alright, point taken. At ease Ensign, I deserved that." He couldn't blame her, she'd been told to bring it to him from the comm room, she had no idea what it was, and as far as anyone in there was concerned - it might be a declaration of war.

"Thank you sir." She smiled, gratefully, standing easily.

Malone pressed his thumb on the PADD so that it recognised who he was. The PADD activated and then required his retinal scan, which he provided. The screen then flashed up "Access Granted", and produced the flash message.

It was the worst news he could possibly have seen in several months. There had been a sort of stability since the civil war had ended nearly a year ago, and he'd almost taken it for granted. Now this flash message came. A bombing at a peace summit between the Romulan Praetor and the President. There were fatalities, including the President. Admiral Hark had been relieved of command and Admiral Zh'Raazh had been given command. Her first instruction had been to place the entire fleet on full alert - which included his own command, given that it was part of the fleet.

"Ensign, my compliments to the Captain, and we are to proceed to Xonnel Colony at best possible speed. She is also to alert her senior staff that I will be briefing them in thirty minutes." He said, and began walking back to his quarters briskly.

"Yes sir..." She replied and scurried off to carry out the orders.

As soon as he arrived in his quarters, he discarded his towel on a nearby chair and moved over to the desk terminal, swivelling it around so that he stood over it. "Computer, recognise Malone, Kerry Eric, Fleet Admiral. Clearance code Alpha One Six One Charlie Sierra."

[[Access Granted]]

"Initiate fleet yellow alert status, effective immediately. All starships are to report present position to headquarters and await further instructions from Fleet Command. All non-essential mission taskings are rescinded."

[[Alert transmitted]]

As if on queue, the computer sounded the general yellow alert aboard ship. This would happen aboard about one hundred Starfleet vessels and facilities throughout the Gamma Quadrant, alerting their command staff to the situation. The flash message would not contain any details as to the situation on Earth, but Malone would brief his commands soon.

"Computer, give me a secure direct link to Starfleet Headquarters, Admiral Zh'Raazh." He instructed, as he began changing into his uniform.

= End Log =

TAG THOMAS!!

Fleet Admiral Kerry Malone
Gamma Quadrant Commander
5th Fleet Commander