Plot Log | "Never look back"

Posted on 241410.13 @ 10:20pm by Fleet Admiral Kerry Malone

Mission: Insurrection [Fleet Plot]
Location: Sol System
Timeline: Just following on from "Cause & Effect"

= Bridge, USS Ticonderoga =

Earth.

That giant blue & green marble that for many, was home. It had been the centre of all hopes and aspirations for centuries, had been fought over, fought on, and coveted by friend and foe alike. It was a source of great pride for many, and it was always an experience seeing it from space.

Standing on the bridge of his flagship, Malone stared out the viewscreen as the ship nudged its way past Saturn. He had dropped the fleet out of warp just on the edge of the solar system, and was proceeding deeper into Sol space on impulse power. This would allow the defenders ample time to decide if they would stand and fight, or submit for just judgement. Malone knew that many would not stand, and that almost all had been pressed into service against their will by those who held rank over them. To Malone, and his officers, this was a liberation from a tyrannical regime, and not a moment too soon.

"Admiral, six vessels on an intercept course. A Galaxy, four Nebula's and an Akira." Captain Nolan reported, as she stood next to her Commander in Chief.

"Status on them?" Malone asked, as he looked out the forward viewer, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Shields are raised, but tactical systems are not registering as active from this distance, Admiral." Nolan reported.

"Very well, launch two wings of lancers and a squadron of broadswords to intercept them. If their intentions are hostile, they're to inform the fleet immediately." Malone instructed, never taking his eyes off the viewer ahead.

"Yes Admiral." Nolan replied, and went off to carry out his orders.

= Viper Six-One, Jupiter Orbit, 10 minutes later =

"UFP Lead vessel, this is Viper Six-One, state your intentions." The Wing Commander of one of the wings of Lancer fighter-interceptors.

"Viper Six-One, this is the USS Belligerent, Commodore Taggart commanding." Came the reply, which was coming from the Galaxy class ship. "We are here to escort USS Ticonderoga to Earth, on orders of the Federation Council."

"USS Belligerent, Viper Six-One, please hold for Actual."

= USS Ticonderoga =

"On orders of the Federation Council, you say?" Malone asked, as the Wing Commander relayed the message.

"Yes sir." The voice of Commander Gregson said, over the comm.

"Commodore Taggart said that exactly, confirm?" Malone persisted.

"Correct Admiral. Shall I give them your response?" Gregson replied.

"Have Commodore Taggart provide his security authentication code." Malone said, frowning. Taggart was an old friend of the Fleet Admiral's, having known his father for many years prior to his own acquaintance. He'd been left behind on Earth deliberately, and had been one of Malone's most vital intelligence sources on UFP intentions. If it was Taggart, then he could be trusted.

"Codes transmitted and verified." Nolan said from her command chair. "It is Commodore Taggart."

"Very well. Have the Belligerent come into transporter range, and have Taggart beamed aboard at once. Keep weapons lock on the rest of them, and the Belligerent - in case this is something else." Malone instructed. "I will be in my office."

= CinC's Office, 10 minutes later =

Commodore Juan Taggart entered Malone's private office, flanked either side by armed marines. There were marine sentries outside his door, and further marines in the next room, should anything happen. To be fair, if Taggart did anything, he could do it faster than the marines could respond - so at the very least, they offered comfort that they would avenge his death rather promptly.

"Thank you marines, you may wait outside." Malone said, standing up behind his desk. The marines nodded, and stepped outside, leaving Malone alone with Taggart. "It is agreeable to see you again, Juan."

"Likewise Admiral." The Frenchman replied, his voice heavily accented.

"I trust Lucy and the kids are well?" Malone asked.

"Your memory is fading, Admiral, you must mean Kelly, and I have no children." Taggart smiled, knowing he was being tested.

"Do the roses bloom in Swansea, Commodore?" Malone asked, using the specific code-phrase long used.

"Only in the gardens of the faithful." Came the correct counter-reply.

Kerry smiled and walked around the desk, giving Juan a manly hug. "Damn glad to see you again, Juan."

"Feeling is mutual, Kerry." Juan smiled as they separated. "There's been activity. Our mutual friends on the Council were finally able to get enough leverage to deal with Hutchins blasted Federation First party. The President has been removed from office, and the Council is running a special election to find his replacement. However, Hutchins and his cronies have gone and locked themselves away in Sandringham, and we have no combat forces in any state to do anything about that."

"Oh, I think we can handle that." Malone smiled, then touched a button on his desk, that activated the comms systems. "Malone to bridge. Have the fleet proceed to Earth on full impulse. The Belligerent and her fleet will escort us there. Once we arrive, have the Fifth MEU beamed down to Sharpe's location. Also, arrange a comm-line for me and the General."

"Yes sir." Came the reply from the bridge.

"Juan, if you could tell your people to escort the fleet to Earth, and inform the Council that I shall present myself before them within two hours." Malone nodded, knowing he'd have to explain his actions to the Federation Council.

"Yes Admiral." Juan Taggart smiled, and arranged to have himself beamed aboard the Belligerent. Sol had been taken without a single shot fired, and now all that remained was taking Sandringham.

And that, was Sharpe's problem.

= End Log =

Fleet Admiral Kerry Malone