[Trek Universe] FGen Liconie & FAdm Travers - Winds of Change
Andrew Horman
=/\= Starfleet Command, Earth =/\=
John sat at his desk in his customary MCUs, but minus his rank patch. His meeting with the subcommittee then the Council had not gone well and they had given him an ultimatum, accept there was nothing he could do about the resources and personnel being redirected to the Federation Navel Patrol or leave. He had taken his rank patch and thrown it at them before walking out. Now he was waiting for his replacement, Admiral Travers, a former Starfleet Commander.
Zacharias Travers, an average sized human with brown hair that had begun to show signs of grey to match his eyes, entered the room with gentle steps the belied the standing as noted by his gold-trimmed uniform. He'd spend the better part of the last year enjoying his leave, and though he was reluctant to leave it, duty required that he once again don his uniform. Duty to the Federation, to Starfleet, and, of course, to an old friend. "Heard a rumor on my way over," he said casually, coming up to the desk and standing with his hands held behind his back, giving his shoulders a postured look. "Several, actually. Tell me, John, you didn't really spit on the Vulcan Councilor's shoes, did you?" Zeke asked skeptically.
Liconie smirked and looked up, "close, but no, I relegated myself to resigning and letting them kill Starfleet for political brownie points," he replied then motioned to a chair across the desk, "we're all...how'd they put it.....antiquated and it was time to stop pushing out and concentrate on our worlds here rather then looking for war."
Travers took a seat across from the general with a customary tug on his jacketed tunic, sitting with a leg across the other knee. "I can understand the inherent reasoning, there," he admitted. "The Federation used to be a lot smaller and the unexplored seemed all around us, stretching toward infinity." Zeke rubbed his bearded chin. "These days, seems like we've stretched beyond our limits. It's not hard to look across the borders at the Cardassians or the Romulans and see how strong they appear behind their stable lines and heavy patrols." Closing his eyes momentarily, Travers added, "And yet, where would we be if we hadn't stumbled across the Borg before they came to us?"
The General shrugged, "the Cardassians still haven't rebuilt after the second Dominion, which they were taken over twice by, and the Romulans use fear and death to keep their strong face. Like it or not exploring past our limits is what keeps us strong because then we know what's out there before its in our lap blowing us away, and not in the good way," he replied and threw his hands up in frustration, "I've dealt with these people most of my career, ninety percent of the wars we have are because of their 'diplomacy'."
"Oh, I don't know," Zeke replied lightly. "I think the ones shooting the big guns at us had something to do with those wars, as well." He held up his hand, "But I take your point, and I don't disagree. Better to know what's out there than not, academically and strategically." Travers stood and walked over to the stunning view of the San Francisco Bay. "But if you couldn't persuade them, why call me?" he asked.
"Because I'll be damned if they get the chance to put a yes man in here," Liconie replied and turned in his chair, "you aren't on their bad side and they already signed off, they just want me out. Besides, do you remember the UCF?"
Travers nodded absently. "When even our traditional enemies seemed to have had enough of fighting. Makes you long for those days, doesn't it?" Zeke then turned to face Linconie, the surprise evident on his face. "You can't be serious..." he said, realizing that the general wouldn't have brought it up without something very specific in mind.
"Aye, I've been contacted about heading its next incarnation, even our neighbors see what's happening," Liconie replied with a shrug, "I need someone at Starfleet I am able to deal with."
Turning back to the stunning afternoon view, the glow of the sun reflecting off the pulsating waters, Zeke's shoulders tensed a little. "So to sum up, you're handing me a fleet without a budget and a government that wants to stick its head in the sand and think happy thoughts while we, in essence, shut down our exploration divisions." Travers shook his head. "I shouldn't have taken your call," he grumbled half-heartedly. Disheartening as it was, however, Zeke's mind was already planning out the items of priority that would need to be addressed and how to go about it. And even without the Federation-sponsored recruitment resources, Starfleet still inspired awe and idealism across a hundred worlds. And where there were people willing to serve, Zeke knew they would find a way to continue.
"So what happens now?" Zeke asked, moving back to the chair and sitting down again.
"Pretty much, I can't fight people who create chaos solely for fun, there's to much bitching and backbiting while everyone smiles thinking no one knows what's being said or who's lying. Enough's enough," John said then stood up, "computer, transfer all command authorizations to Travers, Zeke, Fleet Admiral," he said, in reply to the second question then extended his hand.
Travers stood solemnly and took Liconie's hand. "Godspeed, General," he said heavily.
"You as well, Admiral. If you need anything don't hesitate to call, Starfleet isn't the issue for me, so, I will still do what I can," John replied honestly and gave the other man a brief nod before heading out of the office to go meet Admiral Roberts and the Ambassadors on Ra'mid to work out the UCF Constitution.
Fleet General John "Razor" Liconie
&
Fleet Admiral Zeke Travers
Commander, Starfleet
Starfleet Command
((OOC: As an OOC note, UCF is for Enterprises set up, I don't think it'll have much if any bearing within UCIP :) ))