[Trek Universe] SD 241202.13 | "Heatshield" | Adm Kerry Malone (Naval CO, Alpha Fleet) & VAdm Jack Drayson (Director Starfleet Diplomatic Corps)
Jazza
=/ Starfleet Command, Earth \=
Jack stepped through the doors to the anteroom of his office, his assistant,
Chief Petty Officer Marie Taylor standing from her desk and handing him a
PADD, "Latest communiques from Starfleet Communications," she advised as he
took the PADD and scrolled through the list of diplomatic messages received
from member states and foreign governments.
"Thanks," he replied as he noted one in particular, "The Vulcan ambassador's
delayed his arrival on Earth. Can you please pass that along to Starfleet
Security?" he asked. "And get Admiral Malone for me."
"Aye, sir," Taylor replied as Jack stepped through the inner doors to his
office, overlooking the majestic San Francisco bay. He set the PADD down and
turned on the LCARS display on his desk as he took a seat and waited for
Malone's face to replace the Starfleet logo on the monitor.
"Sorry to disturb you, Kerry, I know you're busy out there. I've got a
meeting with the Federation Council in an hour an need an update on your
situation," he greeted.
"Which one?" Kerry said, narrowing his eyes. "You step out of the office for
five minutes, and the whole goddamn Gamma quadrant goes up in flames."
"I hear you," replied Jack. "Let's start with the hostages."
"General Sharpe's in charge of that one." Malone replied. "But from his last
report, they're stepping things up after the execution of a child."
"That's where the heat is coming from the Federation Council," replied Jack.
"What's Sharpe's current plan of attack? Does he need some assistance from
negotiators or do we leave him to do his thing and be a bad-ass?"
"I'm pretty sure Sharpe's plan is to shoot, shoot, and shoot anyone left
after the initial shooting." Malone said. "As for the details, I won't
release them over subspace, in case we're intercepted."
"Understood, I'll try and buy him some more time," Jack confirmed. "And the
disappearance of the Quigon?"
"From the distress call we picked up, it looks like the USS Kingston went
rogue and destroyed her." Malone said. "We're still trying to piece that one
together, as its completely absurd."
"Rumours are abounding, and I've got a PADD full of demands from Gamma
quadrant members wanting Starfleet escorts. I know you're stretched to
breaking point resource-wise, so again I'll hold them off, but I can
understand their concern. If a Starfleet vessel isn't safe, civilian
shipping certainly isn't," Jack replied. "Good to see you've found
yourself in yet another quiet and relaxing billet, Kerry."
“Oh, you know me Jack, I like the quiet locales.” He sighed. “With
Starbase 514 quarantined… thank god I was on an inspection tour when
that happened… I’m the only contact point for Alpha Command, what with
Sharpe off being a cowboy, and Admiral Zina’s on the Cortez in her
sickbay, not sure what’s going on there – so its all come down to me…
and this pile of PADD’s is just growing. I turn by back for one
second, and they’ve multiplied like tribbles. I swear I heard a
squeak…”
"All the activity is certainly making our friends in the Gamma
quadrant nervous, and I can't blame them," Jack replied. He gestured
to his own pile of PADDs. "I'll try not to blame you for all of it,
but you damn well owe my team a drink next time you're on Earth," he
added. "Keep me apprised of developments, if necessary I can come out
and meet with the locals to reassure them, but I think it's better
coming from you or Admiral Zina."
“Lets hope things settle down.” Malone said.
"Agreed. Keep safe, Admiral. I'll talk to you soon," Drayson replied
and closed the connection.
He sat back in his chair, his mind going over the discussion. Anyone
would be forgiven for thinking the Gamma Quadrant was falling apart.
The Federation Council would be ropeable, but Jack knew it was his job
to take the heat from the politicians on behalf of Starfleet.
But right now, the heat was not only on high, it was all but going super-nova.
=/ End Log \=
Admiral Kerry Malone
Naval Forces Commander
Alpha Fleet
&
Vice Admiral Jack Drayson
Director, Starfleet Diplomatic Corps