[Act 2] Commander Addison MacKenzie - The Work That Lies Ahead

[Addison MacKenzie]

(( Outside Provincial Government Complex, Tecra Province))

 

Addison, accompanied by Lieutenants Dakora and Sydin materialized outside Tecra’s government complex. When the rematerialization cycle had finished, the red-headed commanding officer closed her eyes as her pupils were met by the illumination of a sun that shone brighter than that which she was used to, while at the same time embracing the warm, arid air that was distantly familiar to her… as though she’d done this before.

 

…except she had, nearly three years earlier.

 

She batted her eyes open and shifted the strap on the modified medkit Doctor Jones had provided that now hung over her shoulder. As her pupils adjusted to the light, her gaze fell upon the complex just behind her, which reminded her very much of the government buildings in the capital Vdam. They were a series of tall buildings likely made of concrete or a similar material, devoid of any fancy designs or interesting architecture. As she stood just outside the complex’s gates, she wondered if the government buildings of all the cities on Meranuge IV were as unimpressive.

 

In the distance, a small explosion could be heard. Caught off guard, Addison immediately pivoted to look in the direction from which it came. The government complex, which sat on a slight hill, overlooked most of the city, and as such, their viewpoint afforded them the first look at the chaos and destruction. As the commanding officer took in the sight in front of her, there were few scenes in her career that came close to the level of destruction before them and, despite having seen the images and having witnessed the scale of the damage from the bridge of the Artemis, there was nothing like experiencing the catastrophic damage in person.

 

Before them, a giant crater was all that was left of a significant portion of the city, pulverizing anything in its wake. The buildings had been reduced to rubble. Many of the buildings that were still standing were on fire. Much of the air above the city was still full of smoke, dirt, and debris, casting a shadow over the impact site. It was no wonder why the rescue efforts were taking such a long time – they were hardly equipped to deal with a crisis of this magnitude.

 

Which begged the question: how did they not see this coming? Certainly they could have diverted the meteor or evacuated the city to minimize the loss of life. There must be an explanation that extended beyond institutional failure…

 

A silence fell over the trio as a wind light blew the dry air across her face. She was thankful the complex was in the opposite direction from which the wind was blowing – at light and heat from the sun served as a reminder that even though there was darkness, there was also light.

 

MacKenzie: These people have a long road ahead of them…

 

Dakora/Sydin: Responses

 

MacKenzie: Let’s go – we have work to do.

 

The trio turned away from the impact crater and made their way toward the governmental complex. Outside the gates, near the entrances, and on the roofs of the buildings, members of the Da’al military could be spotted, rifles at the ready. She recalled from her earlier time on Da’al that the military presence was not unusual, but to her, the number of officers guarding the Tecra complex was higher than she’d remembered even outside of the Prime Minister’s office in Vdam.

 

The gates opened automatically for them as they approached – the government expecting their presence, having no doubt received word that their team was ready to beam down.

 

MacKenzie: ::quietly, only in earshot of her officers:: Seems like an unnecessarily high amount of weapons, don’t you think?

 

Dakora/Sydin: Response

 

They continued to climb a few steps and entered the complex. When they passed through the threshold, the air shifted and was suddenly cooler, no doubt a property of whatever material the building was made from. The small building was the residence of the interim minister, but there appeared to be several other government staff who worked in the building as well. Directly in front of them, a male receptionist-type figure sat at a very small desk. He looked like someone had defecated in his breakfast but, then again, these people had just had half of their city destroyed. They were definitely allowed a pass.

 

Addison inhaled and mustered up a positive tone.

 

MacKenzie: I’m Commander Addison MacKenzie and these are my officers Lieutenant Dakora and Lieutenant Sydin. We’re here to meet with External Relations Mini-

 

She was cut off by the receptionist, who simply raised his gaze slightly and pointed in the direction of a large set of doors at the end of a short hallway, one of which had been propped open.

 

Addison offered and awkward smile and bowed slightly, before turning away from the desk and exchanging an awkward glance between her two officers.

 

MacKenzie: ::talking quietly over her shoulder:: Not exactly the warm welcome I was hoping for…

 

Dakora/Sydin: Response

 

As they approached the doors, Addison took the opportunity to knock before slowly leading the way in.

 

MacKenzie: Minister Ebril?

 

Ebril: Response

 

Addison smiled, made her way across the room and extended her hand.

 

MacKenzie: I’m Commander Addison MacKenzie of the USS Artemis, and these are my officers, Lieutenant Dakora and Lieutenant Sydin.

 

Ebril/Dakora/Sydin: Response

 

MacKenzie: Bring us up to speed. What’s the latest, and how can we help?

 

Ebril/Dakora/Sydin: Response

 

 

Tag, and TBC!

 

 

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Commander Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A

Captains Council Magistrate

V239601AM0