[Begin Act 3] Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Uninvited Visitors
Addison MacKenzie
(( Bridge – Deck 1, USS Artemis-A ))
MacKenzie and her team entered the bridge from the direction
of the conference room while Lieutenant Commander Jovenan’s team arrived from
below decks via one of the turbolifts in the rear of the bridge. The redheaded CO
offered a nod to the blond-haired Chief of Science as the senior staff still on
the Artemis took their respective stations. Once she was settled in the command
chair, her gaze fell on the viewscreen and her eyes narrowed.
MacKenzie: Someone give me a report.
Communications officer: We received a communication from
Lieutenant Gnai on the Atlas that Lieutenant Vailani’s team has run into
trouble and have likely been captured. Atlas is on approach to return to
the ship. We’ve also received word that additional fighting has broken out on
Galaris IV by Kobyar and Grunden forces loyal to someone named Vef-Lai… And long-range
sensors also detecting an Orion destroyer entering the system.
Her eyes narrowed.
MacKenzie: Oh, is that all? (beat) The Orions?
Her head turned toward Jovenan, wondering if there might be
any information her team uncovered that might substantiate the reasons the Orion
Syndicate might be making an appearance.
Jovenan: Response
She shook her head, standing from the command chair.
MacKenzie: It seems like we’re getting closer to our
answers, then. I’m going to be returning to the surface with Major Oolwi and
General Kexxin to see if we can’t at least get their respective peoples to
listen to reason. Richards, Imril, Bancroft – you’re with me. Commander Jovenan
– Tho’Bi, Gnai and Cole will stay on board. Once we transport to the surface,
break orbit and see if you can find out what the Orions want.
Jovenan: Response
She nodded to Jovenan, who was already in motion toward the
captain’s chair as quickly as she was toward the turbolift in the rear of the
bridge.
(( Makeshift Command Operations Building – Kobyar Capital, Galaris IV ))
When MacKenzie and the others materialized in the makeshift government center, she couldn’t help but notice that the pace of the Kobyar in the building was frantic. Turning to survey the room, it was clear that the space wasn’t made to run a government or a military, but as she could see from one of the large observation windows, the building that had previously served this function – the building where several of her officers had been – had been largely destroyed. Now, it was up to them to seek peace before the rebel forces took control of key areas on either side. In her estimation, the Kobyar’s aptitude for surveillance would give them the advantage. Under previous circumstances, she wouldn’t have considered bringing General Kexxin into the Kobyar command – or Richards into a warzone, for that matter – but given each of their work and familiarity with the situation at hand, it was the best opportunity to try to push for the fighting to stop.
MacKenzie: Major, can you access the latest
information on where Vef-Lai’s forces are and what kind of control they might have?
Oolwi/Kexxin/Bancroft/Richards/Imril: Response
MacKenzie watched as Oolwi pulled up a map of the region. A
bright orange area represented Kobyar space, while Grunden territory was
highlighted in blue, with a small strip between them representing a demilitarized
zone was highlighted in green. On the map, several red dots appeared in both territories
representing forces loyal to Vef-Lai.
MacKenzie: This doesn’t appear to be limited to
either the Kobyar or the Grunden. If I’m reading this right, Vef-Lai’s soldiers
represent both races…
Oolwi/Kexxin: Response
She turned to her officers.
MacKenzie: Is there any way we can use the Kobyar or
Grunden equipment to our advantage? I want to quell the fighting with minimal
bloodshed if we can help it…
Bancroft/Richards/Imril: Response
Oolwi/Kexxin: Response
Tag, and TBC!
---
Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D. Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A
Captains Council Member at Large
V239601AM0