[Trek Universe] SD 241207.06 | Snakes in the Grass | Gen Richard Sharpe (Cmdt, Starfleet Marines) & VAdm Jack Drayson (Dir. Starfleet Diplomatic Corps)
Jazza
=/\= Starfleet Command, Earth =/\=
Amanda received the message from Amy to contact Admiral Drayson and set up a meeting. Being the efficient aide that she was, she quickly activated the comm. And sent a message to his office to arrange a meeting whenever was convenient for the Admiral.
Drayson's own yeoman, Sarah, replied almost immediately, "He's available right now," she advised.
“Thank you.” Amanda said, and arranged for Richard to attend. “General Sharpe will visit in an hour, does that suit the Admiral?”
"That's perfect. We'll see him then," replied Sarah, standing and turning into Admiral Drayson's office, "Sir, General Sharpe just made an appointment in an hour."
"Thank you," replied Jack, setting down a PADD. "Nice of him to keep me in the loop so soon; shame the Tholian Ambassador beat him to it," he observed, taking a sip of his coffee. His ear was still sore from THAT meeting, not an hour earlier.
Sharpe arrived at the designated time, feeling like a chess piece being moved from place to place by other people. What happened to simply just walking down the corridor and knocking on the freaking door? Why did it take two aides to arrange a ‘date’ with the Head of the Diplomatic Corps. All Sharpe wanted to do was give him a heads up about his decision to deploy forces to help mediate the civil war in the Montara system, and the potential for some grief from the Tholian’s about moving troops closer to the border.
He moved through into the outer office, and introduced himself to Sarah. “General Sharpe to see Admiral Drayson.” He said. He didn’t add the ‘obviously’ part, since he was wearing a marine duty uniform with four stars on his right chest – as part of the new uniform design.
"Go right through, General," Sarah replied.
“Thank you.” Sharpe said, realising why most admirals he’d ever encountered had been rather snooty. They were treated like princes back at HQ, why wouldn’t you think you were royalty when you hit Admiral?
Jack looked up from his desk, standing, "Richard, welcome back to Earth," he greeted, stepping out from behind his desk and offering his hand.
Richard smiled warmly and accepted the hand. “Thanks Jack, I suppose I’m glad to be here.”
"Take a seat," Jack offered, gesturing at the two lounges in the corner. "So, they 82nd MEU is on the move, the Tholian Ambassador tells me."
“They move quickly.” Sharpe said. “I only cut the orders for their movement two hours ago.” He took a seat in one of the lounge chairs. “I came here to inform you of it… Jeez, I feel like the rug’s been taken out from under my feet.”
"Two hours?" Jack pondered. "I'll have a word with Chris," he said, referring to Vice Admiral Chris Douglas, Director of Starfleet Intelligence. "We've thought we might have a mole in JSOC for a while. For the Tholian ambassador to know so quickly essentially proves it," he explained, still thinking. "What's the plan?"
“Well, I’m not sure how reliably informed the Tholian Ambassador is, but there’s a civil war breaking out in the Montara system between the Ietians. A couple of the colony world’s are demanding cessession from the core world, and fighting has broken out between Ietian government forces and rebels on the colony worlds.” Sharpe said, referring to the situation report, which had probably actually been generated by Jack’s department, so after saying all that, he felt a bit silly. “Anyway, the Montara system is a Federation Protectorate, and the government has requested peacekeepers to come in to help restore order whilst the government sits down with rebel leaders to work on a compromise.”
Richard looked at Jack. “Frankly, I feel like I’ve just parroted your own report.”
"I thought I recognised some paragraphs," Jack replied with a smile. "Don't worry about the Tholian's, I'll take care of that. I AM concerned about the Krivaldi gaining a spine. We've just got word they've had a nasty tangle with the Crazy Horse; which happens to be limping back to Starbase 22. What's your force strength looking like? I might need some grunts in the field there as well to quieten things down."
“I was told things were quiet in the Beta Quadrant.” Sharpe said. “Apart from things affecting the naval forces. I thought Malone put the Krivaldi down four years ago, at the Battle of Yamembei Anchorage?”
"Well, it seems they're awake again," Jack replied, "I've only gotten this in the last hour; no details yet, other than they captured some of the crew, including the CO. All managed to escape. We may need to send them a message."
“Well, I’ve got assets in the Beta Quadrant. Depends what kind of message you want to send. I’ve got the manpower for everything short of a full out invasion of the Krivaldi home world, even then, we could probably take the planet over with four sergeants and a private.” Richard scoffed. “They’ve never really been a credible threat, Jack. The last time they were a threat, they had outside help from a Vanguard agent, trying to play all sides, and gave them advanced tech. That’s the only reason Malone had to take a battle group to Yamembei. You know all this, he never shuts up about it.”
"Tell me about it," Jack replied. "No more than a brigade, maybe schedule an exercise in a nearby system. Send a message without being too obnoxious about it."
Richard pondered a moment. “I could probably have the 56th Light Infantry Brigade do manoeuvres in the area, perhaps combined service training with the 2nd Fleet. Think you can sell that to the navy?”
"I'm sure we can rustle something up, certainly something larger than a bloody Defiant," Jack grumbled. "I'll clear it with Starfleet Operations, but cut orders for the 56th. I don't want to waste any time, or give them opportunity to regroup."
“Do we know if this is an official action by the Krivaldi government, such as it is, or a rouge group out for revenge?” Sharpe asked. “And for gods sake, don’t let Malone know, or he’ll take the Ticonderoga Battle Group out there.”
"Unclear yet, but we don't have diplomatic relations with them," Jack replied. "I'll be making overtures, but they're not terribly receptive. As for Malone, surely we can hide him in a far away sector somewhere?"
“Malone’s your problem. He’s a 4 star admiral with more tenure than an 80 year old college professor.” Sharpe said. “And I thought dealing with marine ego’s were bad enough.”
"We can only hope he decides to retire sometime soon," Jack replied. "Anything else we need to cover off?"
“Anything else coming up on the diplomatic or political horizon that it would be good that I know?” Sharpe asked.
"Nothing else at the moment, but give me an hour and I'll have us at war with someone," Jack replied with a smile.
“Or give Malone five minutes, and we’ll be at war with everyone.” Richard chuckled. “God help us if he gets out.”
"I can't believe he's still on the active roster," Jack observed. "Are you joining us tomorrow for the command briefing?"
“Only if I can’t avoid it.” Sharpe sighed. “I’ve always dreaded briefings.”
"Well then," Jack said, standing, "I may or may not see you at breakfast then," he said with a smile. "I only attend 'cause they cater."
Richard laughed at that, and stood. “It was good meeting you, Jack. Hopefully, next time, I get to you before the Tholian’s do.”
"Deal, see you tomorrow," Jack replied as Sharpe headed out the door. Jack's thoughts turned back to the Tholian's and how quickly they'd found out. He sat down, and opened a channel to Admiral Douglas at Starfleet Intelligence...
=/ End Log \=
General Richard Sharpe (Frankie)
Commandant, Starfleet Marines
&
Vice Admiral Jack Drayson (Jazza)
Director, Starfleet Diplomatic Corps