Shadow Of The Gun

Posted on Nov 11, 2015 @ 4:15pm by Rear Admiral Dexter Marxx & Captain Michael Turlogh Kane

Mission: Civil War

"SHADOW OF THE GUN"

(Continued from "Dawn Of War")

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Captain's Log, supplemental - following the arrival of the Neo-Essentialist fleet, the reappearance of Admiral Marxx and his ultimatum to us, everyone is struggling to process their reactions...

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Location: USS PHOENIX, facing down the Neo-Essentialist fleet
Stardate: [2.15]1111.2015
Scene: Conference Room, Deck 1, saucer section


Michael Turlogh Kane turned away from the viewing port. It showed nothing that he wanted to look at - just mile after mile of Neo-Essentialist starships training their weapons forward. Ten minutes ago, Admiral Dexter Marxx had delivered an ultimatum on behalf the Neo-Essentialist fleet - surrender and stand down within twenty-four hours or be destroyed. Now, as his senior officers filed into the conference room, Kane could hardly bring himself to believe what his own eyes were telling him.

Dexter Marxx was a Starfleet legend. When Kane was fresh out of the Academy and beginning his career in the fleet, he had been assigned to the USS Century, formerly under Marxx's command. When Kane's first CO, Cameron Locke, died fighting the Thal, Marxx had temporarily resumed command. It was sixteen years ago, but Kane had served beneath Marxx for several months.

Their careers had diverged once Marxx resigned from Starfleet to take up a position with the Vegan military, but they had come into contact again when Kane was the ExO on board the Discovery, thirteen years ago. Marxx had been working for Starfleet Intelligence on the side, and had come aboard the Discovery to facilitate the defection of a Romulan captain to the Federation. The two had clashed back then, due to Kane's loathing of Intelligence officers.

He sat down quickly. The command crew were all there - Aerdan, Jake, Kass, Barton, and Eve. "You know why you're here. Your thoughts, if you please."

"Everyone knows who Dexter Marxx is," said Jake. "Even those of us who've never served alongside him have heard of him in some fashion."

"And what have you heard, Commander?" Kane snapped, immediately regretting his harsh tone. Marxx's appearance had put a whole new and deadly spin on things, and his mind was whirling like a dervish. Outnumbered and outgunned with a deadline for your execution tended to shorten the temper.

"Vastly experienced command officer," said Jake, nonplussed. "From the generation that fought at Coriana Three. Retired a hero. Astounding to see that he's a Neo-Essentialist."

"The rot is everywhere," said Aerdan ruefully.

"I know him personally," said Barton. "We served aboard the Odyssey together. Marxx was the ExO, then he got promoted to Captain. At first we clashed, then we came to respect each other, then we became friends. At the end, Marxx was a confidante and someone I looked to as an example, both as a fellow officer and a father."

Kane digested this. If it came to a space battle, and that was probable, he'd be matching wits against Marxx personally, captain to captain. Marxx would likely target the Phoenix for destruction as quickly as possible - her loss would cripple the fleet's command and control capacity - but Kane was determined to do the same to the Century. The Century-class was a formidable design, but it was thirty years old. In a one-on-one duel, Kane knew that the Phoenix had the Century outgunned.

That was why Marxx would likely play it safe, at least in the opening stages of the battle. He'd probably use the Monarch and Imperial as a screen, keeping behind their battlegroups while his destroyers and starfighters made for the Pendragon and Demeter. By not engaging the Phoenix directly, he'd be able to slowly tighten the noose around her as the battle wore on.

He looked at Eve. "Pull everything we have on Marxx. His service record, his personal history, his record in battle, everything. Try to predict how he'll react if we defy him, or if we attack first, or any other scenario you can think of. Give me a total personality profile by tomorrow morning. Understood?"

Eve nodded. "Aye, Captain."

Kane looked at Kassandra and Barton. "Pull the deck schematics for the Century and come up with a boarding plan. Assume enemy marine and security complements comparable to our own. Get that to me as soon as possible."

"Ya thinkin' o' boardin' her, Cap'n?" asked Kass.

Kane shook his head. "To be perfectly honest, Major, I haven't got a clue. We'll need as many options as possible if we're to overcome the Century."

"You mean destroy her?" asked Barton. "In battle?"

Kane looked at him pointedly. The moment hung in the air like a thundercloud, as everyone absorbed the reality of their situation.

[[Bridge to Captain Kane,]] came Byte's voice from the centre seat on the bridge. [[Message from the Demeter, sir. President P'Trell has called a council and you are summoned to attend.]]

"Acknowledged." Kane looked around at them all. "We have less than twenty-four hours to make this ship as ready for battle as it can be. We are the masters of our own fates. We've taken everything Edgerton's had to throw at us and we're still here." He paused as his words sank in. "Let's get to work."

They moved, together, with different tasks, with one purpose.

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Location: USS Century
Scene: Bridge -> Ready Room


Admiral Marxx's eyes remained focused on the main screen a moment longer, the after-image of Kane's shock still registering in his mind. He cast a side-long glance at his ExO. "Commander, a word with you in my Ready Room."

The Starfleet flag officer moved with a grace that belied his size toward the doors on the side of the bridge. Heydrich, still incensed by the ultimatum given instead of an attack order, looked about the bridge, gauging his loss of face, then followed his CO into the ready room. When the doors hissed closed behind him, he made to speak.

"Admiral, I - " began Heydrich.

"Commander, while I appreciate your input, having you question me on the bridge will not," the Vegan's violet eyes flashed toward the ExO, "be tolerated."

"Admiral," the ExO began again. "These...terrorists decapitated the Federation. They've injured us and sowed unrest in so many ways." Heydrich walked over to the viewport. "And they're right there, Admiral!" he said, pointing out into space toward the Phoenix. "Right there!"

Marxx sat down behind the desk, and gently placed his PADD on its surface, rotating it slightly with his rough fingers. "I'm well aware of the location of the enemy vessel, Commander."

"Then why the ultimatum, Admiral?" Heydrich asked, turning his head. He walked over to the desk to stand above his CO. "It is your duty to destroy them!"

Dexter Marxx slowly looked up at his executive officer, eyes filled with heat. "Commander Heydrich, spare me the lecture of duty. I was fighting the Kem D'Neel while you weren't even a glimmer in your father's eye."

Heydrich slammed his hand down on the desk. "Federation First, Adm - "

In a swift motion, like lightning amidst an impending storm, the flag officer stood, gripping the human's uniform and lifting him off the ground. Marxx shook his head. "Don't try to physically intimidate a Vegan, Commander," he stated, quietly.

"Admiral," Heydrich began, sputtering.

Before he could continue, Marxx set the ExO gently on his feet and brushed imaginary dust off the front of Heydrich's uniform.

"Y-you've been given orders, Admiral." Despite his fluster, hatred filled Heydrich's eyes. "You agreed to rid the Federation of this menace. Finish this now."

Marxx sat back down, and picked up his PADD. While thumbing through it, he spoke in a tone that impressed finality to the ExO. "I gave them 24 hours and I intend to honor my word." The Vegan's eyes lifted from his PADD. "Dismissed, Commander."

Heydrich opened his mouth to say something else, but then closed it. He nodded, slightly. "Federation First, Admiral."

Marxx's eyes slowly returned to his PADD.

"Indeed."

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Location: USS Demeter
Scene: Conference Room


There were limits to transporter technology, even in the twenty-fifth century. The Phoenix's shuttlepod Babbage was currently docked in the Demeter's shuttlebay, having carried Kane on the twenty-minute flight back to Elandipole. When he had left the Phoenix in Aerdan's keeping, nothing had changed. Almost one hour had passed since Marxx's ultimatum.

The conference room was tinged with unease. Peter had taken his seat and was talking quietly to Marie-Claire Martine, and Sardak and Alexander Towers were murmuring things to each other in the corner, out of earshot of everyone else. There was no sign of Thoris yet, and Kane had not been able to find Selyara although he had been hoping to see her. He was still wondering where she was when the doors opened and Siobhan Reardon entered the room.

Kane approached her. "Captain Reardon."

Siobhan looked distracted. "Captain Kane."

Kane wondered how to broach the subject of her ex-husband. "How are you holding up?" he ventured.

I'm still in shock," she admitted, running one hand through her auburn hair. Her eyes had a thousand-yard stare. "I don't think I can believe it. It's been fifteen years since I laid eyes on that man."

"Stay focused," said Kane sharply. "Your personal feelings are irrelevant."

She looked at him. "I know that. I guess I'm still amazed at how much people can change, especially those who we once knew."

Kane wanted to say more, but the doors opened again, admitting Thoris. He was all business, striding to his chair while indicating that everyone should immediately sit down. He looked around at the seated attendees. "Thank you all for coming. As things stand, there are just over twenty-three hours until Admiral Marxx's deadline expires. Options?"

Alexander Towers leaned forward, looking around at everyone. "We're heavily outnumbered and outgunned. Everything my people are telling me indicate that we'd lose this fight."

Marie-Claire Martine held up a hand. "That supposition is based on current information, Colonel. We have the guts of another day to analyse it. Who knows what will happen in the next few hours?"

Towers looked at her coolly. "I'm not suggesting we surrender, Madam Secretary. Far from it." He looked at Thoris. "By initiating a first strike at a specific point in the Neo-Essentialist battle line, we can punch a hole in their fleet and get the Demeter to safety." He produced a PADD and activated it. "Vice-President Sardak and I have concluded that it is possible to - "

"You want me to run?" interrupted Thoris dangerously.

Towers looked up. "Run?" he repeated. "No, Mister President. I want you to retreat. This battle is unwinnable. We need a miracle to militarily defeat the Neo-Essentialist fleet."

"I concur, Mister President," said Sardak, hands inside the voluminous folds of his brown robe. "We will take many casualties in breaking out of the Elandipole, but this government can survive to carry on the fight for freedom."

Kane knew that they were speaking the truth. "My people are conducting their own analyses of the Century and the Neo-Essentialist fleet at this moment, but to be honest, I don't hold out much hope of a breakthrough."

Thoris slapped the table with a blue palm, standing up quickly. "I cannot believe what I am hearing!" he exclaimed in anger. "Only days ago this council was pressing me to authorise military action against the foe, and now that it is here, you want to run away!" He jabbed a finger at Towers. "I am not running from the enemy, Colonel, do you understand!"

Towers put his PADD away. "Yes, Mister President," he said grimly.

Martine leaned forward. "Mister President, do you have a plan?"

Thoris looked mollified. He remained standing, but put his palms on the table. To Kane, he looked like a man under enormous pressure. "Admiral Marxx has given us time. We need make no hasty decisions at this moment. For now, we will use the pause."

The assembled officers all glanced at each other. Kane could see the merits of Thoris' thinking - if military victory was not possible at this moment, then perhaps it would be possible later. But how much later? Hours? Before the ultimatum's expiration? If not, Kane knew well that he would be ordered to take the Phoenix forward into the shadow of the enemy guns, there to meet her death in combat.

Thoris stayed on his feet. "We may choose to open negotiations in a few hours. Similarly, we may choose to strike first. These options need to be examined in more detail before we come to a final conclusion. But I have made a decision about something else. Captain Aspinall?"

Peter had been quiet up to now, but he looked up as the President called his name. "Sir?"

"On my tour of the Pendragon several days ago," continued Thoris, "you showed me the chronoton artifact that you keep in your cargo bay, the same chronoton artifact that transported you backward in time from nineteen years in the future. We discussed the awful consequences should the Neo-Essentialists get their hands on that artifact."

Kane watched Peter's face blanch with growing dread.

"In the event of a battle here at Elandipole, the Pendragon will be engaged in combat alongside us," said Thoris. "We cannot risk the artifact being destroyed or captured. Therefore, I want you to remove the artifact from your cargo bay and transport it to the Demeter, where it will be stored out of harm's way."

Peter started shaking his head halfway through Thoris' speech. "Mister President, the artifact is heavily integrated into our systems. It requires specialised monitoring - "

"We talked about that on my tour, Captain Aspinall. You indicated that moving the artifact was possible despite all that."

Kane looked around at Siobhan, Towers, Martine and Sardak. All of them were looking on at the conversation. Aside from Sardak, whose satanic features were the picture of perfect Vulcan calm, they looked surprised at the direction of the conversation.

Peter was holding his hands up defensively. "I know that, sir, but I didn't recommend it then, and still don't now. We don't know what sort of effect the removal of the artifact would have on us. For example, we suspect that it's responsible for shielding us from the time paradox we created by coming here."

"What do you mean?" frowned Thoris.

"Since we have changed history by our presence here, then our future has been erased," explained Peter. "If our future has been erased, then we could either never have come back to change history, or we'd have been erased from existence the moment our future was wiped clean. It's possible that the artifact has something to do with our continued existence."

Thoris thought about it for a moment, then looked back at Peter. "I'm sorry, Captain, but my order stands. You'll just have to hope for the best, along with your twenty thousand comrades-in-arms in this fleet."

"Mister President - " began Peter.

"I've made my decision!" snapped Thoris, holding up a hand like a shield to ward off Peter's words. "This is not open for debate! Captain Aspinall, seeing your reluctance to comply with my order, I will also dispatch Colonel Towers and his marine unit back to the Pendragon with you to take charge of the artifact! Is that understood!"

Towers nodded. "Yes, sir."

Kane was shocked, but the moment was between Thoris and Peter now. Slowly, Peter nodded. "Yes, Mister President, I understand."

Thoris seemed satisfied. "Good. This meeting is concluded. All of you should remain on high alert, however, as we may need to convene hurriedly sometime in the next few hours."

Thoris gathered his PADD and stepped away from the table. Sardak and Martine stood up and fell into line behind him, while Towers moved to the corner of the room to quietly order a marine unit to prepare to beam to the Pendragon.

Kane and Siobhan got up, sharing an uncertain glance with Peter. Then the imperative took over, and they left Peter and Towers alone together.

The first hour of the deadline had passed.

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NRPG: Moving things along... the first hour has passed. What are your characters up to? Remember to take into account the events of this and other players' posts if you're writing! A twenty-four hour countdown to execution is not long at all!

The scene featuring Marxx and Heydrich was written by Marko Sertic.


Jerome McKee
the Soul of Captain Michael Turlogh Kane
Commanding Officer
USS PHOENIX


"He speaks an infinite deal of nothing!"
- Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", Act 1, Scene 1.117

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