[Conference Room 3 - Starfleet Headquarters - San Francisco - Earth]
Captain Rojac was selected to represent the First Taskforce for the
conference, and found himself summoned to a high level strategy
meeting with Admiral Jefferson on the top floors of Starfleet HQ.
Rojac had only been this high up at HQ once before, back as an XO in
the Dark Horizon project. His Captain, Shivas, didn't get along well
with the top brass at the time - so needless to say that visit was
uncomfortable. This visit was uncomfortable as well but because of a
different context.
Richard Sharpe was present, with extreme reluctance. He wanted nothing
to do with this horrific plan, but had been brow-beaten by Field
Marshal Brisco into participating in this. fiasco. She'd told him that
if it made him feel any better, none of the other participants were
any happier about it. Richard however, felt it was his duty to stand
up for those who could not stand up themselves to fight for their
lives. He was a marine - and whatever was said about them, they were
honorable, and this. this was without honor.
Walters was wearing his most intimidating scowl. He stood next to
Captain Rojac waiting for Admiral Jefferson to lay out the details of
his plan. The entire scenario didn't sit well with him and to be fair
it seemed unlikely that it would be Starfleet using such tactics even
in the face of condemnation from the Erassian Alliance who were the
usually the ones accused of barbarism by the Federation.
Fresh from his trip to the Columbia system and the TechEx test, the
newly-promoted full Admiral Leland Jefferson stolled into the room. He
looked around the room at the faces staring back at him. Some seemed
to still be in a state of shock over the recent address by President
Spock. Jefferson understood this as he was a bit surprised when
Admiral Janeway had pulled him into her office a few weeks ago to let
him in on the big secret. He was still trying to grasp the
ramifications of this device. But, being an old dog, he knew his duty.
He was in charge of the test and now in charge of the deployment of
the weapon. It would be Leland, and not Janeway, who would be directly
responsible and accountable.
"Well, it feels like we've been thrown into a big pile of horse dung
on a hot, Louisiana summer afternoon," Jefferson started with his
southern North American accent. "This stinks, but here we are."
"Typical of any staff meeting then." Sharpe said, coldly.
Rojac chuckled at the crass comments and pushed the tray off water
toward the admiral at the head of the table.
Jefferson took a breath before pouring a glass of ice water and taking
a drink. He didn't attend Spock's address, but he knew almost word for
word what was said.
"There is still a small chance that this weapon will not be used, and
I pray that it isn't. Even so, we must make preparations."
A holographic image appeared in front of Jefferson.
"As I'm sure you are aware, this is the Romulan Star Empire," Jefferson said.
The admiral took another drink of water before he continued.
"Right now, only a handful of devices are ready for deployment. The
exact number is still classified. Lets just say that we have to be
choosy on our targets."
The holographic image zoomed in on a star system.
"This is the Jezerek system. As most of you know, it is the home of
key Romulan shipyards and production facilities. It is also the site
of an important weapons factory. At least 30 percent of their
disruptors and torpedoes are manufactured here. In addition, large
numbers of ships gather here on a regular basis as a jumping off point
for various missions. It will be one of our primary targets. If we're
lucky, we may be able to get quite of few ships at anchorage."
The holographic image pulled back to once again reveal the entire Star Empire.
"As for our other primary target..."
The image zoomed in and Jefferson noticed many of those in attendence
leaned forward with surprised looks on their faces.
"... the Romulus star system."
"Hitting the Romuus System will make a cohesive ceasefire/surrender
agreement difficult. Due to the heavy centralisation of Romulan
military forces nearly ninety nine percent of upper echelon decisions
go through that system. Granted it does aid territorial gains and
innefective communications between Romulan combat groups but that's
going to be one hell of a difficult target." Walters said.
"This is the heart of the Romulan Star Empire, both politically and
militarly. Remus is also the home of their key dilithium mines. It is
also the manufacturing center of the empire and the location of
numerous shipyards. Hitting these two systems will substantially
cripple the empire. It will also take the decision of any surrender
out of the hands of the praetor and hard-line military leaders who
would be highly unlikely to do so no matter how many weapons we use."
The holographic image disappeared the Jefferson looked around the room.
"These two systems are also the home of billions of Romulan
civilians," Jefferson added. "But that is unavoidable."
"I thought I joined Starfleet, not Murder Inc." Richard said, folding
his arms across his chest. "How am I going to be able to go home to my
wife, knowing that I'm aiding and abetting to what is essentially a
slow and torturous death for billions of lives?"
Rojac rolled his eyes. At first Sharpe's sly comments were comical,
but now they were getting distracting and annoying. "The same way you
do now, but with a bigger chip on your shoulder." Rojac murmured
quietly. He added more loudly: "The weapon's area of effect makes it
hard for collateral damage to be unavoidable. If we want to prevent
further loss of Federation lives in this bloody stalemate we need to
take decisive action. It's the needs of the many argument."
"And hoping the milkman ain't still there when you get back" Walters
muttered under his breath but probably still loud enough to be heard.
Besides Sharpe didn't look much like the type to listen to rap music
anyway.
"Additional primary and secondary targets could, and will likely be
added in the coming days and weeks. But these are definite targets."
Jefferson pulled himself another glass of water, feeling dry in the throat.
"It has been decided that special forces ships will be used to deploy
these devices. Task force commanders will be informed of which of
their ships will be needed in the next few days."
Jefferson again looked around the room.
"Are there any questions?" the aged admiral asked.
"Where to find a good solicitor to file a will?" Walters muttered
under his breath.
"I just hope that if there is a God, that he has mercy on all our
souls for what we are about to do." Richard said. "What role will the
marines be playing in this travesty of an operation?"
"Same thing they always do. Take and hold or destroy enemy positions
to avoid the main strike getting hammered flat by the enemy. The
location and make up of these targets will be kept secret until the
last possible moment to avoid security leaks." Walters said until he
noticed the others looking at him. "What? Am I wrong?"
"How many weapons will we have available for the first round of
targets?" Rojac asked.
"As I said the exact number is still classified Captain." Jefferson said.
"Meaning we're left getting the mushroom treatment as usual, kept in
the dark and fed nothing but shit. Poor intel, lack of cohesive
planning...it's nothing short of a miracle we have the upper hand at
all." Walters said testily.
[End of Part 2]
Admiral Leland Jefferson (NPC Butch)
Joint Defence Command XO
JDC HQ, Earth
Major General Richard Sharp
1TF MEF CO
SB 234: Unity
Captain Cropa Rojac
CO
USS Chimera - C
Erassian Major Scott Walters
XO
USS Chimera - C
