USS Mystique

Stardate:2406.09.21
(USS Mystique, Acting CO, Rear Admiral Jopek - 10.15)

"Bring us around for another pass, keep firing.", said the Vulcan,
impassively as possible during the current crisis.

"Shields down to 35 percent.", reported Jacobs at OPS; Jopek looked at
the Ensign for a moment, he was scared, most likely due to lack of
experience.

Another shower of sparks rained down on the Bridge.

"Come about to 135 mark 215, arm the photons and set dispersal pattern
Alpha-Nine."

The Akira class ship, nimble, fast and agile, turned tightly forcing the
pursuant to overshoot.

"Fire.", said Jopek as the sail unleased 6 photons that independently
rained down on the attacking ship, striking across the forward hull, a
warp nacelle and the impulse manifold, causing it to come to a full
stop.

"Open a channel. This is the Federation Starship Mystique to the
unidentified Federation Starship, we know you are aligned to Admiral
Doenitz but we've no wish to destroy any Starfleet Ships, take that
message back with you. Mystique out.", said Jopek, closing the channel.

Jacobs stood up, "Admiral, do you think this is how all the Mystique's
missions are going to go?"

He ignored the comment but wasn't oblivious to the fact that, this was
suppose to be the Akira Class Ship's shakedown cruise, not partake in
active service.

"Take us back to Phoenix, Ensign, we have to patch up this ship before
her new Commanding Officer arrives.", he said, standing and heading for
the Ready Room. 

The Mystique turned neatly and entered warp, leaving behind a ship and
crew that would think twice before attacking an Akira alone.

(Spacedock Phoenix, USS Firebrande, Ready Room, CO, Rear Admiral Jopek -
18.00)

Jopek had beamed back onboard the command ship of Spacedock Phoenix.
From here, he was commanding the entire process of setting up a shipyard
and the facilities to go with it, advanced technical and engineering
stations on one of the nearby planets, while at the sametime construct
docks, repair facilities and everything else!

Admiral LoDona had secured a lot for them, including the spaceframe of
the now under construction Starbase, whose framework could be seen from
anywhere in the system. The gigantic structure would normally take years
to build but with several advancements in replication, and prefabricated
materials, Jopek was hoping the entire thing would be up and running in
three months.

In the meantime, more than a few frames of starships had arrived, crews
already had begun gamma-welding them together, as for the Mystique, she
came almost complete and only a few things needed to be done to make her
space worthy. 

Two docks were up and running and as Jopek watched from the Ready Room
window, he could see the Mystique inside Dock Number One, undergoing
minor repairs after their run in earlier in the day.

"Come.", said Jopek at the sound of his door-chime.

"Admiral, we've received word that Admiral DoLona is schedule to arrive
tomorrow.", said the Admiral's aide.

"Very well, we'll be able to show him the Mystique in all her glory.
Thanks Richard, dismissed.", said Jopek, swinging around after the
departure of his assistant to look at the computer, neatly sitting on
his sparse desk.

"Three months.", he said to himself, examining the construction
blueprints and timetables for the entire facility. Laughable as it may
have been to anyone else, Jopek had convinced the teams and LoDona
himself that the project was doable in that timeframe, even though it
would mean working everyone, including himself, to the ground in the
process.

Stardate:2406.09.22
(Spacedock Phoenix, USS Firebrande, Ready Room, Rear-Admiral Jopek -
13.00)
 
"Admiral Jopek, the Steel Talons just dropped out of warp at the outer
marker."
 
"Direct them to Dock 1 and bring us around to meet them.", ordered the
Admiral. Having a mobile station such as the Firebrande made getting
around the Spacedock easy, but he would feel more comfortable in an
office on a space-station.
 
"Admiral, one of the FLTCO's Aides invites you to join Admiral LoDona in
his Ready Room."
 
"You have the Bridge, Commander. Carry on.", said the Rear Admiral,
 


(Spacedock Phoenix, USS Steel Talons, Ready Room, Fleet Admiral LoDona &
Rear Admiral Jopek - 13.30)
 
After being beamed over to the flagship of the 52nd fleet, the Admiral
made his way to the Ready Room, he was announced and in a very
civilized manner, he was shown into the Ready Room.
 
"Admiral.", said LoDona as Jopek entered the room, Jopek returned the
greeting and took a seat.
 
"I am impressed, Admiral." he said after several moments. "Does your
original time-table of three months to full operations still hold true?"
 
"If we can maintain the level of replication of the major hull
components, I believe the Starbase will be operational in 3 months,
however, it will be little more than a shell but it will be habitable
and functional."
 
The Fleet Admiral's attention again turned, this time he was looking
over at Dock 1. "The Mystique," he said, "I read your report, what's the
timeline to finish her?"
 
"She is ready to go now, Admiral - however, after our run in with the
Intrepid yesterday, she'll require 24 hours for the minor repairs. I
also believe the Intrepid was the last ship in the area not loyal to our
cause.", said Jopek, as logical as he could be.
 
"Good, I have a crew already pre-assigned." he turned again to face the
Admiral. "And you have three ships that will be coming your way within
the next two weeks, all battle-damage. Boudicca, Barqs and the Winters'
Heart. I have already forwarded you their status reports for later
viewing; Boudicca will probably take the longest.", He turned again to
look at the Mystique.
 
"Understood, with only two docks, we will do what we can. We can dock
additional ships alongside and that will double our current capacity."
 
"Ill be sending you crew, quietly, over the next few weeks to staff her,
Admiral, and her CO as soon as I choose. You have done excellent work,
with any luck it won't be in vain."
 
"I hope not Admiral, as soon as her CO arrives, I'd like to invite
yourself and the CO for a tour, and I think you will be impressed at
what the engineering teams have achieved with this Akira."
 
Robert nodded, "Since the way here is still a secret, Ill be escorting
her and some of the crew on the Talons."
 
"In addition Admiral, the industrial replicated used to run the base
constructions are using antimatter at an enormous rate, it's the price
for replicating such massive components. We'll need a shipment as soon
as you can arrange it."
 
LoDona mulled over that, anti-matter was one of the harder substances to
get out here, but it was manufacturability. "Very well, look for a
shipment within the next two weeks."
 
"Finally, we break ground on the surface emplacements tomorrow, when do
you think that Mars Defense Perimeter remnant will arrive?"
 
"Again, within the week. Some of the non-warp capable are piggy-backing
on other ships of the 52nd, you can expect them to trickle in within the
next two-weeks." LoDona smiled grimly, the fact that a solid third of
the MDP, something like three-quarters of the mobile forces had
defected, had to have come as a shock to Doenitz. The only down-side was
now he could replace those elements with ships and crews loyal to his
cause.
 
"Understood, we're virtually defenseless here.", said Jopek looking as
the planets below came into view once more, "The quicker we get the
surface installations in and functioning, the better."
 
"I will be rerouting a handful of ships this direction for your
protection. Any ships that can make it here before the defenses will be
outer-rip exploration ships, the Firebrande should be able to deal with
him. I figure we will have no less then four ships stationed here
regardless, the Remnant isn't as strong as the real thing. Once the
station is up, I would consider replicating some phaser turrants and
unmanned photon defense satellites."
 
"If you'll excuse me Admiral, I'll take my leave now - please keep me
updated on the arrival status of the CO of the Mystique.", said Jopek
nodding as he left the FLTCO alone once again.
 
 Robert nodded as the Admiral left, then looked back out of the window.
"We'd better not fail." he muttered to himself.
 
Stardate:2406.10.01
(USS Steel Talons - Admirals Quarter, Admiral's Office - Admiral LoDona,
Captain Sash, Cmdr Winters - 0700)

It wasn't every day the Sash had his morning routine interrupted by a
communication from Admiral LoDona.  He had already been up early in
anticipation of the days meeting.  This convergence of the fleet was
something that had been in the works for a while.  It was, to say the
least, an impressive undertaking.

He made his way to a secure com channel, still sweating from his work
out.  The admiral asked that he come over an hour before the meeting and
to bring his FO with him.  That was an unusual request.  As Sash signed
off with LoDona he sent a call to Vanyssa to meet him in Transporter
Room 1.

When Nessa arrived, she looked as disheveled as Sash did. They were
obviously not going to make the best dressed couple award.  She looked
just as confused when he told her that LoDona wanted to see both of them
before the meeting began.  Without too many other words they stepped
onto the pads and the transporter sent them to Steele Talons.

Being woken up after the night that she had had, and mysteriously
ordered to report to the transporter room, was not Vanessa's idea of a
good morning.

When Sash told her that the mighty Admiral LoDona wanted to see them,
she felt  a bit shocked. She had only met the Admiral twice... and the
only thing that she could think was that this was part of Wilson coming
aboard.  Someone met them and guided them down a series of winding
hallways, into a largish office.

As usual, an aid was waiting there for them.  This aid looked old, but
Ssh could tell that he was well trained and strong by his walk.  He led
them both to the door to LoDona's office, and rang the chime.  The door
opened and the aid gestured for them to enter.  They both went in and
the door closed leaving the aid outside.

LoDona looked like he hadn't slept in several days.  Sash had known the
admiral for a period of time now.  In fact he was certain that LoDona
was responsible for his current position. It was the first time that he
had actually seen him look... distracted, truly distracted.

"Admiral," Sash said sharply, "Captain Sash and Commander Winters,
reporting as ordered."

Robert nodded to the two, "Captain, if you would wait outside, Myself
and Mrs. Winters have a few things to talk about."

Sash looked surprised, but knew that having Vanyssa come along meant
that there was something in the air.  He just wasn't sure if it was good
news or bad.  He tossed a look of concern at the admiral and then looked
at Nessa.  She looked concerned to.  He gave her a confident wink.
 
"Certainly Admiral, " he said,  "I'll be right outside."
 
He turned and headed for the door.  He thought about requesting to stay,
but knew that if Robert LoDona had wanted him to stay, he would not have
asked him to leave. It has been a while since he seen LoDona, he was
definitely a lot more tense than he remembered.  
 
The door closed behind him, leaving Sash with the aide.  He was motioned
to a chair, which he promptly took to wait patiently.  

~I'm a civilian now ?!!?!?~  Vanyssa's mind frantically ran in circles
as Devan caught her eye and left.  Devan felt agitated to her, and
unsure, so he didn't know what was going on, either.

Once the Captain had left, the Admiral turned his attention to Winters,
"Have a seat Commander," he said as he picked up his mug of coffee and
finished it off. After the last three days of meetings, getting together
with various Captains to give out emergency missions and Strategy
sessions with the combined Stratops staff on the Night's Watch, he was
about beat. He had six hours of sleep scheduled later today, though it
would probably be interrupted. He folded his hands together after a few
moments and looked at the redhead in front of him. "We have a slight
problem, Commander Winters, one that we need to solve post-haste."

Vanyssa waited for the words to come. He was going to throw them out of
the Fleet.  ~Please don't let it come to that, please~  She thought,
closing her eyes and waiting for the ball to be dropped.

LoDona picked up a small box on his desk, and tossed it to her. After
she had caught it, he pushed a PADD across the desk to within her
reaching distance. "For various reasons, lets say that I got you some
jewelry and a book." he said after a few moments. "Open it," He waited,
inside that standard box was a fourth pip, the PADD was her official
commission as a Captain and CO of the USS Mystique.

She opened her eyes and stared at him, as he pushed both across to her.
He ordered her to open  the small box, and she stared at the fourth pip.
Then she picked up the padd and saw that she was now the Captain of the
USS Mystique.

She sat in complete shock for  a minute, her mouth opening and closing,
no words coming out.  "Why?"  She managed to choke out.

Robert chuckled as he sat back in his chair, "I don't suppose you would
accept the answer, 'because I can'?" He folded his left hand around the
coffee cup, "You have enough experience to take her, and she is geared
to science, so you will have plenty of time to learn her inside and out
before you have to take her into combat, I intend to send you to the
outer reaches for a few months until you are comfortable." He looked at
her seriously for a few moments. "You have much to learn, I know that as
well as you. However, you have the ability, assuming you believe it in
yourself."

He cocked his head to the side, "We are... In trouble, Captain. You
don't have to be a strategist to see that, we need every ounce of
experience we have in command, everyone who has seen any kind of combat
will probably see the front lines before we are done." He sighed as he
looked down at the empty mug, the horrors of Battle flashing behind his
eyes from his years of experience. "You are also used to being around
exploration craft, and I don't intend for this opportunity and new space
to go to waste while we have a chance at it. So, you will learn to be
comfortable being a Captain, and while you are learning you will blaze
the path of our new home."

Vanyssa nodded, looking down at the PADD.   Half of her was cheering,
the other half was in doubt.  Everyone had told her, from the time she
had started in the Fleet, that a Counselor could not be the Captain of a
Starship.  Part of her heard all the conversations against her going
into Command, while part of her couldn't believe this was happening.
"Everyone told me that there was no way a Counselor could be a Captain."
She stated, very quietly.  She looked up, tears almost in her eyes. 

"Have you decided who my first officer will be ?" She said, blinking
back the tears.  "Can I see her ?"  Vanyssa wanted to see the ship that
she was going to Command.  ~Stick that in your cap, Captain Clairidge.~
She thought to herself. 

Robert put the empty mug aside, "You and select members will be
accompanying me on the Talons to her position, which is in an
ultra-secret location. There are other members of various members of the
Nimitz that will be going with you, and your First Officer is the Chief
Ops of Geneva, a Lieutenant Commander. He gets his orders after this
meeting, and will be coming with us as well." He folded his hands
together. "And whoever told you that a Counselor can't command, never
saw half the Counselors I did in the fleet. There are a few I wouldn't
have wanted to mess with if I didn't have too." He held up his left
hand, covered in Borg Implants, and squeezed into a fist for Dramatic
Effect. One didn't become an Admiral without understanding the
psychological uses of dramatics, doubtless a Counselor would understand
that as well.

"Besides," he said in a serious tone. "There is nothing more dangerous
then a motivated Counselor, should the chips fall and the Mystique be
pulled into battle. Who else besides SpecOps would understand the
tenants of Terror half so well, how to use it and how to fight it, as a
trained psychologist?"

Vanyssa looked up as the Admiral made some theatrical gestures.  Then
she smiled. "I learned a lot from my counterpart about the ways that
Terror is used, Admiral.  Both in how to use it and how to combat it. I
suppose I should go tell Devan the good news."  She said, sounding a
little sad. She had just found him again, and they were going to be
separated again.

Robert nodded and stood, "I will join you in ten minutes, Captain, and
you two can serve as my escort to the meeting." He took a breath and
offered his hand, "Do well Captain, Fly far and fly well."

Vanyssa looked down at his hand, and then shook it.  "Thank you,
Admiral."  Then she smiled. "You aren't half as scary as they say that
you are."

He smiled, almost sadly. "Only to my friends, Captain. I'm hell on my
enemies."

Vanyssa nodded, and turned away from him.   She strode confidently from
the office, out into the waiting room, and wondered what she was going
to tell Devan.  

He watched her leave and sat back down into his chair. "Scary,
indeed..." he muttered. He turned to look out the port-hole, giving the
two Captains their time, letting Sash put the pip on her collar rather
then doing it himself. He had seen a couple reports that said they might
be a couple, it wouldn't be the first couple he would break up. And,
odds were, one of them at least would be dead within the year. He flexed
his left hand, feeling the play of metal over his skin, the only tactile
reminder of the Borg Collective and it's effort to assimilate him during
his stint in the Marines as a Combat Engineer. He had meant what he said
to her, there were few that understood Terror half so well as a
Counselor. Only those who had lived with it all their lives could out-do
such an officer, and Robert was one of them. He had lived and breathed
terror for most of his career, he could apply it with an expert hand.
And, after today, that is exactly what he would be doing. He was going
to play Merry Hell with Doenitz's little cadre. 

His grin then wasn't sad in the slightly, it was anticipatory. There was
work to be done, he had an orchestra to play.


Stardate:2406.10.01
(USS Steel Talons - Admirals Office - Admiral Robert LoDona & Lt Peter
Belina - 1000)

=^=Sir, Lieutenant Belina here at your request.=^=

"Very well, send him in." Robert turned in his chair as the doors opened
to his office and a Lieutenant  (jg) came in. Robert folded his hands
together and gently rubbed the borg implants on his left hand,
"Lieutenant, have a seat."

Peter, quite intrigued as to why he had been called her to the Admirals
Office, stood before the  Admiral. He did not have time to salute and
was offered the seat opposite the Admirals desk. Once he was  seated he
waited for the reprimand.

Robert quirked his head slightly, then grabbed a PADD from his desk and
activated it. "I've looked over  your file, Lieutenant. You have a
number of good things written about you, and a recent elevation to
named Third Officer of Starbase Geneva." He looked back over again, "How
do you like Geneva?"

Peter was still quite nervous, but the Admiral was asking him a
question, so he needed to answer.

"I like it just fine sir." Peter replied. "I am enjoying my time as
Third Officer, but it is still quite  new to me." Peter was staring at
the Admirals Borg implants, he caught himself and hoped that the
Admiral had not noticed. "Thank you." He added at the end.

Robert's lips quirked, and he held up his right hand. "Ugly, aren't
they?" he said after a few moments,  while judging the officers
reaction. Very few people could avoid the implants for long, usually he
would  keep quiet, he was used to being stared at. In this case, it
would serve a purpose. "These I got when I  was young, but not quite
stupid, and they have been a reminder to me through all my days that
even when  things are done right, events can go horribly wrong." He
squeezed his fist briefly, then laid his hand  back down on the desk. 

"There are only two things I hate, Lieutenant. Badly played music, and
the Borg. I've spent my life  defending the Federation, and I've paid
the price. Would you be willing to pay this," he gestured to the  hand
again, not needing to mention that the implants ran all the way through
his body. "for Starfleet and the Federation?"

It wasn't a fair question, but Robert hadn't been interested in 'fair'
for a very long time.

Peter stared at the Admiral for a moment while he thought about his
answer. "Again and again, Admiral."  Peter was shocked at himself, he
knew he had a heightened sense of duty, but this question had been a
test for him, internally. He had already lost his mother and father for
his career.

She was probably a Captain by now, she had not been in contact since the
split. Peter had swallowed it  as a personal sacrifice, and it served
him to remember that he did his duty to the Federation amd to
Starfleet, even if they themselves did not recognize him as a loyal
servant. He would still defend them,  it was his duty. He looked again
at the Borg implants and imagined them on his arm, frightening.

"Sir, I would give my life for those causes that are noble and just. And
there is no other cause more  noble, more just than the United
Federation of Planets." He felt stupid for saying it, but there was
nothing wrong with loyalty.

"I tend to agree Lieutenant, the rhetoric ceases to be rhetoric once
you've given blood for it." He  looked at the PADD once more, then
reached into his pocket and pulled out a small container. "And  because
of that, I'm going to ask you for a sacrifice."

He tossed over the container, inside were the pips necessary to make him
a Lieutenant Commander. "Open  it." While the officer did so, he said,
"I'm going to ask you to leave your comfortable assignment at our
Fleet's Headquarters, and stuff your head with command protocols." He
slid the PADD over, much as he had  done with Winters not long ago. His
commission as Lieutenant Commander and the freshly cut orders to  take
up the First Officer position on the Mystique. 

Peter sat open mouthed, shocked at this news. He could hardly believe
it. He looked up at the Admiral.  "Why, sir? I have not been  in the
Third Officer post long enough. I don't understand!" Peter said. He
couldn't move, he was excited and elated all at once.

"Suffice to say that you have the necessary skills, you just need to
learn some applied command. We  don't have the time to train you
properly, if we did I would give it to you." He drummed his fingers on
the desk for a few moments. "You are being made a junior Commander, once
your CO is assured at your  ability, you will be given another promotion
to Commander with all the appropriate trimmings."

"Well, I suppose I should thank you, sir. Wow, I did not think I would
be promoted so fast. I won't let  you down. What ship am I going to?"
Peter asked, this time more relaxed. If the Admiral said he had the
ability, then he had the ability.

"The Mystique," Robert said as he stood. "She was moved from Utopia
Planitia just after my declaration,  and her construction was finished
in an ultra-secret location, which we will be departing for tomorrow
morning. You have until 0700 to be back on the Talons for transport." He
walked around the desk and held  out his hand for the pips, then gently
took them out once he had them in hand. "On your feet,  Lieutenant." he
said, not unkindly.

Peter stood without thinking, he allowed the Admiral to place the pips
on his uniform, and stood to  attention. He had no idea what to say or
do, but the Admiral was stood in front of him and so he stood  to
attention.

Robert chuckled as he unclipped the hollow pip and placed a solid pip in
its place, then slid the hollow  pip one to the side. "Lieutenant
Commander Belina," he said "Congratulations." He stuck out his hand,
his face a small smile.

Peter smiled, despite himself. He took the Admirals hand and shook it.
"May I ask, when shall I meet my  new Captain, and when will the
Briefing be?" Peter was being presumptuous, but that was what a First
Officer did, ask impertinent questions.

Robert chuckled as he put his hands behind him. "She is on the Nimitz
now, no doubt you will meet her  here on the Talons tomorrow. The first
ship-wide briefing will most likely be after I've delivered you  two
safe and sound to the Mystique, in about a weeks time. Whatever you two
decide to do informally is  your concern."

"Well thank you Admiral. I trust you are extremely busy, so if I may,
with your permission, leave to  make sense of all this." Peter smiled
and genuinely warmed to the Admiral, he hoped that this would be  the
first of many meetings with him, but knew that they would be few and far
between.

Robert nodded, "Aye, Commander." he said. "Be back on the Talons by
0700, you will have quarters  assigned already. Dismissed!"

With that Peter saluted, turned to the door and headed out. He sat down
in one of the chairs and  laughed. It was a strange reaction, but he had
been expecting a reprimand. The Admiral himself had  promoted him, that
was something to write home about, but he couldn't. He swallowed the
lump and headed  back to Geneva.

Robert watched the officer leave, then nodded and moved to look out one
of his port-holes. The fleet was  all around Geneva, and it was a
beautiful sight. None of the ships had damage, hope was still running
high and fear was at a minimum. Robert new that would change, tempers
and supplies would begin to run  ragged as they were pushed on all
sides. Even with two more fleets joining the action at other parts,
Starfleet was still exceptionally powerful, they had to be, and Robert
had been a high-ranking member in  making sure it stayed that way. 

A new day had begun.