Episode 58. Under Orders
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Monday, August 5, 2024 - 3:29 PM
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- NATO Starbase
- Main Conference Hall
- Timeline
- Schak'Irra Timeline
- Previously
-
Since discovering the Andorian Tarsi, who comes from the future of a parallel reality, Captain Rodriguez has been trying to reconcile duty and uncertainty. Between revelations about the contamination of 1954, her confrontation with Admiral Michaux, and Tarsi's quarantine, the crew of the Enterprise is trying to reorganize. Manu joins the bridge as Science Attaché, and the second mission of Operation Reclaim Earth is being prepared.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Anthony Michaux | NATO / Starbase | Admiral | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Docked at the NATO Starbase |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Tactical |
|
| Science | Manu |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers | Tarsi (Confidential) |
TL;DR
While the other ships are assigned to a mission to restore contact with the NATO bunkers on Earth, Admiral Michaux gives the Enterprise a special operation: transport Colonel Gomard and fifty soldiers to Moscow to dismantle the Kremlin network. Agnes considers the mission suicidal and denounces the admiral's recklessness and lack of information. But the orders are formal: in two days, the Enterprise leaves for Russia.
Story
As the conference hall empties, Admiral Michaux holds us back.
He tells us the Enterprise won't be joining the Nauvoo on their mission.
On the one hand, I'm relieved not to have to play ship babysitter. On the other, I dread the worst when he mentions a special operation. The phrase alone makes me uneasy. The last time someone used that term, we ended up with a high-intensity war on our hands.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What does this special operation involve, Admiral?
Adm. Anthony Michaux
The Enterprise will embark a fifty-man army commando under the command of Colonel Gomard.
Your mission will be to transport them to Moscow.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Moscow?!
What are we going to do there?
Adm. Anthony Michaux
The Enterprise will secure the area and provide logistics support for the colonel.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
That's it.
So we're basically a taxi service and testosterone babysitters.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
In a way, yes.
The success of Colonel Gomard's mission will also depend on your performance.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What is his mission?
Adm. Anthony Michaux
The commando will storm the Kremlin bunker.
They are to dismantle the bunker's network.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What?!
Have you lost your mind or what? With only fifty men?
With all due respect, that is pure suicide, Admiral.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
The mission has been approved by the provisional government.
Whether you agree or not, the decision stands.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Admiral, I don't think you realize what you're doing.
We're completely in the dark about those Russian bunkers. We do not know the number of armed men, the layout of the place, or their arsenal.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
That is correct. We have little information.
What you do not know is that the government has authorized the use on Earth of the advanced weapons developed in Area 51, the same ones our officers use aboard Special Fleet ships.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Admiral, if I may.
If you had consulted those same officers, including our Area 51 weapons specialist, Eros Vitos, they would have told you those weapons are useless.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Chen, thank you for your comment.
You should know that the designers of those weapons don't share the opinion of your ensign, who, according to his file, is just as immature as you are.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You are overconfident, Admiral.
You're risking fifty men's lives for nothing.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
I don't believe so.
Just before the July 15 attack, the latest reports from our intelligence agencies on Earth indicated that the Russian authorities had lost control. The Kremlin is probably in the hands of mafia groups and private militias fighting for control.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
All the more reason to cancel this operation.
It's obvious you've never had to deal with people like that.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Colonel Gomard is an excellent soldier.
He has proven himself and knows exactly what he's doing.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
If you say so, Admiral.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
You have two days to prepare the Enterprise and load all the equipment.
Good luck, Rodriguez.
Chen.
At those final words, we straighten instinctively. Heels together, shoulders squared, chin high. Training kicks in, even though everything in me is still screaming that this mission is madness.
The admiral fixes us briefly, as if to make sure the order has been received, then pivots on his heels. Without adding a word, he walks away with a confident stride.
The moment he turns his back, Angie flips him off with a big, unmistakable middle finger.
For once, I could not have said it better.
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