Episode 61. Unofficial Alliance
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Monday, August 5, 2024 - 18:01
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- NATO Starbase
- USS Enterprise
- Shuttle Bay
- Timeline
- Schak'Irra Timeline
- Previously
-
After Manu is appointed to the science station, the second mission of Operation: Reclaim Earth is organized. Admiral Michaux assigns the Enterprise a special operation: escorting Colonel Gomard and fifty soldiers to Moscow to dismantle the Kremlin. Faced with this suicidal mission, Captain Rodriguez tries to bring the colonel over to her cause. A kiss seals an initial bond of trust... and opens the way to an unofficial alliance.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Robert Gomard | NATO / Army | Colonel | 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 | Eric Corda Charlene Savea |
| Science | Manu |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Advisor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers | Tarsi (Confidential) Robert Gomard and his squad |
TL;DR
Agnes meets with Colonel Gomard and proposes an unofficial alliance between their teams, anticipating possible fractures within command. To prove that he can trust her, she reveals a classified secret: hidden behind the sealed bulkheads of the Enterprise is an alien ship recovered from the Moon, the Tal'Kyr. The pact is sealed: Rodriguez and Gomard are now bound together.
Story
You might say that kissing Robert by surprise to assess how much trust I can place in him is a dubious technique. I agree with you. But at least I now know where I stand on a few points. And above all, I can reveal my confidences to him without fear. Because even if he does not know it yet, we are in a situation where we need each other.
As we slowly wander through the shuttle bay, he keeps watching his team closely as they load the equipment aboard. He is clearly waiting, impatiently, for what I have to tell him...
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
What was the serious thing you had to tell me?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What would you say if I proposed a coalition between my crew and your squad?
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
A what?!
We're already working together!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I mean an unofficial alliance.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
What for?
Are you planning to lead a rebellion on the station and seize power to cancel the mission?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No, nothing like that.
But factions can form. I simply want to make sure we will not fight each other when the situation demands it.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Have you noticed dissent?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
The understanding in the upper circles between NATO's different forces and the civilian authorities is not exactly calm.
If it ever blows up, I would not bet much on our survival.
In the event of a conflict, I want to be able to count on reliable people like you to help me restore order in the chaos.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Your idea is interesting.
Will you give me some time to think it over?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
It's yes or no.
Let me remind you that you are a dead man walking.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
You're not going to kiss me again to convince me?
Ha ha!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Very funny, Robert.
I need an answer now.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Laugh a little, Agnes. Life is too short.
Of course I'm with you.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
In that case, we can get straight to the point.
Do you see those sealed bulkheads deployed in the bay?
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Uh... yes.
My men tried to fold them back to make room and store the equipment, but your security officer would not allow us.
What are you hiding inside?
And what does that have to do with your unofficial coalition story?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Nothing too terrible.
Just a challenge to your deepest convictions...
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Are you trying to scare me?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No.
I am merely prolonging the suspense and tension so you properly understand the scale of events.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Right... we're in front of the access door.
Are you opening it or not?!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Be patient a little longer.
The biometric reader is scanning my fingerprints.
The door gives a short metallic clack and opens.
We enter the secured enclosure behind the sealed bulkheads.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
You can't see a thing in here.
Where's the light switch?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Wait.
Charlene told me she left a flashlight near the entrance.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Ow!
[censored], I bumped into something.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
There. I found it.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Stop dragging your feet and turn on that damn flashlight!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You're still such a kid, Robert.
Get up.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Good grief...
What the hell did I come here for?
I hope your little excursion is worth it.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Are you ready to have a heart attack?
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
The last one was last year.
Don't hold back.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Ha ha ha...
There. Look.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
By all the saints...
What is that thing?!
It looks like a giant cock ring for Godzilla!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Let me introduce you to the Tal'Kyr.
It's a small support ship.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
I don't understand.
Is it part of our fleet?
Are you planning to use it for the mission and bomb Moscow?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No. Nothing like that.
This ship is not NATO.
Its pilot sent us a distress signal last week from the surface of the Moon, and we recovered it.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Now... I'm lost.
Does Michaux know?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Of course not.
And I'm counting on you not to reveal anything to him.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Why hide it from him?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
It's complicated.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
That I know.
With chicks, it's always complicated.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Please, Robert...
Try to understand that I can't explain everything to you all at once.
I'll have the files sent to your cabin.
In the meantime, I'm simply asking you to trust me.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
All right, Miss Mystery.
Now explain to me how this ship can help me with my mission.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
The ship is not the most important part.
Its pilot is.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
What's so special about him?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You'll see.
I'm going to introduce you.