Crossroads - Part Four

Posted on Tue Oct 31st, 2023 @ 1:39pm by Fleet Admiral Heather Duval & Division Admiral Edward "Mackie" MacDougan & Lieutenant Commander K'Taal Antilles & Commodore Edward Antilles

Mission: Mission 127: Old Friends and New Enemies
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 1230Hrs - January 19th, 2394

Commodore Edward Antilles nodded while he shrugged his shoulders. The man he was addressing had more or less cited the same issue. "I wish I had better news, sir. But it looks like I'm stuck here." Antilles commented

"Ouch, Ed. I gotta say that just sucks. Losing your command and your squadron. All because Starfleet personnel fucked someone else over. Thats a little much, you know?" Division Admiral Edward MacDougan, who tended to be addressed as 'Mackie' by family and close friends. "So, how long do you think it'll be for?" he inquired. He was hoping it wasn't going to be too long.

"I expect that this is permanent." Antilles simply shrugged. "Besides, maybe it won't be so bad. Being Exec of this place could have its benifits. I know K'Taal wants more children, plus it'll give me and my mother some time to sort matters out between us." Antilles then smiled. "Hopefully I can get a few days off so I can assist," he explained, he then sighed softly.

Mackie raised an eyebrow. "Why would you need to help her with matters?"

"Well. Thats because mom is a Klingon who can't read English. Oh, she can speak it fine. But she can't read it, and to make matters more interesting. She's also never been to Earth, either." Antilles explained, with a smile on his lips. He had clearly been expecting the question.

"Oh. When you put it like that. That makes logical sense." Mackie commented. "So what do you wanna do.?" he inquired. Having a good idea of what the other man was going to do, he just wanted to cut through the issues and uncertainties.

"I'm expecting to be told I need to remain here and help out on Vanguard for however long they need me," Antilles answered. "Which means I won't be going back to the USS Exeter." he sighed. "Could you spare a few guys to pack us out?" Ed was thinking about the time. He would need to travel back to his old command, pack out their gear and them come back to Vanguard. He wasn't about to ask Mackie to send the Exeter to him to pack his kit out.

Mackie nodded. "Yeah. I can do that. The Exeter is located at Starbase Four Oh Nine anyway. She's in for refitting so I'll have a few guys go over and pack up your guy's kit. I'll tell them to mark it all as fragile and proceed accordingly." he then shrugged.

"Thanks, Mackie, I'll reward each one of them with an expensive bottle of their preferred booze." Antilles smiled. "Thank you so much for this."

"No worries. I'll stick it on your list of favours you owe me." Mackie smiled back. "Family is more important. I hope your new bosses will see that," he commented. "Do you want me to contact them about it?"

"No. I'll handle matters myself." Antilles smiled. "Mom needs a travelling companion. Someone who knows her and knows the situation, as well as English. I'm more or less the only person who can do it." he shrugged. "It sucks but it is what it is. Besides. I've read up on Commodore Celeste Yamaguchi-Hobbs and Fleet Admiral Heather Duval and both might be willing to help me with issues of state."

"Perhaps. But Ed. Be careful not to get too pushy on matters, k.?" Mackie commented. "Both women are quite badly overworked and there is a major power gap at the top of Starbase Vanguard's command chain. Thats why I suspect you were requested," he explained. "They've not said as much but I can read between the line." Mackie then smiled at his old friend.

"Alright. Thanks, Mackie. As I said earlier. I owe you."

"Yep, you do. Taker care Ed." Mackie answered. Their message was interrupted by a beep via the Starbase com system. "Duval to Antilles. Ed, I need a few minutes of your time as I'd like to put an offer before you. Could you drop by my office? Please and thanks?"

Antilles tapped his combadge. "Understood, Admiral. I'll be at your doorstep in five..." Antilles breathed in. "Out" he then tapped his combadge a second time. Mackie smiled. "I'll let you get going, Mackie out." and with that, the screen went black as the great wreath of the Federation appeared on the display. Antilles turned the display off before he turned to K'Taal. "I suspect we both know what this is all about," he commented in his usual quiet tones. K'Taal nodded her head. "You think you'll get offered a posting here?" she inquired.

"I do, as the new Executive officer for the Starbase. Maybe it won't be so bad." Antilles mused softly. "When I'm done. I'll call you. It'll be one word." he commented. "En'cha," he spoke the word. K'Taal nodded slowly. "What would you have me do?"

"Take the kids down to medical, and get them enrolled into the local school system. Then we will need a permanent set of quarters, rather than these temp visitors' quarters. I suspect that Fleet Admiral Duval is cutting new orders for me, as we speak."

"Speaking of her, you'd best be going," K'Taal answered with a smile. Antilles rose to his feet and departed without looking back.