The Overseers

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2020 @ 3:15pm by Fleet Admiral Heather Duval & Vice Admiral Valerie Dessaix & Division General Donovan Garibaldi

Mission: Mission 98: Building Our New Home
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 0800Hrs - August 11th, 2393

The command staff waited patiently in the hangar bay. A shuttle with Renkampf and Sternwald was smoothly making its way into the bay.

"Behave yourself, General," Valerie told Garibaldi as the shuttle touched down. "Your fingerprints and DNA on record."

"Don't worry, you won't find their corpses," Garibaldi replied.

Heather Duval smiled rather sweetly. "Sounds good to me, General. After all, we can plead ignorance," she added.

A formally dressed middle-aged woman stepped off the shuttle followed behind by an older man dressed in business attire. The woman approached the group of senior officers but said nothing until she was formally greeted.

Duval regarded the new arrivals. "Welcome to Starbase Vanguard. I am Fleet Admiral Duval. This is Admiral Valerie Desaix and General Garibaldi." she indicated the two people with her.

"Thank you, Admiral, as you know I am Councilor Renkampf." The woman replied warmly. "We're here to discuss the starbase and its functions."

Duval raised an eyebrow. "Yes, so I was told," she answered in a rather dry tone of voice. "Let's have this chat away from this place... If you will follow me, we will go to conference room four, its the closest."

"Very well." Renkampf nodded. She then looked to Garibaldi. "Wait, I remember you know. Your that goon of an officer that attacked our peaceful protest."

"With all due respect, Councilor, your group of friends assaulted several crewmen and caused quite a bit of damage," Garibaldi replied.

"Nonsense, there was a bit of superficial damage to the ship but nothing serious. The crew was just fine and we got along peacefully with them until the Marines arrived." Renkampf retorted. "Tell me, General, have you or your marines beat any students lately?"

"Well, there isn't a university anywhere near here and professors won't give students extra credit for my marines to kick their wimpy asses. So, no." Garibaldi replied with a smirk.

Duval smiled sweetly. "I read about that riot in question... One of my children was present for that... Edmund told me quite a tale of the event in question." she tossed over her shoulder. "According to him, it was a real party."

Renkampf gave Garibaldi a nasty look as she walked past him. Sternwald raised his eyebrow at him but said nothing.

As the party entered the conference room, Renkampf and Sternwald found their seats. Renkampf looked back at Duval. "So Admiral, tell me why the Federation needs to spend its valuable resources and people on this station?"

"Because we need the infrastructure to support the colonies and facilities in this region," Duval answered. "Do you want the Tholians or the Klingons to steamroll over this area..." she paused. "Or over Earth or Alpha Centauri?" she then shrugged. "It matters little. I have my orders from my own superiors." Duval added. "They told me to make this area work and that's what I intend to do."

"The Tholians can be reasoned with. While our relationship with them hasn't been perfect, it has been mostly peaceful. As for the Klingons, they are in a civil war. They wouldn't be steamrolling over anyone soon, especially Earth or Alpha Centauri." Renkampf replied. "I'm not sure why a battleship or large cruiser couldn't patrol this are."

"Because they can," Duval answered. "But they can't operate away from homeport for years and years. That is what you advocate for... A peaceful Federation without any means to defend ourselves..." Duval paused a moment. "Others do not live with those standards. They will attack and conquer us should they feel the desire. If we are unable to defend ourselves. For that, I need infrastructure and for that, we require Starbases like this one." Duval explained. "As for your comment regarding the Tholians and peaceful, you have been wholly misinformed." the older female explained bluntly. "The Tholians respect force, you should not speak of matters with which you are wholly ignorant."

Renkampf snorted at Duval's words. "The Federation is under better management than in the past. Our new diplomats can talk the Tholians out of violence. And, except for a few stray pirates, I think this sector is safe. All being said, I expect a full tour of your 'infrastructure' tomorrow."

Duval snickered softly but she opted to not say anything, she knew she would be having a chat with two of her children this evening. Lawerence who had met this woman before and Edmund who seemed to understand how the average civilian thought, as she felt she seemed to be missing something here. "That's fine. I'll have someone arrange it for you."

"Thank you. I'll have one of my staff escort me to my quarters. Goodnight, Admiral." Renkampf told Duval.

Duval knew it was early morning here on the Starbase but she opted to nod and say little. "As you wish, sleep well."

Renkampf turned to Sternwald. "Are you coming?"

"No, I have an issue to discuss with the staff here. It's trifling and nothing that needs your attention." He replied. Renkampf nodded and left with her staff.

Sternwald turned his attention to the remaining officers. "I'm sure you know why I'm here and what we are about to discuss."

Duval raised an eyebrow, she nodded once as Yamaguchi simply stood there before he crossed his arms over his chest. "Indeed we do," he said quietly. "To which I must ask, what exactly is there to discuss?" he inquired in a quiet and cool tone of voice.

"Well, my apologies for my son's behavior," Sternwald replied to Duval. "His carelessness cost the lives of the marines he was supposed to be leading. The situation he put the rest of the people under his command could have been disastrous."

Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow. "It was disastrous," he commented evenly. "A lot of people got hurt and people died because of him. His actions, such as they are, speak for themselves..." he added. "Lets not even discuss his conduct and how he treated others."

Duval knew that Jake had a great deal he wished to say and she found herself admiring his restraint.

Sternwald sighed. "We come from a long line of military officers and civil servants. We convinced him to join the marines. We thought the responsibility and the burden of command would encourage him to change. Honor, selfless service, and duty are what made our family great. My son embraced none of the traits our family stands for. He is selfish and vain. He cares nothing about the well being of others. He finds pleasure in putting other people down." Sternwald stated, sadness evident in his voice. "Again, I apologize for his behavior. I will ensure that he is prosecuted to the full extent of the law." He added.

Yamaguchi found he had nothing he could say to that other then what he had already said. "I don't think you'll need to worry about anything," Duval commented. "I think Starfleet JAG already has things handled," she added.

Sternwald nodded. "Alright then. I'll bid you a good night."

Yamaguchi nodded in silence as the man turned and departed. He waited in silence. "That... was unexpected," he said quietly.

"Yeah, I expected a lot of screaming or at least some subtle verbal threats. I don't know what to make of that." Garibaldi replied.

Duval likewise nodded in agreement. "Yes, that was the expected outcome, even for me." she paused. "Maybe I am overthinking it. Valerie, what of you?" as she turned to address the younger woman.