Under The Rose

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2020 @ 3:27pm 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 13th, 2393

The party of VIPs waited as their luggage was stowed on the shuttle.

Renkmapf turned to Duval. "As much as I hate to admit it, this installation is critical to our expansion in this area. I have sent out a positive report back to the Senate."

Duval smiled. "I appreciate that Senator," she answered.

Renkampf nodded approvingly then boarded the shuttle.

Sternwald put out his hand for Duval to shake. "I know this may seem inappropriate, but I don't know the next time I will be out in this part of the Federation. If I might have the pleasure?"

Duval gently took his hand in her own. "Perhaps but I won't object," she answered with a nod. "Take care of yourself out there."

"Thank you, Admiral." Sternwald then looked towards Garibaldi with an outstretched hand.

Garibaldi thought for a moment, then took the older man's hand. "I'm not going to hold you accountable for your son's sins."

Sternwald smiled as he boarded the shuttle. Shortly thereafter, the shuttle whined its engines and floated above the deck. It then slowly exited the hangar.

Garibaldi turned to Duval. "Is it me or did that go much more pleasant than expected?"

"It's not just you," Duval answered quietly. "I was expecting that to go poorly myself."

Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow. "Who knows. Maybe the father is different from the son after all."

Garibaldi just shrugged. "Why couldn't we get that guy instead of his son?"

An explosion shook the station. Everyone in the hangar was thrown to the deck.

Garibaldi struggled to his knees. "Duval, are you okay?"

Duval had landed on her back, she sighed as she winced. "I'm okay... What was that?" she asked as she felt Garibaldi pull her back to her feet. She nodded her thanks. "That.. was unexpected..."

Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow. "I have a feeling that might have been the shuttle that just exploded." he paused as he tapped his combadge. "Yamaguchi to Operations, status?"

"This is Crane in operations. The shuttle en route to the USS Racine has exploded. Rescue operations have been dispatched." A familiar voice replied.

"Shit. I knew that was too easy." Garibaldi stated as he slowly made his way to his feet.

Duval paused. "Well, we'd best get started with the investigation..."

"I think we should lock down the station. I the parties involved did this are still here, I want them caught." Garibaldi stated as he looked toward the burning debris near the station.

Duval tapped her combadge. "Duval to Operations, Lock this station down, we have reason to believe that whoever did this might still be present," she commented.

"Garibaldi to Cap Ostia: Lockdown the base. We've had a bombing up here. Operate under active terrorism protocols." He then turned to Duval. "I doubt we'll find anything. The person who planted the bomb is long gone. Hell, the bomb might have been with them when they landed here."

Duval nodded her head in agreement as many of the same thoughts had already run through her mind. "We'll find out soon enough General. I wonder if Sternwald was the target... Considering how many people his son crossed."

"Junior has pissed off a lot of people." Garibaldi agreed. "But how many people have the knowledge or access to a bomb? Assuming it just wasn't a technical issue." Garibaldi conjectured. "Anyways, the shit storm has just hit category 3. I know you know this but I'm going to say it. Two high ranking officials have been killed. Cover all your bases. Do everything by the book and be thorough. You and everyone here are going to get an anal exam."

Yamaguchi nodded his head in agreement. "Indeed General. What's worse is that junior almost killed one of my children... I have more cause than most."

Duval gave Garibaldi a rather amused look. "General, you have such a refreshing way with words..."

"I'm just being me, Admiral. I'm no politician. I have to call things the way I see them, and sometimes that costs me. But I get to keep my soul." Garibaldi replied. "You just make sure your head of security has this investigation wired tight."

"I'll see that she does," Duval answered with a gentle smile on her lips. "I need to go see Celeste, Siaxx, and Hannah." The older female paused a moment." Is there anything else I should know before I go?"

"Only good luck, Admiral. I need to get back planetside." Garibaldi replied.