Dinner with a Side of Ambition - Part Six

Posted on Fri Jan 1st, 2021 @ 1:59pm by Captain April Yamaguchi

Mission: Mission 105: The Mirror, Shattered
Location: Various Locations - Terran Imperial Headquarters - Earth, SOL
Timeline: 1900Hrs - October 3rd, 2393

Imperial Governor Stephen Caldwell entertained his guests with a wonderful dinner and delicious spirits. He has become famous for his dinner parties over the years having entertained guests from the Emperor Robert Leyton himself to Romulan diplomats, to various starship captains. Other Imperial governors make it a point to vie for a dinner invitation from the Governor of Earth, but only a select few receive one.

This evening Captain April Yamaguchi sits beside her old captain, now the Terran Imperial Governor of Earth, for dinner at the same table the late Emperor Leyton dined at many times. Yamaguchi is more than aware of the significance of where she is sitting and the feeling of pride wells up within her. She has dined many times with Caldwell in the past when he was captain of the ISS Potemkin but this is the first time she's done this with him as the governor of Earth. Yamaguchi knows that this is much more than a dinner invitation. The governor has already told her about the grave situation the Imperial Federation finds itself in and has hinted at actions he's prepared to take.

Dr. Ashley, on the other hand, is happy to indulge in drinking the many different liquors on the governor's table. He has had his Vulcan servants pour some of the rare vintage Romulan Ale for his guests, filling their glasses with the attractive blue liquid. While most of the diners had barely touched the strong liquid, Ashley had already finished two glasses and is working on her third.

Gabriella Gutierrez sat silently. Gutierrez knows that she has to be silent and offer her opinion carefully and only if it is asked for. She feels a little more relaxed when they sat at the impressive table in the governor's private dining room. She could feel her stomach grumble from hunger, it has been several days since she's eaten anything substantial, only nibbling on fruit here and protein supplements there. The smell of the food being served is delightful. Fresh vegetables roasted in olive oil, Vulcan figs, and a juicy Andorian roast. The assembly of alcoholic beverages is impressive and she curiously starts sipping the Romulan ale served to everyone in ancient Vulcan glasses. The electric blue liquor strikes her system like a lightning bolt traveling it seems like warp speed to her head. Gutierrez begins to feel the effects of the ale immediately, as a warming sensation creeps over her body. She takes another sip and suddenly various parts of her body seem to tingle. She begins to feel more relaxed and a little aroused from the alien beverage. At that moment she became aware of the conversation between Captain Yamaguchi and Governor Caldwell.

Yamaguchi sips on her glass of Romulan ale as she engaged the governor in discussing the current political and military situation of the Imperial Federation. The liquor does not seem to affect the captain at all as she speaks with her usual clarity and security.

"That fucking traitor stirred up a damned hornet's nest with his coup attempt.." Yamaguchi spat "His actions emboldened the rebels who chose to renew their attacks on us but luckily the fleet was up to the task and the Emperor's attack on the rebel headquarters pretty much destroyed their leadership. But after he returned from wherever he was hiding and tried to depose her, his minions rose up all over the Empire trying to seize ships and overthrow the government. You already know that I had to stamp out a mutiny on my ship. That was after I removed the previous Commander for her treason."

The governor sips his ale and motions to his servants to bring over the food. He turned toward Yamaguchi smiling slightly as if he's aware of something advantageous.

"Yes, the fate of our Empire dances on the edge of a knife at the present time..." Caldwell says as he sits his glass of ale down for a moment. "What you probably do not know is there have been three changes of leadership in our government over the last ninety days!" Caldwell explained.

"What happened? " Ashley asks as she pours more Romulan ale in her empty glass.

Caldwell looks over his plate of food that was just placed in front of him by his servant then checks T'Var's. She nods slightly with satisfaction about her meal, a mixture of Vulcan and Terran vegetables. He turns his attention back to his guests as more prepared plates are being placed in front of them.

"Well, Emperor Leytons idiot nephew sized control of Earth by bribing the Imperial Guard and some lords and senators..." Caldwell explained calmly. "But he didn't last long. Another faction brought forward Ishameal Snowdon, who we all thought was dead, and he overthrew him." he sighed as he shook his head. "What's worse is that this guy was a double of Snowdon. An Imposter"

Yamaguchi grunts as she listens to the governor as he spins this tale. Caldwell laughs a little at her reaction.

"This double was surgically altered and was the spitting image of Snowdon. He was convincing enough to fool everyone and seize power. He actually had a coronation in the capital before he was assassinated by the captain of the ISS Gorkon who also killed everyone at the imposter's coronation." he paused. "Let's say that Nechayev was always insane..."

Dr. Ashley suddenly erupts in laughter at the governor's story. She slips slightly in her chair before regaining her balance. Yamaguchi and Caldwell laugh at the inebriated doctor as Gutierrez glances slightly at her before eating a fork full of salad.

The governor leans forward in his chair folding his hands in front of him as he continues the tale.

"As you probably guessed already, she didn't last long either. In a few days, she was killed by a suicide bomber while entering the Imperial Palace. After that the Senate took control of the government and Starfleet was placed on alert in the Terran solar system. Right now Earth is the most heavily defended planet in the galaxy."

"So how does this leave the Empire? Who's running the show?" Yamaguchi asks between chewing.

Cooper begins to cut his food and takes a fork full before he finally continues. "The Senate and lords control the Terran solar system and Alpha Centauri system directly with the ships of the Imperial Home Fleet. The various planetary governors have either given their loyalty to the Empire or are sitting on the sidelines," he explained. "I am going to initiate a power grab of my own..." he then hesitated, as if unsure.

"If I know anyone, I know you Stephen.," Yamaguchi says, her voice loud but unsteady. "I know that you have a plan formulating.."

Caldwell leans forward more in his chair staring Yamaguchi deep in her brown eyes. His attitude was serious and determined. "You have seen the moral rot, same as I have... I wish to take power but not for me... For the citizens..."

Yamaguchi paused. "You wish to restore the Federation, back to what it once was...?" she paused as she waited for the rest of his explanation.

"The Senate is so afraid of anyone becoming Emperor, they have granted me proconsular powers and have commissioned me to take charge of the local Imperial Forces." He recounts. "Most of the fleet is either fighting what's left of the rebels, sitting on the sidelines or about to join the first commer. So I'll have to build a fighting force from scratch. That's where you come in Yama.." he explained. "I will need a fighting force if we are to restore the Federation."

Yamaguchi smiles widely as she anxiously anticipates the governor's plan. She knows it will be cunning and bloody but fun as all hell... "Then let it be done... and hopefully things will work out for us."

Caldwell smiled approvingly at his old student.

Yamaguchi nods slightly but concern shows in her eyes.

"I and my crew are with you sir," she declares with a clear voice. "But how are we going to pull this off? I don't have enough people.."

Cooper laughs slightly and reclines in his chair. Obviously, he has already figured that part out.

"Remember one of the last things I told you before I left the Potemkin to take this opportunity? " he asks her

"When you have to kill a snake, cut its head off first.," she answers

Caldwell nods his head with pride, satisfied that his protégé still remembers his teachings.

"Exactly," he says pride echoes in his voice. "We take out the leadership with a quick strike at the Admiralty, while you take out the Emperor and his leadership." as Caldwell regarded her. "One of us will survive the battle to come and with luck, we will restore the Federation."