A Beginning

Posted on Sun May 7th, 2023 @ 7:24pm by Captain Allison DeBries & Rear Admiral Lucas DeBries

Mission: Mission 0: Introduction
Location: Utopia Station

ON

A small vessel moved into view. A Runabout. One of the small support craft, it was between a shuttle, and a Starship. The general principle of such craft was mid-range, semi-autonomous operations. Or, more likely in this case, inner system patrol work.

Allison DeBries, Captain within the Imperial Fleet - the four silver bars on her shoulder boards could hardly be missed - watched the patrol craft, until it drifted far enough away to no longer be seen. The large, floor-to-ceiling windows afforded a grand view of the Utopia Plenitia Fleet Yards. The reduced lighting, standard for all Terran facilities, even allowed the unaided eye better clarity.

She could just make out the drydocks. Great clawed structures, encompassing Imperial Starships, though their classifications could not be seen from this distance. Nevertheless, she did know the composition of the fleet stationed within the facility. Being Chief of Staff did have its perks.

Two Lexington-class Carriers, a dozen Cruisers, as many Escorts, and again of Support vessels, all of varying class types. Almost 40 vessels in total. Nothing spectacular, yet is was certainly a formidable force to restrengthen the fringes of Imperial space.

Her peripheral vision noted the arrival of another person. A glance to her right, and she took in the tall frame, broad shoulders, greying hair and beard, and a uniform decorated in more ornate trim. 'Father." She acknowledged his presence with the single word.

"Ali." Rear Admiral Lucas DeBries responded, without looking at his daughter. Commanding Officer of the Yard, he had managed to secure for her a position of influence, and prestige. Keeping her safe in the process. All that was to be undone, it would seem. Undone by one even more powerful than he. "I thought I might find you here."

"What do I owe the pleasure?" It wasn't often he came specifically looking for her. Especially after hours, when all was quiet. As his Chief of Staff, she had to handle a fair amount of his paperwork, so they spent a goodly amount of the working day together.

He didn't answer immediately, which made her turn to face him. Although she was the shorter of the two, by a good half foot, DeBries fixed her father with an intense stare. It was a look that had often made junior officers buckle almost immediately, it even had the power to make this man feel uneasy.

"I've just got off with Fleet Command." He said, finally. "Admiral Nagumo-" one of the regional Commanders-in-Chief *-has issued a command change order for one of the ships."

"Who?"

"Chambers."

DeBries thought for a moment, and pulled the information from her memory. "Vengeance. Shame. She was due an independent command." At least, that was what her Captain had said, when the woman had moved up from the Executive Officer slot. "Who's replacing her?"

The Admiral simply handed over a PADD, unable to trust himself to speak.

DeBries took it, reviewing the information. "Oh." Was all she could say. "Someone is playing an interesting game. The Admiral?"

Lucas shook his head. "Not his style. Someone is playing a game alright. I intend to find out who. For now though, the orders are final I'm afraid."

DeBries looked out the window again, her feelings conflicted. On the one hand, serving as her father's Chief of Staff gave her a lot of personal power. On the other, it would be her own ship. Her own Command. Well, almost.

"When will she be ready?"

"Three days." The Admiral replied. "Operation orders will be given by the time she's ready to leave drydock."

She had one more hedge. "Why me?" Starship command billets were the responsibility of the local fleet flag officer, not some four-star regional commander.

"I don't know what the game here is." Admiral DeBries admitted. "Without knowing that, it is difficult to play. I would suggest that for the time being, we go along with it."

The younger woman nodded, holding back the thoughts that sprang to her. Someone at Command wanted her out of the way. Or perhaps wanted her in the way? Of what? Or was the goal simply to break apart father and daughter? Admiral, and his Chief of Staff, both in the same family. That did give a considerable power to them both. The potential of their conflicting loyalty could pose an issue.

Finally, she spoke. "I guess the only way is to call, and see the cards."

"And hope no-one is holding a Flush." The Admiral agreed. "Good luck, Alli."

"I serve the Terran Empire." Was the automatic response.

OFF

CAPT Allison DeBries
Commanding Officer

RADM Lucas DeBries
Utopia Plenitia Commanding Officer