Post by miller11b on Aug 24, 2016 21:05:52 GMT
U.S.S. VASILY ZAYTSEV
AMBASSADOR-CLASS
ALPHA QUADRANT
24 AUGUST, 2415
“Admiral, we should be leaving Deep Space Nine’s tracking range soon. Once past Starbase 146, you will be home free.”
Spence glanced at Captain Markov, then looked back to his screen. “Thank you, captain. As always, you have done remarkably well.”
Markov nodded. “I serve the Federation, whether the Cossacks in Headquarters like it or not. You have always been good officer. Where you go, I go, tovarich.”
“Again, thank you. Is that all?”
“Da. I shall leave you. If you need anything, do not hesitate.” Markov left the room, leaving Spence alone with his thoughts.
“What have I done? Was this really what was to come?”
“You have done what was right, Justin.” The sad man that had been guiding Spence appeared, and rested a hand on the Admiral’s shoulder. “That is all that matters. You will continue to do what is right. Not just for your Federation, but for the galaxy.”
“I know,” Spence said, looking over at his friend. “But it’s so hard some days. The men I’ve killed, or have had killed, they plague me in my sleep. Now my own government has branded me a traitor and is hunting me. All I’ve done, all I’ve given, all I’ve sacrificed…all in vain.”
“Is it?” The sad man walked around to the front of the desk. “Justin, think of all that you’ve accomplished. You prevented the Cardassian incursion, you managed to find naturally occurring Omega particles and almost had them stabilized for use. It is not your fault, but rather the actions of the Others and Their pawns.”
Spence rested his head in his hands. “You’re right, of course. You’re always right. The needs of the galaxy take precedence over everything else.”
“Excuse me, sir, who are you talking to?” Spence’s aide, Commander Higgins asked as he entered the room.
“No one, Commander. What is it?”
Higgins cleared his throat and placed a PADD on the Admiral’s desk. “It’s official, sir. Starfleet Command has issued a warrant for your arrest, and has started mobilizing to find us.”
“We knew that would happen, but I had hoped we would have another day.” The Admiral picked up the PADD and reviewed the orders. “Who’s the nearest ship they’re sending?”
“Avalon, sir, followed by Athena and Exodus. We’re in 146 territory.”
“Avalon…the Other’s pawn.”
Higgins raised an eyebrow. “Sir?”
Spence looked at his aide. “Do you trust me, Commander?”
The younger man looked shocked. “Yes, sir. Always.”
“We’re doing the right thing, Commander. Remember that. Pass word to Captain Markov. If we are intercepted, he is to attempt to evade and break contact. If that proves impossible, he is ordered to engage. Offer no quarter.”
The Commander swallowed and went to attention. “Aye aye, sir.” He executed an about face, and left.
“It is for the greater good, Justin,” said the sad man.
“Yes,” Spence said as e turned to face the stars. “The greater good.”
AMBASSADOR-CLASS
ALPHA QUADRANT
24 AUGUST, 2415
“Admiral, we should be leaving Deep Space Nine’s tracking range soon. Once past Starbase 146, you will be home free.”
Spence glanced at Captain Markov, then looked back to his screen. “Thank you, captain. As always, you have done remarkably well.”
Markov nodded. “I serve the Federation, whether the Cossacks in Headquarters like it or not. You have always been good officer. Where you go, I go, tovarich.”
“Again, thank you. Is that all?”
“Da. I shall leave you. If you need anything, do not hesitate.” Markov left the room, leaving Spence alone with his thoughts.
“What have I done? Was this really what was to come?”
“You have done what was right, Justin.” The sad man that had been guiding Spence appeared, and rested a hand on the Admiral’s shoulder. “That is all that matters. You will continue to do what is right. Not just for your Federation, but for the galaxy.”
“I know,” Spence said, looking over at his friend. “But it’s so hard some days. The men I’ve killed, or have had killed, they plague me in my sleep. Now my own government has branded me a traitor and is hunting me. All I’ve done, all I’ve given, all I’ve sacrificed…all in vain.”
“Is it?” The sad man walked around to the front of the desk. “Justin, think of all that you’ve accomplished. You prevented the Cardassian incursion, you managed to find naturally occurring Omega particles and almost had them stabilized for use. It is not your fault, but rather the actions of the Others and Their pawns.”
Spence rested his head in his hands. “You’re right, of course. You’re always right. The needs of the galaxy take precedence over everything else.”
“Excuse me, sir, who are you talking to?” Spence’s aide, Commander Higgins asked as he entered the room.
“No one, Commander. What is it?”
Higgins cleared his throat and placed a PADD on the Admiral’s desk. “It’s official, sir. Starfleet Command has issued a warrant for your arrest, and has started mobilizing to find us.”
“We knew that would happen, but I had hoped we would have another day.” The Admiral picked up the PADD and reviewed the orders. “Who’s the nearest ship they’re sending?”
“Avalon, sir, followed by Athena and Exodus. We’re in 146 territory.”
“Avalon…the Other’s pawn.”
Higgins raised an eyebrow. “Sir?”
Spence looked at his aide. “Do you trust me, Commander?”
The younger man looked shocked. “Yes, sir. Always.”
“We’re doing the right thing, Commander. Remember that. Pass word to Captain Markov. If we are intercepted, he is to attempt to evade and break contact. If that proves impossible, he is ordered to engage. Offer no quarter.”
The Commander swallowed and went to attention. “Aye aye, sir.” He executed an about face, and left.
“It is for the greater good, Justin,” said the sad man.
“Yes,” Spence said as e turned to face the stars. “The greater good.”