I actually thought I had done the right thing. I was smiling as Admiral James Hatherton walked up to the podium to read the report generated by the RDTV research. The scandal was huge.
Under the watch of Admiral Nicole Branson, Zek Ishka of Ferenginar engaged in the purchase and resale of former Starfleet Officer Captain Dawn Keystone. The slave sale is in direct violation of all that the United Federation of Planets stands against. Admiral Hatherton proudly ordered that Admiral Branson be dishonourably discharged and formally charged in disgrace for failing to protect those under her charge.
I, Christine have dreamed of this day for my entire career. I think Branson is an incompetent boob who has lucked her way through the Omega Fleet, through the Phoenix Federation and now through the King's Fleet. She is undeserving of her successes. She deserves this disgrace.
I turned to Major General Belvedere Brown and interlaced my arm in his. I was about to walk away knowing that the Federation Broadcasting Network was going to award an Interplanetary News Award to Romulan Democratic Television for its investigation of Admiral Branson. This was to be my celebration and then Hatherton uttered the words.
"This scandal goes beyond the protective detail of the King's Fleet.", Hatherton lectured.
"What??", Christine exclaimed.
Hatherton looked out at the audience, "The funds transferred from Latinum Luxury accounts were transferred through the office of the Governor. Governor Marcus-Brutus Pan'Taar appears to be receiving a percentage of the sales."
"What?? That is not my research!!", Christine exclaimed.
"It is the recommendation of this military tribunal that Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets assume control of the colony of Camelot and its orbiting Starbase, Starbase 756.", Hatherton announced.
"You son of a bitch!", Christine turned around.
"Hatherton, you cocksucker, you will not pervert my research to allow Starfleet to take the colony.", Christine snapped.
"You are wrong, T'Nley. I already have.", Hatherton bragged.
"Pan'Taar is ruined and is heading for Tellar Prime.", Hatherton laughed.
Christine turned to Bell, "We gotta fix this!"
"What the hell are we gonna do?", Christine looked stunned. She wanted Branson, not poor Marcus-Brutus. He had been through so much.
"This level of politics is beyond me.", Bell announced.
Christine assembled the leadership of the King's Fleet. Admiral Deveniss and Admiral Tan both looked at Bell. They refused to stand against Starfleet.
"You two sloths have no balls!!", Christine snapped.
"F**k! There has to be a solution. Hatherton can't just take this from us.", Christine shouted.
Summer looked at Christine, "You did this."
"Shut up, Betazoid!!", the Romulan hybrid snapped.
Christine looked at Deveniss, "The civilian government is easy. There are enough Romulan dissidents here to elect Professor Marrus. Control your woman, Devo. Get Saehir to get fricken' organized so that Hatherton can't put his hick daughter in the governor's chair."
"Firstly, Mouthpiece, no one controls Saehir, especially me.", Admiral Deveniss smiled.
Before he could continue, Christine interrupted, "Just get her on that chair. I would rather have a damn Romulan reject than Hattie Mae on the throne."
Deveniss glared at Christine but he knew she was right.
Christine looked at Tan, "I've got it! This is a marine operation. Why the hell does it need Fleet Command? What if we directed the King's Fleet to serve in support of the Marine Operation under the authority of a General as opposed to an Admiral."
"But we have no such senior commandant.", Major General Brown looked at his sometimes girlfriend.
"You are wrong, GENERAL!!", Christine looked at Bell.
"Christine, don't be foolish. I cannot run Vincent's baby.", Bell looked at the reporter.
"Would you rather Admiral James Hatherton run it?", Christine mocked.
General Belvedere Brown stood before the many microphones with Admiral Deveniss of Selay and Admiral Tan of the Hierarchy. He never, ever thought this day would come.
"It is my honor on behalf of Admiral Vincent Viceroy to assume command of the King's Fleet and its in theatre operations to protect the colony of Camelot.", Bell quivered as he spoke. This great man fought the Klingons, the Romulans and the Retarnee on the Phoenix Colony with the ferocity that has been the trademark of the Dogs of War and yet it is speaking to this group of reporters that scared him. The truth is Bell did not think of himself as worthy of the lofty post.
"And we are pleased to have you.", the crowd starting clapping as Governor Saehir Marrus walked up next to the General.
The landscape of the colony of Camelot has been changed forever.
Posted by:
Christine T'Nley
Correcting a story first attempted by Admiral Vincent Viceroy
Camelot
King's Fleet
Admiral Vincent Viceroy
Starfleet Command
Paris, Earth
Admiral Nicole Branson
Dishonourably Discharged
King's Fleet
