Chapter 9: Allegiances
A week had passed since the bloodbath at Bajor. Casualty reports were still coming in, but it would appear that out of eight thousand, one hundred and five vessels that had participated at the battle, only thirty-eight had managed to escape. Out of 2,342,345 men, women and bi-gender's that served in the battle, only eleven-thousand had escaped. Wolf 359 had been disastrous. But in eight hours, the Terran Empire had suffered a blow that all but crippled it's resources. In fact, there hadn't been such a massive loss of life on this scale in the entire history of the Empire from it's very founding, or indeed, any of the races in the Empire.
As Starfleet scrambled to recover from the defeat, matter were made all the worse. Empress Mallor had slipped into a coma, and it was doubtful whether she'd recover or not. The Empire was leaderless and badly smitten. What were they to do?
"The First Imperial Armada has failed in spectacular fashion," Admiral-in-Chief Jellico stated simply, "Picard clearly underestimated the opponents he faced. I tend to not make the same mistake. I want Admiral Paris to take the Second Imperial Armada to Betazed. Admiral Ross will broker a truce with the Cardassain Union immediately, and get his Third Armada to the Badlands."
"The Badlands?" Admiral T'kir said from her holographic seat. She was in Romulan space, coordinating with the Admiral Duras an end to the tensions so they could get the Fifth and Sixth Armadas moved to the borders to keep these new enemies from entering the Imperial territories there, "But the Maquis..."
"The rebels will understand the need to unite," Jellico said, his hand twitching in apprehension, "I am even willing to consider ceding the Badlands if we can get their support."
"That is treason!" Fleet Admiral Donatra snapped from her place at the conference table, "We need to destroy the rebels now!"
"Only the Senate can broker such an agreement," Ferengi Military Advisor Zek said, "You are stepping outside your bounds, Admiral-in-Chief."
"You are blind fools!" Jellico snapped, "We have just suffered the worst defeat of our combined history! And you want to talk politics? In military situations, Advisor, I am the law. We need the whole Alpha and Beta Quadrants bearing down on these invaders! Good Heavens, we don't even know the names of those who just beat our a-es! If we have to cede territory to rebels for support, I will do it."
The Admirals were silent. There was no debating the point. There was simply too much power vested in the hands of this mad man. Jellico nodded and seeing he had thier submissiveness, continued issuing orders.
Other could see the writings on the wall. And William T. Riker knew when he had his opportunity. He sat in the conference room, the surviving captains of the Bajor Massacre sitting there. It would be too hard.
"Gentlemen," he said simply, "Fellow captains. We were betrayed. The signs were there, but they refused to listen. Picard, rest his soul, did not lose the battle out of cowardice. He lost it because the Empire has become a sesse-pool of unimagination. Incompetance has grown. I admit, I nearly died there when they launched the attack. But, why didn't General Martok raise the shields? Why did he not prepare? Why did they charge into the battle without recon?"
"You make good points," the Captain of the Melbourne replied, his shoulder dejected in defeat, "But what are we to do about it?"
"The Empress lies comatose because of the failure of her commanders to do their jobs," Riker said, feeling the moment drawing near, "I warned them of the invasion, and they didn't take me seriously. There needs to be a change. A dramatic change."
"How?" Captain Mulgrew of the Santa Maria asked.
Riker didn't close his eyes. He could not show any weakness. These people needed to see him strong.
"I plan on taking over," he said.
"The military?" the bald-headed Captain Stuert asked.
"The Empire," he said slowly. If this didn't work out, he'd be dead in seconds. "We need to win this war. But not if the fools in charge remain there. We need a strong leader. The Empire has never been bested. Bloodied, yes, but never defeated. Not without a rising from the ashes. Will you join me?"
"You speak treason!" Commander Todd said from where he sat.
"Is it treason to do what's necessary to save the Empire?" he asked.
"We can't hope to defeat the Imperial Military," the top-heavy Vulcan female captain Bl'alock said, wearing a very tight shirt.
"We don't need to defeat the Military," he assured them, "And I have friends that can pacify the Senate. Please, I can save the Empire. But I need you at my side. All of you. Will you help me?"
The room was silent. All the Captains looked at each other. They simply could not decide on the spot.
"We need time to talk about it," Bl'alock said.
"I'll give you twenty minutes," he nodded slowly, "then I shall be back."
He stood up and walked from the room and headed towards the bridge. A great sense of both relief and greater adding of burden feel upon him. Well, that was it. He was committed. There was no turning back now. And, well, if this was how it was going to be...he needed to do what was necessary for his survival. He turned on his heel and headed towards the turbo-lift.
The door hissed as it opened and allowed him entrance. He stepped inside and turned to face the door.
"Crew Quarters," he ordered, and the door closed.
It was a long walk. It felt almost like an eternity as he walked towards his destination. He stepped up to the door and he pressed the door chime. The door slid open, and he saw Deanna standing at the door. She looked up at him and she barely had time to say anything before he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately and pushed her back inside as he did so.
"What about your Empire?" she asked dazed as he pulled back, moving his hand towards the zipper in front of her uniform.
"The whole galaxy can burn for all I care," he said, "I will have you. If you will have me."
Deanna's smiled was answer enough for him.
He stepped inside the room, and he looked at the gathered Captains. They looked as if they had reached their decision. Captain Mulgrew stood up and with a nod said, "We are with you, Emperor Riker."