RRW Courser

Scimitar Class Dreadnought Warbird

Commander's Office

In Orbit near Earth Space Dock.


─•~:~•─


After quickly being beamed up to ESD, Mark joined the party of President Anna McClair, Rear Admiral Alynna Nechayev, Captain Scott Hathaway, Rear Admiral Donatra Vakaam, Brigadier General Jack Marshall, Fleet Admiral Bragg, and finally, the last guest to arrive, Major Ginny Tatum.

It had been over a year since he'd seen Ginny, and he was absolutely shocked, and not just by her new appearance.

"Ginny. You uh, you do something with your eyes?" Mark asked as the party walked into Jarok's office.

Ginny sighed, "Sorry, Sir. I wasn't expecting that to happen. I'm trying to fix it, but it might just be the way it has to be."

Anna led the party in, and hushed everyone with a wave of her hand. The view screen activated, and D'Tann appeared, looking much calmer than he did two days ago.

"Jolan Tru, Madam President."

"Hello, D'Tann. You'll pardon my lateness, we've had quite the day," Anna replied, trying to stay calm.

"So it would seem. I think we can all agree that this was certainly not the planned end to the day's events."

"Let's try to keep this simple. On behalf of the United Federation of Planets, I'd like to offer my apologies to ye, Proconsul. You're lovely Admiral Donatra has confirmed what ye told me earlier, further supported by Bragg here. The Romulan Republic was not responsible for the destruction of the Red Ball Express. I've canceled our planned operation to invade yer space to track the bastards down, and I've restored full relations between the Federation and the Republic."

D'Tann smiled, "And on behalf of Rihann Ilomna, we graciously accept this apology, though it's offering was not necessary. If our places were exchanged, I can't confidently say I'd have reacted any differently. It brings me great joy, however, that we were able to stop the carnage before it got any worse, together."

Anna offered her own smile, "And I'll add one more. We appreciate yer assistance in dealin with the damned Borg. Had yer ships not been as timely as they did… well, we probably wouldn't be havin' this conversation."

"Such thanks are again unneeded, but we humbly accept it. The Republic and The Federation are friends. We stand with our friends, no matter what, and to the very end. If I may however, I'd like to ask a question to my officers now, with your leave Madam President?"

Anna nodded, and D'Tann looked at Bragg, "Khre-Enriov, I am surprised to see you above Terha. Your report will make for interesting reading. Were you successful in your task?"

The old Romulan Fleet Admiral sighed, "I must report, Proconsul, that I was not entirely successful in carrying out my orders. We were able to intercept Arrain Delon, but we were not able to do so before he attacked the Tirpitz, who's Riov sits beside me. I made the decision to come to the aid of our allies rather than continuing the pursuit of the criminal in question, and he was able to flee from my forces. For this failure, I offer my resignation."

D'Tann scoffed, "I reject your resignation in the strongest possible terms, Bragg. You acted exactly as I would have any officer of the Republican Karansu act. Madam President, I trust you've had a chance to look at the evidence offered by Bragg as regards to the individual responsible for this travesty?"

"Captain Hathaway vouched for his sincerity, and that's good enough for me. Seems we were both wronged by Sela and Tomalak today," Anna said with her own smile.

"I recall a line from a very old play from your people's history, Anna. Wrong us, Shall we not revenge? Sela and Tomalak will be held to account for this. Khre-Riov Donatra, have you carried out your own orders yet?" D'Tann asked.

"I have just one more aspect before I can report success, sir," Donatra replied, before turning to Anna, "Madam President, I formally volunteer myself to join the effort against The Imperial Romulan State. I bring fourteen ships and thirty five hundred Khiuu Gekha to the cause, if you will have us."

Anna looked at Mark, "Well General, what d'ya think?"

Mark smiled, "I wasn't in space today, ask Auntie Lynna and Brigadier Marshall."

"I'll be happy to have her," Alynna said, holding her friend with an arm over her shoulders.

"And I'll vouch for the Romulan Marines, Madam President. They're a well trained force, and they fought as bravely as any of my own men and women. I'd be happy to lead them into battle again, with General Castle's blessings of course," Jack added.

"Well, there's no question of it then. Yer contribution is accepted Donatra," Anna finished.

"We have a great deal to discuss, Anna. Will you and your party join me on Mol Rihann for dinner in a day's time?" D'Tann asked.

"It would be me pleasure, D'Tann. If you'll excuse me now, there's a few things I need to speak with me own in private."

"Jolan Tru," The Romulans all said as the channel was closed. Bragg, Donatra, Scott, Alynna and Jack all left the room. Ginny, Mark and Anna were left behind, in private, to Ginny's surprise.

"Should I go away too?" Ginny asked.

"You can hang on for a second, cause I think you'll fill in the next bit for us," Mark replied, waving at her to sit down.

"So, lets do this. What in the fuck is that?!" Mark asked, pointing out the window.

"It's an Iron Star. And It's also my new home," Ginny replied, simply.

"Now, I realize my academic credentials are lacking, but number one, what the fuck is an Iron Star? And if that's like a normal star, why isn't Earth being flung halfway into Andromeda?! And finally, I caught a snippet of Scotty Boy's report that says this is linked to the shit-show on Tranbir Nine?!"

"Iron Stars won't exist in this universe for," Ginny stopped, not sure that Star's explanation would make sense, "for a really long time. My friend Star built one though, because it's more comfortable for her to live in. She can sing whenever she wants in there. I can sing too now. These songs, they're what we heard on Tranbir Nine. They sound like this."

Ginny opened her mouth, and that long, low droning noise that shook Mark to his core sounded out in the Riov's office.

Mark started reaching for his assault phaser as Anna screamed, "Stop it! Right now!"

Ginny closed her mouth, and then spoke normally, "Sorry. I forgot that songs hurt things like us. But that isn't my song, or Star's, or another like us called Wanderer. It belongs to Other. Other is basically trying to stop… existence, if that makes sense. He was singing on Tranbir Nine. And that was also the point of Project White Noise."

Mark simply stared in shock, "How the fuck did you figure that out?!"

"It was in Dean's own songs. I can see them now, because he's still hanging out to the part of my home that he took from me. Project White Noise was started by his organization, Section 31. They're trying to call Other, to use his power for… something. Dean's code name is Black. I think you know a few others with colour code names, right Sir?"

Mark nodded, still wondering if he should pull his assault phaser after all, "Yeah. Red, Yellow, and Purple, I mean, Alesha Dixon."

"So where is Dean Bowers right now?" He asked.

Ginny sighed, "He's halfway to Golandan Core right now. He was rescued by Delon, who's code name is Green. I think they're planning to use my Caller with the help of the IRS to finish White Noise. Gold, their boss, is waiting for them there."

Ginny took hold of Mark's hand, "We can't let them do that, Mark. Star is trying to fight Other, but if she doesn't win, and he makes it to our universe under the control of Sela or Tomalak, that means everything is over."

Anna finally dared to approach Ginny, placing her hand on her cold shoulder, "Aye, tis on the list my love. Ms Tatum, I'm sure there's no end of questions from everyone waitin' for ye. Why you don't you go get yerself something to drink? I need one more minute with Mark."

Ginny smiled, and winked one of her black eyes, "I don't have to eat or drink anymore. But I promised someone I'd take them on a date. Thanks, Madam President."

As the Major left the room, Anna instantly returned to instinct. She took a half empty bottle of kali-fal, poured two glasses each out for herself and Mark, and sat down on Tiaru's couch. Both quickly knocked back both glasses, before Anna broke the silence.

"I read the other letter ye sent, with everything you've found bout Alesha, and Douglas' connections, and all the other shite that came with it. I don't blame ya for not telling me about this. It's insane."

"It is," Mark agreed, pouring two more glasses.

"But I agree. We need to stop these bastards. It probably only means one term for me, but I'll order the officer's purge. And I'll sign whatever I need to so yer lads have the power to take down this Section 31."

"Thanks, Anna," Mark started to say, but Anna cut him off.

"I think you and I can agree on last thing though. These fuckers can't ever see the inside of a courtroom, Mark. They know too much, and they've got too much reach. They have to die, simple as."

Mark sighed deeply, "I don't disagree. But keep in mind one thing. If that order gets out, you and I both go to jail forever, and no pardon will stop that."

Anna drained her final glass, "That's why it's not an order, and why you'll have nothing to do with it either. You assign whoever you can trust to see this through. The only three people who will know are you, me, and that person. Off the top of yer mind, is there anyone you know who'd have no problem with shootin' these bastards dead?"

Mark nodded, "Rain. She's got more motivation than anyone. But If I order her to do this, you have to make me one promise. She gets to live her life when it's all said and done. Keeps her house, her little girl, even her dog. If you can't promise me that, then we walk away from this and leave the mess to someone else."

"Ye have me word, Mark. Now, let's finish this bottle and get ourselves cleaned up. We've dinner on New Romulus tomorrow night, and Sean's well overdue to be putting a pair of wee ones inside me."

Mark smiled as he drained his final glass, "Well, at least one of us is getting laid tonight."