A note from the author:
I hope you enjoy the first chapter of my new experimental new story "The 16th Floor." Please read and review. Please review with suggestions that are constructive to aide me in my writing. I would also like to add a note for the readers. This series is not necessarily a follow up of the last episode. For a good example, after this episode the President will no longer be in his bunker, but at the Palais. I hope you enjoy my toils! -T'Son
"A Call to Duty"
"This is the Federation News Network's continuing coverage on the election of 2380 with the 2 candidates, Squall Jamerson and Jentre Unick, battling it out in a tight race." The commentary from the Federation News Network continued on several monitors on the campaign headquarters of Jentre Unick, who was betting he would become the first Centarian President of the United Federation of Planets. It was 0300 hours 95 of the Federation's planets had submitted their votes. Unick was coming ahead of Jamerson by quite a few planets; however, there was no time for celebration yet. There were two planets that were still tabulating the vote, Vulcan and Earth. The Vulcans were usually the last to get their votes tabulated, they strived to not miss a single vote in any matter. Earth; however, had a reputation of being the fastest due to the speed of a transmission of the results (only a push of a COMM panel) and the citizens of Earth were notorious for casting absentee ballots so they could avoid lines at the poll. Jentre sat nervously on a couch with his running mate, Heather Livingston, who was equally nervous.
"This just in!" The reporter for the Federation News Network exclaimed excitedly, "Vulcan and Earth have tabulated their votes and we have a clear winner!" Everyone in the campaign headquarters of Jentre Unick had their fingers crossed. "The winner of the 2380 presidential election is," there was a deliberate pause which T'Son, the hopeful Chief of Staff, found illogical, "The Centarian Jentre Unick!" Everyone in Jentre's headquarters erupted with applause and cheers. Jentre muttered slight thanks to the gods of Centari and went out to the transporter room and smiled, his bluish glow radiating more than ever. His senior staff joined him on the transporter pad.
"Please beam us to the Palais de la Concorde Mr. Roten!" The president-election said to his good friend and personal transporter chief, Former Starfleet Petty Officer James Roten. The party was immediately beamed to the main reception hall of the Palais. Jentre looked out at the see of people and news reporters and stepped up to the podium. "I am here today," He began as the crowed pulled out their PADDS, "To accept the office of the President of the United Federation of Planets." The crowed cheered. They were, after all, hand picked loyalists to Jentre's political campaign. "It is my hope," Jentre continued, "That we can restore the peace that was lost during the dominion war, and we can go back to our normal way of life. It is my personal goal to make this so. I will bring the Federation back to its former purpose, so help me gods!" The crowed cheered, especially the Centarians. They weren't used to having a high ranking Federation official talking about the Centarian gods. Jentre felt an overwhelming since of joy from the audience, but suddenly, he heard something telepathically.
"We won't let you get away with this Jentre. Try anything that goes against the circle and we will kill you."
"What do you mean?" Jentre responded telepathically looking around, "I will not be intimidated by some..." Out of apparently nowhere phaser shots were being fired at the podium. Fortunately, Starfleet security had taken the liberty of erecting a force field around the podium, something Jentre protested as "over-cautious". Starfleet security quickly sprang into action as they formed a barrier in front of the president.
"Well," Jentre thought to himself, "I certainly did make a hoot when I took my oath of office."
"Security to Gamma Eagle!" An unknown secret service agent said to what Jentre figured was an emergency transport station, "Beam the president to the bunker...NOW!" The president and his staff were once again rematerialized inside the presidential bunker. The lights activated and Vice Admiral Willoughby Kerchev, whom Jentre recognized as Earth's Primary Control Commander, stepped in front of the president.
"Well," He said with a chuckle, "Welcome to the presidential bunker!" Jentre looked around in amazement at all of the consoles and the full staff that was already down in the bunker. "I'm afraid Federation regulations require that you remain down here in the bunker for 24 hours until you can return to the Palais." He sighed, "Those are protocols, you'll get used to them." Jentre nodded reluctantly. "In the mean time, make yourself at home." Jentre smiled, trying to return his nice gesture.
"Well Jen," Heather Livingston, his Vice President said jokingly, "You did say you wanted to come into the office with a bang." She giggled and Jentre looked at her thoughtfully.
"This of course," He said with a smile, "Is not what I had in mind."
End Chapter One
