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Main reception room Perkins meets River at the Christening of the New USS Atlantis D

Posted May 2, 2020, 2:49 p.m. by Lieutenant River Styxx (OIC Marine) (Nathan Derricutt)

Posted by Fleet Captain Kelly Bordeaux (Commanding Officer) in Main reception room Perkins meets River at the Christening of the New USS Atlantis D

Posted by Lieutenant River Styxx (OIC Marine) in Main reception room Perkins meets River at the Christening of the New USS Atlantis D

Posted by Lieutenant River Styxx (OIC Marine) in Main reception room Perkins meets River at the Christening of the New USS Atlantis D
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻
OCC. okay you don’t have to RP this if you don’t want to. I was just trying something past the boring meeting or conference. I am going to set up a scene just to get it started. If you don’t like it please erase what I said about what you were doing and create your own setting. I will role with it. I am doing these all simultaneously so that people have a chance to post if they want to. I also went into your bio and pulled the stuff about Archeon paraphrasing it. I wanted it to seem like Perkins knew of it but allow you to elaborate. If I got anything wrong we can just lead me where you need it to go.~Kate.

Admiral Perkins surveyed the room. Kelly’s crew seemed distinctly loyal but there was always one. One officer that could be tempted to see the benefits of a casual relationship and the perks random updates could bring. Information was always more powerful than weapons. As he surveyed the room Perkins debates where to start. He had the dossiers on everyone. Now it was time to play on the cracks in their armor. Power was all about promises and Perkins was all about promises.

Lt. River Styxx was in a small corner staring out the window with a drink in her hand. Perkins had no idea if it was being drunk or merely held for decoration. He knew of the marines career and the events on Acheron. Archeon was a shining jewel of a colony until it came under attack form a race of merciless aliens unknown to the Federation at the time. Six months of daily heavy fighting leveled the once thriving city was destroyed.

Her actions at the battle had not gone unheard by the normal marine. Her reputation grew giving her the nickname the Devil of Acheron because of her brutal tactics, merciless attitude and her unwavering courage. Perkins found almost a kinship with the woman in the respect of her single minded determination to accomplish a task and leave as many bodies behind as she needed to win. As her superior officers fell she stepped up replacing them until she won. He knew she had received the highest medal for a marine and promoted. There was no way she would have a clue Perkins wasn’t invovled in her getting that so maybe it was time to make her think she had a silent partner always backing her. People liked intrigue and there was no way she would know he had no

“Lt. Styxx,” Perkins walked up to the woman extending his hand. “I want to say thank you for all you did on Archeon. Many had no idea of the trials you endured but I did as did many others. Your loyalty and sense of duty is something the Admiralty took notice of. The decisions you had to make there showed all of us you have the strength to lead the Federation into the future. It might not be easy for people to understand but those not in power never understand the trials of command.”

Perkins

River heard the footsteps before the admiral spoke she slightly rolled her eyes and then turned to him “Really Sir” she said “I was under the impression most of the admiralty wanted me hanged for my actions. My tactics being marked as crimes against star fleet and the federation. Or was my trial just a formality? and if so why did Admiral Garder pursue the harshest judgement possible?” she asked still keeping her false tone of respect. She was trying to catch him out, but make it look like she was just being curious.

Lt Styxx (Marine OIC)

“Because Admiral Garder is an arse,” Perkins said without pomp or circumstance. “Your tactics were brutal and maybe you could have been a little less sever but you did what no one else could do on Acheron. You held the line. In the heat of battle you make decisions. Are all the decisions correct,” Perkins asked rhetorically, “not necessarily but neither is Monday morning quarterbacking if you know the term. Admiral Garder wanted to make a case of you to further his clout among the babbling buffoons that can clog the upper echelons of our ranks. With rank comes power and privileged. Not all those that have it use it wisely. Do I think you should have received the highest commendation that we had…yes. Do I think you should have had a debriefing to ask about your actions and choices…yes to. Life is all a balance,” Perkins snagged two drinks from a passing tray. “We can live in the past or talk about the future. So tell me what does Lt. River Styxx see in her future,” Perkins asked wearing an expression of pure interest. Normally he had to hide his emotions from the world. Right now he was genuinely interested in River’s response. It would tell him how to work this new potential asset.

Perkins

River sipped her drink “Battles, bodies and blood” she said pointedly “The federation has enemies on all fronts and form places we could never think of. While we have a time of ‘peace’ for now, i doubt it will last. Even the so called peace is not entirely true, how many ships go missing? or how many planets go dark? Their not all accidents and random anomalies.” she added. River was pessimistic by nature and she made no attempt to hide it.

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)

“Agreed that is why we need more soldiers like you. Loyal to the ideals of the people in the Federation and Starfleet. While we all took an oath some of us understand the finer print like you. So many things go unreported. Clerical errors, lost reports, things miss filed, clever wording,” Perkins let the words roll of his tongue. “All of this done by those wishing to cover their mistakes. Yes these things do happen but at the rate it happens to some is far more than random chance. The problem is that this creates MIA’s and no one wants to be in that position if you are a parent or loved one. It’s why paperwork all needs to be in order even though we abhor filling it out.” Perkins took a long draw on draw on his drink. Styxx could not have opened up a more appropriate conversation to suite his needs.

Perkins

River nodded “Even when i had over 300‘000 casualties i still managed to let all their families know what exactly had happened to them. Even if it was just a small note. What doesn’t help is that we have to fill out twenty forms for the same thing.” she said looking out the window. She knew Perkins wanted something. However she couldn’t figure out what. She had dealt with the bureaucrats before and Perkins was one through and through.

“That is why you should be in command and are in command. You understand the balance between giving an order and the ramification of what can happen when an order is given. It is what separates those that command and those that just like the idea of command. The price you paid for the Federation is recognized by many,” Perkins took on a fatherly tone. “Sleepless nights, nightmares playing over and over as you second guess orders you gave, understanding that as family and friends cry over the loss of the loved one you will never get over it just like them. A true officer carries the death of those under their command like a noose for the rest of your life. You bare the burden silently however because those under you draw strength from how you react to things. You can not mourn their loss like junior officers because if you fall apart they will also. I am sorry that happened to you,” Perkins looked Styxx in the eyes, “but I am proud to have you in command. No one is more capable than you because of your experiences. It was why I made sure you received your command instead of the one others suggested be in your place.” And there it was. His first subtle lie planted. With enough water and light, hopefully, it would grow and blossom into dissension and mistrust between Styxx and Bordeaux. Rumors and innuendos were almost as powerful as lies when cultivated right but far harder to prove when they were pointed back at you.

“It also doesn’t help when the admirals that read those report are to busy scheming, and trying to improve their political standing. Trying to figure out who they can press for information or personnel gain.” she added after a short pause.

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)

“That is why you are lucky McLaren isn’t here,” Perkins set down his cup to begin talking to Styxx. “All he cares about is making sure the recruitment numbers stay steady but not the people in the trenches who day after day fight for the ideals of Starfleet. “As long as it is possible I will make sure you remain in your position. You have my word,” he gave her the most mentorish smile he could muster.

Perkins

River nodded “That’s generous of you. However i don’t think i’ll be going anywhere any time soon. There aren’t that many Marines and even fewer officers to command them. That’s why promotions take so long in the marines. If we had more marines then things would be different. However we don’t so we usually stay where we are for a while.” She said sipping her drink. The she looked at Perkins. He really looked like a snivelling creature. With his false graces and empathy , but if you looked hard enough which is what River was good at, You good see the snake he really was, in his eyes. River wondered if Perkins knew she was smarter than expected for a marine. She also wondered if his scheme wold actually work.It was clear to River he was trying to butter her up. To what end she could only speculate. But she knew she would find out sooner or later

“That is of course, if outside influences don’t get int he way. An Admiral pulling a string here or there, or a commodore taking credit for someone else’s actions.” she added

Lieut Styxx (Marine CO)

“I am glad we are on the same page,” his dark piercing gaze settled on River. The smile slipped slightly from his lips as he took on a more stern expression. “We need to avoid influences in all capacities. Loyalty to the Federation is paramount and not individual agendas. That is why we need someone like you,” he made his move. Perkins had other officers to cultivate to be his eyes and ears. He needed to plant the seed, get River to agree to help, and then at the end of the night see how committed the woman was to his agenda. “There are some in the fleet that don’t hold the same ideals we do. It is important to keep tabs on them not to undermine the command but more to make sure they are doing what needs to be done.”

Perkins

“There are certainly some captains out there like that. However i think if you’re looking for one here then you’re going to be disappointed” she said simply.River knew what ehw as getting at. she was well aware of the mutual hatred between Perkins and The Captain. However she knew that if she played along she would find out what Perkins was up to and what he wanted. Then she could tell the Captain. River smirked every so slightly and decided it might be a good idea to play along “Unless of course you have evidence the contrary of course” she added.

Lieut Styxx (MDCO)

Perkins smiled slid across his face like oil on a hard surface. It was slippery and oily, clinging to the surface of his face like a mask. “I can promise you a promotion if you can give me evidence to the contrary that she does not deserve this ship,” the Admiral made his move. “What is your fancy a land command or ship command? I have the power to grant it and you have the skills to command either.” Perkins began ticking off assignments in his mind for Styxx. Sure the hungry young lieutenant thought it would be the pick of the litter but he was just a lieutenant and once Perkins had you in his pocket,

Perkins

River scoffed “Wow. You want me to act on nothing more then a hunch. ” she said pointedly “What exactly will you be doing while I’m doing the dirty work hmm? What assurances do i have other than your word?” she asked. She had no intention what so ever of going through with it. She would only feed him false information. However River could see how truly pathetic he was, he was doing all this out of spite.

Lieut Styxx (MDCO)


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