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Terran Civil War..Timochenko's Big Gamble! — Description

Grand Admiral Vitaly Timochenko and Commander Natalia Baranova walk briskly down the corridor from his Central Control Room at his headquarters on Starbase 234 to Transporter Room One. Timochenko has been briefed on the failure of his plan to destroy Terra and the backlash of the Terran people against his bid to become the Emperor.
Timochenko has been delt another setback as well. Two of his fleets have been routed after sixty percent of the personnel defected to the Senatorial side. Thousands of his troops have defected to the enemy in spite of his brutal actions against turncoats. He has executed thousands of his own people in order to restore discipline and order within his ranks. After several weeks of purges and 'reconditioning', he has a much smaller, yet fanatically loyal armed force ready for battle. One of his admirals, Michael Tagmark, led an ambitious offensive, striking out from near Organia and advancing towards Starbase Two, the same way Rear Admiral Nora Maxwell-Woods had done nearly two years ago at the start of the war. This sector has been quiet since after Maxwell-Woods' bold attack that not only surprised the Senatorial Forces at Starbase 2, she was able to ambush the larger squadron that was sent to reenforce the starbase in the Betreka Nebula and defeat it soundly.. leaving several areas wide open for attack.
Rear Admiral Tagmark attacked suddenly and moved towards Starbase 2 as Maxwell-Woods did, sending a shockwave through the Senatorial Forces in the area again. Two Senatorial squadrons moved to intercept Tagmark but failed to find him. The Admiral had deployed bouys that emitted false warp signatures that drew the enemy in at high warp. Tagmark stealthily swung wide and struck BENECIA and Starbase Eleven, routing a larger squadron before moving on to ALRESCHA and capturing the area, drawing the ire of the Senatorial area commander, Vice Admiral Constance Woods, Nora Maxwell-Woods' former mother-in-law.
Timochenko was delighted about the offensive and it's success. He immediately promoted Tagmark to Vice-Admiral and awarded him the Knights Cluster, a new award that Timochenko has instituted for his commanders who show 'daring and elan befitting a Terran Warrior' this award was to be given to Nora Maxwell-Woods upon her return after her brilliant circumnavigation of the Terran Empire and her successful attacks on enemy forces along the way. But Maxwell-Woods has defected back to the Senatorial Forces and the new Terran Emperor.. convincing forty percent of Timochenko's troops to do the same.
But Vitaly Timochenko is not a quitter. He has suffered dozens of setbacks, yet he persists in his tenacious waging of this civil war. Now he has devised an all out attack.. a 'ride of death' against his enemies.. hell bent on conquering everything... or dying.. taking as many of his enemies down with him..
"Has everything I've ordered been completed, Commander?" He asks Baranova without looking at her as they walk down the corridor to the transporter room.
Baranova walks with her blue eyes looking forward, not daring to gaze upon her commander. His orders have been detailed and precise.. and she has carried them out to the letter. But Natalia Baranova is not pleased with everything Timochenko has ordered, yet she dare not object. She has NEVER objected to his orders over the fifteen years she has served under his leadership. Yet this time.. things could be different.
"Y- yes milord, everything is as you commanded.." she says as she struggles with her internal turmoil. "All of your captains understand their orders. The entire fleet stands ready. Your flagship awaits your arrival.."
Her voice sounds as efficient as usual yet Timochenko hears something in her tone... he turns his cold gaze towards her.. his annoyance with her is noticeable to her and that effects her even more. She starts to tremble, and that is something that she has NEVER done before.. not even during the height of combat against insurmountable odds.. she has been cool...but not now.
"What is it, Commander?" Timochenko growls as they near the transporter room. His voice hard as stone.
Baranova swallows hard as she gathers the courage to do something she has never done before.. question his orders..
"My lord.. I have served with you for many years.." she says.. fighting the emotions she feels inside. "I have followed every order you have given me... without question... and faithfully. But this order that you have given me... personally.. I-I... am having trouble... sir.. I have been by your side for a decade.. I wish to be at your side for this operation as well.."
Timochenko's eyes darken as he scowls at her. He is not used to ANYONE questioning his commands.
"Commander Baranova.. your orders are final!" He shouts. "You... above all.. should understand that every order I give has been planned out. You shall follow my order or I shall execute you on the spot.. Is that clear?"
Baranova snaps to attention as she hears his tone and she dare not gaze upon him. His threat is real as she hears him grab his phaser one from his pocket, and it whirs to life.. its familiar whine invades her ears.
"Yes milord, absolutely clear. I beg your pardon sir." She says strongly.. in the tone he is used to.
"Good.. now after I beam aboard my ship, you shall arm the explosive charges around this base. Then you will beam aboard that Orion vessel and proceed to Unaligned Space, as per your orders. Once there they will take you to a planet where you will receive further orders. If there are any changes in my plans for you, I shall contact you on our scrambled frequency.. do you understand?" Timochenko says as they enter the transporter room. The specialists on duty snap to attention as they enter.
"Affirmative, my lord.. your orders will be carried out!" she says as he walks up the steps onto the transporter chamber and on a pad.
"Excellent. And the staff that will remain here on the base know their duties.. do not concern yourself with them." He says coldly.
"Yes my lord.. And I wish you success, sir!" Baranova says as Timochenko nods to the transporter specialist. He says nothing else to Baranova as he disappears into the transporter beam.
A few moments later the flagship signals the transporter specialist.
"Commander Baranova, the Grand Admiral has arrived safely on his ship.." the specialist says calmly.
Natalia nods and walks out of the transporter room as a tear leaks out of her right eye. She quickly wipes it away and heads for the hidden explosives... her orders are clear...
"Farewell my lord..." she whispers as she walks back down the corridor...