Once Upon The Stars (Updated 08-22-04)

[Atrocities]

Once Upon The Stars.
By William Christopher

Original Thread

Thanks DS, I got the picture. I will include it and two others with the set. Although I like yours the best.

Part VIII (Alternate Course)

Green entered his office and it was clear to all that he was not in a good mood. He walked by his aid Lieutenant Elise and slammed his office door closed behind him as he entered his office. Elise felt a shiver run up his spine. He had seen the General angry before, furious on many occasions, and even down right hostile once or twice, but never before had he ever seen him this angry.

Green wasted no time; he pressed his COM send button and ordered it to contact Senator Caparo Kordesh. Within a few seconds the Senator came on the line.
“This is Caparo, what do you want General?”
“It would appear that we have something in common Senator.”
“And what exactly is that General?” Kordesh was a man who feared no one, but commands the fear of many. He is also the Oversight Chairman (OSC) for the Special Investigations Division (S.I.D.) of the UGA, which puts him in direct command over the Director of the S.I.D. He has officers from S.I.D. in every department, division, and administration of the UGA, and they answer solely and directly to him. Even the famed General Green has good reason to fear him, and is wise enough to know it. Green realized that if he could convince Kordesh that he is an ally and someone that he can trust, he would then be in the position of control and would be able to manipulate circumstances and people as unknown unknowns dictated.

“The desire to see Benton removed from office.”
“What makes you think I would want such a thing?”
“Let’s not mince words Senator, you and I want the same thing, so let us meet and discuss how we can work together to obtain it.” There was a brief pause before Kordesh responded.
“Very well General. We can meet at the Aries Club for drinks.”
“Too public Senator, I propose we meet privately.”
“As you wish. I will be attending a conference in Vanalder the day after tomorrow. We can meet in my suite at the Paradise.”
“That will be fine.” Green said and pressed the disconnect button. He immediately pressed the contact button and order the COM to contact Carl Wilhelm.

“This is Carl.”
“Carl, are you aware that Tom Christopher is going to fly up to a science base on the Victorian Glacier?” Green asked.
“Yes, he had mentioned it in a meeting today.”
“I need for you to tag along with him.”
“What makes you think he will want or allow me to go?”
“I don’t care what you have to do Carl, but I want you going with him.” Green commented a bit angrily.
“Relax General, I will think of something.”
This appeased Green.
“Why do you need me to tag alone with him?”
It was a fair question, and Green had expected it.
“He is going to investigate an object discovered by the scientists. I need for you to report back to me what he finds.”
“Consider it a done General.”
“Carl, I have men up there now, but they will be under Christopher’s command, and my not be able to offer you support.”
“Understood.”

Green pressed the disconnect switch again and then paged Elise. “Elise get in here.”
A moment later Elise entered the room.
“Yes General?”
“Elise, I need you to send a message to Commanding Officer of operation Discovery, and advise him that General Tom Christopher will be arriving later today and that he will be assuming command.”
Green was sitting down behind his desk and had not looked up. He was busy thumbing through some paper work.
“Yes sir.” Elise started to leave when Green looked up and said.
“And send in Sergeant Arnold.” Elise’s blood pressure spiked a bit at this, but said nothing and left the Generals office. Elise hated Sergeant Arnold because Arnold was jockeying for the number one spot in General Greens trusted ring of confidants. A position that Elise felt that he, and no one else, should posses.

Twenty minutes later Greens COM chirped. “General Sergeant Arnold is here as ordered.”
“Send him in Elise, and bring us some hot lacto berry juice.”
A moment later Sergeant Ruddy Arnold entered the Generals office followed by Elise caring a couple of steaming cups of lacto berry juice.
“The General sent for me?” Said Arnold as he came to attention.
“At easy Sergeant.” Said Green as he accepted a cup from Elise. “Elise, I want no interruptions for the next twenty minutes.” Elise nodded his acknowledgement and left the office. Arnold was standing at ease holding a cup of hot lacto berry juice.
“Sit down Ruddy.”
“Thank you sir.” Replied Arnold as he sat down in one of the guest chairs facing the Generals desk.
“I have a mission for you.” Green said as he took a sip of his lacto berry juice. “A very important one.”

[ July 04, 2004, 23:11: Message edited by: Atrocities ]