By Ryu Connor (Hellfire) on Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 09:33 pm:

Michael Dafoe sat quietly in the lone room, one leg laying across his thigh. A panel sat before him, currently vacant, but with enough space for nine people. The door to the room opened and nine high-ranking officers filed in and took their seat along the panel. A few talked casually about events in their families and lives. Once all were seated the chairman pounded the gavel and silence settled again over the room.

"You have a request to make of us," asked the Chairman.

"I wish to be reassigned from my current mission into a position to assist Galaxy Patrol 4 in removing the current threat of Raviel."

Another member of the panel spoke up. "Trip has already been assigned to that operation. His experience and expertise is well known by this council. Why should your current mission be voided? It’s very rare for any mission to require multiple agents."

"My current mission is at an end. The evidence I have is enough for the proper authorities to carry it forward. My investigation has also cleared the local authorities of corruption, so with the anonymously provided information in hand they will do the right thing. Furthermore I would argue that the Raviel threat is dire enough to require more resources than we have currently devoted. I would also present that Trip has apparently grown soft and weak in his old age. Look at current events, leaving the test subject of project perihelia alive, covering up for Zentradi rebels, funding the repair of rebels ships, and even courting Karita Koshovana once again; something that was forbid from him more than a decade ago. Given his current disposition I put his effectiveness in question."

"And you could keep him on task," asked another panel member.

"Perhaps, but keeping him on task won’t be necessary if I can complete what he will not. I’m not afraid of breaking a few eggs like Trip."

Small talk erupted amongst the council. Dafoe gave a satisfying grin. A few moments later the talk had quieted and the Chairman pounded the gavel again.

"It is the vote of this council with five for and four dissenting to provide an end to your current mission and assign you to the task of the Raviel threat. You are aware of what needs to be done to obtain the necessary means to see to your mission?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well then. See that it is done."

The Chairman pounded the gavel again and the council members began to stand and talk amongst themselves.

Dafoe was already out of the room and had his cell phone in hand.

"Yes, the mission has been approved. Bring the Phoenix on-line and begin the process of finding her a crew. Yes. Say it’s commanded by one Captain/Colonel Michael Dafoe."

By Ryu Connor (Hellfire) on Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 10:06 pm:

"It seems you’ve managed to make a few too many enemies this time Trip."

Trip leaned back in his chair as he looked at the vid phone.

"I don’t suppose the council much remembers what happened the last time he and I were forced to work together."

"Most of the council is too young to remember that time. The new members only know the story we crafted as a cover up, having never bothered to research what really happened. That mess is exactly why I called, you are skating on thin of ice, and another fuck up of that magnitude will result in drastic things occuring. I’d suggest you find a way to either work with him or around him. As he’s going to crush you if you try and work against him."

"Don’t leave me in that sort of position. That practically ties one of my hands behind my back. The only way I’m going to be able to keep him under control is if he thinks I’m still a threat."

"It’s too late for that, you’ve dug your current hole. Shacking up with that whore Koshovana hasn’t helped your case any. You’ve been in almost too long, you’ve gotten to the point where you do things your way instead of the right way and nothing will screw you up harder than ignoring our orders. The vote was five for and four against, which means you still have some of us behind you. You understand what that means don’t you."

"Yes."

"That’s not good enough, I want to hear it."

"Perceived screw ups will result in more loss of support."

"If the winds change too much more even I’m going to have to cut free of you. I’d suggest you start racking up some successes and soon. If he gets too far ahead of you in this mission…"

"I understand."

"Good luck, Trip."

The signal ended and Trip sat there silently for a moment. He then pulled out his hand cannon of a weapon and blew the vid screen into hundreds of little pieces. It didn’t make him feel any better.