USS Cherokee 
Old Soldiers, by JR Klein, Part 5
11808.26

Starring_
Steve Weller as CO_Ayidee and Producer
Dawn Freeman as OPS_Nash
Topper Loghry as CTO_LT_Q`ten
JR Klein as CEO_LtJG_Truus, Adm_Blair, Adm_T’Laos and Arc writer
Zach Farland as CNS_LtJg_Daniels
Pablo Delsoglio as CIV_Capt_Marek
Absent
None
Leave of Absence
Trish Yarborough as CMO-McIntyre
Ship's Log Stardate 11808.26, Captain Ayidee recording.  We are about to Transport over to the station to speak with Admiral T'Laos.  Hopefully soon we will get some answers.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<Resume Mission>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
::In Transporter Room, preparing to Transport over.::  All: Everyone needs to play it safe, but stay aware.  We still don't know half of what we need to know.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
: All: Are we ready?

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
::In the Transporter Room, standing on the transporter pad ready to go::  CO: Ready, Sir.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO:  Ready as we can be, Sir.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
Transporter Chief: Energize when ready.

Adm_T’Laos says:
<aCEO_PO1_Hothe> CO: Yes, captain. Good luck over there. ::beams them over::

ACTION: They arrive aboard Haven. The place looks like it's held together with duct tape. T'Laos is waiting for them along with an armed escort.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
::Materializes on the station and looks around, mentally analyzing the condition of the station.::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
::materializes on the station with the others::

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
::Rematerializes and looks around the station:: All: It doesn't look like much but, I bet it was nice, once upon a time.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
::Comes to attention.::  Admiral: Admiral, good to meet you.  Captain Ayidee and the Cherokee crew, here to assist you as needed.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: Once upon a time it may have been a barn.

Adm_T’Laos says:
::Vulcan salutes:: All: Welcome. Thank you for being willing to hear our side of the story.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
CTO: A barn for space cows?  ::Gives the Admiral his attention::

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
Admiral: Until our mission ends, no matter how it ends, but until it ends you are an Admiral.  That in itself earns you the benefit of the doubt.

Adm_T’Laos says:
All: I would like to introduce you to our leader. But first, do you have any questions for me?

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
Admiral: Outside of the one you already answered, why it went down like this, I don't believe I have any other questions.  Anyone else have one?

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
ADM: Is there a reason you took off, rather than report to Starfleet for your official retirement?

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
ADM: You'll pardon my bluntness Admiral, but for a Vulcan, you're not quite...right.

Adm_T’Laos says:
::with a frown at CTO's comment:: CNS: Honestly, at the time, I felt it was logical... I've spent so much time as a military officer, I barely remember how to be anything else... so I felt I'd be useless once relieved of my commission.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
ADM: What did Starfleet say when you told them you weren't interested in retirement as they saw it?

Adm_T’Laos says:
CNS: They did not care. I think they see me as an embarrassment of sorts.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
Admiral: On a professional or a personal level?  Sorry, I mean was it some decision you made or was it...more what you might do?

Adm_T’Laos says:
CO: It was largely due to my attitude toward the Romulans. Although They have helped us recently, I still doubt their intentions.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
::Nods.::  Adm: I understand.

Adm_T’Laos says:
All: In any case. I am here because this is where I can be 'myself'. And yes, I know that is illogical. ::she shrugs::

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
ADM: I believe there are some good Romulans but, all in all, I can see your point and agree with it, for the most part.  However, logical will be determined by what exactly your "militia" is doing out here.

Adm_T’Laos says:
CNS: I'll admit, I'm not privy to that. But I know who is. If you'll come with me?

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
All: Yes, let us go to meet McArthur.

Adm_T’Laos says:
::she leads them through the station, which is quite bustling, all things considered:: All: Oh, 'MacArthur' was just a recruiter of sorts. I never even learned his real name.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
::Follows the Admiral::

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
Admiral: So he is just a general collector of talent?

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
ADM: So, MacArthur isn't the one in charge here?

Adm_T’Laos says:
All: That's right. 

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
ADM: So who would be the one in charge?

ACTION: They approach a large office where more guards await. A uniformed man steps out- a man they might recognize as Admiral Blair, a war hero who 'disappeared' quite a while back and was assumed dead.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
::Pauses slightly.::  Blair: Captain Ayidee, USS Cherokee.  You seem familiar, have we met?

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Looks over the guards, sizing them up, and tells himself "I can take them".::

Adm_Blair says:
CO: You've probably read about me. Admiral Blair from the Ferasan wars.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
Blair/All: I think that was before my time.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
::Stands a bit straighter.:: Blair: Either my recollection of history is a bit off or you look rather well for a dead man.  Sir.

Adm_Blair says:
All: It's a long story. But you're not here for me. You want to know about Haven, why we're here, what we're planning.  But if I tell you we're just securing the frontiers, will you really believe me?

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
Blair: We'll believe you but, we would want to know HOW you're securing the frontiers, Sir.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
Blair: We need a bit more than that.  To be honest, I see two likely ends to this investigation.  We find you and your group independent of the Federation and under protection of the Prime Directive, or your group is a threat and Starfleet needs to know.  To figure out which we need more Information.

Adm_Blair says:
All: Those old ships we have aren't just for show. We send them out on patrol every so often. And no, I certainly don't intend to fight Starfleet. I know that's an unwinnable battle.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
Blair: Would it be easier to start at the beginning?  To know the story of your organization would help a lot.

Adm_Blair says:
::he nods:: All: A colleague of mine took the idea from Douglas MacArthur who once said "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away". We both knew so many people who were discharged or retired from Starfleet, but still wanted to do their part.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
Blair: So you started contacting them and building your group, trying to not fade away?

Adm_Blair says:
CO: Yes. My friend purchased this space station and some old freighters from Ferengi merchants. Some decommissioned Starfleet ships were brought here, too.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Blair: So you just decided to start your own fleet?

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
Blair: So, why fly under Starfleet's radar?  Unless your methods are less than what they'd approve of.

Adm_Blair says:
All: Well, do you think they'd approve of this? I doubt it. I imagine they'd say we're Starfleet officers gone rogue.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
ADM: Would they be wrong?

Adm_Blair says:
CNS: I suppose not. But I think we're doing more good than harm.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
Blair: Is it just the Romulans or are their other threats you are watching?

Adm_Blair says:
CO: Well, speaking of rogue entities, there are still some Klingons and Cardassians out there who take guerilla actions against us.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
::Looks at the CTO::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: If the Empire perceived this group as a threat, they would have already been destroyed.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
CTO: If the empire know about it.

Host CO_Capt_Ayidee says:
All: If the Empire knew about it, they'd likely have informed the Federation and Starfleet.  Guessing they are splinter groups or privateers.

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