<USS Avalon> The Face-Off

The Face-Off
by Admirals Ketchum and Taggert

Jack Taggert looked at the information transmitted and growled. What the
hell were those Marines doing?

"Get me Ketchum," he ordered, determined to get to the bottom of this.

Ketchum walked into his ready room, as the console beeped. Shaking his
head, "I knew that was coming." Heading over to his desk, he took a seat and
tapped to bring up the console. "Ah, Taggert, why do I have the pleasure of
talking to you again?"

"You're boys don't seem to follow directions well, Ketchum. Any particular
reason for that?" Taggert asked, his jovial tone masking his fury at having
his  orders disregarded.

"They followed the orders as suggested, Taggert. My marines knew that the
survivors were secondary, however they happened to find them first. They are
 currently en route to your precious  cargo. Though reports from the
surface show my own casualties." Ketchum  thinks that if Taggert wanted 
something
this bad, he should just get off his  high horse and do it himself next
time.

"Yes, I've heard about that," Taggert acknowledged. "Damn shame. Seems your
 Major down there's been compromised. He's let them get into his head. That’
s how  your survivors were found, by the way. Sounds like they were trying
to distract  your people and it worked. Your Major breached protocol. The
thieves are leading  the show, and that's cost the lives of at least two good
marines. Solid young  men who were doing their jobs. You might want to look
into that. Meanwhile,  recall your people, Ketchum.Lock onto the two
cryotanks and the two smaller  units bearing this signature, " he sent the
information, "and beam them straight  to a cargo hold. Once you've done that, 
blow
that damned shuttle with the  weapons still aboard. We’ll take over from
there. I've got my  own people en route. They should arrive within the next
couple of  hours."

"Now listen here, Admiral. You don't outrank me, and frankly, I'm a  little
tired of your bossy attitude.  We will do what we need to do to get  your
precious cargo back for you, and return it to your little station.   Now,
this conversation is over."  Ketchum closed the communication  link.

Taggert gaped at the now empty screen for a few surprised moments before,
smiling a slow dangerous smile. "No, Ketchum, I don't outrank you, but
you'll  wish you'd followed my orders, nonetheless."

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