For The Empire And For The Long Game

Posted on Sun Sep 1st, 2019 @ 6:07am by Alexis Agrax (Mirror) & Captain Reuben Gregnol (Mirror) & Executive Officer Jake Ford (Mirror)

Mission: Mirror Mirror
Location: ISS Fenrir
Timeline: 2396
952 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

The journey to the bridge was almost uneventful, aside from the few looks the new Chief Armoury officer was always likely to receive. People either assessing him as a target or as an ally. It rarely changed from posting to posting. Climbing the ladder was the main goal in anyone's career.

He caught the eye of a young-looking ensign in the turbolift. Jet black hair. Scar on his cheek. A little young to be damaged in that way. Maybe he wasn't the greatest fighter.

"We know who you are, sir." The Ensign murmured as the lift set off. Jake's hand moved to within reach of his dagger. "We're ready to act when the time comes." The statement carried a lot of connotation, but one didn't need to be the sharpest to understand the intent.

"You believe the time is now?" he asked softly, weighing up the young man in front of him.

"He won't expect it so soon after your arrival," the man sneered. Jake just nodded. He didn't give much else away. It was to be assumed that the man would read into his reaction and behave accordingly.

A few silent seconds later, the doors opened onto the bridge of the Fenrir. The Ensign scurried forward, with Jake taking his time to follow after. He assessed each station carefully, noting faces and positions, but saying nothing. Instead, he moved to address Captain Gregnol.

"Armoury Officer reporting," he announced.

Gregnol rose casually from the chair as did the woman who was sat next to him that he had been in deep discussion with. Alexis smirked as she saw the man stood there looking like he didn’t have a care in the world. There were plenty of people that hated Reuben Gregnol, but the fact he is cold and dominating is just the tip of the iceberg. On top of that, he is also opportunistic, psychopathic and cynical, but they're not as prominent and counteracted by habits of being adaptable as well but he was to be feared as most of the Bridge crew knew as a hushed silence fell across the Bridge. They had seen the psychopathic part come out and none of them wanted to be there to see it again.

“Nice of you to report. I hope my Inquisitor did not hold you up to long.” The man said glancing back at Alexis fondly.

"No more than she intended to, I'm sure." Jake gave a similar glance over to Alexis. "We know where we both stand."

"I bet you do. But do we know where we stand?" The Butcher asked looking back to Jake. This man was interesting choice as his Armoury Officer and he was pretty sure that Nathan thought it was the worst choice he could make but the long game was in effect here most likely for them both. The woman just smiled at him before she glanced to her left and narrowed her eyes looking at the Ensign that had come onto the Bridge with Jake just a little bit before she sat grinning. This was going to be entertaining.

Jake was about to answer Gregnol when he saw the movement on the fringes of his vision. The Ensign had moved away from his station, all-too obviously, Jake realised. Several others were eying him with suspicion though none moved to challenge. The angry, snarling look on his face was a pathetic dead giveaway; he was moving on the Butcher, his knife already in his hand. Foolish, Jake sighed inwardly. Yet an opportunity had presented itself:

He knew that Gregnol would turn to see the assailant. His back would present itself. The opening was there. Jake had his own dagger in his palm in a heartbeat, waiting for the right moment.

Jake lunged forward, savoring the moment of the kill as it was upon him. The blade sank into flesh.

The Ensign lurched, his face a picture of surprise as Jake held him firmly with the dagger pressed hard into his chest. A breathy whisper escaped his lips - inconsequential, whatever they were, Jake thought to himself. He looked over at Gregnol, at Alexis, then back at Gregnol.

"I know where I stand," he said calmly, twisting and withdrawing the blade for full effect. The Ensign dropped. "I trust this demonstrates it clearly."

Reuben saw the movement and his guard already moved before the new armoury officer stuck the blade into the young Ensigns chest without a second thought. "I guess it does then Lieutenant." The man said glancing at Alexis with a smirk.

"I told you he was too young and ambitious." Alexis murmured staring at Jake intently.

"Indeed you did Lex." The Russian said affectionately. He missed Selina but he couldn't deny the thrill of seeing how cold-hearted his former Chief of Security had become.

"There's no such thing as too ambitious," Jake replied. He glanced down at the body of the Ensign. "Too young, perhaps."

"Is if you have ambitions above your station," Gregnol commented on indicating to two people to clean the mess up. "So other than proving you worth and reporting was there anything else you wanted?" Gregnol asked sitting back in his chair.

A great many things, Jake thought to himself silently. Gregnol's smug head was one of them. Yet the time was not now. Not yet. The moment needed to be perfect. And his.

"No," he simply replied. He thumped his chest with one fist firmly. "For the Empire."

OFF::

Alexis Agrax
Inquisitor
ISS Gaman
(PNPC Gregnol)

Jake Ford (mirror)
Chief of Security
ISS Gaman

Captain Reuben 'The Butcher Of Betazed'Gregnol
Captain
ISS Fenrir
(PNPC Gregnol)