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SD 240602.25
The emblem of the Federation News Service faded in, replacing whatever had been previously showing on pretty much every monitor in the Federation. A short moment passed before a silky smooth computer generated voiceover began. "Citizens of the United Federation of Planets, this is a Special News Bulletin brought to you live from FNS Headquarters, London, Earth."
Tawny flashed her quadrant-famous professional smile before furrowing her deliate brow. "Tonight - Breaking News... Travis?" she turned to give him a half look, exposing her better side to the camera.
"Indeed, Tawny, we have sent this special broadcast because one of our courier ships has just sent back absolutely stunning footage of Starfleet vessels firing on *eachother* even now in the vicinity of Starbase 400. Tawny?" Travis turned to look at his stunning colleague.
"That's right, Travis," turning her pretty head towards the camera again, Tawny waited for her closeup before continuing. "'Has Starfleet gone mad?' - This is the question the whole galaxy is asking as more reports are flooding in. It appears Versailles is under attack - her inhabitants lives in danger." She turned her serious face to Travis.
Travis turned back to the camera as the image panned backwards, the top right of the screen cutting to a live feed from the scene. "Ladies and gentlemen i've just been informed we're recieving live footage from the area, which should now be on your screens." His head turned left to look at the video feed on his own screen, his eyes widening as the image clearly displayed a Federation ship being torn to pieces by another.
Tawny gasped at the vision, recovering her composure moments after the camera cut back to the newsroom. Her hand raised up to her earpiece, her mouth opened in shock, "We've just recieved reports that Federation ships are flocking to the area."
Turning to look at Tawny, Travis raised the question that was probably on every viewers lips. "The question Tawny, is why would our own ships be firing on eachother? And one of our starbases? What possible reasons could they have?"
Tawny raised an eyebrow and looked right down the camera, "Who is in control of this attack? Who's giving the orders?" She turned to camera 2 as the flashing red indicator shifted, "We'll try to have some answers when we return from this commercial break." She smiled her trademark grin as the screen changed.
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With the usual collection of commercials over, the newsroom faded back into view with both Travis and Tawny looking at the camera. "Welcome back to this breaking story, ladies and gentlemen. Before, we posed the question of why Starfleet ships would be shooting eachother. The answer is the word that's been on more than a few lips recently. Vanguard." He turned to Tawny. "But, who or what is the Vanguard, Tawny?"
Tawny spoke seriously, "The Vanguard, our sources are reporting, is an organisation whose only objective is to terrify millions of citizens of Federation space. They say this is a 'war' but Travis, what 'war' has ever been declared this way?" Tawny gave her small, serious frown/smile - she'd perfected it in school.
Nodding seriously, Travis turned back to the camera. "The Vanguard have indeed been classified as a terrorist organisation by the Federation, but the only thing perhaps more terrifying than a group that believes the Federation should be as aggressive as the Dominion is the fact that some of our own trusted Starfleet Captains could support them."
"Yes Travis, there are reports of Starfleet Captains ploughing -their own- ships into others rather than surrender - casualties are pouring in as the sector is plunged into chaos. What will be done with these rogue captains? Will there be a 'Starfleet' when this ends?" Tawny gave her serious face again.
"One would hope so Tawny," Travis commented, "I think the real question is whether Starfleet will be the same organisation we know today once this is all over. If the Vanguard are successful with their campaign of terror it would mean a literal one hundred and eighty degree turn in Starfleet operating policy."
Tawny answered professionally, "We'll be reporting more news as we recieve it, Travis." She sighed and flickd her hair over her shoulder as the camera angle changed again. "The burning question is; who are these rebel captains? Is this the final mutiny?"
Opening his mouth as if to reply, Travis was cut short by a message in his earpiece. He pressed his fingertips to his ear as he listened and frowned, a genuine frowm. "My god, ladies and gentlemen, our courier ship has just detected subspace weapons detonations in the area of Versailles. One of our own ships has been carrying banned weapons! Tawny this scene just grows more appalling by the second!"
Her face was ashen as she gawped in a brief moment of horror before recomposing herself. "Hundreds of innocent civilians are on the base... we have no reports of what kind of havoc this has wrought... Travis, I have to agree - this is something that could never be expected. Banned weapons. Infighting. Rebellion. Has Starfleet lost its control completely?"
Travis turned back to the camera. "That's exactly the question we will be confronting the Starfleet Press Office with just as soon as we can Tawny. Ladies and gentlemen, we will be providing regular updates throughout the day as this tragic situation develops. This is Travis MacPherson reporting live for the Federation News Service."
"And I'm Tawny De Luxe," she flashed her grin, "We'll be seeing you soon."
She gave her usual sly wink as the logo appeared on screen. |
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