Paranoid Felinoid

[Captain Jeff Addison]

Thread for the new storyline

[Captain Jeff Addison]

Based on rp between Addison and Sloan

Calling Sloan into his office in such an abrupt fashion was not Addison's way. He knew the officer had set the explosives. He didn't need to investigate nor would he even ask. Sloan for his part, stood looking both smug and contented. He practically dared the Sivoaons to accuse the Empire. He had traces of soot from the mines both on his boots and in his hair. By Addison's standards he looked like a 'happy mess'. The mere thought of it was an annoyance to Addison. He regarded the 'smug rat' as if he were an annoying rash under his fingernail; too deep to scratch. Addison looked at his family signet ring then back up to Sloan. "What did you think you were accomplishing with that little maneuver?"


"What you couldn't....obviously" He dropped the cocky attitude and became deadly serious.


"So you think that you've done something brilliant?" He circled the brash officer. "You put that 'piss ant' brain of yours to work and that was your solution?" He took a calming breath remembering that he was talking to someone who was not put on this Earth to 'get it'. "I would have expected such a 'pedestrian' tack from a 'snot nosed' ensign, but I had hoped for better from you. I know you have already claimed victory, but your efforts were simply an exclamation point on a well crafted plan."

"I'd expect better of 'you', who prides himself on attention to detail. You'd lost control of the negotiations. Messages were intercepted to the Catian ambassador that they would be allowed to begin mining operations. If you had done 'your' job, there would have been no reason for me to resort such 'plebeian' methods to put us back in the Sivaoan's favor."

He didn't know if it was the unclean face or the smell coming from him, but he could not longer stand being next to him. He walked to his desk and grabbed a cloth to sanitize his hands. The nerve of this 'peasant'. As if he could understand the intricacies, the pure beauty of Addison's machinations. He used the word 'plebeian' to make a mockery of Addison's words, but he didn't realize how 'plebeian' he was. Addison, like Blackledge could trace his lineage well before the height of Imperial reign. He too, was taught the history and majesty of his heritage. He was the progeny of Senators and Captains of ship. He came from a long line of rulers of men like this, and to look on to him sickened Addison. This is what the Empire would come to? Men like this clawing and scratching like vermin for scraps. "Of course they thought they were getting to mine, because they were told that." He retorted as he polished the hilt of his dagger. "I want them both believing they w on until the Empire pulls the rug from under their feet. I had a operative planted in their ranks." He shoved his dagger into its scabbard with a click. He stood boots polished to a fine sheen and then back to Sloan. "The sabotage should have been done on their side. They would have trusted us to do the mining for them, and the Sivoaons would be none the wiser. The point of Imperial diplomacy is to play both sides without leaving 'fingerprints'."

"Which is exactly what's been accomplished.' He followed the Captain's movements. He could tell easily when Addison was agitated. He strutted and preened like a peacock. "If we'd waited on your pleasure the Caitians would be taking their first load of bilitrium back right now "You've provided your own cover with your so called "operative". His "treachery" will be discovered and his death will appease both sides."

"Do you actually know what an asset is?" Addison said with the displeasure of a teacher talking to the 'class clown'. "You don't go out of your way to get an asset only to use them because your Executive Officer is such a screw up he has to play 'fall guy'." He retched at the thought. "If I were to allow your ignorance to disrupt a long planned out campaign, I'd expect a mutiny. The Caitians are supposed to get the biilitrium regardless and I'd already had the Sivoaons wrapped around the finger of the Imperium, if you hadn't started blowing things up. You practically strutted on the bridge to tell the Sivoaons. The Caitians need the bilitrium to fight a war the empire wants staged against the Tholians. Tholia is starting to beat 'war drums' against the Empire. We need to keep them occupied with another enemy. I wouldn't expect a low grade 'knuckle dragger' like yourself to understand such things."


You sound like one of those Orion pirates I take such pleasure in picking off. His tone was contemptuous. This scheme funds this one and that one and when it all come together..Nothing! If only you spent as much time doing as planning! The Caitians will be given the bilitrum. You can't expect to have a war if one side is considerably less advantaged than the other. They'll have their weapons and after calling ourselves something noble like the Felinoid Freedom Fighters, we'll sell the refined bilitrium back to the Caitains keeping the profit for ourselves.


"I'm glad the plans made weeks ago have finally met your approval, but I'm not quite ready to give up my asset yet so I'm sure he's covering both his and your tracks as we speak." He addressed Sloan now as a Captain sizing up the potential of an Ensign. "You can't depend on bold intentions and 'blind man's luck' to win the day every time. I find you typical of the average stock of these so-called new breed Imperial officers. It looks good for recruiting fodder for the Empire but in end you are all the same. You think with a mind to your own foolish ambitions, not the welfare and growth of the Imperium, and your reach always exceeds your grasp. You are all so busy trying to get to the top of the tree that you don't notice the dagger till its stuck in your back by another monkey trying to get to the top of a tree."


"I see your's clearly enough." He lowered his voice. "And I won't be giving you the opportunity to use it. In the event of a failure on your part, Imperial Command had already given me permission to destroy the compound. So you see that regardless of all your meticulous scheming, Command will have already seen this as an indicator of your impotence as Captain.


This is what Addison wanted to hear. He knew he had his enemies on the Admiral board, so now he knew they were active. He wondered if Sloan was a plant from the beginning. "Don't take the words of a few soft voices in the Admiralty as an endorsement. I have been aware from the start of them and you. I didn't get my command because I'm a fool. Its one thing to watch someone else play and another to sit down at the board. If you want my command come take it."He said as if he were talking to some insignificant speck. "You want to command a 'war machine' then marshal your forces and stand fast. You will find me here in this office waiting without fear. I know the truth that men like you are traded as cheaply as the prostitutes you crawl into bed with. You are nothing but an animal too stupid to know you betters when you see them."

"I take it when you say "betters" you believe yourself to be one of them? He laughed. A loud, grating laugh he knew would assault the Captain's "noble sensitivities" The battle "is" coming Captain. If you feel the need to throw down your gauntlet in a show of formality, I accept. May the "better" man win." He made a brief bow, mocking Addison's ideals of status, and left.

Addison looked at the brash officer. He felt he had one a battle, all Addison saw was an opening gambit. He knew that Sloan hadn't realized that with all of his gambles and schemes he forgot the most important rule. 'Get out when you get ahead because there percentages always favor the house. Addison knew that he was the house and that man with all his confidence arrogance and determination doesn't even own the air he breaths. Addison lip took on a crooked smile and he went to his desk he had work to do.