HOME | DD

Description
Rear-Admiral Nora Maxwell-Woods stands on the bridge of her flagship and addresses her crew. A decision has been made and the futures of all involved hang in the balance. My OCs by www.deviantart.com/s2ka

"Admiral on the bridge!" Shouts Lt. Pinak Patel, the acting first officer of the flagship ISS CALLISTO.

The veteran bridge crew of this now famous ship, stand at attention facing the open turbolift doors as the familiar figure of their leader steps out and onto the deck. In unison they all salute their beloved leader, waiting for her to return the salute. Rear-Admiral Nora Maxwell-Woods, the thirty-eight year old 'Wizard of the Saddle' as she is called by her admirers, and 'The Terror' by her enemies, eyes her crew calm as she hands a data disk to Lt. Patel, speaking to him in low tones for a moment. Patel nods then returns to his post, the Intelligence/Science station and loading it into the ship's computer.

Maxwell-Woods finally returns the salute but does not give the expected command, 'as you were', returning them to their posts and to their duties. This is an unexpected occurrence and one that is rarely done by her... unless she has important news or orders to give them. She is returning from a parlay with the notorious Captain Laura Black, an equally feared warship commander who is famous for attacking opponents while in the middle of negotiating with them. Now in command of a huge and extremely powerful warship, with her weapons trained upon them, the crew wonders with apprehension what their leader will say to them.

Each one of them have served under Maxwell-Woods for years, many of them came over to the CALLISTO with her from her first command ISS BANGOR. A command that she took by killing the captain, her own husband, for 'disobeying prime orders of the Terran Empire,' and for making the deadly mistake of striking her in front of the bridge personnel after she tried to persuade him to follow Starfleet Command orders. They all fell in line behind her and the rest has been bloody history. Under her brilliant command, they have been successful beyond their wildest expectations and have all grown wealthy in the process. More times than they can count, due to Nora's uncanny skill and coolness under fire, has she led them to victory... often against the longest of odds.

They trusted her judgment from before the beginning of her captaincy, when she, as the 'captain's woman' would listen to them and bring their complaints to the captain.. often pointing out the 'benefits' of listening to the crew every now and then to him. She also exposed plots against him, foiling them. She did not tolerate treachery or betrayal, handling such things brutally. She shared her own profits with the crew whenever the captain 'short changed' them... earning their respect for being honorable and recognizing hard work. When she became Captain, nobody challenged her, they all supported her and have ever since.

Nora cherishes their loyalty and continues to recognize that and their hard work. She, unlike many Terran commanders, actually cares for her crew, not just seeing them as a means to an end. She knows the names of each of her two hundred twenty-five crewmembers, their spouces and children's names as well, often asking about them. But she is also a hard taskmaster, working, drilling, pushing, driving them hard and not accepting anything but the best from them. Punishing those who fail or disobey, while rewarding those who succeed and excellence is expected. 'HARD TRAINING SAVES BLOOD' is a Terran saying that Nora lives by... and has proven true on many dangerous occasions. The crew of the CALLISTO idolize their famous commander as do the captain's and crews of the other ships that make up her squadron.. " We all follow you Admiral Maxwell-Woods because you believe in us... and you make us believe in ourselves.."

Nora walks over to her captain's chair... the place where she has led her crew and her squadron to so many remarkable victories.. both before this war and during it. She casts a quick glance down at the chair where she, more than once, spent over thirty hours straight in.. refusing to be relieved during dangerous operations.. and the seat from where she will lead them forward....

Nora looks over the concerned faces of her crew. As she does, she remembers the day that she accepted their lives as their captain... she remembers the day that she convinced them to follow her in supporting Grand Admiral Vitaly Timochenko in his bid to become Emperor of the Terrans... now, she has another choice for them...

"Open a channel throughout the ship and to the rest of the fleet..." Nora commands. "Not just our squadron, but the entire Terran Imperial Starfleet."

The communications officer quickly does as he is ordered. His hands shake slightly as he does his task.

"Channels open, Admiral." He says

The crew stand silently, their eyes focusing on their great commander.. their hearts fill with apprehension and concern as they wait for her to speak.

"My loyal crew.. and to the fleet of Grand Admiral Vitaly Timochenko.." Nora begins to speak, the unfamiliar feeling of nervousness creeps into her belly... she fights it and speaks clearly..

"Today, we stand at a crossroads of history, at a point where our choices will shape not only our fate but the very essence of our Empire. I am Rear-Admiral Nora Maxwell-Woods, once a loyal commander in Grand Admiral Vitaly Timochenko's great fleet, a unit that has etched its name in the stars through victories and became legends. But today, I stand not as a loyalist to a traitorous cause, but as a guardian of our honor, our families, and the true legacy of the Terran Empire."

She pauses for a moment to observe her people's expressions.. they are concerned.

"Our journey has been one of courage and triumph. We've fought, we've conquered, and we've carved our path across the expanse of our dominion. We've shown the galaxy the strength of our people, the indomitable spirit that courses through our veins. And yet, beneath this façade of glory, a darkness has been brewing, a darkness that threatens not the enemies beyond our borders but the very core of who we are.
The evidence before us, undeniable and chilling, reveals the unthinkable: Grand Admiral Vitaly Timochenko, the very leader we've followed into battle, plans to unleash a weapon of unspeakable destruction upon our homeworld, our families, and our comrades. He is prepared to sacrifice all that we hold dear, all that gives our lives meaning, in his ruthless pursuit of power. It is a path devoid of honor, devoid of the very values that define us as Terrans.
I stand here, not as a deserter, but as a protector of our Empire's soul. I stand here with the crews of my ships, united in purpose, united in the belief that no cause, no matter how grand, is worth the sacrifice of our honor and our loved ones. I implore all those who wear the uniform of the Terran Imperial Starfleet, all those who have bled for the glory of the Empire, to join us in this moment of reckoning.
The choice is stark, the divide clear. We cannot follow a man who has lost his way, who has abandoned the principles that have forged our Empire's legacy. We must now stand with the Imperial Senate, with the people we once swore to protect, and with the ideals that have guided us through centuries of triumph and trial.
As we change course, as we realign ourselves with the true heart of our Empire, let us remember that this is not a retreat, but a resurgence. We are not running from battle; we are embracing the battle for what is right. Our loyalty remains steadfast, but it is loyalty to the cause of justice, of honor, and of a future where the Terran Empire shines as a beacon of strength and nobility.
Join me, join us, in this noble cause. Let our voices rise together, let our ships sail together, as we fight to safeguard the future of our Empire. We are not the traitors. The traitor is the one who would sacrifice everything that we hold dear for his own selfish ambitions. We are the guardians of our Empire's soul, and in unity, we will rise above the darkness that threatens to consume us all.
Today, we make history. Today, we pledge our allegiance to the true heart of the Terran Empire. Today, we stand united, unyielding, and unafraid, for we are the embodiment of our Empire's strength, and together, we will forge a new dawn that will shine brighter than any star in the sky."
If you hear my call, I implore you, do not lose your honor by continuing to fight for a man who has no honor. I am sending out to all of you the irrefutable proof of the traitor Timochenko's treachery.. let your eyes show you the truth.. and follow my lead... "

Long, Live, The Empire!"

Nora salutes her crew.. her brown eyes burn with pent up rage... a rage of betrayal.. a rage that can be read by all who see her.. her image and her speech is being broadcast throughout the quadrant..throughout the Terran Empire.. and beyond...

Nora Maxwell-Woods has switched sides... and the shape of the war changes with her...

Aboard the dreadnought ISS STAR EMPIRE a stunned Captain Laura Black watches in disbelief..

"Oh my fuckin' gods..." Laura says. "Nora... what have you done..."

Terran Civil War..Will The Proof Matter?

Description
Rear-Admiral Nora Maxwell-Woods stands on the bridge of her flagship and addresses her crew. A decision has been made and the futures of all involved hang in the balance. My OCs by www.deviantart.com/s2ka

"Admiral on the bridge!" Shouts Lt. Pinak Patel, the acting first officer of the flagship ISS CALLISTO.

The veteran bridge crew of this now famous ship, stand at attention facing the open turbolift doors as the familiar figure of their leader steps out and onto the deck. In unison they all salute their beloved leader, waiting for her to return the salute. Rear-Admiral Nora Maxwell-Woods, the thirty-eight year old 'Wizard of the Saddle' as she is called by her admirers, and 'The Terror' by her enemies, eyes her crew calm as she hands a data disk to Lt. Patel, speaking to him in low tones for a moment. Patel nods then returns to his post, the Intelligence/Science station and loading it into the ship's computer.

Maxwell-Woods finally returns the salute but does not give the expected command, 'as you were', returning them to their posts and to their duties. This is an unexpected occurrence and one that is rarely done by her... unless she has important news or orders to give them. She is returning from a parlay with the notorious Captain Laura Black, an equally feared warship commander who is famous for attacking opponents while in the middle of negotiating with them. Now in command of a huge and extremely powerful warship, with her weapons trained upon them, the crew wonders with apprehension what their leader will say to them.

Each one of them have served under Maxwell-Woods for years, many of them came over to the CALLISTO with her from her first command ISS BANGOR. A command that she took by killing the captain, her own husband, for 'disobeying prime orders of the Terran Empire,' and for making the deadly mistake of striking her in front of the bridge personnel after she tried to persuade him to follow Starfleet Command orders. They all fell in line behind her and the rest has been bloody history. Under her brilliant command, they have been successful beyond their wildest expectations and have all grown wealthy in the process. More times than they can count, due to Nora's uncanny skill and coolness under fire, has she led them to victory... often against the longest of odds.

They trusted her judgment from before the beginning of her captaincy, when she, as the 'captain's woman' would listen to them and bring their complaints to the captain.. often pointing out the 'benefits' of listening to the crew every now and then to him. She also exposed plots against him, foiling them. She did not tolerate treachery or betrayal, handling such things brutally. She shared her own profits with the crew whenever the captain 'short changed' them... earning their respect for being honorable and recognizing hard work. When she became Captain, nobody challenged her, they all supported her and have ever since.

Nora cherishes their loyalty and continues to recognize that and their hard work. She, unlike many Terran commanders, actually cares for her crew, not just seeing them as a means to an end. She knows the names of each of her two hundred twenty-five crewmembers, their spouces and children's names as well, often asking about them. But she is also a hard taskmaster, working, drilling, pushing, driving them hard and not accepting anything but the best from them. Punishing those who fail or disobey, while rewarding those who succeed and excellence is expected. 'HARD TRAINING SAVES BLOOD' is a Terran saying that Nora lives by... and has proven true on many dangerous occasions. The crew of the CALLISTO idolize their famous commander as do the captain's and crews of the other ships that make up her squadron.. " We all follow you Admiral Maxwell-Woods because you believe in us... and you make us believe in ourselves.."

Nora walks over to her captain's chair... the place where she has led her crew and her squadron to so many remarkable victories.. both before this war and during it. She casts a quick glance down at the chair where she, more than once, spent over thirty hours straight in.. refusing to be relieved during dangerous operations.. and the seat from where she will lead them forward....

Nora looks over the concerned faces of her crew. As she does, she remembers the day that she accepted their lives as their captain... she remembers the day that she convinced them to follow her in supporting Grand Admiral Vitaly Timochenko in his bid to become Emperor of the Terrans... now, she has another choice for them...

"Open a channel throughout the ship and to the rest of the fleet..." Nora commands. "Not just our squadron, but the entire Terran Imperial Starfleet."

The communications officer quickly does as he is ordered. His hands shake slightly as he does his task.

"Channels open, Admiral." He says

The crew stand silently, their eyes focusing on their great commander.. their hearts fill with apprehension and concern as they wait for her to speak.

"My loyal crew.. and to the fleet of Grand Admiral Vitaly Timochenko.." Nora begins to speak, the unfamiliar feeling of nervousness creeps into her belly... she fights it and speaks clearly..

"Today, we stand at a crossroads of history, at a point where our choices will shape not only our fate but the very essence of our Empire. I am Rear-Admiral Nora Maxwell-Woods, once a loyal commander in Grand Admiral Vitaly Timochenko's great fleet, a unit that has etched its name in the stars through victories and became legends. But today, I stand not as a loyalist to a traitorous cause, but as a guardian of our honor, our families, and the true legacy of the Terran Empire."

She pauses for a moment to observe her people's expressions.. they are concerned.

"Our journey has been one of courage and triumph. We've fought, we've conquered, and we've carved our path across the expanse of our dominion. We've shown the galaxy the strength of our people, the indomitable spirit that courses through our veins. And yet, beneath this façade of glory, a darkness has been brewing, a darkness that threatens not the enemies beyond our borders but the very core of who we are.
The evidence before us, undeniable and chilling, reveals the unthinkable: Grand Admiral Vitaly Timochenko, the very leader we've followed into battle, plans to unleash a weapon of unspeakable destruction upon our homeworld, our families, and our comrades. He is prepared to sacrifice all that we hold dear, all that gives our lives meaning, in his ruthless pursuit of power. It is a path devoid of honor, devoid of the very values that define us as Terrans.
I stand here, not as a deserter, but as a protector of our Empire's soul. I stand here with the crews of my ships, united in purpose, united in the belief that no cause, no matter how grand, is worth the sacrifice of our honor and our loved ones. I implore all those who wear the uniform of the Terran Imperial Starfleet, all those who have bled for the glory of the Empire, to join us in this moment of reckoning.
The choice is stark, the divide clear. We cannot follow a man who has lost his way, who has abandoned the principles that have forged our Empire's legacy. We must now stand with the Imperial Senate, with the people we once swore to protect, and with the ideals that have guided us through centuries of triumph and trial.
As we change course, as we realign ourselves with the true heart of our Empire, let us remember that this is not a retreat, but a resurgence. We are not running from battle; we are embracing the battle for what is right. Our loyalty remains steadfast, but it is loyalty to the cause of justice, of honor, and of a future where the Terran Empire shines as a beacon of strength and nobility.
Join me, join us, in this noble cause. Let our voices rise together, let our ships sail together, as we fight to safeguard the future of our Empire. We are not the traitors. The traitor is the one who would sacrifice everything that we hold dear for his own selfish ambitions. We are the guardians of our Empire's soul, and in unity, we will rise above the darkness that threatens to consume us all.
Today, we make history. Today, we pledge our allegiance to the true heart of the Terran Empire. Today, we stand united, unyielding, and unafraid, for we are the embodiment of our Empire's strength, and together, we will forge a new dawn that will shine brighter than any star in the sky."
If you hear my call, I implore you, do not lose your honor by continuing to fight for a man who has no honor. I am sending out to all of you the irrefutable proof of the traitor Timochenko's treachery.. let your eyes show you the truth.. and follow my lead... "

Long, Live, The Empire!"

Nora salutes her crew.. her brown eyes burn with pent up rage... a rage of betrayal.. a rage that can be read by all who see her.. her image and her speech is being broadcast throughout the quadrant..throughout the Terran Empire.. and beyond...

Nora Maxwell-Woods has switched sides... and the shape of the war changes with her...

Aboard the dreadnought ISS STAR EMPIRE a stunned Captain Laura Black watches in disbelief..

"Oh my fuckin' gods..." Laura says. "Nora... what have you done..."

Terran Civil War..Will The Proof Matter?