[h2][b]CAPTAIN THADDEUS ANTARES[/b][/h2][hr]New Terra. The crown jewel of human colonization. 

As his shuttle descended, Thaddeus couldn't help but be in awe of the magnificent cityscape. In some ways, returning to New Terra was an adventure for the Captain. Technically speaking, the Terran capital was his home, but it felt almost as though his home was everywhere else. Off in the distance. Among the stars. 

New Terra was a city under construction. No world had been spared from the carnage of the Terra-Martian War, least of all the Terran capital. When the rebel colonies banded together to form the Martian Legion, New Terra was a major target. Thaddeus could understand why. The disproportionate resources dedicated to New Terra certainly help make the planet a wonder to behold. A true human marvel. But it was unsurprising that more distant colonies harbored resentment. 

Thaddeus himself was a builder of sorts, a bridge-maker, helping to forge a bridge between the Terran Republic and Martian Legion. The War had ended ten years ago, but there was still work to be done. Thaddeus was prepared for the next stage of the project. He was prepared for the future. In truth, he was an architect of the future. He always had been. 

The veteran Captain made his way through the city towards the central plaza, site of Republic capital building. His destination was near the top floor. As Thaddeus stepped inside an elevator he noticed a Republic ensign already standing there, no doubt running some tedious errand for one of the higher ranking government officers. The ensign was exhausted, but upon seeing Thaddeus he immediately adjusted his posture, standing at sharp attention for the duration of the silent elevator ride. 

Rather awkward. 

The ensign was relieved when Thaddeus finally arrived on his floor. As the Captain exited the elevator he could see the ensign relax again out of the corner of his eye. Thaddeus reached his destination, the Admiral's office. 

[color=0072bc][b]"Well I'll be damned. Captain Thaddeus Antares."[/b][/color]

The Admiral extended his hand, and Thaddeus accepted. It had been some time. 

[color=0072bc][b]"'The Negotiator,' that's what some are calling you now. 'The Peace-Maker,' 'The Architect of Tomorrow.'"[/b][/color] 

[color=fff200][b]"I still prefer Captain,"[/b][/color] replied Antares.

[color=0072bc][b]"I know you do,"[/b][/color] said the Admiral, as he began rummaging around his desk. [color=0072bc][b]"After the treaty was signed they offered you a position in the Terran High Command, but you declined. Something about scientific exploration being more important than politics."[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"Something like that. Maybe I knew they'd turn around and give the position to you."[/b][/color] Antares laughed. [color=fff200][b]"[i]Admiral[/i] Donnelly. Sounds pretty good, though it's lacking that alliterative flair. Perhaps they should've named you Director instead."[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]"Fuck off Antares."[/b][/color]

Donnelly produced two glasses from his desk, along with a half-filled bottle of Irish whiskey. A favorite from their time in the War. 

[color=0072bc][b]"You really do believe in it, don't you?"[/b][/color] asked the Admiral as he began to pour. [color=0072bc][b]"The Alliance?"[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"I helped found the Alliance Intiative,"[/b][/color] said Thaddeus. [color=fff200][b]"At this point I'm just trying to protect my own personal reputation."[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]"I'm serious."[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"You've known me long enough to understand my perspective, Donnelly. You served with me in the War. You saw what a nightmare it was. We can't go back to that. We've come too far as a species."[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]"War is human nature, Thaddeus."[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"Curiosity is human nature. Exploration is human nature. [i]Science[/i] is human nature."[/b][/color] 

[color=0072bc][b]"Of course. The Antares [i]manifesto[/i]."[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"The Alliance will help to inspire the scientific discoveries of tomorrow. We can't afford to fight amongst ourselves. We have work to do out there. A lot of fucking work to do. How's that for a manifesto?"[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]"[i]You[/i] have work to do out there, Antares. The [i]USS Hawking[/i] is ready to depart. Your tomorrow is almost here. The new Alliance flagship, a unified Starfleet under your vision,"[/b][/color] the Admiral paused and chose his next words carefully. 

[color=0072bc][b]"Don't fuck it up."[/b] [/color]

He handed Antares a glass of whiskey, the Captain was one of the few who could keep up with Donnelly in this particular department. 

[color=0072bc][b]"I've looked over your recommendations for senior officers. Your bridge crew has been approved."[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"I personally vetted the candidates myself. I didn't realize that they were merely [i]recomendations[/i]. And that they were subject to [i]your[/i] approval, of all people."[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]"The Terran Republic still maintains some oversight with respect to the Alliance, Captain. And I do, in fact, outrank you. But that was your decision, not mine."[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"Well I'm not in the business of making bad decisions, Admiral."[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]"Your choice of First Officer was rather curious though. Commander Roger River, Martian Legion. Ex-military. A bit rough around the edges. I supposed you meant it as a sign of good faith to our Martian allies that one of their own take on such a high rank. But if I were you, I'd still watch him carefully."[/b][/color] 

[color=fff200][b]"Let's just say I'm hoping for the best, but prepared for... the alternative."[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]"I'll drink to that, Captain."[/b][/color] Donnelly raised a glass. [color=0072bc][b]"And to your good health."[/b][/color]

Thaddeus nodded, raising his own glass.

[color=fff200][b]"To the unknown."[/b][/color] 

Thaddeus tossed back the whiskey in one gulp. He certainly had his fair share of experience from the War, but it had been awhile since then. He had nearly forgotten the burn of Old Terran alcohol. 

Nearly. 

[color=0072bc][b]"Old Terra's finest,"[/b][/color] said Donnelly, placing down the glass. [color=0072bc][b]"Well Antares, the [i]USS Hawking[/i] is docked at [i]The Reach[/i], our deep space station. She's undergoing some final touches, but all should be well upon your arrival."[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"The space station, or the ship?"[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]"Both,"[/b][/color] the Admiral replied. [color=0072bc][b]"I've already taken the liberty of notifying your senior officers. The bridge crew will rendezvous with you at [i]The Reach[/i]. From there you can depart. Good luck on the frontier, Thaddeus. I know you've been waiting for this."[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"I don't need your luck, Admiral. But I'll take another bottle of that Old Terran, should you be willing to part with it."[/b][/color]