Wallace had been on a Mulluran Star Base for 4 hours and in a detention cell for almost the entire time. He sat on the bed rubbing his face that had two weeks of facial hair. Richards face was starting to heal his ribs were still sore as was his back. Richard rubbed his fingers through his hair and pondered what would happen to him.
"Commodore Richard Wallace. Once Captain. The one that defeated our fleet at the Nebula and on several other countless occasions. Your name is much hated as is your deeds in the Mulluran Empire." Richard looked up to see an elder Mulluran wearing a bright blue double-breasted tunic with gold braid and shiny medals. He sat quiet as the Mulluran walked towards the holding cell.
"Commodore your equivalent to a Low Grade General?" The Mulluran asked stopping and looking over at Wallace's appearance, which was a shambles, his uniform was torn with bloodstains his pip on the left collar was missing.
"I meant no disrespect. What I meant is you're just a junior General officers." Wallace stood up and tucked his torn tunic and stood at attention.
"Yes. I was promoted for my service in the Briar Patch Conflict." Wallace said trying to hospitable and remembering he was an officer and should conduct himself accordingly.
"Colonel-General Betio wants me to turn you over to our leader. I don't think now would be a good time. Your people your crew assaulted and imprisoned Betio's Head Quarter's soldiers. That is another embarrassment I can't and won't bare. I did that I would be relieved of Command and Betio would be executed. I'll wait till the a Nauscian fleet destroys the USS Hornet. Then hand you over. "
Richard was curious and wanted to know several things first of was how bad of a defeat it was and if the totalitarian government was sponsoring the Freedom fighters. "Your name?" Wallace asked.
"I am Field Marshall Kolsifo Commander of the 3rd Mulluran Fleet, well what's left of it." The Mulluran said with pride in his voice.
"So did my crew do well? Speaking Commanding Officer to Commanding Officer." Wallace was now at full attention.
"Yes Commodore they did very well, 58 KIA and 13 WIA. They fought against 879 Mulluran soldiers and beat them on the surface. The force above the planet performed well. They performed a tactical maneuver I'm not familiar with."
Wallace could see he was talking another officer that seemed very civil and decent. "Why are you violating the Peace Treaty your government Signed?"
"Our President isn't aware of that we violated any Peace Treaty." The Field Marshall was a bit uneasy at that question. No was Richards chance to him off guard.
"It'll be a matter of time before the Federation finds out the Mulluran Government is funding the Freedom fighters. Then they'll see you've taken their war hero and decide to take actions worse then during the conflict.
They will destroy every ship. Detain all government officials and Military Leaders. Making the Briar Patch sector safe once more with out a Mulluran presence. 40 years from now they will be studying great blunders in History and they'll see this as the biggest ever. What do I care I'll be dead after you hand me over for trial." Wallace said with a little emotion but enough to scare the Fleet Commander.
"What? Your Federation wouldn't do that they are peaceful by nature."
"Oh yes but when backed into a corner or forcing their hand is a big mistake. Ask the Cardassians, Klingon, Jem'Hadar." Wallace walked back over to his bed and took a seat and faced the wall of his cell.
"What am I suppose to do Wallace? You're to blame for everything the Military's rise to power the defeat ." Wallace began to grow angry at the comments he stood up and looked at the Field Marshall in the eyes.
"Damn hand me over to your leader tomorrow then if your people are so much stronger then the Federation. And if I am to blame for all that has happen. You know why you lost? You're so damn fat your army and fleet they sat on their ass for 20 some years. No training no nothing. Your race won't be missed." Wallace growled at the Field Marshall who turned around and walked towards the exit.
"Commodore I must think about what you said and I'll get back to you soon. Someone will feed you before the night is over."
I sure hope my bluff worked