The students have become all too familiar with evacuation. The drills are now held monthly. With the fire of Omega, the horrible Ice Age and every other catastrophe one could think of. As the bombardment of the Village began, Nicole had the unenviable task of informing countless parents that the once peaceful Phoenix Colony was again evacuating.
First she had endangered their parents, having Wells City; the retirement community fall to the Romulans, now she was evacuating their children to orbit and to New Netherlands. Nicole drafted countless letters and drafted everyone to help coordinate the evacuation.
Commodore Viceroy withdrew the security forces to the Academy and to the Federation Complex portion of Omega Prime. Against his better judgement, he agreed with Vice Admiral Branson's hopes not to have her and Commander Teero's beautiful cities turned to rubble in the occupation. Vincent compared it to the German Invasion of the eastern bloc in 1939. Blitzkreig without war. Romulan Troops and tanks simply walked into major centers and occupied them as the colonist withdrew.
The Federation is simply withdrawing from the Omega Planet. Vincent could barely stomach the withdrawal. They had built so much here. This was a special place and to him, like countless colonists, this was home.
Now where once stood the mighty business hub of the Omega Fleet, the Alliance of Guardians and now the Phoenix Fleet, there is nothing more than a giant Romulan Symbol projected to the stars, just as above Wells City. Vorta'Rome is Romulan. Wells City is Romulan and tonight, Veltkamp Village is Romulan.
Sometime tomorrow, the Retribution will be complete, the Romulans will march upon Omega Prime. Nicole and Vincent stood in the legendary orb, looking out a few explosions in the village. Some citizens simply would not withdraw. They will be overwhelmed by the Romulans. We know that; in their hearts they knew it too but they had been bullied so often, moved so often. Better to die in defence of their new home, than risk having to do this again.
Nicole started to cry as she watched Romulans dump fuels into the River Covington lighting its once beautiful waters ablaze with fire. The Romulans have designs on the Omega Core. It is the weapon of immeasureable power. It is the showcase of all weaponry. It is Omega.
Nicole looked at Vincent, "I apologize for bringing you here. Your legacy as an Admiral and a hero of Star Fleet was set as the leader of the King's Fleet. Now you will be remembered for losing the Phoenix Colony."
Vincent looked at Nicole, "I will not give up the colony. Not now; not ever. Even if we lose the battle tonight and tomorrow, a new war will be waged. The Romulans will be vanquished from our soil."
Nicole turned to Vincent and put her small hand into his. She respected him as a father and a friend.
"I will stand with you, forever.", Nicole looked on as the Romulans launched their volley into the corridor of the Academy, built in tribute to the original academy on Earth. The Academy itself burst into flames. The Romulans were crossing the river.
Nicole looked at Vincent, "Contact Hunt. This may be the end. Retribution will belong to the Romulans."
Nicole walked over to the console, "Admiral Hunt, this is Vice Admiral Nicole Branson. The Ground Forces are crossing into Omega Prime. William, please help us. We are in grave danger. I repeat, we are in grave danger."
Nicole and William headed for the command bunker beneath the Federation Complex. They would wait there. Either the Fleet would come, or it would serve as their tomb.
"Pray that Hunt contact us.", Nicole turned to Vincent.
"Believe me, I am.", Vincent responded.
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Territory Omega Governor in Exile
Romulan Colony of Vorta'Romulus
Formally Declared by the Occupying Task Force
Phoenix Fleet
Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Omega Prime Mayor in Exile
Romulan Colony of Vorta'Romulus
Formally Declared by the Occupying Task Force
Phoenix Fleet
