For many of the children of Omega, they had never even seen snow. They had heard of its existence, even learned of it from human friends. The Omega Colony had a closed atmosphere and was atmospherically controlled. Commander Teero warmed the planet for 24 hours after the colony was closed to stop the Fires of Omega.
Vorta'Rome remains encassed in ice. The Romulans are investigating the status of the Omega reaction but the rest of the planet is beginning to thaw nicely. Nicole knew that undue pressure had been put on her allies at Governor's Station and in the Alliance of Guardians and needed to get the students and staff back to the Colony.
As soon as the temperatures warmed to a balmy -25 degrees Celsius, shuttles began bringing staff back to the planet. It was bitterly cold. Nicole and her staff handed out coats and helped with instructions on heating in the refugee homes. Nicole also handed out instructions on dressing children.
Laaker Teero and the Damage Control Staff were already bringing systems in Veltkamp back on stream. Omega Prime was freezing but mostly functional. Acrylos knew that until they could verify the sanctity of the Omega reaction, additional pressure would be placed on the planets geo-thermal core but it had to be done.
Nicole was standing in the Veltkamp Launch Facility when it started, the temperature was now warming through the dew point and it had started to snow and not the devastation that was the horrid fast freeze of the Teero project but moreso a beautiful winter wonderland. Nicole was nearly moved to tears even though she knew that in the distance workers were feverishly thawing out her cities. Here in the launch facility, it looked so beautiful.
Nicole walked outside and down over to the River Covington. It was showing signs of thawing as the water warmed. Nicole did not even know that Dr. Greene had arrived from the Princess Diana when she walked up and looked out at the River. Things were progressing well. The planet was thawing.
Nicole looked out as Skye rubbed her back. "This is certainly never a dull place, Nikki."
Nikki smiled, "No, it sure isn't."
Acrylos walked out and he too looked at the river.
"The damage is minimal in the city interiors. The water that rushed from the rivers and oceans was frozen very quickly. There were some significant damages to buildings in the suburbs. Those buildings are now being repaired or demolished. The colony survived it, Nicole. I know it was a horrible 24 hours but the fires are hopefully controlled.", Acrylos said.
Wendy walked out and looked longingly at Acrylos, "Ace, Commander T'Ros is looking for you."
Nicole looked at Acrylos, "Ace?"
Acrylos smiled, "Its an Earth thing, I guess. Pet name."
Nicole laughed and turned to Skye, "Do you have a pet name for me?"
Skye smiled, "We are not a couple, Vice Admiral Branson."
Niccole chuckled at Skye's false distance, "I see, Dr. Greene."
Skye turned to walk back towards the facility, pulling up her coat in the cold. She turned back, "Ummm... Flower. My little flower."
Dr. Greene rushed inside. Nicole grinned ear to ear. It had been a trying time but she continues to survive it. She looked out at her colony, her people. Like her, life keeps trying to push them down. Like her, they continue to get back up. The fires of Omega may be the greatest threat the planet has ever felt but a different fire burns inside each and every colonist and that 'fire of Omega' cannot be extinguished.
Nicole caught snow on her tongue and giggled as the temperature rapidly warmed bring her colony back to life.
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Omega Prime Mayor and Omega Academy Chancellor
Omega Colony
Omega Fleet
Commander Acrylos Teero
Public Works Commissioner
Omega Colony
Omega Fleet
