Commander T'tan walked into the Federation Complex with Admiral Tim Veltkamp and Captain Caleb Faulkner.
Nicole and Elora were standing in front of a large Star Map on the HUD looking over the position of the T-Rex.
Nicole looked at Caleb, "Captain..."
Caleb could hear the scorn in her voice. Tim looked at Nicole, "A Phoenix Federation ship fired weapons in Federation Space."
"Duh!", Nicole snapped.
Tim was not amused. He looked at Commander T'tan, "As the Federation Liaison Officer, it is my duty to inform you Governor, this is a violation of the Treaty of V'Ros. The Phoenix Fleet is allowed to protect its own territory but is not allowed to engage any ships in the UFP territory."
The Vulcan looked at Admiral Veltkamp, "I will inform President Hunt. I will encourage the office of the President to apologize."
Nicole looked at Tim, "Yeah, that is gonna happen."
Nicole and Tim got along well. He was disappointed with her attitude.
"Elora, can you raise Hunt on New Terra?", Vincent asked as he walked into the room.
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U.S.S. Wildfire enroute to the Phoenix Colony
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"President Hunt we are being relayed a transmission from the Phoenix Colony. Sparta is saying its a Priority One Communication." his attache said while handing him his tablet.
"Very well" he said sitting down at his desk. "Have them transfer it here and ask my daughter to see me afterward.
"Aye sir" she replied as she stepped out of his office.
"Nicole & Vincent why do i have the feeling that this is not a pleasure call to see how me and my daughter are doing" he said with a stern look on his face.
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Federation Complex, Omega Prime
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"Mr. President, please find the briefing on your tablet.", Vincent explained.
"I believe the best course of action is to apologize to the United Federation of Planets.", Vincent requested.
William looked over the information and let out a quiet sigh.
"So your telling me that we have a rogue starship that has taken control of itself and fired on a ship attacking a Phoenix Colony vessel while it was in Federation Space and they are bitching at us for defending it?" he said trying to hide the amusement from that statement "Now I am assuming this has something to do with why i got a transmission from my old ship saying that she is in danger and needs help?"
"Sorry to bother you with this boss.", Nicole looked at the Viewer.
Vincent looked at Hunt, "Look, this is a military decision, Mr. President. I would like you to inform the Federation that this was an accident. Starbase 185 and the DRS are aware of the Red Queen problem. All you have to do is apologize. I am not prepared to lose three years worth of work on the colony for some rogue AI."
"According to that Starship which I am en-route to deal with Rear Admiral was assaulted by covert Federation members who themselves violated the accords and your asking me to apologize for them because they did a half ass job and are having to reap the repercussions of that mistake. In my opinion as the CinC of the Fleet as well as the Civilian Authority I expect a call from the Federation issuing an apology not only to the Colony for their stupid operation but also an apology to the ship for damaging her." Hunt said with a voice of authority
Commander T'tan looked at Vincent, "I have issued a compliance statement on behalf of the Colony Civilian Government. Captain Branson will provide the logs of the Prometheus. We need to secure control of the Red Queen. The colony is working to repair its image and now we look like war hungry lunatics."
"Thank you, Governor.", Vincent looked to Nicole.
"Your turn.", Vincent scolded.
Nicole swallowed her tongue, "As the Phoenix Federation representative on the Colony, I humbly apologize for any concerns raised within the United Federation of Planets."
Nicole wanted to scream. She looked at Hunt, "You better be able to fix this one."
"Vincent are you aware of the primary objective of the Red Queen project?" William said refusing to issue a formal apology until he is heard out.
Viceroy turned to Nicole, "I told you he was the wild card."
Nicole laughed, "He is Hunt. The Federation should kiss his a** for what happened in Paris in 2388."
Vincent looked at Nicole, "All that may be true but if we refuse to apologize, the Federation will invade. We have five ships. We are no match for the Federation."
Nicole looked at Vincent, "I know that. I am not naive."
Elora started to laugh at the statement by the beautiful blonde. She was the picture of naivete.
Elora looked at the screen, "What was the purpose?"
Vincent looked at his Chief of Operations and laughed. Hunt had some explaining to do.
"The Red Queen was originally based on the AI for the Wrath of Achilles the one I originally designed on the Prometheus Class ship that is now having a personality conflict. Her primary objective was the preservation of the ship and as a necessary second preservation of the crew in the event of loss of the command crew she was able to take total control and bring the ship home or if she deemed necessary the continuation of her mission." He paused for a moment letting what he said sink in.
"She was deactivated when she attempted to take over the ship when several of my crew members attempted a mutiny and almost killed she ships Chief Medical Officer as well as my Executive Officer at the time. She was placed under a heavy encryption that could only be reactivated by me or a major assault on her computer core which from your report happened." he said.
"That ship Vincent if she wanted to could launch a torpedo and have it land right on your head She is very calculating and lethal and those pirates found out the hard way. I am having the helm change course and heading for the DRS to help them extract the part of the AI they already have aboard. Because they only received a partial download she will not stop until she is back together and quite possibly she will destroy the station to get her way." He stopped to wait for Vincent's expected complaining.
Elora looked at Vincent, "Is that possible?"
Vincent shrugged. This was over his head technically too. Vincent turned to Elora, "Relay this message to everyone in the King's Battlegroup."
"Inform the Federation of the problem.", Vincent looked at Caleb.
Faulkner looked at Viceroy, "If the DRS is destroyed, it will be considered an act of war and your little experiment on the colony is over."
Nicole looked at Caleb. She knew he was right. The PF had about 13 ships. The UFP has over 90,000. It won't be much of a war.
Nicole looked at Vincent, "I will raise my mother. Captain Branson will bring the Prometheus to the DRS. We will attempt to merge the Red Queen."
Vincent smiled, "You damn Branson's are gonna be the death of me."
Posted by:
President William Hunt
Phoenix Federation
Aboard the USS Wildfire
Vice President Nicole Branson
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Cameo Appearance by
Admiral Tim Veltkamp
Federation Liaison Officer
Phoenix Colony
Pheonix Federation
Special Guest Appearance by
Rear Admiral Vincent Viceroy
Military Commander In Chief
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
