The arrival of the Romulan Task Group has brought a greater tension. If the Romulans get the "package", the situation in the Beta Quadrant gets a whole lot worse. As the Phoenix Federation struggles with the AI technology, the Romulans could very well be able to get the system functional.
The Red Queen has been horrid for the Colony and the King's Task Group. She has tormented the USS Wrath of Prometheus, the Cardassian Station Terok Beta and Jupiter Class Refuelling Platform which she destroyed. While Hunt continues to work on the programming, the Romulans believe the "Package" is a critical component in the arms race.
Diplomat Eugene Baxton informed the Phoenix Colony that the Federation is in possession of the AI Beta but refused to confirm the fact that the AI is not a Federation development but instead is the backup of the Red Queen made at the DRS.
Eugene Baxton also confirmed that the Federation planned to move the package between Journet 5 and Starbase 185. The move was widely panned by the Phoenix Fleet and by the King's Battle group calling the move reckless and arrogant.
The words were very prophetic. The Federation Transport is attacked and the AI Beta is stolen. Eugene walked on to Federation Complex to inform Vincent and Nicole of the incident.
Nicole turned, "Serves them right."
Vincent looked at Nicole, "It is not about that now. Where is the package?"
"Aboard the Romulan Transport.", Eugene explained.
"We can't let this one get away.", Vincent ordered.
"Get John on the COMM. The Task Group must get the cargo.", Vincent ordered.
Elora started to contact the ships in the Group. Nicole interrupted, putting her hand over the console, "Hey. The incident is in Federation Space. This is not our problem."
"Nicole, don't be foolish. If the Romulans can get the AI working, they will be even more powerful. Look at the capabilities of the AI. Look what the Red Queen has been able to accomplish.", Vincent snapped.
"Get this done.", Vincent ordered to Elora.
The King's Task Group entered Federation Space. The Romulan Transport was moving closer to the Romulan Task Group. John looked at T'Zohl, "If they transport the package, which I believe they will. We will steal the package. Get Ru'on to look on the Romulan transporter frequency."
John did not know that his words were also heard on the USS Princess Diana. Dominic stood up and walked back around the rail to the engineer platform. D'Solos looked back, "Problems, Captain."
"No problems.", Dominic looked at Vreenak. He mimicked the activity of the Quest.
"Romulan transporter engaged.", Giselle reported to John on the Quest.
"Take the package.", John ordered.
John smiled, believing he had scored the coup. Ru'on walked on the bridge, "Nothing. Someone else has the package."
"The Romulans?", T'Zohl turned around.
"The package is aboard the USS Princess Diana.", Giselle reported.
"Yes! Way to go, kid.", John smiled, thinking of Dominic Montgomery.
Dominic turned to Vreenak, "Take us to Starbase 185."
"What?", D'Solos looked at Dominic.
"Take us to Starbase 185.", Dominic repeated.
Vreenak complied still very puzzled.
John looked at T'Zohl, "Where are they going?"
"The current trajectory places them at Starbase 185.", Giselle informed the group.
"What?", John snapped.
"Inform Admiral Viceroy immediately.", John ordered.
"What just happened?", John asked.
"What just happened, Captain Warren is Star Fleet protecting its most precious asset.", Dominic reported on all channels.
"You stupid kid, the Romulans would not attack the freakin' Phoenix Colony. Vorta'Rome is there! The Romulans however will attack Starbase 185.", John shouted.
It was far worse than anyone could imagine, Romulan reports clearly show the USS Princess Diana interrupting a Romulan Transporter to steal the "Package". The image is being used as propogranda to accuse the Federation of stealing from the Romulans. The Romulans have their in.
Vincent shouted at Dominic, "Turn over the Diana and return to the Colony, son. You are under arrest."
"I will return your precious ship. I don't need it anymore, Pops. It served its purpose. I have the "Package."", Dominic gushed.
"I have to ask one question?", Vincent snapped.
"I know you wanna know, Pops. I know you wanna know. Why would I stay in the Omega Academy for 2 years just to screw the Phoenix Colony? I did it for my grandfather. Nicole Branson ruined my father's reputation. She ruined my family and now my family will be known for this daring rescue of the "Package" and for the command of Starbase 185 by me, Captain Dominic Montgomery.", Dominic boasted.
"You foolish young man, you will be known as the one who brought the Romulans to Starbase 185.", Vincent squealed back, filled with rage.
Dominic walked onto the Operations Platform of Starbase 185. He looked out at the King's Task Group, at his own Task Group and at the Romulan's baring down on him and smiled. He had done it. He had bested the Romulans.
Dominic looked at Alexander on the main viewer. Paige looked at the young man, "Captain, we have a problem."
"What is that?", Montgomery grinned, still believing he is the winner.
"The Romulans are powering their weapons.", Paige informed Montgomery.
Commander T'Ros walked into the war room in Omega Prime on the Colony, "It is my duty as the Romulan representative to the Phoenix Colony to announce the Romulans will engage Starbase 185 within the hour."
Nicole turned to T'Ros, "No! Wait! Please!"
T'Ros looked at Branson, "Beautiful, naive Branson. This was not a question. It was a statement."
The Romulan Task Group began to engage the Astronauts and Starbase 185. Vincent looked at Nicole and then at Elora, "Withdraw our ships. This is a Federation Problem."
Nicole looked at Vincent, "Are you certain?"
"We have no other options. The Romulans will destroy our entire task group. We are simply not big enough. I am not prepared to lose these people.", Vincent looked at Nicole.
Eugene looked at Vincent, "What about Federation losses?"
Vincent looked at Eugene, "Would the Federation be concerned if the Romulans invaded the Phoenix Colony? or our losses?"
Posted by:
Nicole Branson
Vice President
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Standing right behind and driving me crazy with random ideas
R. Admiral Vincent Viceroy
Military Commander in Chief
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Commander T'Zohl of Vulcan
Executive Officer - USS Quasar Quest
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
