"Disgusting!", Christine looked at the image of Cleveland Powers being brought back to Omega Prime. This word she used to describe Powers himself, the Romulans for their recent actions and what was about to occur. Christine had been told by Hunt and Branson that the Federation would not stand up to the execution of Cleveland Powers.
Christine glared at Hunt and his aides as she walked by. She knew that he had met with Commander T'Ros to convince her to withdraw from the campaign for Governor. He had surplanted the democracy he claimed to so love and Christine was not pleased. Hunt had behaved like a dictator and not like a President. The colonists would have voted for Admiral Veltkamp and now they don't get that option. Even if the people agree with the president, they should be given the opportunity to vote. Christine snarled under her breath, "V'Ros."
President V'Ros had led the once mighty United Federation of Planets into the chaos of the Phoenix Liberation War with his lack of respect for his own people.
Christine watched as Nicole Branson and newly minted Governor Tim Veltkamp entered the room. Christine was furious to learn that Veltkamp's bio had been totally cleared out. She claimed that his work with the Federation in the last 2 years had been stricken from the public record. Christine promised to get to the bottom of his association with the Federation including his possible involvement in this whole mess involving Powers, Montgomery and Paige.
Nicole looked at Christine. Christine stood up and walked over, "You could stop this, you know. The colony is officially under your authority."
"The universe needs to know that President Hunt is not just a soft leader.", Nicole repeated the words that she had heard from Hunt the night before.
"Puppet.", Christine snapped.
Nicole wanted to start to cry. She was the soft one. She gathered her composure, "Mr. Powers is through tormenting us."
"Barbarian whore.", Christine walked away. Nicole felt the words touch her heart. She wanted the colony to be seen as a place of peace. She went back and stood against the back wall.
Hunt wandered back, "It has to be this way."
Dr. Chikace Larle, the Klingon came into the room. The Klingon was the only doctor who agreed to administer the lethal injection. Casey looked at William and Nicole. She took a huge breath.
Nicole started to sob. Christine looked back, "Nicole."
Nicole wanted to shout out stop but this was not her decision. This was Hunt's. He wanted, no he needed to send a statement that the Phoenix Federation would no longer tolerate the Federation interference in Colony politics.
Casey looked at Cleveland, "Do you have any last words?"
"In 2389, the Anticans of B7 came here looking for a home when ours was taken by the Borg. We found that home. We have prospered. Belvedere Brown leads the military ground forces. Rover Powers is Mayor of our great city of Paris. For this, to the people of the Phoenix Colony, I wish to offer my thanks. To Nicole Branson and William Hunt, I offer only this. Every despot dreams of having his own world to rule but in the end, the superpower always regains control. Enjoy your time, despots. Kill the voice of reason. Martyr the great leaders of the return of the Federation but know this. Someday, the Federation will take the colony back and you two will be up here and feel the end as I am about to. Someday.", Cleveland laid his head back on the bed.
Casey walked over and ran the medical injectable over his inner arm.
It was over. Tim Veltkamp was the new Governor. William Hunt had secured his power base. Nicole Branson was revealed as an inconsequential middle manager nobody. Cleveland Powers was dead.
And the question on everyone's mind is, "Was Cleveland right?"
Is it only a matter of time before the lonely colony fall back into Federation control? Is it only a matter of time before the Phoenix Federation is only a memory? Remembered like the Republic of Texas or the Bloc Quebecois in Canada as a bunch of inconsequential sabre rattlers who were very visible but soon were nothing more than a fringe group.
Time will tell.
Posted by:
Christine T'Nley
Omega News Network
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Based upon MSN Conversation with
Commander T'Zohl of Vulcan
Voice of the King's Battlegroup
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
With assistance from the Chat Logs of
President William Hunt
and
Vice President Nicole Branson
Phoenix Federation Leadership
Thanks Stan. They were very helpful - Leanne
Special Guest Appearance by
Governor Tim Veltkamp
Governor
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
