Vincent leaned against the console wall watching the ONN broadcast of the alleged Klingon attack on the Federation. Vincent could not believe that the Klingons would resort to such brutal tactics. He looked at Elora, "Why would they do it?"
"Because they know the Federation will enter the Amanda Corridor effectively eliminating the Paris 2390 Accords and rendering William Hunt's peace process mute and useless. In this chaos, the Klingons can occupy H'Atoria Minor without themselves being in violation of the Amanda Corridor.", Elora eloquently explained the attack.
"So the Federation will retaliate and we will be caught in the middle and be lost forever.", Vincent frowned.
"The colony is safe for now.", Caitlin walked into the room. The Operations Commander of the T-Rex looked at Vincent.
"What the hell are you doing here?", Vincent looked at Caitlin. He knew that she had been the double agent who caused the whole side of Governor's Station to have been blown out.
"This is bigger than you know, Commodore.", Caitlin looked at Vincent.
"What are you saying, Wu?", Vincent demanded.
"What she is saying dear Vincent.", Commander T'Ros entered the room, "is that things are not always as they appear."
Vincent turned to the Romulan, "Spit it out; one of you."
T'Ros looked at Vincent, "Captain Vreenak is a skilled tactician. One of the most skilled in the history of our great empire. Look closely at the explosion, Commodore. A man of your experience should be able to realize that this was not a weapon. This was the jettison of a warp core. There is a specific signal."
"The Romulan knew that the change in command at Starbase 234 would bring in Captain Alexander Paige, a noted hot head. Worse even, then our own President Hunt. He knew that Paige would over react and retaliate and Romulan sources confirm that the USS Washington has entered the fringes of the Amanda Corridor. Paige is about to attack the Klingons.", T'Ros explained.
"Vreenak did so believing that the chaos would force the Klingons to abandon their control of H'Atoria Minor and retreat to Kalama but Commander Vasa's observations are correct. The chaos from this action will bring war into the Amanda Corridor. This will end any hope of maintain the peaceful and neutral region between the Klingon and Romulan Empires.", T'Ros pointed to the image of the Washington on the HUD.
"What I am about to ask is the unthinkable.", T'Ros continued.
"We must convince Alexander Paige not to attack even if it means accepting the blame for the deaths of the Federation crew members on the three vessels. We can accept responsibility and keep Paige from starting a war. We can then localize the efforts to ending the tyranny of Hon'Tihl Kabarann. If we fail, we are assuredly done for. The Phoenix Federation is no match for a waring Klingon and Federation battleground. The colony will become nothing more than a Triteum fueling station for the Klingons.", T'Ros frowned.
"So you are asking me to go to my sworn enemy. A man who has torn this colony apart time and time again and beg him to act in the name of peace.", Vincent looked at T'Ros.
"I am.", the Romulan glared at the Commodore.
"Tuck you tail between your legs and realize what you are, Commodore. You are the high ranking officer on a colony that has a mere 5 ships, a measly cargo ship and a glorified floating hotel you loosely refer to as a Station. Furthermore, Commodore, you and your precious clerk, Nicole Branson continue to stick you neck out for people and into the business of people to whom it does not belong. There is a price for your behavior. This is one of those.", T'Ros mocked.
Vincent looked at Elora, "Inform the Diana to release the visuals. Ask Casper to beg Captain Paige for sanity and use whatever means are necessary to convince him not to retailiate."
Commander T'Ros chuckled in her arrogance. The Romulans have played the colony again. Their superiority in this region cannot be questioned.
Vincent looked back at Caitlin, "Inform Star Fleet Intelligence of our actions and our motives."
"How would I do that?", Caitlin looked dumbfounded.
"Don't play stupid, Wu. It does not become you. Inform Admiral Williams of the New Terra Task Group Activities in the Amanda Corridor, including the actions of the Da Vinci.", Vincent ordered.
Caitlin winked as she walked out of the room, "I don't know what you are talking about."
Vincent looked at Elora, "Where is the Governor?"
"Dealing with the Federation who are calling for her resignation over the incident.", Elora smiled.
"We may yet get the goal that Captain Vreenak wanted... without a war.", Vincent smiled. The game of chess had begun.
Captain Vreenak made a brash first move. The Federation responded with an equally brash response moving the Washington into the Corridor but now the real game begins as each player settles into their defensive strategy.
Only the smartest should ever play this game...
Posted by:
Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Military Commander In Chief
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
