Dominic was furious when he got back from Governor's Station. He really wanted to know which Star Fleet Officer had chosen to retire in the Phoenix and not in a Federation world. Dominic wanted to be able to demonstrate that the colony was not a viable option for retirement.
He looked at Commodore Paige, "Alexander, if you could get it to work, I would restore your status as Task Force 234 Commanding Officer."
Alexander looked at Dominic, "What commanding officer would not want to command a Task Group flag ship, particularly one with the great history of the USS Washington."
"The reprimand offered Captain S'Nii is reprehensible and if we can get her, we can get Lindsay Viceroy. It is a package deal. Having the niece of the Secretary of Defence defect will be a major coup for Star Fleet.", Alexander smiled.
"Don't smile, Paige. It shows the depth to which we have fallen in the region when we must resort to embarrassment as a means of influence. We are threatened by the Phoenix Federation now. With the successful operation of Outpost 395 and New Terra, the Phoenix is now a respectable alliance in the region. We cannot go head to head with them. With the King's Battlegroup and the Black Dragon Task Group operating in the region, this is no want to risk a war. We only have this to be successful.", Dominic frowned.
Dominic thought of his father and the once mighty influence with Star Fleet and its massive fleet of ships.
Within an hour, Commodore Alexander Paige returned. He was grinning from ear to ear, "Captain S'Nii has accepted the position and Commander Lindsay Viceroy will serve as the USS Washington Executive Officer."
Dominic grinned, "Perfect."
Star Fleet has its first victory over the Phoenix Colony in too long. Scoring the former Valedictorian of the Omega Academy, graduating class of 2389 and a Viceroy is a major coup for Dominic Montgomery.
Nicole was watching Uhlan S'Lynna as she reported the coup. Vincent walked in, "I guess you have heard."
"I have.", Nicole frowned.
"I guess going after S'Nii was not a good idea. My only question is how did Summer Vasa get those images of S'Nii.", Vincent quizzed.
Nicole looked at Lavender as she came down the stairs. Vincent looked at her too. Lavender knew exactly what they were thinking. She had been a double agent before. Lavender looked at Nicole, "I did not do it. I swear."
Nicole wanted to believe her. She really did but the question remained. Lavender was in Star Fleet Intelligence.
Vincent looked at Nicole and then contacted the T-Rex, "Where is Wu?"
Caitlin came into the view screen, "Go ahead, Commodore."
"Who provided the images of Captain S'Nii and Lindsay Viceroy to Summer Vasa?", Viceroy responded.
Caitlin looked at the three people in the room. She knew about the celebration dinner with Eugenio and Elizabeth. She knew about the visit to see Brenna by the Corens. She knew that Lavender was trying so hard to be Phoenix. She also knew the power in suggesting Lavender did it.
Caitlin paused and then answered the question, "The images were provided by..."
Vincent snapped, "Out with it."
"Brooklyn Paneera.", Caitlin's words cut like a knife.
Lavender started to cry, "I told you I did not do it. It breaks my heart that you don't trust me."
Lavender grabbed her stuff and left. Nicole looked at Vincent. Her bottom lip quivered in sorrow.
"Go after her.", Vincent ordered.
"Computer, connect me to Brooklyn Paneera.", Vincent ordered.
"Lt. Commander Paneera", Brooklyn answered.
"How could you?", Vincent demanded.
"This is about the job, Vincent. I will always do the job.", Brooklyn responded.
Vincent could understand. He too would always do the job. Brooklyn felt deeply embarrassed as Vincent explained what the Federation had done.
There was certainly enough to spread around today.
Posted by:
Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Secretary of Defence
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Chancellor Nicole Branson
Omega Academy
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
