The legend of the hogs being back in the farm house has been played out on the colony over and over again. The colony was established by Rear Admiral Jake Anderson in service to Admiral Tim Veltkamp in the Omega Fleet with the mandate to provide a home for all races, all creeds and all citizens of the United Federation of Planets.
This reality was realized only when the colony was transferred to the Phoenix Fleet and later the Phoenix Federation and its first Governor, Rear Admiral Nicole Branson opened the doors of the capital city of Omega Prime. The city became a home for Vulcans and Betazoids and even enemies of the Federation like Romulans and Cardassians.
The colony formed its first province, Territory Omega and welcomed other races into other cities achieving a collection of city states that resembled the great Greek power bases or the Roman consuls. The governance was one of peace and tranquility.
Even after the Phoenix Liberation War left the colony disassociated from the United Federation of Planets, it continued to be a beacon of peace and good governance giving way to the governments of Vincent Viceroy, Dr. Skylight Greene, the eloquent Tabrine Mandu among others. The colony survived great tests of its mettle and character surviving occupations by the Romulans, Vulcans and Klingons to emerge stronger and more dedicated to the resolve to be a bastien of honor in a universe of chaos.
The colony served as a launching pad in the Amanda Corridor in a second liberation of the Earth. Admiral William Hunt was restored to honor in the rescue of Paris from the first Retarnee assault. The victory cemented the renewed relationship between the Phoenix Fleet and the United Federation Of Planets.
Sadly, this too would come to an end when resources were removed to protect the Alpha Quadrant worlds from the Retarnee. This protection left the colony without support and marked a down turn in its history. The colony turned tail on its history and made backdoor and back room deals with the Zaranites, Baku, Son'a and even the Hynerians to build Second Corinthians.
The one thing that had always set the colony apart was the ability and motivation to take the high road. The road was no longer available to the colony. The colony slipped into further depth when it was realized that the role of Governor had been bastardized when Legate Thua'ra Varno used his power to manipulate the Betazed wormhole, to manipulate the Betazoid council into a merger deal with the Hynerians and even to kill Betazoid officer Clarissa Laree who was with child.
Varno would be exposed but the damage is done. The colony is now no different than Paris or Romulus or Quon'os. The colony's government is not one to be trusted.
With Commodore Viceroy declaring his candidacy, the vote could be split. Deals were necessary. Nicole Branson offered Vincent Viceroy the redefined role of Military Commander In Chief and control over all things military - a role he once had before the Chiefs of Staff were created. He was their chairman but it was a conglomerate approach. This was more defined. He would have real military power. Viceroy was willing to accept the parallel role to the governor because of its permanence. Branson could be dethroned by the city states at any time.
Branson had promised good governance and peaceful control but now she was making deals to eliminate rivals. The vote would still be very close. With Omega Prime and Terok Beta, there was still a chance that Varno would retain after the vote of non-confidence. Varno then agreed to back Branson as a candidate if she would not continue to push for charges in the death of Clarissa Laree. Branson agreed. She sold her integrity for the role of Governor.
Christine looked at Nicole, "Governor Branson, I presume."
Nicole gave a half smile. The reporter was correct but had it come at too high a price. Can the damage be repaired? Is the colony just another example of the fact that power corrupts? Are we as Orwell promised doomed to the same fate each and every time.
Posted by:
Christine T'Nley
Omega News Network
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Nicole Branson
Governor
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Military Commander In Chief
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
