Vincent read the orders from Earth and even he was scared by the notification. The USS Quasar Quest and USS Princess Diana were being asked to escort the CGV Gulad from Cardassia Prime to Bajor leaving the colony without protection of any kind.
Dawn Keystone confirmed his worst fears, "Pope to Governor's, I have the Tanmesad on visual leading 4 Galor Class Vessels and a Hudek."
Vincent frowned and looked at Elora, "Arming the enemy to protect the energy source is exactly as the Betazoid Alliance has always done business."
Legate Anwar offered a second warning, "Stand down and prepare to accept the occupation of the Cardassian Government in Exile or face the wrath of an invasion force."
Dawn looked at the viewer and then at the second screen at Admiral Viceroy, "Your orders, sir."
"Are you ready for this, Commander?", Vincent looked at Dawn.
"I will do what I am ordered.", the genetic augment looked at Vincent.
"Prepare to defend the colony.", Vincent ordered.
The word quickly spread. The announcements rang through Ephyra City, "The Cardassians are coming!"
Vash was drunk and sitting in Ishka's with Colonel Teero reminiscing about the glory days of the Tanmesad. Teero jumped up and raced for the defence headquarters. Vash was there staring at yet another Kanar. He was ready to accept defeat when Hattie Hatherton walked by, "Was that Acrylos Teero?"
"Yes.", Vash looked up.
"He is the greatest engineer since Montgomery Scott.", Hattie grinned, showing her crush.
The words resonated with Vash and he stormed from the casino. Some things are just worth protecting. He grabbed Hattie by the arm, "You are with me."
"Where are we going?", Hattie demanded.
"We are gonna help set things right.", Vash demanded.
The USS John Paul II was being heavily attacked. The odds were unbelievable at four to one. Vincent screamed into the COMM, "Elizabeth, you must help us!"
Vice Admiral Coren looked at the viewer, "It is better this way. If we give Ephyra to Anwar, we maintain control of the wormhole energy source."
"Dammit, Liz. You can have your energy source just help!", Vincent shouted.
"I cannot trust Branson and her ways. I need the leverage.", Elizabeth snapped.
"We are shutting down all offensive systems. Shields to full. Shut down propulsion to protect the haul.", Dawn shouted.
"It is over.", Dawn announced.
When Vash Enranet and Thua'ra Varno were simple Cardassian researchers on Platform 1968, they were told by central command that they would not be receiving a ship. They were to continue their weapons experiments and their genetic experiments on Platform 1968. These were resourceful men.
Using their scavenging ways, they built the Odoital, the Cardassian word for "Nothing" and began to tour the outer worlds of the Bajoran and Cardassian Sector. Vash and Varno cut their teeth in the bucket of bolts learning about propulsion, weaponry and about engineering. They also learned to trust one another.
When Vash learned that the colony was about to fall unprotected, he took Hattie to Platform 1968 on the edge of the Bajoran Sector. He hoped their old bucket of bolts was still there. It was about time that the ship returned to its motto, Making something out of nothing.
Vash was stunned when he found Thua'ra Varno and Anora Ro at the platform. Both had been rumored killed in the exodus. Varno told Vash that he came to 1968 because he was a pariah now. He had lost everything. Vash screamed at him, "You have lost everything before and what you do. You did as Minister Garak and the Hebetian Republic did. You dusted off your carcass and you started again! This is what good men do. They make something out of nothing!"
"What the hell are you going here?", Thua'ra asked.
"Ephyra is under attack by Legate Anwar. He is gonna take the colony by force.", Vash explained.
"What are you gonna do about it?", Thua'ra asked.
"I am gonna take the Odoital and I am gonna stand up for what is right.", Vash, still stinking of Kanar responded.
"You are drunk with stupidity. You cannot take on a task group with a bucket of bolts.", Varno snapped.
"I could if I had the torpedoes of 1968.", Vash snapped back.
"You are gonna put a station defence grid on a bucket of bolts.", Varno laughed.
"Nope, she is.", Vash pulled Hattie from the Federation high speed shuttle.
Anora looked at Hattie, "How the hell did he convince you to come?"
"He kidnapped me.", Hattie cried out.
"We have to protect Ephyra.", Hattie looked at Anora.
"If we work together, we can do this.", Vash offered.
Varno looked at Anora. Anora looked back, "It is Eden."
The two men set to work.
Governor's was the next to take a beating. The four Galors bombarded the station. Elora was doing everything she could do. It was just too much. Vincent looked at Bell and Tanus as Anwar announced, "Prepare to be boarded."
"They will never get up here.", Bell offered. The marines left the room.
Anwar smiled, "Once Governor's Defences are off line, Ephyra will be ours."
His words barely got out when the Hudek Class disintegrated in space. Anwar screamed, "What the hell was that?"
The ugly scavenger vessel known as the Odoital appeared against the Ephyran Sun. Anwar screamed, "Get that fu**ing thing!"
The Odoital was more manoueverable and more dangerous than the Galors. Anwar immediately learned another lesson when the Odoital fired up on the CGV Trenach turning the first Galor into space rubble.
Anwar shouted, "Retreat!!"
Anwar looked into the screen, "Viceroy, this is not over. Ephyra will be Cardassian once more."
Anora grabbed the comm on the Odoital, "Ephyra will never be Cardassian!"
Vincent recognized the Bajoran woman immediately, "Nice of you to visit."
Vash stepped in front of the Comm, "Ephyra is worth protecting."
Vincent smiled, "Damn straight!"
Thua'ra stepped behind Gul Enranet. He looked straight at Vincent, "Request for Asylum."
There was a long pause, "This is a new place with a new history. We are all looking to make a new start here. Asylum granted."
Posted by:
Admiral Vincent Viceroy
Commander in Chief
King's Fleet
Based upon story idea from
Commander T'Zohl of Vulcan
Voice of the King's Fleet NPC Ships
Ephyra Colony
King's Fleet
