Monica looked at Deveniss, “What are we going to do?”
“The same thing we have done in the King’s Fleet since the Federation abandoned the joint Betazoid-Starfleet operation at Izar and Admirals Vincent and Gavin Viceroy and Betazoid Admiral Illyan Coren and Alexander Laree formed the first regional fleet authority at Governor’s Station in 2380. We will stand alone as we always have.”, Deveniss spoke proudly of the King’s Fleet heritage.
“That is all well and good, Dev but the Vidiians may not be able to match the 5 or 6 vessels in the King’s Fleet in space but their fighters can run on battle drops near Opera and drop marines on the ground. The soldiers are like shock troops. Their appearance is very alarming with the defects caused by the Phage. They are already putting the run on the green spaces caretakers outside the city of Opera. These are harvest troops. They are here to take organs from the inhabitants of Carlisle. How are we to sleep at night knowing the risks that the colonists face?”, Monica looked at her Starfleet Uniform hanging across from the bed.
“When Vincent and Nicole followed Admiral William Hunt into the Beta Quadrant and established the first Beta Colony of the Phoenix Federation, many races tried to occupy the colony. The belief was that Nicole and Colonel Acrylos Teero would build the cities and then the great races of the Alpha Quadrant would occupy the colony as a launching point for Beta Quadrant expansion. These races tried. Belvedere Brown, a refugee became General Belvedere Brown and his refugees became the Dogs of War. They stood up to more powerful races, to better equipped and better supported marine groups.”, Deveniss explained.
“Who will stand up to them now?”, Monica frowned.
“Admiral, there is some sort of creature in the promenade!”, Summer burst in on the couple.
Deveniss grabbed his cloak and headed for the promenade of Hatherton Station. The Selayan looked at the fully armoured marine with a neo-skeletal head surrounding by marines with guns drawn. Admiral Deveniss looked at the soldier, “Can I help you?”
“My name is Horrondo of the Vidiian Sodality. I am here on a mission of peace.”, the hideous Vidiian announced.
“My name is Admiral Deveniss, Commanding Officer of Hatherton Station and why are we to believe you when you are standing in the promenade of our station while your shock troops raid the outskirts of Opera on the colony of Carlisle.”, Deveniss looked at the Vidiian marine.
“Those are not my troops. I am a Peacekeeper.”, Horrondo announced.
“The Vidiian Sodality has had interaction with the Federation Starship Voyager. We do not wish to interact as harvesters of organs but rather in medical cooperation for the thwarting the Phage.”, Horrondo continued.
“I will stand against my own people to prevent a genocide; an organ harvest.”, Horrondo observed.
“And how are we to trust you?”, Deveniss announced.
“My unit dropped into the cargo bay in a non-propelled drop ship. Our return to Vidiian Space is at your disposal. We need your support to get home. We are at your mercy. Our only request is that we be permitted to undertake our peacekeeping mission. We ask that you drop our unit at the front.”, Horrondo explained.
“And how are we to be certain that you are not just a mistaken drop intended to fall on the small asteroid of Carlisle and are just using this as a cover story.”, Deveniss shrewdly observed.
“You have no way of knowing. I am only asking for your help.”, Horrondo looked at Deveniss.
“And if we refuse to drop you.”, Deveniss looked at Pacon.
“Then I will ask for refugee status and asylum. I can never return to the sodality having made contact with the station.”, Pacon looked at Deveniss.
“I will drop them.”, the marine pilot Sera “Phaser” Phannell, the Cardassian Hybrid looked at Deveniss.
“You trust him.”, Deveniss looked at Sera.
“Someone had to trust me when I came from Cardassia. My father was an absolute tyrant and despot yet someone in the King’s Fleet and in the colonial refugee office trusted me. I have to repay that trust. I have to pay it forward. I will drop them.”, Phaser looked at Deveniss.
Deveniss looked at Colonel Tchilack, “She is your soldier.”
“I have trust in my people. If she is willing to pay that trust forward towards a known enemy; I will support her. She is Hive!”, Click looked at Deveniss.
“Horrondo, you have a pilot. Please do not betray our trust!”, Deveniss announced.
“I will not.”, the Vidiian looked at Deveniss.
Posted by:
Admiral Deveniss of Selay
Commanding Officer
Hatherton Station
King's Fleet
