The Horton had re-joined the battle group in orbit above the Phoenix Colony. By the recommendation of every doctor on board the Horton they didn't transfer any of the causalities to a bigger ship due to their injuries. Instead more medical personnel and more medical supplies were transferred over to the Horton effectively making her a make-shift hospital ship. Many of the colonists had recovered and been assigned quarters on the Achilles, Red Star, and Horton until the colony was taken back. There were still some that had more serious injuries that had to stay on board the Horton.
Fleet Admiral William Hunt, Vice Admiral Nicole Branson, Commodore Vincent Viceroy, and Mr. Solomon were meeting the in Horton's conference room discussing the situation on the colony, more or less what had happened and the behavior of the Vulcans. Having to feed, cloth and make more medical supplies for the large number of people had taxed the Horton's replicator systems, so Captain Yasushi along with the remainder of his crew were doing maintenance.
“The Vulcan that attacked the colony seemed to be completely irrational and too logical...to the point of being vicious. The important thing to note is that upon the arrival of the V'Ros Vulcans, the existing population of Vulcans on the colony did no exhibit and of the same signs.”
Nicole said painfully recalling what happened when the attackers had originally arrived. “Once they got on the colony it was more or less a losing fight from there. When they got into orbit they used fighters, Rhode Island class starships, and Intrepid Class starships to take out ground defenses and provide in-atmosphere ground support. After they had won the battle those ships left, but they left light defense in orbit...they must have thought that thereby wasn't much resistance left in the remaining loyal Federation forces, we obviously showed them.”
Fleet Admiral Hunt leaned his chair back a bit and asked “How much of the original invasion force remained on the colony after they had effectively taken over?”
“We can't be sure of course, but I don't think that many. If anything they returned to the transports in orbit, but I do recall some of the guards talking about a conquest on another planet, although I don't particularly recall.” Added the Commodore.
Admiral Hunt got up and asked “Do you think a large scale attack or a Small Strike force would be more effective?”
Vincent chimed in “A small strike force would be much more successful. They could move around in the hidden escape tunnels in the capital city, and as soon as some key buildings are retaken it would be easy to free most of the security forces and then proceed to retake the city and from there the rest of the colony. If you were willing to leave say a platoon of you Marines, and possibly some fighters...the Vice Admiral and myself could go into the city as a strategic strike force...”
Admiral Hunt raised his hand and said “Captain Yamamoto had already thought of that. The Marines are already on board and the fighters in the shuttle bay here. What we were waiting for was to get you back, give you any needed medical attention, and then get the proper beam down coordinates. Do you think that you two are up for such a mission?”
Commodore Viceroy smiled and said “No less than you would be to get back the Achilles if it was ever taken over.” Hunt smiled and said “Okay then. I want you both to check in with the doctors again, and get any other base personnel.”
Nicole said shyly “Commodore it would be very appreciated if you chose somebody else. I was never very good in combat...” Vincent smiled and said “No worries. In that case I will need Captain Leo, the Caitian Police Chief; he was among the personnel you beamed up.”
Admiral Hunt nodded and said “Okay it will be done. If there isn't anything else...I guess that's it."
*A Few Hours Later*
The Task Force put them down in the Capital. Vincent was not a young man anymore and he had not lead a ground force in a long time but he was driven; driven
by a rage to succeed. Vincent turned to Captain Robert E. Leo, the Caitian Police Chief and told him and the police force to fan out. It was time to clean out the
capital. The Marines and the Police Spread out and began to engage the enemy in a fire fight.
Vincent called to the air support. His whole body cringed as he felt the pain of his city, his creation and his one true love taking shot after shot as the air support
blasted location after location. The marines and the police did a remarkable job of calling out location. There is no hiding in the 24th century. Vincent and the marines
began retaking the city from the south.
Vincent stood at the entrance to the campus of the Omega Academy. There were buildings still ablaze from the initial tactical assault from space. Vincent thought of
Rear Admiral Jake Anderson and the original constructors. He thought of Vice Admiral Nicole Branson and her involvement but most of all he thought of his own
commitment to the colony, its academy and its students. He was their governor.
Today, he and the liberation force were freeing the capital from the Vulcan oppressors. Images of the the Vulcan insignia were being torn down and replaced with flags
of the United Federation of Planets and not in some twisted joke about the United Federation of the Phoenix, but the true powerful and symbol of righteousness in the
universe, the United Federation of Planets.
Vincent smiled when he saw the Antican forces entering the city from the far south end. He looked out to see the so-called "Dogs of War"; the very Antican Marines
who had fought the Borg at Antican B7 and won. These grand men and women, the Antican Defense League had fought the Romulans at Outpost 294 and now here
in 2386 on the Phoenix Colony at Outpost 395 in the Typhon Expanse, the "Dogs" have their day once more.
Vincent walked down to meet these fine humanoids. They brought the sad news of the death of Paris' Mayor Dr. Rochester Powers, the elderly Antican had died from
exposure in the camps. Vincent screamed but quickly regained his composure.
The Antican commander looked at Vincent, "Were we ever glad to see you!"
Vincent smiled, "No one was happier than us to see the Phoenix Fleet Liberation Force appear in the skies above."
Vincent, Captain Leo, the Anticans, the Marines and the Police Force congregated at BLACK. The infamous coffee house still stood strong, like the coffee she brewed inside
or the whiskey she served. The group went inside and began to set up communications with the ships above and with Vice Admiral Nicole Branson above.
"All clear, Nicole. All clear.” Vincent smiled as he gave the word. He had never felt so relieved in his career.
Back on the Horton Nicole smiled happy almost the point of tears. She replied “That's great Vincent. Can't wait to get back home.”
She looked over at Captain Yamamoto sitting in the Captain's chair and said “If you don't mind I'm going to call a meeting of the colonists on board in the cargo bay.”
He smiled and said “Of course not. Besides you out rank me.” He snickered a bit.
She walked off the bridge which left him and Lieutenant Jason Fox the conn officer. “So Jason, how have things been on board? The new engine upgrades do any good?”
Jason spun his chair back around and said “Yeah, her acceleration is a bit better now, and maneuverability was increased. All in all a pretty good trade off for only being docked for a few weeks. What about you sir? How was you time on board the Achilles?”
Yasushi looked at him and said “Well, I think that I would much rater be on the Horton out exploring like we were before. Having this much contact with Starfleet and the constant amount of politics involved is a little annoying...”
He smiled and said “I think I'll be more than happy to go out and do exploring like it was before.”
Meadow and Orchid Coren walked onto the bridge of the Horton and said “We've found out what's going on with the Vulcans.” and both smiled wide. Yasushi also smiled and said “Get ready for a meeting in 5 minutes”
*5 Minutes Later*
Admiral Hunt had beamed back aboard the Horton and they all met in sickbay.
“If you look at these brain scans you can see that there is a severe imbalance of neuro-transmitters in both of their brains compared to a normal Vulcan's. They also appears to have prior hemorrhaging of the mezzo-frontal cortex, which is basically where the Vulcan emotional barrier lies, and there is evidence that it was done by a mind meld...more specifically a forced mind meld...an attack.” Said Meadow.
“What we're thinking is that they are part of a cult or some kind of of group, and more than likely their leader is V'Ros. He was probably the first to develop this “technique” and then implanted a memory or a telepathic “suggestion” to do it to others interested in becoming a member.” Orchid added
“So is there a way to combat it out here?” Hunt asked
“Unfortunately, no...This type of imbalance and damage cannot be cured by our medicine. It must be corrected through another mind meld, by a Vulcan Master.” Meadow answered.
“Then what was the point of this?” He asked sternly
“Well we now know what's causing it, and how to fix it. We also know for a fact that any Vulcan with more advanced training in mental discipline could resist this type of attack, so much of Vulcan should be alright.” Orchid said
Hunt looked up and said “Well that is true, but for the moment it doesn't help up all that much.” Hunt got up and walked towards the door. “If you come up with anything else be sure to contact me” He walked out of sickbay
“Well Girls thank you. At the very least we know that this can be reversed.” Yasushi smiled and started walking for the door.
Walking down the corridor he suddenly gets a call from the bridge. “Captain we are receiving a distress call from Vulcan, the High Command.”
Yasushi stopped and realized that they must have been able to get a message out “Message acknowledged, I'll be right up.”
Yasushi tapped his combadge and said “Yasushi to Hunt did you beam off the Horton yet?”
Hunt responded “No, why?”
Yasushi smiled slightly and said “Come to the bridge, we are receiving a distress call from Vulcan.”
Hunt replied “Okay, I'll be there shortly.”
Yasushi ran down the corridor to the nearest turbo lift and said “Bridge!” the lift moved quickly up to the bridge.
“Jason put the distress call up on the main viewer.” Yasushi said as he was walking out of the turbo lift.
Hunt arrived soon after.
On the main viewer was a gray haired Vulcan in brown robes. “Ah good, Fleet Admiral Hunt the Vulcan people formally request your assistance. The renegade Vulcan forces have seized control of most government buildings. We also have also had much success in curing what is inflicting them. It seems to be a-”
Hunt put his hand up and said “Our doctors have already determined what is going on with them, and have also determined that the problem can only be corrected on Vulcan.”
The Vulcan looked somewhat surprised and said “Ah, then your doctors must have some experience with Vulcan physiology. In that case all we need is you. Right now the Vulcan High Command has taken refuge in an old monastery on Vulcan, we are safe, but the renegade Vulcans are taking over those who are weak disciplined here. It is becoming dire. We need your help.”
Hunt replied “Understood, the trip from where we are will take about 3 days, but we are coming. Admiral Hunt out”
The screen went back to the stars and Hunt said “Get the rest of the colonists off your ship and then we will set course for Vulcan. If we can liberate them before we move onto Earth we will have a way to correct all this.” Yasushi nodded and Hunt walked off the bridge.
“Yasushi to Admiral Branson, you have 5 minutes to get all the colonists beamed back down to the colony. We just received a distress call from Vulcan.”
She answered, “Okay, At least all of them have healed up. Thanks again for all the help, and I wish you luck with the rest of your mission.”
Yasushi smiled and said “Thank you Admiral.”
Posted by:
Captain Yasushi Yamamoto
Commanding Officer
Phoenix Liberation Task Force
USS Horton
Phoenix Fleet
