It was like a rock concert or a circus. It came in a flash and put on its show and while enjoyable, it is over quickly. Nicole and Vincent could not believe it when the console screen came up with the Star Fleet logo and the words, "Your services will no longer be required."
Nicole and Vincent arrived at the court house almost simultaneously in separate cars. Nicole stepped out and Vincent stood there talking to reporters for a moment before turning to his colleague.
"Nicole.", Vincent nodded. She did the same.
The pair were met inside by Admiral John Williams of Star Fleet Intelligence. John looked at the pair, "Thank you for your meritorious efforts but we are closing down the trials."
"Why is that?", Vincent asked.
"There are a couple of reasons.", John replied.
"The first is there was never enough political support for these trials anyway. We had hoped to use it as a ploy to help elect a new civilian president at least here in the Phoenix Region if not for the entire United Federation of Planets. The attempt was to show some weakness in Star Fleet but all we have done is expose that these are honorable men and women who would defend the office of the Presidency, no matter how ludicrous with all their hearts.", John smiled.
Vincent smiled back. He had been on both sides of this circus in his career. He did not need some sort of trial to show the greatness of the men and women who serve with him or elsewhere in service to Star Fleet.
"The second reason is no one in Star Fleet realized how much support there would be for the service here on the Phoenix Colony. To read the communiques and watch the Omega News Network, it would be believed that everyone hear hated you and Nicole, but the vehement defence of Admiral William Hunt, Commodore Vincent Viceroy and Vice Admiral Nicole Branson by Christine T'Nley shocked everyone. To use her words, 'We can criticize them but NO ONE from outside can criticize them.'", John laughed.
Vincent laughed as Christine walked over, "Speak of the Devil."
"I may be a lot of things but a fictional evil of the planet Earth is not one of the them.", Christine laughed.
"Bugging out, John.", Christine laughed, clearly poking fun at the tribunal withdrawal.
"Yes, Ma'am.", John definitely did not want to spare with the acid tongued T'Nley.
Christine looked at Vincent, "Vincent, you may have greater problems now anyway."
"What?", Vincent stammered.
"Governor Greene just fired Commander Teero and hired a civilian engineer.", Christine laughed.
"What?", Vincent snarled.
"Yep and she is planning to remove Captain Leo fromhis post as well to replace him with a civilian Chief of Police to further her plans to separate Star Fleet from the Colony.", Christine explained.
John looked at the threesome, "Looks like you have problems of your own."
Vincent looked at Nicole, "What do you think we should do?"
Nicole looked at Vincent, "We need to topple the government. Ask Commander Teero to turn off the power."
Christine could not believe what she was hearing from the soft Branson. She rushed away. Vincent looked at Nicole, "You should never have said that in front of her."
Nicole smiled and winked, "Vincent, I have two children. Do you really think that I would turn of the power but Christine will be sending out the message to everyone who will listen. Skye is no fool. She won't risk it."
Vincent smiled, "You are getting much better at this, Nikki."
Nicole smiled, "Let the chess game begin. Coffee, Commodore?"
"Absolutely.", Vincent and Nicole walked away from the Tribunal. Both knew that they had dodged a bullet with the trials. They were supposed to paint the colony leadership as a punitive bunch of zealots and instead left them in a far better situation than before.
This colony faces its trials but even under extreme stress will make it through.
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Executive Officer
Star Fleet - Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Commanding Officer
Star Fleet - Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
Christine T'Nley
Omega News Network
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
