The barrage of torpedoes were getting closer to the Jarada ship yards. All that work; nearly four months of construction were at risk. General Smith put in the call to Commodore Viceroy, "We need to launch the USS Queen Elizabeth II."
"How are we going to do that?", Vincent screamed back.
"We have no command, no crew and the ship will barely fly.", Vincent exclaimed.
"I don't care. You need to get her in the air.", Smith yelled back.
Vincent turned as Nicole, Magenta and Acrylos walked into his office. Vincent looked at Nicole, "We need to get the QE II into the air."
"What about a student crew?", Nicole quickly responded.
"Who will command her?", Vincent snapped, his patience wearing thin with each day of war in Jersey.
"What about Captain S'Nii. The Paul Revere is in space dock for refit. She is without a ship. She is definitely loyal to the colony. She was the student president.", Nicole asked about her former Vulcan student flat mate.
"Agreed. Send for her.", Vincent yelled.
Nicole could see the adrenalin in the former Fleet Commander In Chief. Vincent then looked at Acrylos, "Can you get her off the ground at about 67% completion?"
"I could but I am not prepared to leave the TNT unattended. If the energy grid goes down, we won't be able to fight the Tamarians.", the Bajoran responded.
"Is there anyone else?", Vincent snapped.
"How about the current student president, Cinnamon Leo? She was the best engineering student in the classes.", Acrylos explained.
"You are going to put the newest ship in space with a Captain who has had only one command and a student engineer.", Vincent snarled.
"What, you don't graduate effective students, Commodore?", Acrylos screamed sarcastically.
"Ask the kid if she thinks she can do it.", Vincent tried to center himself.
"I am not asking. I am telling her.", Acrylos snapped.
S'Nii walked in, "You called, Commodore."
"Vulcan, I hate to put this on you but we have an emergency. We need to launch the Queen Elizabeth II. I would like you to take command of the ship. I want you to take her up into orbit. Get her systems on line and then come back and turn those freaking Tamarian invaders into dust. Do you hear me?", Vincent was literally frothing in his rage.
"I accept.", the Vulcan responded promptly.
She turned to Magenta. She had helped the Omega Academy command class within which Magenta became a lieutenant.
"Lt. Coren, would you help me get the ship off the ground?", S'Nii asked.
"I would be honored.", Magenta smiled.
Nicole grabbed her arm, "Hey, what about us?"
"There can still be an us, Nicole but we need to save the ship and the city. You of all people should understand that.", Magenta responded.
"But Magenta, S'Nii is like us. She might "like" you.", Nicole almost looked like a puppy dog in her explanation.
Magenta kissed her on the forehead, "We're fine, Nikki."
"Take care, Magic.", Nicole smiled.
Acrylos and Cinnamon walked in. Vincent looked at the Caitian Student still in civilian clothes. He put his arm on her shoulder, "Do you think you can do it?'
"I am an Omega Graduate.", Cinnamon smiled.
Vincent looked at her, "You have the most important role of all. Once you are all on the ship with your student crew, you will need to get the damn thing flying."
"Please tell me if you think you can't do it.", Vincent begged her knowing the gravity of what he was answering.
General Smith's voice boomed through the comm-link, "Commodore, several pedestals are now damaged. If you don't come soon, the QE II will be lost."
"We're on our way, General.", Vincent exclaimed.
The Students, Captain S'Nii and Lt. Coren rushed through the fire fight and up to the QE II. S'Nii turned back, "CORONATION, a noun. The ceremony of investing a Queen with the outward and visible signs of her divine right to be blown skyhigh.”
The ship vibrated back and forth. Vincent looked on. Nicole hugged his arm and looked on. Everyone who has ever known space travel knows how dangerous a ground launch can be. Thoughts of every space disaster filled Nicole's mind from the Mercury III to Discovery to the USS Princess Diana.
The Queen Elizabeth II launched into space in her hovering glory achieving the coronation worthy of her name. Cinnamon Leo and her student engineers were working frantically to get the ship off the ground safely. Her amazing galaxy shadow drove the Tamarians back, at least for now.
Vincent turned to Nicole, "Now for Post Graduate Studies. If the students, Captain S'Nii and Lt. Magenta Coren can get the ship up and running. If they can, they will swoop down and end this mess."
Nicole looked up as the QE II disappeared above the clouds.
"Take care, Magenta.", Nicole whispered.
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Star Fleet Executive Officer
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Commanding Officer - Star Fleet
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
Commander Acrylos Teero
Chief Engineer
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
Introducing the USS Queen Elizabeth II, Colony Support Ship
