Captain S'Nii looked out at the beautiful Queen sitting there hovering on the Lily Pads. She looked incredible in all her Galaxy glory. Magenta had been in a rush to go to see Nicole. Cinnamon was going to meet with Harper Todd and the Student Government of the Omega Academy. S'Nii smiled at her grand accomplishment. She had launched a 67% completed star ship and brought her to full shakedown in a matter of a couple of weeks. She was so proud.
She was walking up to the Federation Complex when Vincent, General James Smith, the Jarada Commanding Officer and Captain Kevin Vance, commanding officer of the USS Chamberlain who had crash landed in Omega Prime.
Captain S'Nii walked up, "Gentlemen."
"Captain.", Vincent responded.
"This is Captain Kevin Vance.", Vincent continued.
"I recognize you from the Omega News Network. Captain of the USS Chamberlain.", S'Nii looked puzzled.
"Captain, it is my duty to inform you that the USS Queen Elizabeth II has been assigned to Captain Kevin Vance.", Vincent explained.
"What?? She is my ship.", the Vulcan officer responded.
"Captain Vance is the more experienced officer. The USS Queen Elizabeth II was being built for Star Fleet by the Jarada. The ship was not intended to support the colony.", General Smith explained.
"So, Me, Magenta and Cinnamon put her together and you just take it away. Just like that.", the Vulcan was suddenly remarkably emotional.
"The ship is a trade in exchange for the property agreement on Outpost 395.", General Smith explained.
S'Nii looked at the Jarada General, "Whatever..."
The Vulcan stormed away.
S'Nii went out to the Little Lakaria to see Magenta. Magenta was horribly disappointed to learn of the fate of the Queen. She had a lot of fun getting the ship off the ground and keeping her afloat.
Cinnamon came out to Nicole's that evening. The girls were drinking Vulcan Port and getting too drunk. Nicole snarled, "Typical of Star Fleet to pull the rug out from under the girl in charge."
The girls laughed and joked at their misfortune.
In the morning, big heads and all, S'Nii, Nicole, Cinnamon and Magenta sat on Nicole's stoop and watched as Captain Vance took the Queen Elizabeth into space. S'Nii looked at Nicole, "Thanks for your help, Vice Admiral.... A lot of power you have there."
Nicole could not believe the snipe. She glared at the Vulcan. She however knew she was hurt.
Vincent came out to the house when Nicole never came into the office. He was not pleased to find the female staff all sitting there pouting and hung over. He told them that it was not his decision either. It was not even Admiral William Hunt. This came from Star Fleet and the agreement with the Jarada.
The girls did not care. Vincent was the messenger. Time to shoot the messenger.
Vincent looked at Nicole, "You should be overjoyed. The mission is a huge success. Construction at Tokyo will begin soon. A new mission for the colony will begin. We have averted a huge multi-city war and we have stopped terrorist attacks in Jersey and Osaka. This is a grand success."
"You took the pride and joy of my new girlfriend and gave it to a man who crashed his ship and you expect me to be happy.", Nicole retorted.
"He crashed Vincent.", Nicole snapped.
"He fought the Vulcans, Nicole. He limped home. Captain Vance is a hero and he is not the enemy.", Vincent snapped back.
"No... He never gave the ship away. You did.", Nicole snarled.
"Bitch.", Vincent snapped.
"Hey.", Nicole stood up getting in the face of the Star Fleet Commanding Officer.
Vincent turned and walked away. He looked back, "I got peace in Jersey without destroying the city. I got the Tamarians their own city. I would consider this a great day."
Nicole knew he was right. His achievement was remarkable. It was not right to bring him down over what happened.
Nicole and Magenta went into the city for a little shopping therapy. Nicole say Dr. Velta Varno. She was the hero that kept the Chamberlain crew from splatting on the colony and Nicole's former girlfriend.
Nicole walked over. Before she could speak, Velta smiled, "I heard. I am very sorry Magenta."
"Thank you.", the Betazoid responded.
"I wish it had ended better.", Magenta nodded.
"What if it could?", Velta answered perking the attention of both Nicole and Magenta.
"When the Elizabeth flew over Jersey and banked hard, she exposed something in the Jersey Flats.", Velta explained.
"Exposed what?", Nicole asked.
"Something very special.", Velta enticed everyone.
"If you come with me, I will show you something so classified that even Star Fleet has not been told at the request of Commodore Vincent Viceroy.", Velta explained.
The ladies headed out to the Jersey Flats in a shuttle not a hover car but a real Star Fleet shuttle. Velta put the shuttle down. Nicole walked out and covered her mouth in absolute shock.
"Oh my god!!", Nicole screamed.
"Vincent knew.", Nicole turned to Dr. Varno.
"He had to maintain appearances for Star Fleet, the Jarada and Captain Vance.", Velta explained.
"Our mission is to get her up in the air.", Varno smiled.
"I'm in.", Magenta smiled.
"Its a freaking NX. Its gotta be 200 years old.", Nicole scoffed.
"Star Fleet has informed the colony that building another ship to service a minor colony in the Typhon Expanse is not supported by the Fleet Command. They will not supply materials, plans or manpower for the project.", Vincent walked out from behind one of the shuttles.
"Our only hope is to get the NX up and flying.", Vincent continued.
Nicole punched him in the arm, "You could have told me."
Vincent took Nicole over to the front of the ship and the pair walked onto the saucer section...
Nicole put both hands over her face as she read the words, "USS Lexington..."
She looked at Vincent, "How can that be?"
Vincent looked at Nicole, "I don't know. I just don't know."
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Star Fleet Executive Officer
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Star Fleet Commanding Officer
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
