"All things are in place, Commodore.", Lt. Geyn Cheko reported from Operations.
"Very good.", Vincent and Tan answered in unison. The Saurian turned around and smiled.
"Commander Vasa and Lt. Wu have arrived on the USS Providence and preparations are being made to take Commander Sanders through the Iris into the Dyson Sphere.", Cheko explained.
Elizabeth and Eugenio entered Operations. "Update?", the Governor requested.
"The plan remains to place Commander Sanders in the Dyson Sphere with enough instructions on Operations to freeze out the Tholians.", Viceroy explained.
"Who is in command of the Providence?", Eugenio responded.
"Commander Monty Viceroy will look after the comm.", Vincent smiled, thinking of his cousin.
"The shuttle has launched from the Providence.", Cheko pointed out.
"Damn, Commodore Viceroy, we have a problem?", Cheko interrupted.
"What?", Vincent responded.
"The Romulan battlegroup has arrived. The Tholians have launched ships on a intercept.", Cheko pointed out.
"Contact Commander T'Ros, order their withdrawal. At least, until the infiltration has had an opportunity for success.", Viceroy ordered.
"I will take care of that.", Branson responded, leaving Operations for Diplomacy.
Vincent looked at Cheko, "What are the Romulans doing?"
"Engaging the Tholians.", Cheko responded.
"One thing that is good. We have cover for the covert operation.", Viceroy smiled.
Cheko headed for the doorway. Viceroy looked, "Where are you going?"
"I am taking the Tongue to retrieve Commander Vasa. Her training of Sanders is complete. She should be on Governor's Station when this all goes down.", Cheko responded.
"Fly safe.", Viceroy responded. Cheko did not like the reference. He had already hit the Station once. He knew that Viceroy was pointing that out.
Vincent looked at the Dyson Sphere, "Ominous, isn't it?"
Tan looked at Viceroy, "And more powerful than you could ever imagine. If the Tholians get it to fire, we are finished."
Viceroy paced back and forth. He looked at Tan, "Is there any way to contact Wu and Sanders?"
No sooner did the words come out of his mouth than Caitlin, Summer and Geyn re-entered the Operations.
Caitlin looked at Vincent, "Commodore, Commander Sanders is inside the Dyson Sphere. She must make her way to Operations and then alter the internal environment."
"How soon will we know?", Viceroy asked.
"Within the hour.", Caitlin responded. Everyone paced around Operations.
Summer and Caitlin were still cattin' about in their rivalry over Tan. It was a nice distraction over the very high tension.
"USS Providence to Governor's Station.", Jo-Jo's voice started everyone.
"Go ahead.", Summer responded rushing to the Station Ops console.
"The Tholians appear to be confused in their fire fight with the Romulans. Communications appear to be disrupted.", Jo-Jo explained.
"It is beginning.", Commodore Viceroy responded.
"All monitoring systems on Station Destiny.", Viceroy ordered as Nicole reentered Operations.
"It is make it or break it time.", Eugenio put both hands on the console, sweating perfusely. The Governor will be defined by this situation. Hell, the colony could be finished if the infiltration fails.
"Something is happening.", Summer blurted out.
Everyone moved towards the main viewer. The awesome defence grid for the Destiny appeared on the surface of the giant orb. Summer actually screamed.
Nicole started to cry, "Oh, Brenna, please know that I did everything I could to save you."
Lt. Cheko looked at Nicole, "Madame Vice President, please board the Tongue. We must head to New Terra. You must survive."
Nicole was now sobbing uncontrollably, "I will not leave these people. If they die, I die too."
Vincent looked at Nicole, "Nicole, go with Cheko. The Phoenix Federation must survive the Tholian Threat."
Nicole hugged Vincent, "It has been my honor to serve with you, Commodore."
Vincent picked her up and hugged her so tightly, "I love you, Nikki. Take that with you forever."
Nicole had never felt love towards a man in her life but she felt it in that moment. She and Cheko headed through the corridors of the Station.
Summer looked at Vincent, "The grid is coming on-line."
Vincent looked at Summer, "Order the Providence, Archangel and Double Q out of the region. We cannot afford to lose all the ships as well."
"Aye, sir.", Summer, a betazoid could feel the horror of Vice President Branson and she too started to cry.
Vincent turned to Commodore Tan, "Commodore, take the HSS Ley and leave the station. Head for New Terra to protect Branson."
Tan replied, "I will stand with you, Vincent."
"Listen Tan, there is no point.", Viceroy responded, "We are not all gonna die here."
Summer screamed, "The Iris is opening. Several Tholian ships are exiting and heading up away from the Romulan fire fight."
"What the hell is going on?", Viceroy asked.
Summer looked at Vincent, "Incoming communication from the Destiny."
Vincent and everyone rushed once more to the viewer.
"This is Commander Vanessa Sanders, in occupation of Station Destiny, ordering all vessels not loyal to the Phoenix Federation to lower their shields and stand down or evacuate from this sector or prepared to be destroyed.", Vanessa growled into the comm.
The cheers on the station were incredible. Everyone was high fiving each other. The scene was repeated on the Prometheus, Providence, Archangel and Quasar Quest as well. Communications could be heard throughout the battlegroup.
"I damn knew she could do it.", Monty Viceroy yelled from the Providence.
"We are most grateful, Commander.", Captain S'Nii smiled on the Prometheus.
"Well done.", John smiled on the Quasar Quest.
"God bless you, Vanessa.", Commander Amy Turin answered for the Archangel.
Nicole walked back into Operations. Vincent ran over and picked her up, "Sanders is in Operations on the Destiny."
Nicole smiled, "I have to go to the planet. I have to see Magenta and Brenna."
"I will be right behind you. I have to tell Bobbi-Lee and baby Nicole.", Viceroy smiled.
"Someone looking for a taxi.", Cheko smiled.
"Not today, Lieutenant. Its transporters for us. We need to get home now.", Branson smiled.
Summer told Vanessa how to shut down the Destiny weapons array and put the Destiny in dormancy mode. Vanessa then made her escape back to the Providence. Summer smiled, "Sanders, we owe you a huge debt of gratitude."
"I am Phoenix Federation, ma'am. I am just doing my job.", Commander Sanders responded.
"And a damn fine job, indeed.", Governor Coren responded, "Captain Sanders."
"That is Commander, Sir.", Vanessa responded.
"After this, Captain. It is Captain for certain.", Eugenio responded.
The operations platform erupted with clapping once more.
Posted by:
Nicole Branson
Vice President
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Military Commander In Chief
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
