Nicole was in the school when the Romulan attack began. She went rushing over to the hospital to help tend to the wounded and help get them into escape pods and into space. This was her colony. Nicole had trained to be a doctor and over the past 13 years, she had done a variety of internships but nothing could have ever prepare her for the horrors of the end of Cheron VI.
Many doctors stayed behind to ensure the escape of so many others. Dr. Lily Gral, Dr. Cujo Powers, Dr. Magenta Coren-Lau and even Ambassador Loiza Coren-Lau stayed in the institute to stabilize patients, load them into escape pods and launch them into space. These doctors paid with their lives to ensure the survival of the colony group. They will never be forgotten.
The legacy of Dr. Lasiter Lau, the Trill whose spirit kept alive Dr. Martin Warren-Lau, Dr. Magenta Coren-Lau and Loiza Coren-Lau may have been lost after more than a century of life but his name will forever be associated with the exodus.
Nicole would learn of the death of Colby Russo in the eleventh hour but she did no abandon her post. Many, many inhabitants of the colony would not be alive without her staying behind. The final destruction of the original Deanna Troi Institute was believed to have seen the end of the legend of Nicole Branson.
Vice Admiral Elizabeth Coren stood at the podium with a huge smile on her face holding the scroll which contained the colony of Medara charter. She knew that Vincent was wrong. Branson would not be here. Elizabeth and Illyan had longed to have control over the King's Fleet under the auspices of the Betazoid Alliance.
Elizabeth made the formal announcement. If Nicole Branson did not appear to accept the colony charter, the charter would once again fall back to the Betazoid Alliance and the ships which had been certified within the charter to protect the colony of Medara would fall under the authority of the Betazoid Alliance.
Elizabeth smiled and started counting down from 10....
Ophelia Prang'Laar had received a message from Francine Prang'Laar aboard Starbase 756 that Brenna and Mac were still in the Governor's Mansion alive but the Holo-sitter had failed. Ophelia made her way through the devastation to the mansion and rescued the children. She prepared to use the mansion pod to head into space when Brenna spoke the immortal words, "I am not going without my mom."
Ophelia looked outside at the devastation around the Deanna Troi Institute. She should have just left. It was the smart thing to do. Ophelia looked at the dear young girl. Ophelia thought about her own mother and about Penny and what the Branson family had meant to her. Ophelia took those two children and ran across the horrors of the Romulan attack. It is impossible to describe the luck and the miracle that she made it to the hospital. No one should have survived that.
Luck is often used to describe the career of Nicole Branson. She fell into the role of Vice Admiral. She received the first Omega Colony Charter purely out of fluke. She has survived the horrors of colonization in worlds and against insurmountable odds that few should have. Ophelia found Nicole badly injured and trying to save the life of Dr. Skylight Greene. Ophelia pulled both grand ladies into the escape pod.
The USS Archangel, under the command of Captain S'Nii of Vulcan gathered the pod and brought her here to Medara. S'Nii knew the risks associated with revealing Nicole was still alive and she may not have survived had it not been for the amazing work of Raine Vasa. Ironically, a Betazoid had saved the life of Nicole Branson.
If Raine had known about Vice Admiral Elizabeth Coren's plan to steal the King's Fleet vessels, it would have been interesting to know if she would have worked so hard to save her.
Elizabeth gave a "Two... and a..."
Nicole and Ophelia came strolling into the conference room. Elizabeth was shocked. Everyone in the conference room stood up and started clapping. Ophelia looked at Nicole, "I believe you have a duty, Governor."
Nicole smiled and stepped up to the podium. She took the charter from Elizabeth. Elizabeth was furious. She had been foiled again by Branson.
Nicole gave a brief thank you speech and predicting great things for Medara, Camelot. She then looked at Ophelia, "I would not be here if it were not for you."
Ophelia nodded. Ophelia followed Nicole into the back room. She had always crushed on Penny's former girlfriend. She even tried to have a relationship. She looked at Nicole, "I did it for you, you know. I did it for love."
Nicole looked at Ophelia. She was not sure she saw the young lady like that. Ophelia grabbed her and pushed her back up against the wall. Ophelia hiked her skirt and pushed in close to Nicole to get a kiss. Nicole was reluctant. Did she want this?
She was not sure. Time will tell.
Posted by:
Nicole Branson
Governor
King's Fleet
