Nicole found it hard to go to the office. She had difficulty with what she had done there. When she opened the door and stood in the doorway, feeling as Lady MacBeth, "Out damned spot...."
The blood of Ophelia Masters was forever on her hands. She just stood there vibrating. The double agent had changed who she was. Where once stood a beautiful young mother of two, now stood a killer and the bringer of armageddon. She pressed the button that lit up Sparta. Nicole did not like who she had become. It nauseated her as she stood there.
She slowly made it into the main conference room. She was stunned to see Cleveland Powers standing there. She hated him. He and Bruce Montgomery Jr. had taken her Brenna. She glared at the attorney. She felt the same rage she had felt when she saw Ophelia. She had changed. She could have easily torn the throat from the dog man as she had done the double agent.
Nicole, already nauseated by her actions, disgusted by what she had become was further repulsed by the image of the putred attorney standing with Commodore Vincent Viceroy. Nicole wanted to scream but slowly walked over; her blood boiling.
Cleveland looked at Vice Admiral Branson, "Ms. Branson."
He spoke calmly.
Nicole glared at him but did not answer.
Vincent looked at the obviously upset Vice Admiral, "Nicole, we have a proposal."
"A what?", Nicole snapped.
"A proposal. Mr. Powers has been made aware that Captain John Warren has accepted the Gul Vash Enranet proposal to serve aboard the CGV Tanmesad as its Marine commanding officer. You and I both knew that John would not be comfortable on the ground. Cleveland Powers has offered to take over the role of Mayor of Wells City.", Vincent explained.
"What! Reward the man who stole my child!", Nicole screamed.
"Wait!", Vincent shouted, "Listen, dammit!"
"Mr. Powers has proposed petitioning the Federation Court for the custody of Brenna Montgomery on the fact that the child is not a citizen of the Federation and therefore not bound by their laws. She was born on the Phoenix Colony and therefore has been granted the right to chose. She would be permitted to select a life with Vice Admiral Nicole Branson and Dr. Orchid Coren or with Commodore Bruce Montgomery.", Vincent explained.
"And how are we going to make this petition, Vincent?", Nicole snarled.
"Ms. Branson, you and I are going to Star Base 185 and make the petition personally.", Cleveland spoked with his legal confidence.
"Oh yeah and the Federation is going to just let us do that.", Nicole snarled. Her sarcasm was horrible and unrelenting.
"Yes, my dear, they are. If they don't, they will have to acknowledges the loses at Outpost 395. You see, Nicole. The President Elect, the Vulcan V'Ros is not as popular as he would have the universe believe and a major lose would only solidify the fact that V'Ros and Johnson are not the saviors of the Federation, building a republic based on great leadership but are the incompetent lunatics hell bent on domination of everyone who opposes them.", Cleveland snapped back, getting right in Nicole's face.
"I am not your dear, Antican!!", Nicole snarled.
"Nicole, will you put your attitude in your damn pocket for a second, for Christ's sake.", Vincent understood her frustration but he needed her to just listen.
Nicole looked at the men, "What is the worst case scenario?"
"They arrest you and try you as a traitor.", Cleveland explained.
"Best case?", Vincent quickly steered the conversation.
"The courts agree to allow Brenna to choose.", Cleveland answered.
"What if she choses wrong?", Nicole's bottom lip quivered...
"No guarantees.", Cleveland answered.
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Plaintiff for Custody - Brenna Montgomery
Letter of Intent - Federation Courts
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Governor - Territory Omega
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
