Orchid was practically frantic as she cleaned the house. They had literally only moments before Admiral Illyan Coren and his lovely wife, Loiza arrived. The pair were on the Colony to attend a briefing on the liberation by Commodore Vincent Viceroy and to discuss the post war relationship with the Phoenix Federation in the Beta Quadrant.
The truth was Loiza wanted to see little Trista, named for her daugther with Illyan and whom she had become so attached to in two previous visits by Orchid, one for pleasure and one to run from the colony.
Loiza went straight for the baby and she and Orchid went for a walk leaving Branson stuck with the Admiral. Nicole knew what Illyan thought of her and his discussions about the successes of Admiral William Hunt and Captain Yasushi Yamamoto. Nicole knew that Illyan saw her as nothing more than a secretary to these great men. He spoke of them in glowing terms.
Orchid came in. She had been crying. Nicole stood up. Loiza looked at Orchid, "Come on, child get your things. We are leaving."
Nicole looked at Orchid.
Orchid looked back, "My family feels that I will be safer on Corinthian Station orbiting Betazed and not here on the colony."
Before Nicole could respond, Loiza interjected, "The colony has been attacked and devastated twice. This is no place for our granddaugther."
Nicole looked at Orchid once more as she went upstairs to get her things and stuff for Orchid.
"She will come back. This is her home.", Nicole shouted at the Coren's.
The Admiral slammed back, "She did come back Nicole to be caught arriving and placed in a concentration camp. She lost our granddaughter. We have given two members of the Coren family to this damn Phoenix Federation; some pipe dream about Beta Quadrant expansion. We are not prepared to give up our grandchild."
Nicole turned to Orchid, "Flower, please stay."
The shouting brought little Brenna downstairs. Nicole went and sat on the steps with Brenna. The Admiral picked up the luggage and started out the door. Orchid looked back teared up and puffy eyed but followed her father out of the house.
Brenna and Nicole went to stand on the step as the Coren's got into the hover car to return to their ship.
Illyan shouted back, "You brought the Jarada to the colony. We were greeted by bugs. What the hell kinda place are you running here? Bugs!!"
The car blew down the colony street. Nicole plunked down and started to cry but the car came to an abrupt halt. Orchid and the baby got out. She and Illyan exchanged words but they were too far away to hear.
Orchid came walking back as the car disappeared. She stood at the end of the stoop. Nicole stood there for a long time. There had been so much drama. She was exhausted. Orchid mumbled, "Can I come in?"
"Orchid, there has been so much between us. I cannot have this. You are either in or out. There will be no more second chances.", Nicole shouted.
Orchid looked down at the baby and then up at Nicole, "I am in."
Nicole smiled, "You'd better come in, then. You heard your father, there could be bugs."
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
"Wife of Dr. Orchid Coren"
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
